Flatbed Shipping: Busiest Months and Pricing Peaks

Flatbed is designed to move heavy, often oversized things that can not be placed inside enclosed trailers or other containers. If you are employed in the logistics sector or your business depends on moving heavy construction and machinery, you have probably noticed there’s a type of seasonality for flatbed demand.

So, if you understand which months are usually the ‘hottest’ for the industry and why prices climb, it can help you plan smarter and save money. Here, we’ll break down why rates rise and fall, and how seasonality plays into the bigger picture.

When Flatbed Demand Rises and Falls

Why is it important to follow seasonal trends? You may be surprised, yet trucking and farming have much in common. Just like farmers follow planting and harvest cycles, the flatbed market has its own rhythm.

Shipments run regardless of the season; however, the demand and prices are not the same year-round. In warmer months (March-August), flatbed carriers are at their busiest period. Why? Just because the three most influential spheres – construction, agriculture, and manufacturing – are especially active at the time.

How Construction Fuels Flatbed Needs

When the snow melts and the weather becomes favorable for outside work, the rush begins. Most constructors don’t store materials year-round. So they need pipes, bricks, blocks, and panels to be delivered to the construction site right at the beginning of the season. The bigger the building project is, the more it depends on flatbed trucking.

The Agricultural Push for Flatbeds

Obviously, farming is also linked to weather conditions. Most agricultural companies need heavy machines, irrigation systems, and farm equipment to handle planting and harvest seasons effectively. In contrast to the construction sector, agriculture is extremely time-sensitive. Thus, essential flatbed trucking services are even more crucial for farmers.

Manufacturing’s Role in Seasonal Demand

Does manufacturing also depend on the season? Surprisingly, yes. Many plants and factories plan construction work and maintenance for warmer months. Some sectors, like automotive and aerospace, won’t be able to continue their work without flatbeds, as they need to move huge parts and equipment that can’t be carried by any other transport means.

Flatbed Pricing Peaks

While several factors fuel demand, prices also rise. As soon as the pool of trucks shrinks, companies across several industries start their competition to get available trucking services. So, carriers have the leverage to raise rates. That’s the reason why flatbed shipping is more expensive in spring and summer.

Tarping Accessorial Fees and Weather Protection

However, winter transportation can also be costly for a reason. Tarping fees are something many companies don’t keep in mind. Despite the idea that most of the flatbed cargo is not sensitive to weather conditions, like rain or frost, many transported items require additional coverage in winter.

Heavy-duty tarps protect cargo from snow, road dirt, and excessive moisture that can easily turn into ice. In winter, tarping often becomes necessary, yet it’s not free. Most carriers add an accessorial fee to cover the extra labor and worktime, which is necessary for securing loads.

Summary

The trucking industry follows a clear seasonal pattern, and flatbed trucking is not an exception. Warm weather creates favorable conditions for farming and outside work, which is important for giant market sectors, like construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. With a growing demand for trucking services, the industry is becoming more expensive. However, in winter, when many delivery services become cheaper, flatbed trucking may still be costly due to tarping for weather protection.

Knowing the seasonal patterns helps companies to choose the right time for moving their cargo. Carriers, at the same time, can use this knowledge for planning their capacity and pricing strategy. Either way, understanding the flatbed seasonality gives you a priority in the constantly shifting market.

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