More Hawaii Logistics Services
Flatbed Trucking for Steel, Lumber, Pipe & Equipment
Preferred Transportation Services is a locally owned Honolulu trucking company running flatbed trucking services across Oahu since 2016. We haul steel, lumber, pipe, block, roofing and equipment on open-deck flatbeds between Honolulu Harbor, supplier yards, warehouses and job sites, under USDOT 2926199 and Hawaii PUC certificate 2398-C. Freight too tall for a standard deck moves on our drop deck trailers.
Flatbed Trucking Limits in Hawaii
Hawaii sets its own size limits for trucks on public roads. These are the numbers we plan every flatbed load around:
| Item | Limit or typical figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Semitrailer length in Hawaii | 48 ft maximum | HRS §291-34 |
| Combination length, including load | 65 ft maximum | HRS §291-34 |
| Overall width, including load | 9 ft maximum without a permit | HRS §291-34 |
| Overall height, including load | 14 ft maximum without a permit | HRS §291-34 |
| Freight weight on a standard flatbed | Up to about 48,000 lbs | Trailer specifications |
| Freight height on a standard flatbed | About 9 ft; taller loads go on a drop deck | Deck height vs. Hawaii's 14 ft limit |
Flatbed Delivery Services on Oahu
Our flatbed delivery service picks up where your freight is and drops it where the work happens. Typical runs:
- Supplier yard to job site: rebar, beams, lumber and truss packages delivered on the day your crew needs them.
- Harbor to yard: freight coming off the ship at Honolulu Harbor, or stripped from a container, moved to your yard or warehouse. For the container itself, see daily container drayage.
- Warehouse to customer: palletized block, pavers, roofing and fixtures delivered to stores, contractors and homes.
- Equipment moves: generators, compressors, small machinery and attachments that stay under the height limit.
An open deck needs a way to get the freight off at the other end. If the site has a forklift or crane, we position the truck where it can reach. If it doesn't, book forklift delivery with the load so it comes off where you need it. Smaller palletized orders that fit a box truck can go with lift gate delivery instead.
Flatbed Truck Transport: What We Haul
- Structural steel, rebar, beams and steel plate
- Lumber, plywood, sheet goods and truss bundles
- Pipe, conduit and culvert sections
- Palletized block, pavers, roofing and tile
- Solar racking, panels and electrical gear on pallets
- Equipment and machinery under the height limit
- Crated or skidded freight that loads from the side or top
Loads taller than a standard deck allows go on our drop deck trailers. Not sure which trailer you need? Read our step deck vs. drop deck trailer guide.
Flatbed Hauling Services by Industry
- Construction and contractors: steel, lumber, pipe and block to job sites from Honolulu to Kapolei.
- Industrial and manufacturing: raw materials, parts and equipment for plants and shops. See industrial and manufacturing logistics.
- Government and public sector: materials for public works and agency projects. See government and public sector logistics.
- Military contractors: deliveries to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Schofield Barracks and Marine Corps Base Hawaii with drivers who know base access. See military base and residential delivery.
- Home services and installers: roofing, solar and HVAC materials for installers. See home services and installation.
Flatbed Freight Services from Honolulu Harbor
Almost everything that reaches Oahu comes in by ship, and a lot of construction freight arrives as breakbulk or in containers that have to be unloaded before the last leg. We pull containers from the Port of Honolulu daily under interchange agreements with Matson, Pasha Hawaii, Aloha Marine Lines, NYK Lines and Young Brothers, and our flatbeds carry the freight from there to your site. If your freight needs to be sorted or held first, we offer break-bulk and distribution and short-term storage. For the ocean leg, see ocean freight services.
Flatbed Transportation Services Across Oahu
We run flatbed loads island-wide: Honolulu, Kalihi, Mapunapuna, Sand Island, Kapolei, Campbell Industrial Park, Ewa Beach, Waipahu, Pearl City, Aiea, Mililani, Wahiawa, Kaneohe, Kailua and the North Shore. Tell us about narrow streets, overhead lines, soft ground or gate times at the delivery site so we send the right truck.
How Flatbed Loads Are Secured
Federal cargo securement rules set the minimum for every load we haul (49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I):
- The tiedowns on a load must have a combined working load limit of at least half the cargo's weight.
- An article 5 ft or shorter and 1,100 lbs or lighter needs at least one tiedown.
- An article 5 ft or shorter that weighs more than 1,100 lbs, or one longer than 5 ft up to 10 ft, needs at least two.
- Longer articles need two tiedowns plus one more for every additional 10 ft of length.
We secure loads with chains and straps and tarp freight that has to stay dry, such as lumber and drywall. Tell us the length and weight of each piece so we bring enough securement.
Standard Flatbed, Drop Deck or Box Truck?
| Equipment | Best for | Loads from |
|---|---|---|
| Standard flatbed | Steel, lumber, pipe, pallets and equipment under about 9 ft of freight height | Sides and top (forklift or crane) |
| Drop deck trailer | Machinery, tanks and tall freight that needs a lower deck to stay under 14 ft | Sides and top; ramps for some equipment |
| Dry box truck | Palletized freight that must stay out of the weather | Rear, by dock or lift gate |
Palletized freight that must stay out of the weather goes in one of our dry and refrigerated box trucks.
Oversize Loads and Permits
Loads over 9 ft wide or 14 ft tall, or a semitrailer over 48 ft, need an oversize permit from the Hawaii Department of Transportation before they move on state highways. On Oahu, HDOT's Highways Division takes applications by email at DOT.HWYO.Permits@hawaii.gov. Permit fees run $5 to $25, and HDOT notes that oversized or overweight loads can take a minimum of three weeks to review, so tell us early if your freight is oversize (Hawaii DOT).
How to Book Flatbed Trucking
- Send the pickup and delivery addresses and the date the freight is ready.
- List the pieces with length, width, height and weight.
- Tell us how the freight loads and unloads: forklift, crane or by hand.
- Note site limits such as narrow streets, overhead lines, soft ground or gate hours.
Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Request a quote online, call (808) 509-8160 or email freight@preferredhawaii.com.
Why Oahu Shippers Use Preferred for Flatbed Trucking
- Local since 2016: based at 2846 Awaawaloa St., Honolulu, HI 96819.
- Licensed: USDOT 2926199 and Hawaii PUC certificate 2398-C.
- One call for the whole move: drayage, flatbed, drop deck, forklift, box truck and storage from one dispatcher.
- Trusted by local businesses: partners include City Mill, Expeditors, H2O Logistics, Lynden Logistics and Norwegian Cruise Line. See our partners.
Flatbed Trucking FAQ
What is flatbed transport?
Flatbed transport is moving freight on an open trailer or truck bed with no sides or roof. Because the deck is open, a forklift can load from either side and a crane can set freight from above, which suits steel, lumber, pipe, machinery and other loads that don't fit through the doors of a box truck or container.
What loads are best for flatbed trucks?
Freight that is heavy, long, oddly shaped, or easier to load from the side or top: structural steel and rebar, lumber and truss bundles, pipe and culvert, palletized block and roofing, and equipment that stays under the height limit.
How much weight can a standard flatbed carry?
A standard flatbed trailer carries up to about 48,000 lbs of freight. Give us the weight of each piece so we can plan the truck and the tiedowns.
How tall can freight be on a standard flatbed?
About 9 ft. Hawaii limits a loaded vehicle to 14 ft overall, and a standard deck sits roughly 5 ft off the ground, so taller freight moves on a drop deck trailer with a lower deck.
Do you offer flatbed delivery to job sites?
Yes. We deliver flatbed loads to job sites, yards and warehouses in Honolulu, Kapolei, Waipahu, Pearl City, Ewa Beach and the rest of Oahu. If the site has no forklift or crane, we can pair the load with forklift delivery so the freight comes off where you need it.
How do you secure flatbed loads?
With chains, straps and tarps as the freight needs. Federal rules (49 CFR 393) require tiedowns with a combined working load limit of at least half the cargo's weight, and more tiedowns for longer pieces.
Do I need a permit for a wide or tall load?
Yes, if the load is over 9 ft wide or 14 ft tall overall, or the semitrailer is over 48 ft. The Hawaii Department of Transportation issues oversize permits, and large loads can take at least three weeks to review.
How much does flatbed trucking cost on Oahu?
It depends on the pickup and delivery points, the size and weight of the freight, how it loads and unloads, and whether it needs tarps or a permit. Send us those details for a free, no-obligation quote.
Get a Free Flatbed Trucking Quote
Need steel, lumber, pipe or equipment moved across Honolulu, Kapolei or anywhere on Oahu? Call (808) 509-8160 or email freight@preferredhawaii.com for a free, no-obligation quote. Related services: drop deck trailers · forklift delivery · container drayage · box truck delivery · short-term storage · Hawaii logistics company.
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