Top Regional Flatbed Trucking Companies in the Industry

If you're in the market for a reliable regional flatbed trucking company, you've got plenty of options. Central Refrigerated, a company with over 100 years of experience, is one of the largest refrigerated trucking companies in the US.

Averitt Express, founded in 1971, offers dedicated and non-dedicated trucking services, with a strong focus on customer satisfaction. They operate a fleet of over 6,000 trucks and 17,000 trailers.

With a network of over 300 locations, Landstar is a major player in the regional flatbed trucking industry. They offer a range of services, including truckload, less-than-truckload, and intermodal transportation.

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Regional flatbed trucking companies offer a range of services, from hauling oversized loads to providing specialized transportation for construction equipment.

Some of the most well-known regional flatbed trucking companies include J.B. Hunt, Landstar, and Schneider National, which operate in multiple regions across the US.

These companies often have a strong presence in specific regions, allowing them to offer more personalized service and faster transit times to customers in those areas.

Melton Truck Lines is a top choice for flatbed carriers, renowned for its excellent driver treatment practices and impressive retention rates.

They welcome both new and experienced drivers, offering a paid pre-hire course that's a great opportunity to learn the ropes. The course costs $800 for new students and $1,000 for experienced students.

The pre-hire course is an eight-day program that covers essential topics like safety, load securement, and tarping. You'll get hands-on training in securing loads with various tools, including straps, binders, chains, and bungees.

During the course, you'll have the chance to secure between 20 and 30 loads, gaining valuable experience and learning different securement techniques.

Melton's training program is backed by evidence of reduced accidents among new drivers and improved productivity. You'll also receive ongoing support through online training and email communications.

Here are some key takeaways about Melton's training program:

Maverick is a regional flatbed trucking company with a presence in North Little Rock, Arkansas. They hire both new and experienced drivers to haul flatbed freight. The training programs are different depending on your level of experience. If you have six months of experience or more, you'll undergo a week-long paid pre-employment evaluation and a week-long paid business unit training.

New drivers, on the other hand, require about six weeks of training, including the pre-employment evaluation and one or two weeks of business unit training. The remainder of the new driver training is spent with a trainer. Maverick will train you on securement techniques so you're ready to safely secure their freight.

Maverick's training programs are comprehensive and include securement techniques. Whether you're new to the flatbed division or need a securement refresher, Maverick will get you up to speed.

Here's a breakdown of Maverick's training programs:

Roehl Transport is a top choice for flatbed trucking companies. They have one of the largest flatbed fleets in the country.

Their reputation in the industry is phenomenal, earning them the President's Award from the American Trucking Association (ATA) four times. This is a testament to their commitment to excellence.

Roehl Transport works with both new and veteran drivers, making them a great option for those looking to start a career in flatbed trucking. Their paid securement training program is a valuable resource for drivers.

Here are some key facts about Roehl Transport:

We have five terminals in the Southeast, covering a vast area from the Eastern seaboard to the Texas border.

Cypress Truck Lines has terminals in Jacksonville, Tampa, Florida; Smyrna, Ga.; Abilene, Texas; and Wilmington, N.C.

Our coverage area is extensive, with runs east of the Rockies and south to the Texas border.

With our reliable service, you can trust that your time-sensitive materials will be delivered on-time.

Cypress Truck Lines delivers exemplary results, making it the best option for your flatbed trucking needs.

We provide flatbed equipment and securement services, or we can load your equipment, containers, flatracks, and more.

Our team offers dray services, ensuring a seamless transportation experience.

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Flatbed trucking companies typically pay their drivers between $0.50 and $0.65 per mile, depending on experience and the type of cargo being hauled.

Drivers with more experience can earn up to $0.70 per mile, with some companies offering higher rates for specialty cargo like oversized loads.

For example, Prime Inc. pays its flatbed drivers up to $0.65 per mile, while Swift Transportation offers up to $0.63 per mile.

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If you're new to flatbed trucking, you'll want to look into companies with great flatbed securement training programs. These programs are crucial for learning the skills you need to haul complex flatbed freight.

Some companies, like Melton Truck Lines, Maverick, and Lone Star Transportation, will take on brand-new drivers fresh out of trucking school. Others, like TMC, Halvor Lines, Prime, Inc., and Roehl Transport, may require some industry experience first.

Companies like ATS offer flatbed securement training, even if you haven't hauled flatbed freight before. However, ATS typically requires at least one year of OTR experience.

If you're looking to get flatbed securement training, consider the following options:

Keep in mind that some companies may offer a bonus for completing their training program. For example, ATS offers a $1,000 orientation completion bonus for company drivers or a $1,000 sign-on bonus for lease operators.