IZY Assistant
Online now
Steel is one of the most weight-intensive and equipment-specific commodities in trucking. The wrong equipment, securement method, or carrier can result in damaged product, safety violations, and expensive claims.
| Steel Product | Best Equipment | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Steel coils | Flatbed with coil racks | Coil racks prevent rolling — standard flatbed is insufficient |
| Structural beams / I-beams | Standard flatbed | Long and heavy — open deck required |
| Steel plate | Flatbed | Flat and heavy — crane or forklift loaded |
| Pipe and tubing | Flatbed with pipe stakes | Round product must be blocked and braced |
| Rebar bundles | Flatbed | Standard securement — chains and straps |
| Prefab steel structures | Step deck or RGN | Height often exceeds standard flatbed limits |
The federal legal weight limit for a 5-axle flatbed is 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, allowing 42,000–46,000 lbs of payload depending on axle configuration. Steel coils frequently approach this limit. For loads over 80,000 lbs gross, overweight permits are required in each state. Factor in 2–5 days permit processing time.
Flatbed spot rates reached their highest levels since 2021 in May 2026, driven by data center construction and infrastructure spending. Per DAT Trendlines:
| Region | Flatbed Spot Rate | vs. Year Ago |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest | $3.52/mile | ▲ +27% |
| Northeast | $3.60+/mile | ▲ +25% |
| Southeast | $3.40/mile | ▲ +22% |
| West | $2.92–$3.80/mile | ▲ +18% |
For steel shippers, this means budgeting significantly more for outbound freight than in 2024 or 2025. Contract pricing is increasingly important to lock in rates before further increases.
IZY Logistics is a licensed freight broker (MC #1615290) serving shippers across the United States. Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds.
Get a Free Quote →Steel shipping typically requires specific equipment, handling, or compliance steps that standard dry van freight doesn't need.
Yes. IZY Logistics brokers steel freight nationwide and can match the shipment with a carrier experienced in this freight type.
Request a quote with your shipment details — origin, destination, weight, and any special handling requirements — and IZY Logistics will match it to the right equipment and carrier.
Confirm the carrier has the right equipment and experience for steel freight specifically, along with proper insurance coverage for the commodity.
Get a competitive quote in under 30 seconds. No signup required.