A used flatbed will help accelerate the shipping process for ocean, land, and rail shipping. This is specialized for transporting oversized, heavy, or irregularly shaped cargo that doesn’t fit in a standard enclosed container.
Buying a used unit can offer significant cost savings, especially for domestic use, site logistics, or storage.
To know more about used flatbed and how to choose a good one, find out in this article!
Contents
What is a Flatbed Container
A flatbed container is a type of shipping container that has a flat deck without walls or a roof. It is designed to transport a variety of cargo that cannot fit in standard containers, such as machinery, construction equipment, lumber, or other building materials.
Unlike standard containers that have walls and a roof, flatbed containers have a flat deck that allows cargo to be loaded and unloaded from multiple sides. Flatbed containers are designed to withstand heavy loads and harsh shipping conditions because of their twist locks and tie-down points
Flatbed containers come in a variety of sizes, including 20’, 40’, and even longer, with varying load capacities:
- 20’: 20′ L × 8′ W × 2′ H, 47,950 lbs
- 40’: 40′ L × 8′ W × 2′ H, 88,184 lbs
Benefits of Using a Used Flatbed Container
Cost Savings
Used flatbed containers are much more affordable than the new ones. Buying this will avoid high depreciation, as used units retain their resale value better.
Great for Oversized or Irregular Cargo
Flatbed will easily carry items that can’t fit in standard enclosed containers, like machinery, steel pipes, beams, vehicles, and construction equipment. With a flatbed container, you can load from the top, side, or rear, making handling more flexible.
Reusability and Durability
Built with heavy-duty steel frames, flatbeds are extremely rugged and long-lasting. Even in used condition, many still meet cargo-worthy specs for land and industrial use.
Multi-Purpose Utility
Other than transport, you can repurpose the used flatbeds into work platforms, bridge decking, base structures for custom mobile units, and storage skids for heavy equipment. This is commonly used on construction sites, farms, and remote operations.
Intermodal Transport Capable
Used flatbeds often retain their twist-lock corner castings, making them usable with trucks, trains, cranes, and forklifts.
Easy to Modify
Flatbeds are a popular base for custom builds, especially for open-stage trailers, off-grid platforms, and custom mobile solutions (solar power bases, offload ramps).
Environmentally Friendly
Reusing a flatbed container helps reduce waste and the demand for newly manufactured units. This supports your sustainable and low-impact project ideas.
How to Choose a Used Flatbed Container
Confirm the Right Size and Type
Before buying or renting the used flatbed container, you need to suit the size to your needs. This type of container has 2 sizes, they are:
- 20’: 20′ L × 8′ W × 2′ H, for small machinery and equipment loads.
- 40’: 40′ L × 8′ W × 2′ H, for long pipes, vehicles, and construction.
Inspect Physical Condition
While inspecting the used flatbed’s physical condition, you need to check:
Frame and Surface
- Rust, bent beams, or warped decking
- Cross members and floor beams
- Decking that should be intact (especially if wood): no rot or broken planks
Corner Castings and Twist Locks
Ensure all corner fittings are in good shape for secure stacking or transport.
Weight Ratings and Payload Capacity
Confirm it still meets your weight needs (47,000–88,000 lbs, depending on size).
Check Documentation
This step is important before purchase to verify its history, condition, and compliance with safety standards. Ask for the original ID numbers (BIC, serial, or owner ID) and previous use (e.g., chemicals, construction, food transport).
Evaluate Delivery and Handling Needs
Before purchasing, you need to ask the seller, “Can it be delivered to my location safely and affordably?” Also, make sure that your site can handle a crane, forklift, or tilt-bed truck to move it.
Match to Your Use Case
Used flatbeds might come in different conditions due to their previous utilization. Therefore, you need to match it to your use case.
If you want to use it for heavy-duty hauling, look for the one with a strong steel deck and good twist. The one with a flat frame and minimal rust is great if you want to repurpose it for a platform or base. Meanwhile, if you want to build a mobile structure or ramp, get a used flatbed with a clean frame that is easy to weld/modify.
Conclusion
While buying a used flatbed, you should avoid the one with deep structural rust or cracked beams, severe bends, damaged corner castings, deck soft spots, and no traceable origin or documentation.
Get your used flatbed in good condition from Tradecorp, a reliable container sales, purchase, rental, and modification service company. Tradecorp provides modification and custom shipping container services to residences by adding windows, doors, walls, and roof insulation.
Our experienced staff is ready to help you arrange the shipping of your container to your requested location. Fill out our quote form to buy or rent from us!