Complete guide to hauling lumber on a flatbed — loading patterns, stacking with dunnage, tie-down requirements, tarping, weight distribution, and common lumber loads.
return ( Lumber Hauling Basics Lumber is one of the bread-and-butter commodities for flatbed haulers.
It is available year-round, loads are relatively straightforward compared to steel or machinery, and lumber shippers are spread across the Southeast — especially in timber-rich states like Alabama, Mississippi, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
If you are new to flatbed hauling, lumber is an excellent commodity to learn on.
That said, lumber loads require attention to detail.
Improperly secured lumber can shift, fall off the trailer, and cause serious accidents.
The FMCSA has specific securement requirements for lumber under 49 CFR 393.116 , and shippers and receivers expect their loads to arrive clean, dry, and undamaged.
Common Lumber Loads Dimensional Lumber Standard framing lumber — 2x4s, 2x6s, 2x8s, 2x10s, and 2x12s in lengths from 8 to 20 feet.
Usually bundled and banded by the mill.
These are the most common flatbed lumber loads, especially during construction season.
A full load of dimensional lumber typically weighs 42,000-48,000 lbs.
Plywood and OSB (Oriented Strand Board) Sheet goods come in 4x8 foot sheets, bundled and banded in lifts of 40-60 sheets each.
A full load is usually 20-24 lifts.
Plywood and OSB loads are heavy and dense — easy to get to max weight.
Sheet goods are particularly sensitive to water damage, so proper tarping is essential.
Treated Lumber Pressure-treated lumber (green-tinted, used for decks, fences, and ground contact applications) is heavier than untreated lumber because of the treatment chemicals and retained moisture.
A load of treated lumber can max out your weight before filling the trailer.
It also drips treatment solution, which can stain the trailer deck.
Engineered Lumber LVL beams, I-joists, glulam beams, and trusses.
These are high-value products that require careful handling.
They are often longer than dimensional lumber (up to 60 feet for glulam beams) and may require specialized loading and securement.
Loading Patterns Standard Stacking Most lumber loads are stacked in layers (tiers) with the longest bundles on the bottom and shorter bundles on top.
Each layer should be separated by dunnage — strips of wood (typically 1x4 or 2x4 lumber scraps) placed crosswise between the layers.
Dunnage serves three purposes: Allows your straps or chains to grip each tier independently Creates friction between layers to prevent shifting Allows air circulation to prevent moisture damage and mold Dunnage Placement Place dunnage strips directly above each other from bottom to top — aligned vertically so weight transfers straight down through the stack.
Standard practice is dunnage every 8-10 feet along the length of the load.
For a 48-foot trailer, that means at least 5 rows of dunnage.
The dunnage should extend the full width of the load and overhang slightly so straps can seat into the grooves.
Many shippers provide dunnage, but some do not, or theirs is in poor condition.
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