Guide to hauling roofing materials on a flatbed trailer — shingles, rolled roofing, metal panels, underlayment, weight distribution, tarping, and securement for roofing loads.
return ( Roofing Materials — A Year-Round Flatbed Commodity Roofing materials are one of the most consistent flatbed commodities in the Southeast.
Between new construction, re-roofing projects, storm damage repairs, and the region's year-round building season, there is always roofing material moving from manufacturers and distributors to job sites and supply houses.
The freight pays well, shippers are generally efficient, and the loads — while heavy — are manageable once you understand the products and how to handle them.
This guide covers the most common roofing materials you will haul, how much they weigh, how to load and secure them, and the tarping requirements that apply to nearly every roofing load.
Common Roofing Products Asphalt Shingles Asphalt shingles (three-tab and architectural/dimensional) are the most common roofing material in the Southeast and the most frequently hauled roofing product by flatbed.
They come in bundles, with three bundles covering one square (100 square feet of roof).
Three-tab shingles: approximately 60-70 lbs per bundle Architectural (dimensional) shingles: approximately 65-80 lbs per bundle A full pallet: typically 42-48 bundles, weighing 2,800-3,600 lbs per pallet A full flatbed load: approximately 18-22 pallets, totaling 42,000-48,000 lbs Shingle pallets are loaded by forklift and are relatively uniform in size and shape, which makes loading and securement straightforward.
The pallets are typically stretch-wrapped, but the wrap alone is not sufficient for transit — you need proper tiedowns.
Rolled Roofing Rolled roofing (also called mineral-surface roll roofing) comes in rolls that are roughly 36 inches wide and weigh 50-75 lbs per roll.
Rolls are typically palletized for shipping.
Rolled roofing is used on low-slope roofs and commercial buildings.
Loads are similar in weight to shingle loads but the rolls can shift more easily than bundled shingles if not properly secured.
Metal Roofing Panels Standing seam and corrugated metal roofing panels are growing in popularity across the Southeast.
These panels are lightweight per piece but are long (10-40+ feet), flexible, and extremely susceptible to wind damage during transit.
Metal panels require special attention: Weight: 1-2 lbs per square foot.
A full flatbed load of metal panels may weigh only 15,000-25,000 lbs — well under max weight but bulky.
Length: Panels are cut to order and can be 10 to 45 feet long Handling: Panels scratch and dent easily.
Use edge protectors and do not over-tighten straps Wind: Unsecured or poorly tarped metal panels will catch wind like a sail.
Proper securement is essential for safe transport.
Roofing Underlayment and Felt Roofing felt (tar paper) and synthetic underlayment come in rolls, palletized for shipping.
These are lighter products — a pallet of 30 lb felt weighs roughly 2,000-2,500 lbs.
Underlayment is almost always part of a mixed roofing load rather than a full load by itself.
Other Roofing Components Ridge vents and cap.
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