Comprehensive guide to hauling steel products on a flatbed — coils, beams, plate, pipe, and rebar. Securement methods, chain grade requirements, dunnage, weight distribution, and safety equipment.
return ( Steel Hauling — High Pay, High Responsibility Steel is one of the highest-paying commodities for flatbed haulers.
Rates for steel loads consistently run above average because the cargo requires specialized knowledge, heavy-duty securement equipment, and careful handling.
In the Southeast, steel mills in Birmingham, Alabama and Savannah keep flatbed operators busy year-round.
Steel hauling also carries the highest stakes.
A single steel beam can weigh 10,000+ lbs, and an unsecured steel load is one of the most dangerous cargo failures possible.
The FMCSA devotes specific sections of 49 CFR Part 393 to different steel product types, and inspectors know exactly what to look for.
This guide covers the major steel products and how to haul each one safely and legally.
Types of Steel and Their Securement Steel Coils Steel coils are covered under 49 CFR 393.120 and have their own dedicated securement rules due to their shape and weight.
Coils can weigh 5,000 to 50,000 lbs each.
See our dedicated guide on coil securement for the full step-by-step process.
Key points: Eye-to-the-sky (vertical eye) requires fewer tiedowns than eye-to-the-side Must use coil racks, cradles, or chocks to prevent rolling Grade 70 chain minimum Friction mats under the coil and under blocking Steel Beams (I-Beams, H-Beams, Wide Flange) Structural steel beams are long, heavy, and have a relatively high center of gravity when stacked.
Securement requirements under the general cargo rules (49 CFR 393.100-118): Minimum one tiedown for articles 5 feet or less, two for 5-10 feet, and one additional for every additional 10 feet of length Use chains — straps can be cut by sharp beam edges Place dunnage between layers of stacked beams Block the bottom layer to prevent sliding — the smooth flange surface has low friction on a steel or wood deck Chains should go through or around the beam web, not just over the top flange When hauling long beams that overhang the trailer, you must display a red or orange flag (minimum 18 inches square) at the end of the overhang during daylight, and a red light or reflector at night.
Overhangs exceeding your state's limit (typically 3-4 feet rear overhang) require permits and additional markings.
Steel Plate Steel plate is flat, heavy, and has almost no profile for chains or straps to grip.
This makes plate one of the most challenging steel products to secure: Stack plates with dunnage between layers so chains can grip underneath Use friction mats between every layer and under the bottom plate Minimum 4 chains across a stack of plates — more for heavy stacks Block the front, rear, and sides with timbers or steel angles to prevent sliding Consider belly wrapping — running chains under the trailer and over the load for maximum grip Steel plate on a smooth trailer deck with no friction material is extremely dangerous.
The coefficient of friction between steel on steel is as low as 0.15 — meaning a hard brake can send an unsecured plate forward through.
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