Open Deck Freight Services

The main difference is maximum cargo height and deck design. A step deck has one drop from the upper to the lower deck, allowing cargo up to 10 feet tall to move legally. A double drop has two drops, with one at the front and one at the rear, creating a very low middle section that sits 18 to 24 inches off the ground. This allows cargo up to 12 feet tall to move legally in most states. If your freight is between 8 feet 6 inches and 10 feet tall, a step deck is typically the right fit. If your cargo exceeds 10 feet in height or is extremely heavy and needs the multi-axle weight distribution a double drop provides, the double drop is the appropriate choice. OXBO's team will confirm the right configuration when you request a quote.

Open deck freight is exposed to weather, road debris, and handling risks that enclosed trailers avoid by design. Standard carrier liability under federal regulations applies to open deck moves, but the coverage limits may not reflect the full replacement value of heavy industrial equipment or machinery. Many shippers carrying high-value open deck loads carry additional cargo insurance beyond standard carrier liability. We recommend discussing your coverage needs with your insurance provider before moving high-value freight. OXBO can provide documentation on the shipment for insurance purposes if needed.

Permit requirements for oversize load trucking depend on the dimensions and weight of the cargo and the states the shipment travels through. Each state sets its own thresholds for what requires a permit, typically cargo exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in height, 8 feet 6 inches in width, 53 feet in length, or 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight. Loads that exceed certain thresholds also require pilot car escorts and may be restricted to specific travel windows, such as daylight hours only or no weekend travel. OXBO handles the permit process for all states on the route and coordinates escort vehicles where they are required.

Yes. Our open deck freight services extend to all points in the US, Canada, and Mexico. For Mexico-bound open deck shipments, we work through our CTPAT-certified carrier partners on the Mexico side of the border. For Canadian moves, we work through our established carrier network across the northern border. Permitting and routing requirements differ for cross-border moves, and our team manages those details as part of the shipment coordination.

Hotshot trucking is the right choice when your freight weighs 15,000 pounds or less, fits on a trailer 40 feet or shorter, and either needs to move quickly or does not justify the cost of a full flatbed setup. Hotshot dispatch is typically faster than full-size flatbed scheduling because the equipment is more widely available and the loads are smaller. If your shipment has a tight deadline and fits within the hotshot weight and size parameters, it is often the most cost-effective and fastest option available.

Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulations govern cargo securement on open deck trailers. Requirements specify minimum working load limits for tie-down equipment, the number of tie-downs required based on cargo length and weight, and specific rules for particular cargo types such as machinery, coils, and building materials. Chains, binders, straps, and blocking are all used depending on the cargo. OXBO's carriers follow FMCSA securement standards on every open deck shipment.