FLATBED / STEP DECK
Industrial freight is our specialty, and the most common method for moving industrial freight is an open trailer. It’s a great way to move over-dimensional, bulky equipment, machinery, building materials, steel, pipes, rigs, and other freight of unusual sizes and shapes. Also, if your shipper or receiver does not have a dock, an open trailer might be the solution, as they can unload cargo from the side. One thing to keep in mind, however, is that flatbeds are “open” (no sides or roofs) and therefore are subject to weather conditions and other external factors. For that reason, all of ROOTS’ drivers are equipped with weather resistant tarps and covers to mitigate any potential damage to your freight while in transit.
While flatbed trailers are very versatile and can generally handle freight up to 160 feet long, 18 feet tall, 18 feet wide, and approximately 200,000 pounds, this kind of shipping requires precise dimensions, careful route planning, and a demonstrative understanding of the space to ensure your freight arrives safely and on time. So don’t worry about whether you should be using a Conestoga or a Double Drop or which might be the most efficient route, your flatbed shipment will be handled by our team of seasoned professionals with more than 60 years of combined experience. Call today to talk about your needs and get a quote.
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HOT SHOT
There are times when you may only need a fraction of the capacity of an industrial flatbed. Whether it be one piece of machinery, a skid steer, or a few pallets headed to a destination that may not have a dock, flatbed hot shots, often referred to as goosenecks, are a great solution for loads that traditional dry vans and flatbeds simply could not support efficiently. At ROOTS we work closely with our clients to determine the best option for their shipping needs. For loads less than 17,500 pounds, a flatbed hot shot could be a very cost-effective alternative given their fuel efficiency and overall availability to service any market zone. This is one of our niche markets and we take pride in utilizing this trailer type to move farm equipment, building materials, and a myriad of other similar cargo types. If you have the weight and the dimensions, we can typically have a quote back to you within the hour. Contact us to discuss your needs.
DRY VAN
Popular for its flexibility and versatility, dry van shipping can be a reliable, cost-effective method to transport a wide variety of non-perishables, including:
- Food, beverages, textiles, electronics
- Equipment and machinery
- Raw materials
Securing a dry van can be difficult, especially in today’s market, but with ROOTS’ extensive network, you can be confident that we will not only be able to reliably secure freight transportation, but will do so at the most competitive rates in the market. Some considerations – a dry van is not suitable for any freight that should be climate controlled or that does not fit into a standard container. Under those conditions a climate-controlled trailer might be right for you.
Refrigerated – Refrigerated trailers, or reefers, are enclosed trailers much like dry vans, but are specifically designed to transport temperature-sensitive or perishable goods in a climate-controlled environment. Frequently, the cargo shipped in refrigerated containers is not only more temperature-sensitive, but also more time-sensitive than other types of freight. Everything from fresh produce, dairy, seafood, and frozen food, to medical supplies, fine art, flowers, and personal care products require precise conditions, proper planning and prompt service to transit from origin to destination safely and efficiently. ROOTS stays in constant communication with our clients, the driver, providing best in class tracking and monitoring so there is never a question concerning your critical shipment. Call today to learn about the ROOTS expertise and how we might accommodate your needs.
HOPPER
While industrial, open-trailer freight has quickly become a specialty, our “roots” were established in the agriculture space to support the diversified commodity portfolios of our parent company, The Redwood Group. Therefore, we understand exactly what it takes to safely and efficiently transport your raw/bulk goods.
Hopper bottom trailers are a type of specialty trailer, originally designed as a railcar, that allow commodities and raw materials to be easily loaded through an open top, and precisely unloaded directly from the bottom. This allows for safer unloading than a traditional end-dump trailer, but does require special considerations in order to be managed correctly. We ensure that our hopper bottoms are specifically engineered to maximize payload. Air-assisted pneumatics allows for accurate and safe off-loading in a much smaller space than traditionally required. Our hopper drivers also are equipped with environmental tarps that exceed EPA standards for grain transportation and are cleaned per TEC regulatory guidelines.
Similar to climate-controlled freight, the commodities transported in our hoppers are often time-sensitive, and weather sensitive. We understand that a few percentage points of moisture makes the difference between expected yield versus a disappointing harvest. Our drivers and logistics coordinators work closely with growers and facility staff to do everything possible to ensure expectations. Contact us to learn more about how ROOTS can support your growing commodities needs.