If you’re in the business of manufacturing construction materials, machinery, or other heavy load items, flatbed carriers are the most efficient way to get your products where they need to go. We looked at areas like pricing, safety, fleet size, and customer feedback for leading Rhode Island flatbed trucking companies and found Bonanza Acquisition, LLC to be the top pick.
Flatbed Shipping Services & Transport in Rhode Island
Why Trust FreightWaves Ratings?
There’s a reason we’re one of the world’s leading authorities on the global freight market. Our expert team has an in-depth understanding of the industry and is up-to-date on employment trends, regulations, and other insights into the trucking workforce.
We conduct thorough research and data analysis to develop our recommendations for the best trucking companies in Rhode Island. Every Rhode Island trucking firm is closely scrutinized based on its service range and capabilities. Our team also verifies companies’ safety records and regulatory compliance and looks at what real users have to say about their experience.
From there, we narrow our focus to select only those top-performing and highest-rated firms to give you an informed and up-to-date list of the best trucking companies in Rhode Island for your commercial shipping needs.
Bonanza Acquisition, LLC
One Peter Pan Way, Providence, RI, 2904- Fleet age: 4 years
- Insurance: $5,000,000
- Safety rating: Satisfactory
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
Bonanza Acquisition, LLC (DOT: 1080986) is a reputable transportation company based in Rhode Island, specializing in providing reliable freight services. They offer a fleet of 44 buses and 88 total vehicles, focusing on long-haul and interstate transportation. With a strong emphasis on safety, their fleet includes flatbeds and dry vans, ensuring versatility and capability to handle a range of cargo types efficiently.
Bonanza Acquisition’s key offerings include full truckload (FTL), less-than-truckload (LTL), and refrigerated (reefer) services, facilitating the transport of temperature-sensitive goods. These covered options are particularly advantageous for businesses needing to ship perishables or delicate products. Despite an average fleet age of four years, the company maintains a satisfactory safety rating, underscoring its commitment to reliable service. Bonanza also supports commercial clients with benefits like health, vision, dental insurance, and a retirement plan, building a stable and well-supportive environment for both clientele and drivers.
Safety
- Crashes: 2
- Unsafe driving: 0.66
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 1.03
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 41
- Revenue: $195,000
- Miles driven: 1,961,461
United Distribution System, Inc.
150 Lavan Street, Warwick, RI, 2888- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Intermodal containers
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
United Distribution System, Inc. (DOT: 272532) is a Rhode Island-based trucking company known for its commitment to providing comprehensive transportation services. With a focus on general freight and intermodal containers, they cater to diverse shipping needs. Established within the last few decades, United Distribution has a small but efficient fleet size of four and ensures their fleet remains modern with an average fleet age of five years.
United Distribution excels in full and partial truckload services, accommodating both regional and local shipments. They prioritize their drivers with incentives such as sign-on bonuses, health insurance, paid time off, and guaranteed home time, reflecting their dedication to employee satisfaction. Their approach also extends to providing less than truckload (LTL) services, ensuring flexible and cost-effective solutions for businesses. Customers benefit from reliable and safe service, highlighted by their strong safety record with zero reported crash injuries or fatalities.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.5
- Vehicle maintenance: 10.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 4
- Revenue: $1,948,000
- Miles driven: 156,000
K.S. Trucking
193 Carnation Street, Pawtucket, RI, 2860- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
K.S. Trucking (DOT: 2817052) is a dynamic freight trucking company based in Rhode Island. They specialize in full truckload (FTL) services and less than truckload (LTL) shipments, with a focus on general freight. Their fleet, though small, is modern with an average age of 5 years, ensuring reliability and efficiency in transport. They employ skilled flatbed and over-the-road (OTR) drivers to meet the diverse needs of their clients.
K.S. Trucking is committed to supporting their drivers and maintaining high service standards. They offer benefits such as health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, as well as paid time off and a 401(k) retirement plan. The company emphasizes safety with a clean record of no crash injuries or fatalities. With guaranteed home time and a focus on safety, they provide a reliable option for businesses looking to ship their products securely and on time.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2
- Miles driven: 72,000
MAR Transport, Inc.
100 Oakland Beach Ave, Warwick, RI, 2889- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
MAR Transport, Inc. (DOT: 682001) is an active freight trucking company based in Rhode Island. With a solid foothold in the transportation sector despite an unclear year of establishment, their fleet comprises eight trucks and a total power unit size of eight. MAR Transport offers a variety of trucking services, including full truckload (FTL) and less-than-truckload (LTL) options. They specialize in refrigerated (reefer) transport as well as flatbed trucking, indicating their ability to handle different cargo types effectively.
The company’s commitment to safety is reflected in their flawless safety scores, with no reported crash injuries or fatalities. MAR Transport also provides comprehensive benefits like health, dental, life, and disability insurance, along with a 401(k) retirement plan. Their specialization in intrastate and interstate operations makes them a versatile choice for businesses seeking reliable transportation solutions for different types of freight, excluding hazardous materials and large construction equipment.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 8
- Revenue: $3,837,000
- Miles driven: 190,000
W Jak Trucking, LLC
10 Harris Driftway St, Cranston, RI, 2920- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
W Jak Trucking, LLC (DOT: 2920609) is a small Rhode Island-based trucking company known for its reliability and commitment to service. They specialize in general freight and paper products, operating a fleet that includes flatbeds and dry vans. With a focus on efficiency and adaptability, the company offers both full and partial truckload services, catering to a diverse range of cargo requirements with a modest fleet of two trucks and one driver available for interstate operations.
W Jak Trucking places a priority on quality service with regional and local driver support and offers essential employee benefits such as health, dental, and vision insurance. Despite their small size, their reputation is solid, reflected in high customer satisfaction ratings on platforms like Indeed and Yelp. Business owners seeking a reliable partner for transportation can find value in their specialized services tailored to handle paper products and general freight efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 7.0
- Driver fitness: 0.11
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.25
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 1
- Revenue: $569,000
- Miles driven: 300
Delacruz Transportation, LLC
3 Mica Ave, Cranston, RI, 2920- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $1,000,000
Cargo Types
- Beverages
- Building materials
- Construction equipment
- Dry bulk commodities
- Farm supplies
- General
- Machinery & large objects
- Metal materials
- Utility tools, parts & equipment
- Paper products
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Delacruz Transportation, LLC (DOT: 3872386) is an active interstate trucking company based in Rhode Island. With a fleet of 12 units, including 6 trucks and a focus on quality service, their specialties include full and partial truckloads, dry vans, and flatbeds. They transport a wide range of cargo such as building materials, paper products, farm supplies, utilities, and machinery. Although the company’s direct start date is not recorded, they maintain a strong Google rating of 4.5, reflecting customer satisfaction.
Delacruz Transportation emphasizes essential services over additional perks like sign-on bonuses or tuition reimbursements. Nonetheless, drivers benefit from health, dental, and vision insurance as well as retirement plans. Despite having reported minor incidents, they maintain decent safety scores. They dedicate efforts to facilitating secure and efficient transport solutions, making them a viable partner for businesses looking to ship construction, agricultural, and other general freight cargo efficiently.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 13.33
- Driver fitness: 1.4
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.2
- Vehicle maintenance: 24.66
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2
- Miles driven: 40,000
M.P. Trucking, LLC
77 Harriet St Apt 1, Providence, RI, 2905- Fleet age: 5 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Last-mile delivery
M.P. Trucking, LLC (DOT: 3284704) is a prominent Rhode Island-based freight carrier excelling in various trucking services with a focus on flexibility and reliability. Their fleet, comprising box trucks and dry vans, specializes in general freight, offering both full and partial truckload services. Despite being a smaller operation with 2 trucks and 4 drivers, M.P. Trucking, LLC has remained active, demonstrating a commitment to delivering consistent service quality.
Offering specialized support in parcel shipment and less-than-truckload (LTL) solutions, M.P. Trucking ensures efficient delivery processes tailored to their clients’ needs. Commercial clients benefit from added support services such as direct deposit and a comprehensive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, and disability insurance. While they maintain an average vehicle maintenance score of 7.5, their safety record and moderate driver fitness emphasize an ongoing commitment to operational excellence.
Safety
- Crashes: 1
- Unsafe driving: 68.42
- Driver fitness: 0.73
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.11
- Vehicle maintenance: 7.5
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2
- Miles driven: 16,671
Car-1 Transportation
281 Pippin Orchard Rd, Cranston, RI, 2921- Fleet size: 20 to 49
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $1,500,000
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Car-1 Transportation (DOT: 2972979) is an active freight carrier that offers comprehensive trucking services in Rhode Island. With a fleet size ranging from 20 to 49 vehicles, the company specializes in full truckload, less-than-truckload, dry van, and flatbed transport. Known for transporting passengers, Car-1 ensures a safe journey across interstate routes.
Car-1 Transportation is equipped with modern amenities to support their drivers and maintain a high service standard. The company provides health, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, alongside a retirement 401(k) plan and paid time off. Car-1 Transportation’s sign-on bonus and guarantee of home time make it appealing for drivers. Despite being a relatively small operation, its services demonstrate a dedication to efficiency and reliability for business owners seeking trustworthy transportation solutions.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 5
- Revenue: $827,000
- Miles driven: 60
Hogan Movers, Inc.
118 Hillcrest Dr, Cranston, RI, 2921- Fleet size: 1 to 10
- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Reefer
- Flatbed
- Last-mile delivery
Hogan Movers, Inc. (DOT: 2986277) is a reputable trucking company operating with active status in Rhode Island, boasting a high Google rating of 4.5. Their fleet, consisting of up to 10 vehicles, primarily serves interstate routes with a focus on moving household goods and providing partial and full truckload services. The company also offers dry van, flatbed, and less-than-truckload options, making them versatile in the range of cargo they can manage.
Hogan Movers, Inc. supports commercial shipments with a variety of employee benefits, such as health, dental, vision, and disability insurance, along with a 401k retirement plan. They emphasize driver satisfaction through guaranteed home time, new driver programs, and competitive salaries. Despite their small size, Hogan Movers places importance on safety, with no recorded crash injuries or fatalities and no out-of-service violations for hazardous materials. They are well-regarded for their team driving opportunities and strong commitment to training and development.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.28
- Hours-of-service compliance: 0.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 4.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2
- Revenue: $526,000
- Miles driven: 34,000
Nino P Trucking, Inc.
124 Hamilton St, Providence, RI, 2907- Fleet age: 3 years
- Insurance: $750,000
Cargo Types
- General
Truck Types
- Dry van
- Flatbed
Nino P Trucking, Inc. (DOT: 3229890) is a relatively new trucking company established in 2019, based in Rhode Island. With a fleet size of four and a focus on interstate operations, the company specializes in general freight services including dry van and flatbed transportation. Nino P Trucking operates with a small but efficient team of over-the-road drivers, ensuring personalized service with a fleet that is on average only three years old.
Nino P Trucking emphasizes safety, maintaining a record free of crash injuries or fatalities. They offer full truckload and less-than-truckload services, making them flexible for various shipping needs. Employees benefit from health insurance and paid time off, exhibiting the company’s commitment to employee welfare. Business owners will appreciate their attention to safety and reliable service, making Nino P Trucking, Inc. a solid choice for shipping needs in the region.
Safety
- Crashes: 0
- Unsafe driving: 0.0
- Driver fitness: 0.0
- Hours-of-service compliance: 2.0
- Vehicle maintenance: 0.0
- Controlled substances: 0.0
- Hazardous materials violations: 0
More Info
- Routes: interstate
- Drivers: 2
- Revenue: $380,000
- Miles driven: 69,491
How Safety Ratings Work in Rhode Island
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s (FMCSA’s) Compliance, Safety & Accountability (CSA) program evaluates trucking companies using BASICS (Behavior Analysis and Safety Improvement Categories)
Here’s a look at what each of the BASICS cover:
- Crashes: Trucking companies are required to report any accidents that result in injury or death. The FMSCA uses these state-reported crashes to determine any patterns of crash involvement and potential behaviors contributing to that pattern.
- Unsafe driving: This CSA category covers behaviors like texting and speeding that can lead to accidents
- Driver fitness: The FMCSA requires trucking companies to keep up-to-date records on their drivers. That includes identification and paperwork like CDLs, annual driving reviews, and any relevant medical certifications or documentation. Violations of this category will result in lower overall safety scores.
- Hours-of-service compliance: The FMCSA cites truckers and trucking companies that do not follow or enforce hours-of-service regulations that limit how much time a large commercial vehicle operator can be on the road without rest.
- Vehicle maintenance: Truckers are responsible for completing inspections before hitting the road on a route. They must also log any issues and have repairs to those identified problems completed before operating the truck.
- Controlled substances: As with all vehicle operators, truckers must be sober behind the wheel. This category accounts for violations issued to a trucking company’s driver(s) for being under the influence of or in possession of alcohol and street drugs or prescriptionor over-the-counter medicines that could impair judgement.
- Hazardous materials violations: Trucking companies and their drivers must exhibit proper loading and handling of hazardous materials, including labeling these items correctly, ensuring packaging meets regulations, and follows all restrictions and rules for the vehicle type.
Companies scoring a zero for any or all of the above categories did not receive any citations or other violations within a given month. Essentially, any trucking company that has multiple zeroes in these categories can likely be considered a safe freight shipper in compliance with all FMCSA standards and regulatory requirement.
Choosing the Right Flatbed Trucking Company for Your Rhode Island Shipments
If you run a construction company, manufacturing business, or industrial operation in Rhode Island, it’s important to consider the following before selecting a Flatbed trucking company:
- Specialized Flatbed options: Some companies offer specialized Flatbed vehicles like stretch or double-drop trailers that may be necessary for extra-long or heavy loads.
- Fleet Condition and maintenance: Choose a company that prioritizes fleet upkeep, as well-maintained trucks reduce the risk of delays and improve safety for your shipments.
- Weather-resistant protection: Flatbed carriers have an open deck, which make them ideal for loading and unloading bulky items. But open transport means exposure to the elements, so for more sensitive equipment or materials, look for carriers that provide tarping and other weather-protection services to safeguard cargo during transport.
- Experience with permits and regulations: Ensure the company is knowledgeable about handling oversize load permits, escort vehicles, and other regulatory requirements specific to Flatbed shipments.
- Load size and weight limits: Flatbed carriers have different weight and size capacities, so choose a company that can accommodate your cargo dimensions and meets Rhode Island regulations.
- Geographic coverage: You’ll want to confirm that a carrier provides routes in your required shipping areas to ensure timely delivery.
- Tracking and communication: Carriers with advanced tracking technology and responsive communication help provide real-time updates on your shipment’s status.
- Driver experience and training: Experienced drivers are essential for safe and efficient flatbed transport, especially for complex hauls or challenging routes. Find out what basic and ongoing training a carrier requires.
- Insurance coverage: Confirm that the company’s insurance policies cover the value of your cargo, especially for high-value or heavy-duty loads.
- Customer reviews and reputation: Look for a company with positive consumer feedback, specifically from Flatbed customers.
FAQs
What types of shipments are best-suited for Flatbed shipping?
Shipments that require specialized handling or unique configurations — such as oversized, heavy, or oddly-shaped items — are best-suited for Flatbed shipping. Industries like construction and manufacturing often use Flatbed shipping for transporting machinery, raw materials, or equipment. Flatbed trucks have an open deck, making them particularly useful for products that cannot fit within the confines of standard trailers.
How can Flatbed shipping benefit my business in Rhode Island?
Flatbed shipping can benefit your business by providing flexible transport options for loads that may not fit on more conventional trucks. They allow for easier loading and unloading, which in turn reduces handling time and potential damage for oversized or delicate items.
What are the biggest factors I should consider when choosing a Flatbed shipping provider?
Some of the biggest factors to consider when choosing a Flatbed shipping provider include experience with that transport type. Companies that have double-drop trailers and protective tarps are likely well-versed in Flatbed shipments. It’s also important to choose a company with skilled drivers and a well-kept fleet. You can review a company’s FMCSA score to check for safety violations and see maintenance records.
Other Types of Transport Options for Your Shipments
Depending on the types of products your business retails or manufactures, you may have several shipping options to choose from.
- Hopper Bottom Shipping Services
- Beverage Shipping Services
- Box Truck Shipping Services
- Drayage Shipping Services
- Dry Bulk Shipping Services
- Dry Van Shipping Services
- Hot Shot Shipping Services
- Intermodal Shipping Services
- LTL Shipping Services
- Parcel Delivery Shipping Services
- Pneumatic Shipping Services
- Power-Only Shipping Services
- Reefer Shipping Services
- Tanker Shipping Services