— Truckload

Truckload Freight: Dry Van, Flatbed, Conestoga and Step Deck

Whisk Freight Brokerage arranges dry van truckload for palletized or floor-loaded freight, plus flatbed, Conestoga and step deck for legal-size freight that does not fit in an enclosed trailer, across California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

We'll Price the Shipment →Call 424-842-4065

— Equipment

Four Trailer Types, Matched to the Load

Dry van for freight that loads through a dock door. Flatbed, Conestoga and step deck for freight that loads from the side or top, or is too tall for an enclosed trailer. The trailer is matched to the freight's dimensions, weight and need for cover.

53-foot enclosed trailer

Dry Van
How it works
Open deck

Flatbed
How it works
Flatbed or step deck with a rolling tarp

Conestoga
How it works
Upper and lower deck

Step Deck
How it works

— Truckload Services

Dry Van and Open-Deck Freight

Dry van for full truckloads of palletized or floor-loaded freight. Flatbed, Conestoga and step deck for freight that will not fit in an enclosed trailer.

01 · 53-foot enclosed trailer

Dry Van Truckload

We arrange full truckloads in 53-foot dry van trailers across California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. Freight can be palletized or loaded directly onto the trailer floor, with service for single loads and recurring shipments.

We confirm with the carrier that the trailer can accommodate your shipment’s size and weight. Pickup and delivery requirements are confirmed before dispatch.

Carriers are reviewed through both Highway and Carrier411 before onboarding and monitored on an ongoing basis. Shipments are tracked through Trucker Tools from pickup through delivery.

To request a quote, send the pickup and delivery locations, commodity, total weight, and whether the freight is palletized or floor-loaded. For palletized freight, include the pallet count and each pallet’s length, width, height and weight.

Best for

Shipments between warehouses and distribution centers
Retail merchandise and manufactured goods that do not require temperature control
Import freight transloaded in Carson for inland delivery

Dry van dimensions

Open-Deck Freight

For freight that will not fit in an enclosed trailer or cannot be loaded through a dock door, such as machinery, steel, building materials and project cargo off a transload. We arrange open-deck loads within legal size and weight only; freight that requires an oversize or overweight permit is not booked. Trailer dimensions are in the equipment guide.

02 · Open deck, loaded from the side or top

Flatbed

A flatbed is an open trailer that allows loading from the side by forklift or from above by crane. We arrange flatbed freight for steel, lumber, building materials and equipment.

We confirm loading access, securement and tarp requirements with the carrier. Tarps provide protection from weather and road debris, but do not fully enclose the freight like a dry van.

To request a quote, send the commodity, piece count, and each piece’s length, width, height and weight. Include how the freight will be loaded and unloaded. We confirm with the carrier that the trailer and route can accommodate the shipment.

We arrange legal-size, legal-weight loads only. We do not arrange shipments requiring oversize or overweight permits.

Best for

Steel, lumber and building-material shipments
Equipment requiring side or overhead loading
Import freight transloaded in Carson for flatbed transport

Flatbed dimensions

03 · Open-deck loading, covered on the road

Conestoga

A Conestoga is a flatbed or step deck with a retractable tarp-and-frame system. The cover opens for side or overhead loading, then closes around the secured freight for transit. It provides covered transport without laying loose tarps directly over the load.

Usable space and cargo weight capacity depend on the trailer and tarp system. The cover provides weather protection, not temperature control, and does not replace cargo securement.

To request a quote, send each piece’s length, width, height and weight, along with loading and unloading arrangements. We confirm with the carrier that the freight fits with the cover closed and that the trailer can accommodate its weight.

We arrange legal-size, legal-weight shipments only. We do not arrange shipments requiring oversize or overweight permits.

Best for

Machinery requiring side or overhead loading and covered transport
Manufactured goods that should not have loose tarps resting directly on them
Building materials requiring cover during transit

Conestoga dimensions

04 · More height on the lower deck

Step Deck

A step deck has a short upper deck at the front and a longer, lower deck behind it. The lower deck provides room for taller freight than a standard flatbed, making it useful for machinery, equipment and crated components.

Usable deck lengths and cargo height vary by trailer. We confirm with the carrier how the pieces will fit, accounting for weight distribution and securement. If the freight needs covered transport, a step-deck Conestoga may be an option, subject to availability and clearance with the cover closed.

To request a quote, send each piece’s length, width, height and weight, along with loading and unloading arrangements.

We arrange legal-size, legal-weight shipments only. We do not arrange shipments requiring oversize or overweight permits.

Best for

Tall machinery or equipment needing more clearance than a standard flatbed provides
Crated industrial components requiring open-deck loading
Equipment shipments with tall main units and shorter accompanying pieces

Step deck dimensions

Step Deck vs Flatbed vs Conestoga vs Dry Van

Step deck vs flatbed vs Conestoga vs dry van
Trailer	Loads from	Cover	Freight height	Best for
Dry van	Rear dock door	Enclosed	About 9 ft to 9 ft 2 in interior height	Palletized or floor-loaded freight
Flatbed	Side or top	None, or tarps	About 8 ft 6 in	Freight that loads by forklift or crane
Step deck	Side or top	None, or tarps (or fitted as a Conestoga)	About 8 ft 6 in upper deck, 10 ft lower deck	Freight too tall for a flatbed
Conestoga	Side or top	Rolling tarp	About 8 to 8 ft 6 in usable	Open-deck loading with a cover on the road

Figures are approximate and come from the equipment guide. Open-deck loads are arranged within legal size and weight only.

— How a Load Gets Booked

Quote to Delivery

Every truckload, dry van or open deck, follows the same five steps.

Your details
Quote
Send the equipment, origin and destination, frequency, weight, commodity and dimensions. We price the single load or the repeat shipment.
Highway and Carrier411
Carrier Vetted
The carrier is reviewed through both Highway and Carrier411 before onboarding and before it is assigned the load, and monitoring continues on an ongoing basis.
Confirmed
Booked
The carrier is booked, and the pickup, delivery, equipment and any tarp or securement requirements are confirmed.
Trucker Tools
Tracked
The load is tracked through Trucker Tools from pickup to delivery.
Operations team
Operations Support
Our operations team books the shipment with a carrier and provides updates from pickup through delivery, and the delivery documents are filed with the load record.

How we vet carriers and track loads

Service area: Southern California, Northern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

— Service Area

Service Area: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico

Truckload freight is arranged across Southern California (including the Inland Empire), Northern California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico.

Port (Los Angeles and Long Beach)
Warehouse (Carson, 5 miles from the Port of Long Beach)
Route
Service zone

What We Need to Quote

Send the details available for your shipment. Pickup and delivery ZIP codes are enough to start; include full addresses when available.

Equipment: Dry van, flatbed, Conestoga or step deck—or tell us if you are unsure.
Route: Pickup and delivery locations, including additional stops and the freight moving at each stop.
Freight: Commodity, pallet or piece count, and whether it is palletized, crated or loose.
Size and weight: Length, width, height and weight of each pallet or piece, plus total shipment weight. State the units and whether pallets can be stacked.
Loading and unloading: Dock, forklift or crane access at each end, who will load and unload, and any truck-access restrictions.
Timing: Freight-ready date, pickup window, required delivery date, appointments and facility hours.
Tarp and handling needs: Whether the freight needs a cover or has handling restrictions. We confirm suitable securement with the carrier.
Frequency: One-time or recurring; for recurring shipments, include the expected number of loads and schedule.

Quote a Truckload

— Questions Shippers Ask

Truckload FAQ

What is a dry van trailer?

A dry van is an enclosed trailer without refrigeration, used for palletized or floor-loaded freight that needs protection from weather. Freight loads through rear doors, and 53 feet is a common trailer length for U.S. truckload shipments. We confirm with the carrier that the trailer can accommodate your shipment’s size and weight, including door clearance. See the equipment guide for dimensions and pallet-planning estimates.

What is the difference between a step deck and a flatbed?

A flatbed has one continuous deck. A step deck has a short upper deck and a longer lower deck that sits closer to the ground, allowing taller freight to fit within the route’s overall height limits. Usable space varies by trailer. We confirm with the carrier that the trailer and route can accommodate each piece’s length, width, height and weight, along with loading and unloading requirements. We arrange legal-size, legal-weight shipments only.

What is a Conestoga trailer?

A Conestoga is a flatbed or step deck with a retractable tarp-and-frame system. The cover opens for side or overhead loading, then closes around the secured freight for weather protection during transit. Usable space varies by trailer and tarp system. We confirm with the carrier that the freight fits with the cover closed and that the trailer can accommodate its weight. See the equipment guide for configuration-specific dimensions.

Do you arrange oversize or overweight loads?

No. We arrange flatbed, Conestoga and step deck shipments within legal size and weight limits only. We do not book loads requiring oversize or overweight permits. Send each piece’s length, width, height and weight, plus the total shipment weight. Before booking, we confirm with the carrier that the trailer can accommodate the freight within the route’s legal size and weight limits.

Do you arrange single loads or recurring shipments?

Yes. We arrange single truckloads and recurring shipments using dry vans, flatbeds, Conestogas and step decks across California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico. For recurring shipments, send the route, equipment needs, expected number of loads and pickup schedule.

What do you need to quote a truckload?

Send pickup and delivery ZIP codes, any additional stops, and the equipment type—or tell us if you are unsure. Include the commodity, how it is packaged, pallet or piece count, stackability, each pallet or piece’s length, width, height and weight, and the total shipment weight. State the measurement units.

Include pickup and delivery dates, appointments, facility hours, loading and unloading access, and who will load and unload. Note any access restrictions, cover or special handling needs. For recurring shipments, include the expected number of loads and schedule. ZIP codes are enough to start; include full addresses when available. We confirm equipment and securement requirements with the carrier.

Truckload Freight: Dry Van, Flatbed, Conestoga and Step Deck

Four Trailer Types, Matched to the Load

Dry Van

Flatbed

Conestoga

Step Deck

Dry Van and Open-Deck Freight

Dry Van Truckload

Open-Deck Freight

Flatbed

Conestoga

Step Deck

Step Deck vs Flatbed vs Conestoga vs Dry Van

Quote to Delivery

Quote

Carrier Vetted

Booked

Tracked

Operations Support

Service Area: California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah and New Mexico

What We Need to Quote

Truckload FAQ

What is a dry van trailer?

What is the difference between a step deck and a flatbed?

What is a Conestoga trailer?

Do you arrange oversize or overweight loads?

Do you arrange single loads or recurring shipments?

What do you need to quote a truckload?

Send the Shipment Details. We'll Price the Shipment.