Not every load fits in a box. When you’re moving oversized machinery, structural steel, lumber, construction equipment, or anything that needs to be top-loaded or side-loaded, you need an open deck freight broker who knows what they’re doing — not one learning on your load.
Aries Freight Systems is a Chicago-based open deck freight broker with access to flatbed, step deck, lowboy, RGN, and double-drop capacity across every major US lane. We coordinate permits, pilot cars, and route surveys so you don’t have to. One call covers everything from origin to delivery.
Whether you’re moving a single oversized piece or managing recurring open deck lanes across multiple facilities, our team handles the complexity — so your freight moves safely, legally, and on schedule.
Versatile Open Deck Freight Solutions
Open deck shipping covers any freight mode where the trailer has no roof or enclosed sides — allowing loads to be placed from above or the side, and accommodating freight that exceeds standard enclosed trailer dimensions.
It’s the go-to solution for:
- Oversized or over-dimensional freight
- Heavy machinery and industrial equipment
- Steel, lumber, and construction materials
- Freight that exceeds 8.5 feet in height or width
- Loads requiring crane or forklift top-loading
Open deck is not a one-size solution. Choosing the wrong equipment — a standard flatbed when you need a step deck, or a step deck when you need a lowboy — means permits denied, freight delayed, or loads that simply won’t move. That’s where having the right broker matters.
Also shipping temperature-sensitive freight? See our Reefer & Cold Chain services →
Open Deck Equipment — Matched to Your Load
At Aries, we match your freight to the right equipment before we ever touch a carrier. Here’s what we cover:
Standard Flatbed (48-ft & 53-ft)
The workhorse of open deck shipping. Ideal for steel coils, lumber, building materials, and palletized loads that don’t require height clearance. Maximum legal height: 8.5 feet.
Step Deck / Drop Deck
Two deck levels — a higher front deck and a lower rear deck — giving you an additional 12–18 inches of height clearance over a standard flatbed. Ideal for equipment too tall for a flat but not requiring a lowboy.
Lowboy & RGN (Removable Gooseneck)
For the heavy stuff. Lowboys ride just 18–24 inches off the ground — the only viable option for tall or extremely heavy cargo like excavators, cranes, transformers, and large industrial machinery. RGNs detach at the front for drive-on loading.
Double Drop & Stretch Trailers
For freight that exceeds standard dimensions in both height and length. Used for turbines, large vessels, and specialized industrial loads.
Permit & Escort Coordination — All 48 States
Every over-dimensional load requires state permits, and many require pilot cars or police escorts. Aries handles permit applications, route surveys, and escort coordination — across all 48 contiguous states. You focus on your business; we handle the paperwork.
Moving heavy construction equipment across multiple states? See how we handle project freight →
INDUSTRIES WE SERVE
Our open deck freight solutions support some of the most demanding industries in North America:
Construction & Infrastructure
Steel & Metal Manufacturing
Oil & Gas Equipment
Agriculture & Heavy Equipment
Wind Energy & Utilities
Modular & Prefab Construction
Automotive Manufacturing
Government & Defense Logistics
If your freight doesn’t fit in an enclosed trailer, it belongs on an open deck — and it belongs with Aries.
Why Aries for Open Deck Shipping
Open deck freight has zero margin for the wrong carrier. Equipment mismatches, permit errors, and route miscalculations don’t just cause delays — they cause accidents. At Aries, every open deck carrier in our network is vetted for equipment condition, safety record, and permit compliance before they touch your freight.
- ✓ 100,000+ vetted carriers including open deck specialists across every US lane
- ✓ Full permit and escort coordination — we handle all the paperwork across all 48 states
- ✓ Real-time load visibility from pickup to delivery
- ✓ 24/7 dispatch — a real person, available at any hour
- ✓ 99.9% claims-free delivery rate across all modes
- ✓ Chicago HQ — deep Midwest carrier relationships for steel, manufacturing, and construction lanes
Need drayage at the destination? See our Drayage services →
Open Deck Freight — Frequently Asked Questions
Open deck is required for freight that exceeds the dimensions of a standard enclosed trailer — typically anything over 8.5 feet tall or wide, including heavy machinery, structural steel, lumber, construction equipment, and oversized industrial loads.
Ready to Move Your Open Deck Freight?
Get a quote from Aries Freight Systems — Chicago’s open deck specialists for flatbed, step deck, heavy haul, and over-dimensional freight across the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Or call us 24/7 — a real person always answers.
