Secrest Direct Inc. is an independent Landstar agent (DUV/RKY).

FLATBED INFORMATION FROM SECREST DIRECT

Flatbed Opportunities for Owner-Operators

Choose Loads. Build Routes. Run Your Business Your Way.

Evaluate flatbed freight, equipment paths, securement responsibilities and the application process before deciding whether this business model fits your operation.

Owner-operator business opportunity · Not a company-driver position · Questions? 877-441-9128

Understand the hands-on work, planning and equipment responsibilities that come with flatbed freight.

Review factors such as trailer type, load dimensions, securement, deadhead, destination and the next available load.

Discuss your tractor, trailer status, flatbed experience and securement equipment before beginning an application.

Get answers from Secrest Direct so you can decide whether it makes sense to continue.

START WITH YOUR CURRENT OPERATION

Tell Us About Your Flatbed Operation

Share a few details about your current equipment, flatbed experience, trailer status and the questions you need answered. Secrest Direct can help you identify what should be confirmed before you move forward.

Owner-operator opportunity: This path is for people who own or lease qualifying tractors and operate, or plan to operate, an independent trucking business. It is not a company-driver position.

Quick Flatbed Fit Check

Tell Us About Your Operation

Use this form to ask questions and request current flatbed information.

This short form is an information request, not the full application and not a Landstar corporate form. Do not submit sensitive documents through this form. Review the Privacy Policy.

EXPLORE THE FLATBED DECISION GUIDE

Jump directly to the information that matters most to your operation.

EVALUATE THE WORK

Is Flatbed the Right Fit for Your Trucking Business?

Flatbed can be a strong operating path for owner-operators who like hands-on work, detailed planning and greater involvement with the freight they haul. It also carries responsibilities that are different from enclosed-trailer freight.

Before applying, consider whether you are comfortable inspecting equipment, securing freight, working with tarps and securement devices, checking load dimensions and planning around changing freight requirements.

THE DAY-TO-DAY WORK

What Does a Flatbed Owner-Operator Do?

A flatbed owner-operator manages the transportation business while also taking direct responsibility for equipment readiness, load securement and freight protection. The work changes with the load, trailer type, route and customer requirements.
1

Inspect the Equipment

Check the tractor, trailer, securement equipment and load area before accepting and moving freight.

2

Secure and Protect Freight

Use the appropriate straps, chains, binders, edge protection, tarps and other equipment required for the load.

3

Review Load Details

Confirm dimensions, weight, pickup instructions, delivery requirements and any special handling considerations..

4

Plan the Route

Consider mileage, deadhead, weather, parking, fuel, delivery windows and route restrictions. Oversized or specialized freight may require additional planning.

5

Manage the Business

Track revenue, expenses, maintenance, compliance, records and the operating decisions that affect profitability.

Landstar dry van tractor and enclosed trailer

CHOOSE YOUR EQUIPMENT PATH

Flatbed Operating Models

Your starting point depends on the equipment you already have, your flatbed experience and the freight you want to pursue.
Review each path before deciding what information you need next.

Solo dry van owner-operator in a truck cab

Own Tractor and Own Flatbed Trailer

This path may fit experienced flatbed operators who already have a qualifying tractor, approved trailer and the securement equipment needed for the freight they plan to haul.

Truck and trailer traveling on a highway

Own Tractor and Need a Trailer Path

An owner-operator with a qualifying tractor may need to review current trailer programs, availability, costs and equipment requirements before applying.

Yellow dry van tractor and enclosed trailer

Experienced Owner-Operator New to Flatbed

Experience operating a trucking business does not automatically answer the securement and equipment questions that come with flatbed freight.

Landstar dry van tractor and enclosed trailer

Small Fleet or Multiple Power Units

Fleet owners should review tractor qualifications, driver experience, trailer needs, insurance, freight plans and how each unit will be managed.
Flatbed is not simply a trailer choice. It is an operating model that rewards preparation, careful decision-making and consistent attention to safety.
WHAT TO REVIEW BEFORE APPLYING

Understand the Flatbed Business Model Before You Apply

Review how load choice, route planning, current program details, business-cost programs and agency guidance may fit the way you operate.

Non-Forced Dispatch

Review available freight and decide what and when to haul based on your business plan.

Securement Responsibility

The operator is responsible for understanding and following the securement, inspection and freight-protection requirements that apply to each load.

Revenue Is Not Gross Rate Alone

Consider loaded miles, deadhead, fuel, maintenance, equipment costs, time, tarping and the likelihood of finding suitable freight near the destination.

Equipment Matters

Available freight, rates, destinations and equipment needs change. Evaluate current information rather than assuming that prior conditions will continue.

Freight Changes

Available freight, rates, destinations and equipment needs change. Evaluate current information rather than assuming that prior conditions will continue.

Qualification and Safety

Tractor, driver, safety, experience, insurance and other requirements must be reviewed using current approved information.

Requirements, programs, equipment availability and freight conditions are subject to change. Confirm current details during the qualification process.
LOOK BEYOND THE POSTED RATE

Use Flatbed Freight Information as a Decision Tool

A posted rate is only one part of a flatbed load. The stronger business decision comes from comparing the full trip, the work involved and what may be available after delivery.

When reviewing a load, consider the total loaded miles, deadhead, trailer type, load dimensions, securement requirements, tarping, pickup and delivery windows, destination and the likelihood of suitable follow-up freight.

Total revenue and loaded mileage
Deadhead to pickup and after delivery
Trailer & securement requirements
Load dimensions and weight
Tarping or freight-protection needs
Destination & next-load possibilities
Fuel, tolls and other trip costs
Pickup and delivery schedules

Strong route planning means evaluating how multiple loads, locations and operating costs work together—not only one listed number.

Example LandstarOnline freight dashboard with available loads, mileage tools and freight-bill information

Example LandstarOnline dashboard shown for general context. Current tools, available freight data and account access may vary.

Qualifying equipment is part of the business decision.

Confirm tractor, trailer, technology and documentation requirements before proceeding.

EQUIPMENT DETAILS MATTER

Bring a Qualifying Tractor and Review Your Flatbed Equipment Path

Flatbed opportunities depend on more than having a tractor. Your trailer status, securement equipment, experience and preferred freight all affect the path that needs to be reviewed.

Secrest Direct can help identify the questions that should be answered before you begin an application. Final tractor, trailer and operating requirements must be confirmed through the current qualification process.

Tractor Details

Year, make, model, configuration, condition and current inspection status

Trailer Status

Own trailer, leased trailer, no trailer or specialized equipment needs

Securement Readiness

Straps, chains, binders, tarps, edge protection and other required equipment

Freight Interests

General flatbed, machinery, steel, building materials, vehicles or specialized freight
AGENCY IDENTITY

Secrest Direct Inc.

Independent Landstar Agent ·
DUV/RKY

10922 State Route 212 NE
Bolivar, Ohio 44612

A CLEAR AGENCY POINT OF CONTACT

Get Flatbed Guidance from an Independent Agency

Secrest Direct Inc. is an independent Landstar agent, not Landstar corporate. The agency can help you organize your questions, review your current operation and understand which details need to be confirmed before you apply.

That may include your tractor, trailer status, experience, securement readiness, operating goals and questions about the qualification process.

FLATBED PLANNING

Learn More About Flatbed Securement and Owner-Operator Planning

Flatbed freight requires careful attention to equipment, securement and load-specific instructions. Watch the available overview, then confirm current requirements before making equipment or application decisions.
OWNER-OPERATOR EXPERIENCES

Real Feedback from People Who Worked with Secrest Direct

Owner-operators often begin with different equipment, experience and business goals. These comments reflect individual experiences and should not be treated as promises of revenue, freight or qualification.
I value the freedom and access to freight I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to haul elsewhere.

David T.

The freedom and relationships I’ve built with agents have helped my business grow.

Doug S.

I value good freight, professional customers, and being able to run the way I choose.

Robin C.

I value controlling my own freight, choosing the exact lanes I run, and building strong relationships with agents.

Andrew M.

KNOW WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

A Clear Path from Your First Flatbed Question to Qualification

Start with the information you need. Move into the formal application only when you are ready.

1

Share Your Current Operation

Provide basic information about your tractor, trailer, experience and the type of flatbed operation you are considering.
2

Review Baseline Requirements

Compare your current situation with the available owner-operator, equipment and experience requirements.
3

Clarify the Equipment Path

Identify which tractor, trailer, securement and operating details still need to be confirmed.
4

Decide Whether to Apply

Begin the application only after you understand the process and believe the opportunity may fit your operation.
CONTINUE YOUR RESEARCH

Pay, Flatbed Freight, Requirements and the Process

Use these pages to answer the practical questions that matter before you begin the full application.

Pay and Business Costs

Review how owner-operator compensation is structured and which operating costs should be considered before estimating net income.

Flatbed Freight

Learn how trailer type, securement, destinations, deadhead and changing freight availability affect load decisions.

Owner-Operator Requirements

Review the current driver, tractor, safety, experience and insurance information before applying.

Application Process

See the general steps involved in moving from an initial question to application and qualification.

QUESTIONS BEFORE STARTING

Questions Flatbed Owner-Operators Ask Before Starting

Requirements, availability, compensation, and program information can change. Confirm current flatbed details during qualification.

No. This page describes a business opportunity for owner-operators. Owner-operators who lease equipment to Landstar operate as independent contractors and run their own businesses.
Experience requirements can depend on the current program, equipment and freight path. Do not assume that a training option replaces an experience requirement. Ask Secrest Direct to help you identify what must be confirmed.
Not every operator begins from the same equipment position. Current trailer options, availability, costs and qualification requirements must be reviewed before you make a decision.
Examples can include machinery, steel, vehicles, construction materials and other freight that cannot be handled efficiently in an enclosed trailer. Actual freight changes by market, equipment, qualification and availability.
The non-forced dispatch model allows owner-operators to choose which available loads they want to consider. Load availability and eligibility still depend on equipment, location, freight requirements and other factors.
The equipment depends on the load and trailer. It may include straps, chains, binders, tarps, edge protection and other load-specific equipment. Operators must understand and follow current securement requirements.
Compensation and settlement details should be reviewed using current approved information. Gross revenue alone does not show what an owner-operator keeps after fuel, maintenance, insurance, equipment and other business costs.
Common considerations include fuel, maintenance, tires, insurance, trailer costs, securement equipment, tarps, tolls, permits when applicable and deadhead. Your actual costs depend on your operation.

Requirements can include driver age, CDL and endorsements, experience, safety history, tractor qualifications, insurance and other standards. Because requirements can change, use the current Requirements page and qualification process rather than copying an old list.

Review the requirements, gather your tractor and equipment information, request flatbed answers from Secrest Direct and begin the application only when you are ready.
INFORMATION BY DECISION

Flatbed Information by Decision

Explore the next flatbed resource based on the decision you are trying to make.

Decide Whether Flatbed Fits

Review the work, responsibilities and operating model.

Review Requirements

Compare your experience, safety history and equipment with current requirements.

Explore Flatbed Freight

See how equipment, securement and destinations affect freight decisions.

Understand Pay and Costs

Review compensation together with the costs of running your business.

Review Equipment Options

Consider your tractor, trailer status and securement equipment.

Start the Application

Begin only after reviewing the requirements and available information.

FLATBED OWNER-OPERATOR RESOURCES

Latest Flatbed Articles

Read practical information about flatbed securement, equipment, freight planning, business costs and operating decisions.
CHOOSE THE NEXT STEP

Move Forward at the Pace That Fits You

You do not need to start the full application just to ask a question.

Still Comparing Your Options?

Review the requirements, freight information and equipment considerations before deciding whether Flatbed fits your business.

Ready to Continue?

Review the formal application process and begin when you have the required information and documents ready.

Ready to Evaluate the Next Step for Your Trucking Business?

Get clear information about current requirements, equipment paths, and the application process from Secrest Direct Inc.