Flatbed Keeps Growing While Dry Van Stays Soft: A Key Signal for Truck Dispatchers
While the US dry van market continues to face pressure from lower rates and excess capacity, the flatbed segment remains comparatively resilient—and in many lanes, it continues to grow. For a truck dispatcher, this is an important takeaway: specialized niches can offer more stability when the general freight market weakens.
In this article, we’ll break down why flatbed often performs better than dry van, how dispatchers can use this trend, and which skills matter most for flatbed dispatching in the US.
If you want a structured entry into the profession (with real market scenarios and dispatch workflows), start with the truck dispatcher course (USA-focused training) at Dispatch42 School for truck dispatchers .
Flatbed vs Dry Van: What’s Different for the Market
Dry van is the classic enclosed trailer used for general freight—retail goods, packaged products, pallets, and broad consumer supply chains. When consumer demand slows, dry van freight often feels the impact early.
Flatbed typically serves different categories that are tied to industrial and project-based demand, including:
- construction materials
- steel, lumber, and structural components
- machinery and industrial equipment
- oversized or irregular freight that cannot fit in an enclosed trailer
Because flatbed freight is frequently connected to infrastructure, energy, and construction cycles, flatbed demand can stay stronger even when retail-driven dry van volumes soften.
Why Specialized Niches Can Be More Resilient
Flatbed resilience usually comes from a few structural factors:
- Higher entry barrier: Not every carrier or driver is equipped (or willing) to haul open-deck freight.
- More complexity: Securement rules, weather exposure, and load-specific requirements raise the skill ceiling.
- Project freight: Industrial and construction projects often run on longer timelines and steadier flows.
For a dispatcher, this means that specialization can beat “generic dispatching”—especially in a soft market. If you want to understand how different trailer types change dispatch decisions, the online truck dispatcher training is designed to build that market logic, not just “load booking.”
What This Means for Truck Dispatchers
A few years ago, many dispatchers started with dry van because it’s the most common segment. Today, more dispatchers are looking at niches—flatbed included—because they can offer:
- more predictable utilization for a truck
- stronger relationships with niche brokers and shippers
- less rate dumping compared to oversupplied dry van lanes
- a reputation premium: specialists are harder to replace
If your goal is to build a stable dispatcher career (not just “take any load”), a structured program like the truck dispatcher course with practice helps you understand niches, lanes, and negotiation frameworks.
Skills You Need for Flatbed Dispatching
Flatbed dispatching requires the core dispatcher skills—market knowledge, planning, documentation, negotiation— plus several segment-specific competencies:
- basic understanding of weight, dimensions, and load distribution
- awareness of securement requirements and shipper expectations
- weather risk thinking (open-deck freight is exposed)
- route planning with permits, restrictions, and delivery site constraints in mind
- strong communication with drivers about pickup instructions and special handling
Dispatchers who combine niche skills with compliance knowledge become significantly more valuable—especially when rates are tight.
Why Safety & Compliance Matter More in Flatbed
Flatbed is often a higher-risk environment because mistakes are more visible and more expensive. Common risk areas include:
- improper load securement (claims, roadside violations, accidents)
- cargo shifting under braking or turns
- cargo damage due to weather exposure
- DOT attention and penalties if documentation or safety standards slip
That’s why dispatchers working with flatbed should understand the compliance side. A practical starting point is the safety and compliance course for trucking , which focuses on real-world rules and dispatcher responsibilities (HOS, documentation discipline, risk reduction).
Who Flatbed Dispatching Is Best For
Flatbed is a strong path if you:
- want to grow into more complex logistics and higher-value decision-making
- don’t mind technical details and tighter operational requirements
- prefer long-term skill building over “quick wins” in crowded segments
- plan to develop niche expertise and position yourself as a specialist
If you’re choosing a learning path, start with Dispatch42 School (truck dispatcher education) and then specialize through practice.
How to Start in Flatbed as a Dispatcher
- Learn the market structure: dry van vs reefer vs flatbed vs specialized.
- Complete a fundamentals program such as a truck dispatcher course for beginners .
- Study lane behavior and seasonality in flatbed-heavy regions.
- Start with simpler flatbed loads and gradually move toward more demanding freight.
- Build broker relationships and a track record of clean execution.
Quick Facts
- Dry van is closely tied to consumer demand and retail cycles.
- Flatbed demand often tracks construction, industrial activity, and project freight.
- Specialization can reduce competition and improve rate stability.
- In flatbed, safety and compliance errors can be costlier—training matters.
FAQ: Flatbed vs Dry Van for Dispatchers
Why can flatbed stay stronger when dry van is weak?
Flatbed freight is often linked to construction, industrial activity, and longer-term projects. These flows can stay steadier even when consumer demand softens, which impacts dry van first.
Do I need separate training to dispatch flatbed?
Not necessarily, but you do need training that covers trailer types, market logic, and practical dispatch workflows. A strong base is the truck dispatcher course .
Is flatbed dispatching harder than dry van dispatching?
It can be more complex because of securement, weather exposure, pickup/delivery constraints, and documentation discipline. But specialist dispatchers are often more valuable in the market.
Can a beginner start directly with flatbed?
Yes—if you learn the fundamentals properly and work with structured practice. Start with a professional program at Dispatch42 School and build niche competence step by step.
What’s the best next step if I want to grow in flatbed safely?
Combine dispatch training with compliance knowledge. The safety and compliance course helps dispatchers reduce risk, prevent violations, and protect profitability.
