Stake Body and Flatbed Truck
Stake body and flatbed trucks are commercial work trucks featuring open, flat cargo beds with removable or fixed side stakes, designed for hauling construction materials, equipment, and bulk loads. These vehicles range from light-duty non-CDL chassis to heavy-duty commercial platforms, classified by deck length from 12 to 30 feet or more. The open bed design allows top-loading by crane or forklift and accommodates oversized materials such as lumber, pipe, and scaffolding.
How it works
The truck features a reinforced flat deck mounted to a commercial chassis, with vertical stakes along the sides that can be removed or lowered to secure loads using straps, chains, or rope. The open bed design permits loading from the top, sides, or rear, with many models equipped with liftgate, crane, or forklift provisions for material handling. Stake sides provide tie-down points and prevent lateral load shift while allowing flexibility to remove stakes for wide loads. The truck's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) determines whether a commercial driver's license is required, with lighter models under 26,001 lbs often used for local delivery and heavier configurations for long-haul material transport.
Types & variants
- Standard Stake Body Truck
- Fixed or removable vertical stakes along all sides with open top, optimized for lumber, pipe, and building materials that require side containment and top-down loading.
- Flatbed Truck
- Completely flat deck without permanent side rails, offering maximum flexibility for wide loads, equipment transport, and crane loading from any direction.
- Landscape Truck
- Stake body configuration with lower sides and rear gate, designed for bulk materials like soil, mulch, and plant stock with easy manual unloading.
- Rack Body Truck
- Heavy-duty side racks or A-frame supports for securing long materials such as pipe, conduit, steel, and millwork with specialized tie-down systems.
- Platform Truck with Liftgate
- Flatbed equipped with hydraulic liftgate at rear for ground-level loading of palletized materials and equipment without forklift access.
Key specifications
| Specification | Typical range | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Deck Length | 20–30 ft (6.1–9.1 m) | Primary sizing dimension; determines load capacity for long materials and number of pallets that can be carried on deck. |
| Load Capacity | 900-10,000 kg (2,000-22,000 lbs) | Maximum payload weight the truck bed can safely carry, independent of chassis GVWR; varies with deck construction and wheelbase. |
| Deck Width | 96–102 in (244–259 cm) | Interior width between stakes or side rails; 96 inches accommodates standard pallet width, while wider decks handle oversized loads. |
| Stake Pocket Spacing | 24–48 in (61.0–122 cm) | Distance between stake mounting points along bed rails; closer spacing provides more tie-down options for varied load configurations. |
| GVWR Class | Class 3-7 (10,001-33,000 lbs) | Gross vehicle weight rating determines licensing requirements and road use restrictions; under 26,001 lbs typically non-CDL in most jurisdictions. |
How the industry sizes it
The industry sizes stake body and flatbed trucks primarily by deck length in feet, with common configurations at 12, 16, 20, 24, and 26-30 ft. Smaller 12-16 ft models on non-CDL chassis serve local material delivery and small crew operations. The 20 ft stake truck represents the most versatile mid-range platform for full construction crews hauling lumber, scaffolding, and pallets. Trucks 24 ft and longer accommodate oversized loads and heavier payloads, typically requiring commercial driver's licenses and used for long materials transport and heavy equipment hauling.
Applications
- Construction material delivery including lumber, drywall, roofing materials, and bagged goods to job sites
- Scaffolding and shoring equipment transport for commercial and industrial construction projects
- Landscape and hardscape material hauling such as sod, mulch, pavers, and nursery stock
- Utility and telecommunications infrastructure work moving pipe, conduit, poles, and cable reels
- Manufacturing and industrial plant logistics for moving palletized parts, raw materials, and equipment between facilities
- Municipal and public works operations transporting traffic control devices, signage, and maintenance materials
Safety & operation
- Load must be properly secured with chains, straps, or binders at multiple points to prevent shifting during transport; stake pockets and tie-down rings provide approved anchor points
- Operators must verify that total loaded weight does not exceed chassis GVWR or axle weight ratings, and that load is distributed to maintain proper weight balance
- CDL requirements apply when GVWR exceeds 26,000 lbs or when hauling certain quantities of hazardous materials; licensing varies by jurisdiction
- Overhead clearance must be calculated for tall loads, particularly when stakes are fully installed or materials extend above deck height
- Pre-trip inspection should verify stake pocket integrity, bed floor condition, brake function, and lighting before loaded operation on public roads
Standards & certifications
- FMCSA · 49 CFR Part 393
- Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations governing commercial vehicle parts and accessories, including cargo securement systems and tie-down requirements.
- FMCSA · 49 CFR Part 392
- Driving regulations for commercial motor vehicles including load securement inspection requirements and maximum driving hours for CDL operators.
- SAE · SAE J2258
- Society of Automotive Engineers standard defining truck body and equipment terminology, dimensions, and mounting specifications for commercial vehicles.
- DOT · MUTCD
- Department of Transportation Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices requirements for slow-moving vehicle markings and oversized load warnings when transporting wide or projecting loads.
Frequently asked
What is the difference between a stake body truck and a flatbed truck?
What deck length requires a CDL to operate?
How many standard pallets fit on a 20 ft stake body truck?
What is the typical load capacity range for stake body trucks?
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Sources
Every specification is verified against the manufacturer's published data, with the source linked for reference.
All models
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