What is a stake truck used for?
A stake truck can be utilized for a variety of tasks. This truck type is essentially a flatbed truck with sockets built-in on the edges of the bed. These sockets allow stakes to be placed all around the edges of the truck bed. The end result is a type of fence or partial wall around the bed.
Due to their ability to haul a variety of cargo types, these trucks are used by all of the following industries:
- Agriculture and farming
- Oil and gas
- Construction
- Landscaping
- Logging
- Road construction
- Government (e.g. parks and recreation)
Depending on the industry use, a stake truck can be customized to offer specific features and benefits. In many cases, these trucks will feature removable stakes, allowing for ongoing customization.
What are the benefits of a stake truck?
Stake trucks are a versatile style of flatbed truck that provide an array of benefits. Due to their ability to haul almost any type of weather-resistant good, they are relied upon heavily across industries. A few of the benefits of stake trucks include the following:
- Versatility: With removable stakes, these trucks can be customized as needed to ensure the right space for almost any type of cargo.
- Durability: A stake truck is designed to handle the rigors of heavy-duty work. They utilize durable materials to ensure their longevity.
- Cargo protection: While a stake truck is designed to carry items that can handle exposure to the elements, the stakes create a sort of fenced box around cargo. This helps keep items secure during hauling. These stakes can act as anchor points when tying down cargo.
What options are available for keeping cargo secure?
One of the benefits of stake trucks and one of the reasons they are utilized for so many purposes is due to the ability to keep cargo secure. This is imperative for safety reasons and for compliance purposes. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has a variety of regulations around hauling certain items such as piping, coils, heavy machinery, and more. It is imperative for any business to meet these regulations when transporting goods.
To keep cargo secure on a stake truck, the stakes themselves will help act as an anchoring point for goods. These stakes build a fenced box around cargo, helping keep things in place. Additional tie downs and tarps can then be utilized to ensure the items are protected and will not move around during transportation.
What type of floor is used for a stake truck?
Multiple types of flooring can be utilized in a stake truck. Similar to any flatbed truck, the flooring utilized often comes down to preference. When having a stake truck custom-built, the options for flooring are fairly broad.
Common flooring includes treated pine, diamond plate aluminum, Apitong hardwood, and steel. Each of these flooring types has its own set of benefits, however, any flooring that is utilized in a stake truck bed should be focused on durability. When choosing a flooring type, the right material will depend a lot on the type of goods that will be hauled. Steel is an excellent choice for heavy-duty applications, due to its superior durability. Additionally, safety concerns should be addressed when choosing flooring. For example, diamond plate aluminum is a popular choice because of its slip-resistant pattern.
What type of chassis is used for a stake truck?
Stake trucks come equipped with almost any chassis type imaginable. When custom building a stake truck, the right chassis can be chosen based on the needs of the business. For example, in some cases, a small chassis will suffice as the truck will usually be operated by only one driver. However, in other situations, an extended cab might be needed to allow for a whole work crew to ride along. A great example of this would be in the road construction industry where large work crews need to be transported from job site to job site.
