Flatbed Freight Carrier Services — Kansas City

When flatbed freight needs to move through Kansas City’s I-35 and I-70 freight corridors, Little John Transportation Services brings the equipment, planning, and carrier discipline to get it done safely. From machinery and building materials to oversize project cargo, our team coordinates vetted capacity, securement, routing, tracking, and documentation for shipments that demand more than a standard carrier.

Flatbed truck hauling industrial freight in Kansas City

Our Flatbed Freight Carrier Services Services

Open-deck freight solutions for machinery, building materials, oversize cargo, urgent parts, and complex flatbed lanes.

Flatbed Trailers

Open-deck trailer capacity for machinery, steel, lumber, building products, and industrial freight requiring crane, forklift, or side loading with proper securement and routing support.

Heavy-Haul Cargo

Specialized support for oversize, overweight, and project cargo using flatbeds, step-decks, RGNs, stretch trailers, lowboys, and custom equipment for complex industrial moves.

Oversize Permitting

Route engineering, state permitting, pilot cars, and escort coordination for freight that exceeds standard legal dimensions or weight limits across regional and long-haul lanes.

Flatbed LTL

Less-than-truckload flatbed options for smaller open-deck shipments, with access to multiple carriers, centralized pricing, and track-and-trace capabilities across the U.S. and Canada.

Expedited Flatbed

Time-critical flatbed and step-deck capacity with direct routing, team-driver options, 24/7 dispatch, and control-tower oversight for freight that cannot miss delivery windows.

Hot Shot Freight

Fast-response gooseneck and flat-bed hot shot service for urgent project parts, construction needs, machinery moves, and smaller loads requiring same-day or direct-haul priority.

Flatbed freight planning and dispatch team

Our Flatbed Freight Process

Review Freight and Lane Requirements

We review commodity details, dimensions, weight, pickup access, delivery timing, and Kansas City lane requirements. This helps determine whether flatbed, step-deck, hot shot, RGN, or specialized equipment is the safest fit.

Match the Right Equipment

Plan Permits and Routing

Dispatch and Track Transit

Deliver and Document

Trusted By Industry

Customer Success

Trusted by major manufacturers, technology leaders, energy firms, and industrial shippers with demanding freight requirements.

"Alisha. WPE. Great service, nice working with you, all the time."

Jorge Otero
The Little John Difference

Why Choose Little John Transportation Services?

Built for freight that requires more planning, accountability, and specialized capacity.

Proven Experience

Thirty-plus years moving flatbed, heavy-haul, hazmat, and cross-border freight other carriers often decline.

Deep Capacity

Access to vetted capacity for Kansas City lanes connecting Midwest manufacturing, construction, and distribution hubs.

Compliance First

Permits, securement, tracking, and documentation handled with safety-driven, audit-ready operating discipline.

Human Support

Real people answer the phone and coordinate freight through changing Midwest weather and site conditions.

Meet the Freight Team

Operator-led freight teams focused on safe, accountable execution.

Portrait of Christopher Dale, Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services

Christopher Dale

Co-Founder & CEO

Christopher Dale is the Co-Founder and CEO of Little John Transportation Services, the specialized freight company he built from the ground up in the mid-1990s alongside his brother Steven. With over 30 years at the helm, Christopher has led the company through remarkable growth — from a small operator-focused business to a North American leader ranked #1 on the ACT Transport 50 for 16 consecutive years. His expertise spans heavy-haul, hazmat, and U.S.–México cross-border logistics, handling the complex freight most carriers refuse. Christopher's leadership philosophy centers on human-first communication, operational excellence, and safety-driven execution, values that have earned the company a 100% retention rate among its Top 100 customers and an average client tenure of 33 years.

Portrait of Steven Dale, Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services

Steven Dale

Co-Founder & COO

Steven Dale is the Co-Founder and COO of Little John Transportation Services, responsible for overseeing specialized operations and the company's vast carrier network. Since co-founding the business in the mid-1990s alongside Christopher Dale, Steven has been the operational backbone of an organization that now manages over 8,000 dedicated owner-operators and 65,000 vetted and audited carriers. He ensures that teams are strategically positioned across key logistics hubs — including Laredo, Monterrey, and Guadalajara — exactly where complex freight moves. Steven's hands-on approach and deep industry expertise have been instrumental in achieving 65 million+ miles covered annually and maintaining the company's industry-leading safety and compliance standards.

Portrait of Kathleen Stingley, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Kathleen Stingley

Account Manager

Kathleen Stingley serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where she is dedicated to delivering the human-first service that defines the company's reputation across North America. In her role, Kathleen works directly with medium- to large-sized clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions — from heavy-haul and hazmat shipments to complex cross-border logistics. She serves as a reliable, knowledgeable point of contact who ensures every load is planned, tracked, and executed with precision. Kathleen embodies the company's commitment to treating clients as partners, providing responsive communication and hands-on support that has contributed to Little John's 100% Top 100 customer retention rate and decades-long client relationships.

Portrait of Brandon Potter, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Brandon Potter

Account Manager

Brandon Potter is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, bringing a client-focused approach to one of North America's most trusted specialized freight carriers. Brandon works closely with clients across a wide range of industries — including energy, industrial machinery, automotive, and chemical sectors — to develop customized transportation solutions for complex, high-stakes freight. He serves as a hands-on partner from initial quote through final delivery, ensuring clear communication, compliance documentation, and seamless coordination across Little John's expansive carrier network. Brandon's commitment to responsive, people-driven service reflects the company's core values and its reputation for moving the cargo that most carriers refuse.

Portrait of Todd Wojtkowski, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Todd Wojtkowski

Account Manager

Todd Wojtkowski is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, playing a key role in supporting the company's mission to deliver operational excellence and human-first service to every client. Todd manages freight relationships across a broad spectrum of specialized transportation needs, including heavy-haul, hazmat, and cross-border shipments throughout the U.S., México, and Canada. He works as a direct partner to clients, ensuring loads are matched with the right equipment, dispatched by experienced teams, and tracked through to delivery. Todd's dedication to proactive communication and audit-ready documentation helps reinforce Little John's standing as the most trusted partner for specialized freight in North America.

Portrait of Robert Wood, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Robert Wood

Account Manager

Robert Wood serves as an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, where he is committed to delivering the responsive, detail-oriented service that sets the company apart in the specialized freight industry. Robert supports clients across sectors such as oil and gas, military and defense, pharmaceutical, and retail, helping them navigate the complexities of heavy-haul, hazmat, and time-sensitive freight requirements. He takes ownership of every load from planning to final delivery, coordinating with Little John's extensive network of owner-operators and vetted carriers to ensure seamless execution. Robert's dedication to building long-term partnerships reflects the company's core value of treating every client relationship with the care and accountability of a true business partner.

Portrait of Justin James, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Justin James

Account Manager

Justin James is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, contributing to the company's legacy of specialized, safety-driven freight solutions across North America. Justin works hands-on with clients to manage complex shipping requirements, including oversized loads, hazardous materials, and cross-border freight between the United States and México. He serves as a reliable point of contact who ensures every shipment is handled with the precision and accountability that Little John's clients have come to expect over 30+ years in business. Justin's customer-first mindset and thorough understanding of the company's logistics capabilities help clients move their most demanding cargo with confidence and compliance.

Portrait of Ashlyn Dale, Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services

Ashlyn Dale

Account Manager

Ashlyn Dale is an Account Manager at Little John Transportation Services, upholding the family legacy of hands-on, human-first service that has defined the company since its founding in the mid-1990s. Ashlyn works directly with clients to coordinate specialized freight solutions, ensuring that every shipment — whether heavy-haul, hazmat, or cross-border — is executed with the operational discipline and personal accountability that Little John is known for. She brings a client-centered approach to every interaction, serving as a trusted partner who provides clear, timely communication and end-to-end load management. Ashlyn's commitment to excellence helps maintain the long-standing client relationships that have made Little John the #1 specialized carrier in North America.

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of freight can move on a flatbed trailer?

Flatbed carriers are commonly used for freight that cannot be loaded through standard dock doors or enclosed in a dry van, including machinery, steel, lumber, construction materials, oversized equipment, generators, and industrial components. Little John Transportation Services also supports heavy-haul, project cargo, hot shot, and expedited flatbed moves when shipments require specialized trailers, securement planning, or time-sensitive execution.

How are flatbed freight rates calculated?

Can you handle oversize or overweight flatbed loads?

Do I need flatbed LTL or full truckload service?

Will my flatbed shipment be tracked during transit?

Can flatbed freight be expedited for urgent shipments?

What areas do you serve for flatbed freight?

What information is needed for a flatbed freight quote?

Still Have Flatbed Questions?

Get direct answers from people who manage complex freight daily.

Flatbed Service Areas

Supporting Kansas City freight needs with North American capacity across major industrial, border, and distribution lanes.

Need Flatbed Capacity Near You?

Share your pickup and delivery points for lane-specific capacity support.

Ranked & Recognized

Awards and Recognition

ACT Transport 50 award badge

ACT Transport 50

Recognized as North America’s leading specialized carrier.

IC Cranes specialized transport recognition badge

IC Cranes Ranking

Global recognition for cranes and specialized transport.

TT Top 100 flatbed heavy award badge

TT Top 100

Top flatbed and heavy freight industry recognition.

Ready to Move Flatbed Freight?

Send shipment details, dimensions, timing, and lane requirements. Our team will review capacity, routing, securement, and documentation needs quickly.

Contact Us Today

For immediate assistance, feel free to give us a direct call at +1 (479) 264-6501. You can also send us a quick email at quotes@ljtsi.com.