Flatbed Trucking Companies in Bakersfield, CA

When your Bakersfield freight needs open-deck capacity, Little John Transportation Services delivers flatbed, step-deck, heavy-haul, and hot shot solutions built for Kern County’s energy, agriculture, construction, and industrial lanes. Our team matches your load with vetted carriers, specialized trailers, real-time tracking, and compliance-first execution across California, the U.S., México, and Canada.

Flatbed truck hauling industrial equipment in Bakersfield

Our Flatbed Trucking Services

Open-deck freight solutions for standard flatbed, heavy-haul, expedited, hot shot, and cross-border shipping needs.

Flatbed Truckload

Full truckload flatbed capacity for dedicated open-deck shipments, including regional, long-haul, and specialized lanes supported by 24/7 dispatch, tracking, and vetted carrier standards.

Heavy Haul

Heavy-haul support for oversize, overweight, and project cargo using flatbeds, step-decks, RGNs, stretch trailers, lowboys, and engineered routing for complex freight.

Flatbed LTL

Flexible less-than-truckload flatbed service for smaller open-deck shipments, allowing shippers to compare carrier options by rate, transit, preference, and tracking capability.

Hot Shot Freight

Fast-response hot shot service using gooseneck and flat-bed hot-shot trailers for urgent project parts, oilfield service needs, AOG support, and same-day moves.

Expedited Flatbed

Time-critical flatbed and step-deck freight with direct routing, team-driver options, 24/7 dispatch, and under-60-minute response for qualifying urgent shipments.

Oversize Permitting

Permitting, route engineering, escorts, pilot cars, and compliance coordination for flatbed freight that exceeds standard legal size or weight limits.

Flatbed trailer being inspected before freight pickup

Our Flatbed Freight Process

Confirm Load Details First

Share the commodity, dimensions, weight, pickup window, delivery location, and loading method. For Bakersfield-area freight, we also consider oilfield, agriculture, construction, and Highway 99 corridor requirements early.

Match Equipment and Capacity

Plan Permits and Routing

Dispatch and Track Freight

Deliver and Document

Trusted By Enterprises

Customer Confidence

Trusted by complex shippers that require accountability, compliance, and reliable specialized freight execution.

"By far Jacob Goodwin has been one of the most professional, straight-up Landstar agents I've dealt with til this day. He's very understanding and honest, and will do everything he can to make sure the rate is fair. Thanks for doing a great job, keep it up."

Jerome Washington
The Little John Difference

Why Choose Little John Transportation Services?

Built for shippers who need accountability, specialized equipment, and responsive communication.

Experience

Thirty-plus years moving freight most carriers avoid, including heavy-haul and specialized flatbed cargo.

Local Fit

Bakersfield shippers get practical support for energy, agriculture, construction, and industrial freight lanes.

Compliance

Carriers are vetted, audited, and supported by safety-driven compliance processes before dispatch.

Live Support

Real teams provide 24/7 tracking and dispatch across California, cross-border, and long-haul lanes.

Meet The Freight Team

Experienced operators coordinating complex flatbed freight across North America.

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 freight can be moved on a flatbed truck?

Flatbed trucking is best for freight that cannot load through a standard dock or fit inside a dry van, including machinery, steel, lumber, building materials, oilfield equipment, HVAC units, and construction components. In Bakersfield, shippers often use flatbeds for energy, agriculture, and industrial freight that requires crane, forklift, or side-loading access.

How do I choose the right flatbed trailer?

Do you handle oversize and overweight permits?

Can I get same-day flatbed service in Bakersfield?

How is flatbed freight secured for transport?

How much does flatbed trucking cost?

Do you offer cross-border flatbed trucking?

Will my flatbed shipment be tracked?

Still Have Flatbed Questions?

Get direct answers from a team that handles complex freight daily.

Flatbed Service Areas

Serving Bakersfield-area shippers with North American flatbed capacity, specialized trailers, and cross-border logistics support.

U.S., México & Canada

Service Area

65,000+ Carriers

Carrier Network

65M+ Miles

Annual Miles

Need Flatbed Service Near You?

Share your pickup and delivery points for fast lane confirmation.

Awarded Carrier

Awards and Recognition

ACT Transport 50 award badge

ACT Transport 50

Recognized specialized freight leadership in North America.

IC Cranes specialized transport award badge

IC Cranes Recognition

Global recognition for cranes and specialized transport.

TT Top 100 flatbed heavy award badge

TT Top 100

Top-ranked flatbed and heavy-haul carrier status.

Request Flatbed Capacity in Bakersfield

Tell us about your equipment, dimensions, pickup window, delivery requirements, and any permitting needs. Our team will review the details and respond with a practical flatbed solution.

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.