Flatbed trailers move contaminated equipment, tanks, vessels and oversized items that will not fit in an enclosed trailer. Loads are secured, wrapped or containerized to prevent release in transit.
Source: 49 CFR Part 177, and 49 CFR 393 for cargo securementWhat moves on a flatbed
- Contaminated tanks and vessels for disposal or decontamination
- Process equipment from decommissioning projects
- Transformers and electrical equipment, including PCB bearing units
- Oversized containers and bulk bags
- Equipment moving for NORM decontamination
- Palletized material too tall or wide for an enclosed trailer
Residual contents are the issue
Equipment coming out of service rarely comes out empty. Tanks hold heels, piping holds residue, and transformers hold oil that may be PCB bearing. All of that has to be characterized before the item moves.
Draining, sealing and wrapping before transport prevents a release in transit and is what makes the item shippable at all. It is planned before the crane arrives rather than decided on the day.
Common questions
Can contaminated equipment be decontaminated instead of disposed?
Frequently, and it is usually much cheaper than disposal and replacement. NORM contaminated oilfield equipment in particular is routinely cleaned and returned to service.
What about PCB transformers?
Equipment predating 1979 is assumed PCB bearing until demonstrated otherwise, and is handled under TSCA rather than RCRA. That is a different route, a different cost and a different set of records.
Do you handle the rigging?
We coordinate it. Heavy lift and rigging is specialist work and we arrange it with people who do it properly rather than improvising.
Related services
Not sure how this applies to your site?
Send a profile, an old manifest, or photographs of the drums. A technical professional will tell you where you stand.
This page summarizes federal requirements and is not legal advice. State programs can be more stringent than the federal baseline. Verify against current federal and state regulations before acting. Last reviewed September 2026.