What is a Conestoga trailer?

A flatbed, step deck or double drop with a rolling tarp on a frame. The tarp slides open for side, top or crane loading, then closes to cover the freight.

What are the three types of Conestoga trailers?

Conestoga flatbed, Conestoga step deck and double drop Conestoga. They share the rolling tarp but have different deck heights, so each fits a different freight height.

How tall can freight be in a Conestoga?

Typically about 96 to 104 inches on a Conestoga flatbed, about 116 inches on the lower deck of a Conestoga step deck, and about 142 inches in the well of a double drop Conestoga.

Is a Conestoga better than tarping a flatbed?

For finished or weather sensitive freight, often yes. The freight is covered without straps or tarps rubbing on it, and loading is faster.

What do you need for a Conestoga quote?

Pickup and delivery locations, dimensions, weight, how it loads and unloads, and a photo if you have one.

Conestoga Trucking Serving Los Angeles

Open deck loading with a covered ride. A Conestoga has a rolling tarp on a frame that slides open for side, top or crane loading, then closes over the freight. IZ Freight books Conestoga flatbeds, step decks and double drops for shippers serving Los Angeles, the Inland Empire and the ports.

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Crated machinery loads from the side with the rolling tarp pulled forward.

The Three Types of Conestoga Trailers

Same rolling tarp, three deck heights. Pick the one that keeps your freight covered and under legal height.

Conestoga Flatbed

One flat deck about 60 inches off the road with a rolling tarp over the full length.

Trailer length	48 to 53 ft
Inside width	About 102 in
Height under the tarp	About 96 to 104 in
Typical freight weight	About 44,000 to 47,000 lb

Best for: Crated equipment, machinery parts, steel and aluminum that need side loading and weather cover.

Conestoga Step Deck

A short upper deck and a long lower deck about 42 inches off the road, covered by the rolling tarp.

Trailer length	48 to 53 ft
Inside width	About 102 in
Lower deck height	About 42 in
Height under the tarp	About 116 in on the lower deck, 96 in on the upper
Typical freight weight	About 44,000 lb

Best for: CNC machines, robotics and taller equipment that must stay covered and under legal height.

Double Drop Conestoga

A low well between the gooseneck and the rear axles, about 18 to 24 inches off the road, under a rolling tarp.

Trailer length	48 to 50 ft
Inside width	About 102 in
Well height	About 18 to 24 in
Height in the well	About 142 in under the tarp
Typical freight weight	About 40,000 lb

Best for: The tallest covered freight, like large machines and molding equipment that would be over height on a step deck.

Typical ranges. We confirm the exact trailer and weight rating for each load.

What Ships in a Conestoga in Los Angeles

Finished machinery and CNC

Mills, lathes and finished machines that need side or crane loading and a dry ride.

Weather sensitive steel and aluminum

Coil, sheet, extrusions and polished metal that rust or stain under wet tarps.

Crated electronics and equipment

Crated power gear, controls and equipment that cannot ride exposed to rain or road grit.

Tarp free building materials

Roofing, insulation and finished building materials covered without hand tarping.

Why Rolling Tarps Beat Tarping

A Conestoga tarp rides on a frame and slides open like an accordion. The freight loads like a flatbed, then the tarp closes over it without anyone hand tarping the load.

No straps or tarp edges rubbing on the freight
No climbing on the load to throw and fold heavy tarps
Faster loading and unloading at both ends
Freight stays covered from pickup to delivery

Real Conestoga Loads

A few loads moved on Conestogas through our carrier network.

Several industrial machines on a Conestoga flatbed deck with the tarp kit rolled to the rear — Industrial machines go on from the side, then the tarp rolls back over them.

Double drop Conestoga trailer with the rolling tarp fully closed over the low well — A double drop Conestoga closed up, with the low well under the tarp.

Driver securing freight on a Conestoga flatbed with the rolling tarp kit pulled to the front — The tarp kit slides to the front so the driver can load and secure from the side.

Injection molding machine on a Conestoga trailer deck beside a warehouse dock with the tarp rolled back — An injection molding machine loaded with the tarp rolled back.

Why Shippers Use IZ Freight for Conestogas

One contact for the trailer, loading plan and delivery updates
Vetted Conestoga carriers serving Los Angeles and nationwide lanes
Help choosing between a Conestoga flatbed, step deck or double drop
Straight answers when an open deck or van fits better

Freight does not need cover? See flatbed, step deck or RGN trucking.

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Conestoga Trucking Serving Los Angeles