Flatbed & step-deck repair in Tacoma, WA

A flatbed carries its load on the deck instead of inside a box, and everything that is different about repairing one follows from that. Point loads, exposed hardware and securement take the abuse that a dry van never sees.

The deck itself

Apache and hardwood deck boards split, cup and rot from the underside where nobody looks. Aluminium decking cracks at the extrusion joints. Either way the failure starts small and is found by a forklift wheel or an inspector. We replace planks and sections, re-fasten what has worked loose, and deal with the crossmembers underneath when the deck has been telling you about them for a while.

Securement hardware, which is what gets you placed out of service

Stake pockets torn or bent by a chain, rub rails caved in from a dock or a load shift, winches seized or missing the bar, winch tracks pulled loose, sliding winch rails jammed with road grit, D-rings and chain tie-downs cracked at the weld. None of it is dramatic and all of it is an out-of-service item on a securement inspection.

Cracked or torn securement points are welding work, and we would rather do it properly on a lift than field-patch something that holds your load on the freeway.

Headache racks, bulkheads and tarp systems

The headache rack takes a hit every time a load shifts forward, and its mounts crack long before the rack itself does. Tarp bows bend, straps and hardware disappear, and a torn tarp costs you a load rather than a repair. We handle racks, bulkheads, bow sockets and mounting, and straighten or rebuild what is worth saving.

Underneath: the parts a flatbed shares with everything else

Concentrated point loads are hard on suspension — springs, airbags, hangers and bushings — and on brakes and air systems. Landing gear bends on uneven yards and job sites. Lighting and wiring live fully exposed rather than tucked inside a box, so corrosion and impact damage are routine. Tires get cut on site rather than worn out on the highway.

Step-decks, double drops and RGNs

The lower deck of a step-deck grounds out on driveways and crossings, which bends the transition and the rear frame. Double drops and removable goosenecks add hydraulics, pins and latches that get used hard and lubricated rarely. If you run detachable equipment, tell us what you have when you call so the right parts come out.

Road service or shop

Lighting, air leaks, tires, minor securement hardware and landing gear can be handled where the trailer sits — that is a road call. Deck replacement, structural welding, frame straightening and anything needing a lift belongs at 1616 E 26th St.

Can you replace deck boards in one day?

Often, if we know the deck length and material before you arrive. Call with the trailer make and the plank size and we will have the lumber ready.

Do you work on step-decks and RGNs, or just standard flatbeds?

All of them, plus equipment and machinery trailers. Hydraulics, pins and latches on a detachable gooseneck are normal work for us.

Can you get me through a securement inspection?

Yes, and we will tell you what is going to fail before we start. Stake pockets, rub rails, winches, tracks and tie-down points are the usual list, and none of them is expensive found early.

Related services

Everything below is available on the road where it can be, and in the Tacoma bay where it needs a lift. Same techs either way.