Trucks
Flatbed Truck (Satha): Payload, Length and When to Book One
A flatbed (satha) is a rigid, single-unit truck with an open flat deck, rated up to about 12 tonnes on an 8.5 m deck, used to carry building materials, steel and light-to-mid equipment loaded from above by forklift or crane. It suits medium loads and tighter sites better than a full trailer.
The flatbed is the most requested truck for moving building materials and equipment in Saudi Arabia, because its open deck allows fast top-loading and its size can maneuver into sites a full trailer can’t reach. This definition covers its exact payload and length, and when to choose it over other trucks.
What is a flatbed truck?
A flatbed is a rigid, single-unit truck (not an articulated trailer) with a flat, open deck and no raised sides or cover. This design makes it the easiest option for loading solid or irregularly shaped material by forklift or crane, with no doors or side curtains to open first.
Flatbed payload and deck length
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Max payload | 12 t |
| Deck length | 8.5 m |
| Chassis type | Rigid, single-unit |
| Loading method | Forklift or crane from above |
This payload places the flatbed among the mid-size trucks: larger than a Dyna (3–5 t) and smaller than a standard trailer (28 t), making it a balanced choice for loads that don’t need a full trailer and outgrow a small distribution truck.
When to choose a flatbed
- Building materials and steel. Rebar, blocks and building panels load and unload easily from an open deck with no side obstruction.
- Light-to-mid equipment. Equipment under 12 tonnes that doesn’t need a low deck like a lowbed.
- Sites with tight entrances. A flatbed is shorter and easier to maneuver than a 13.6 m trailer, reaching sites a full trailer can’t turn into.
- Loads that don’t fill a full trailer. If the load is well under trailer capacity, a flatbed is the more cost-efficient choice per tonne moved.
Flatbed vs lowbed and trailer
A flatbed differs from a lowbed in payload and deck height: a lowbed has a low deck to fit tall equipment like excavators and carries up to 40 tonnes, while a flatbed sits at standard deck height with a lower payload. A standard trailer, meanwhile, is articulated at 13.6 m and 28 tonnes, suited to full loads between cities, while a flatbed fits medium loads and sites that are harder to maneuver into.
Book a flatbed at an upfront price
In the Mirabk app, pick the flatbed as your truck type and set the pickup and drop-off points, and one upfront price appears before you book. A verified driver accepts the load, and you follow the truck on the map through to proof of delivery.
Flatbed truck12 t · 8.5 mSee this truck Frequently asked questions
What is a flatbed truck's maximum payload?
A flatbed's maximum payload is about 12 tonnes, with an 8.5 m open deck. It's a rigid single-unit truck, not an articulated trailer.
What's the difference between a flatbed and a lowbed?
A flatbed is a rigid truck carrying up to 12 tonnes for building materials and light-to-mid equipment. A lowbed is a low-deck trailer rated up to 40 tonnes, built for heavy, tall equipment such as excavators and cranes.
What's the difference between a flatbed and a Dyna?
A Dyna is a small city distribution truck carrying 3 to 5 tonnes. A flatbed is larger, up to 12 tonnes, with an open deck suited to building materials and equipment loaded by forklift or crane rather than small parcels.
When do I need a flatbed instead of a full trailer?
When the load is smaller than a trailer's capacity, or when the delivery site has a tight entrance that makes maneuvering a 13.6 m trailer difficult. A flatbed maneuvers more easily and fits these cases more efficiently.