Are you looking for a well-built, durable trailer to haul equipment and machinery all across the United States? No matter what youre hauling, its important that your goods arrive safe and secure. As you know, accidents and damages have the potential to lead to major losses in profits, downtime, reputation, and more.
One of the most common equipment transportation methods is the semi-trailer. This type of trailer is quite advantageous for companies that need to load large items. However, without a drop deck, it is nearly impossible to load oversized pieces.
So, what should you do if you need to haul something so heavy and so large that it can not be easily inserted into a standard semi-trailer?
You get a lowboy.
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Were glad you asked! The lowboy trailer is an incredibly useful item in the world of shipping and hauling. Though its known by many different names from the low-bed to the float, the classic lowboy trailer is easily identifiable with its semi-trailer style and double-level drop system. The deck height of these semi-trailers can be adjusted to drop at the gooseneck (more on that later) or just before reaching the wheels.
Standard flatbed trailers do not feature a double-level drop system and are more commonly used for shipping and hauling standard sized equipment. Lowboy trailers, on the other hand, can haul and carry equipment up to 12 ft in height. A standard two-axle trailer of this kind can haul up to 40,000 pounds. However, you may increase the limit to 80,000 pounds by adjusting the number of axles if needed.
The added capacity of the double-drop deck makes the lowboy trailer an excellent option for hauling heavy machinery and anything that fits neither a flatbed trailer nor a single-drop deck trailer (also known as a step deck trailer). As the deck lowers to near-ground level, oversized items can be more easily inserted into the semi-trailer.
Lowboy trailers can be loaded from the front or behind depending on the design. Some models allow you to place the trailer under the load and lift it.
So, what kind of items are typically hauled in a lowboy trailer?
As we mentioned earlier, many construction, freight, and shipping companies rely on lowboy trailers to ship important items across the country. But how did lowboy trailers come about, and what is their history? Lets take a closer look into the origin of this shipping and hauling essential.
The very first lowboy trailer as we know it today was invented in the s. The early model featured a riveted gooseneck, which hooked to the trucks by the front of the trailer. The back of the trailer had several solid rubber tires and could only be loaded from the rear. Due to this design, any pieces of operable equipment had to be driven onto the deck over the back tires.
In the s, the lowboy got a bit of a facelift. A detachable gooseneck, or removable gooseneck (RGN) was added to make loading much easier in . While the first model could only be loaded from the rear (due to the riveted gooseneck), the new lowboys in town featured the capacity for front loading. Like the detachable trailers of today, heavy equipment is inserted from the trailer. This feature might not sound like much at first, but it actually completely negated the need for loading ramps.
Modern lowboy trailers typically work with hydraulic systems; a hydraulic ram lifts the trailer to meet the unit post-loading. They also include air breaks and are towed by semi-trucks.
Youll find several different options for lowboys out there, and it can be difficult to determine the right one for you. To make deciding easier, well review some of the most common types of lowboys and their purposes.
Are you interested in learning more about trailers that can handle extra heavy loads? Lowbed trailers may be just what you are looking for. This guide will provide comprehensive information about lowbed trailers and how to choose the best lowbed semi trailers for your business.
What is a lowboy trailer?
A lowboy semi trailer is a trailer that is specifically designed to transport oversized, heavy, or tall cargo. Lowbed trailers have a lower deck height than traditional flatbed trailers, providing greater clearance to accommodate tall loads while adhering to height restrictions on roads and bridges.
Lowbed trailers come in different sizes with load capacities of 20, 30, 50, 70, 80, 100, 120, and 150 tons. Other types of lowbed semi trailers have different numbers of axles, ranging from 2 to multiple axles.
Applications of Lowbed Trailers
Lowbed trailers can transport heavy cargo for different industries. Here are the most common uses for heavy-duty trailers.
Mining Machinery: Mining requires heavy machinery to drill and transport materials including crude oil and minerals. The machines are assembled off-site and then transported to the mining site using low-bed trailers.
Heavy Vehicles: Automakers use low-bed trailers to transport heavy vehicles from one showroom to another. Transporters are used to deliver vehicles from ports to showrooms and sometimes to customers.
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Construction: Low-bed trailers are also used in the construction industry. Heavy vehicles are often used in the construction of roads and bridges.
Ordinary semi-trailers cannot transport some construction equipment and blocks. Low-bed trailers are used to transport concrete blocks to construction sites.
Mining Machinery: Mining requires heavy machinery to drill and transport materials including crude oil and minerals. The machines are assembled off-site and then transported to the mining site using low-bed trailers.
Due to the structure of mining machinery, heavy-duty transporters are preferred. Mining equipment may be the heaviest cargo that machinery manufacturers transport on the road.
How to choose the right low-bed semi-trailer?
Ordinary low-bed trailers, RGN trailers, and low loaders each have their advantages and disadvantages. We can provide you with the right low bed trailer for your needs.
Cargo size: When choosing a trailer model, it is important to consider the size of your cargo. If the height of your cargo is too high, choose a low loader, RGN trailer, or folding gooseneck trailer. These models allow you to lower the rear and reduce the overall height of your cargo.
Price: The price of a lowbed trailer varies depending on load capacity and performance.
If you are looking for a trailer that will transport heavy cargo at the lowest possible cost, then a regular lowboy trailer is your best choice.
Cargo weight: The right model will depend on the maximum weight of your cargo. If you plan to transport more than 70 tons, consider buying a low-loader, RGN trailer. Lowering the center of gravity of heavy loads can improve its stability.
Maintenance cost: The purchase price is not the only expense you will incur on a trailer. You must have your trailer serviced regularly to keep it performing at its best.
Summary
When you decide on the trailer that best suits your needs, consider factors such as budget, cargo size and weight, loading procedures, maintenance costs, and future business needs to ensure you make the smartest and most cost-effective choice. Overall, understanding the intricacies of lowbed semi trailers is essential to optimizing cargo transport and maintaining the safety and stability of your valuable load.
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