Trailers are not one-size-fits-all. You must use the proper trailer while transporting certain goods or machinery. There are different sorts of trailers navigating these roads to safely get items from one place to another in the best condition. Various trailer types are designed to serve specific functions. Still not sure if a lowboy trailer is best for your hauling needs? Here’s a guide on our lowboy trailers for sale and everything you should know about them.
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A common question many ask is, “What is a lowboy truck?”This is a type of trailer that you’ve probably seen hauling construction equipment and industrial machines. They are one of the most adaptable as a semi-trailer with a drop-neck. A lowboy is sometimes referred to as a double drop trailer. It consists of a front neck, which may be fixed or removable, a deck, and a set of rear axles. The important feature of a lowboy is that it is very low to the ground for maximum payload height, and the deck sits below the height of the trailer’s tires, marking the second “drop,” with the other being at the neck. Lowboy trailers are frequently utilized to transport heavy or oversize items. Lowboy trailers are ideal for transporting bulldozers, cars, and other large equipment or freight. Basically, anything that won’t fit on a flatbed or single-drop trailer. Because lowboy trailers are used to transport such huge and oversized cargo, extra safety precautions must be followed when operating them. Lowboy trailers are a perfect solution for tall or oversized freight. In other words, lowboy trucks provide trustworthy businesses with another option for better serving customers. When big or heavy freight needs to be shipped, the lowboy trailers apart of your fleet can assist. The main purpose of a lowboy is to make it easier for drivers to load and unload their cargo. Lowboys offer more stability while you’re loading it up so that there is less risk of tipping over while you work on getting everything ready for transport. There are some main lowboy trailers to be aware of: fixed gooseneck lowboys, removable gooseneck lowboys, and stretch lowboy trailers, or even schnables. Let’s go through each one in more depth to give you a grasp of the styles of lowboy trailers: The fixed gooseneck lowboy trailer (FGN) has a larger deck length and is lightweight. Because it is a lowboy, a FGN is low to the earth and usually includes drop ramps in the back for quick and easy equipment loading. This trailer, also known as an RGN, has a shorter deck length. Not to be confused with a RGN, the difference between lowboy and RGN are essentially an RGN is a kind of lowboy. So, the capacity of the trailers is what separates them. Thanks to a hydraulic mechanism that can raise and lower the trailer on demand, the gooseneck may be swiftly and easily withdrawn. An RGN is perfect for driving, rolling, pulling, or pushing equipment onto a trailer bed. A stretch double drop trailer is intended for oversized freight that is too long for a conventional step deck trailer due to length regulations. It also acts as a brace, preventing overhang. Loads up to 10 feet in height are permitted on the lower deck. The trainer is designed with a longer component, or well, at the back deck and middle areas of the trailer, often measuring 25 to 29 feet. While we’ve briefly discussed some of the types of lowboys and their functions, there are countless other reasons to consider using a lowboy trailer for your next haul. Advantages of lowboy trailers include: Disadvantages of lowboy trailers include: You will get efficient and thoughtful service from AUTONE. Lowboy trailers are typically used in industries like shipping and construction, where they’re needed to transport very heavy and tall loads over long distances. So, if you’ve been thinking about getting a lowboy trailer for your business, ask yourself before making a purchase: If you answered yes to most of these questions, a lowboy trailer might be the right choice for you. The weight of a lowboy trailer can vary depending on the manufacturer, model, and carrying capacity. A lightweight, 35 ton lowboy may weigh in the 15,000-18,000. Trailers designed for oversized loads can approach 40,000 pounds. The length of a lowboy trailer can vary, but it typically 53 feet. Additional axles may add additional length. Often, it is the length of the well which is more important, which is typically 24 to 26 feet. Some models may go up to 29’6″. If you need to transfer large cargo and equipment, consider diversifying your inventory of transportation solutions. Hale Trailer offers a variety of lowboy trailers for sale that can be used to transport what you need. Hale Trailer has the expertise to connect you with trailer options that are ideal for your next haul. The next addition to your fleet can be selected from our line-up of trailers ready for the road available to you for purchase or rent. Our selection can be found online or stop by one of our locations to learn more about how we can work for you.What is a Lowboy Trailer?
What are Lowboy Trailers Used For?
The Importance of Lowboy Trailers in the Transportation Industry
Types of Lowboy Trailers
Fixed Gooseneck Lowboy Trailer
Removable Gooseneck Lowboy Trailer
Stretch Lowboy Trailers
Pros and Cons of Using a Lowboy Trailer
Advantages
Disadvantages
Is a Lowboy Trailer Right for Me?
Frequently Asked Questions
How Much do Lowboy Trailers Weigh?
How Long is a Lowboy Trailer?
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Are you looking for a well-built, durable trailer to haul equipment and machinery all across the United States? No matter what you’re hauling, it’s 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.
We’re glad you asked! The lowboy trailer is an incredibly useful item in the world of shipping and hauling. Though it’s 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? Let’s 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 1920s. 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 1950s, the lowboy got a bit of a facelift. A detachable gooseneck, or removable gooseneck (RGN) was added to make loading much easier in 1958. 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.
You’ll find several different options for lowboys out there, and it can be difficult to determine the right one for you. To make deciding easier, we’ll review some of the most common types of lowboys and their purposes.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of low bed semi trailers. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.