Trailers With High Towing Capacities & Other Great Capabilities
When you have a large, heavy, unusually shaped, wide, or extra-long item to haul, there’s a trailer out there that is specially designed to handle just the job. Which one is right for the load you need to move? Here’s a look at some of the more popular heavy-duty trailers on the market so you can see which ones best suit various needs, including what might be your best choice for a variety of different mega loads.
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Flatbed Trailers
Flatbed trailers are one of the most popular kinds of commercial trailers because they are so versatile. They are usually long and wide enough to handle most tied-down loads and they aren’t enclosed, so they can handle wider objects that may not be able to fit into an enclosed trailer. On average, they run 48- to 53-feet in length, but extendable flatbed trailers can be as long as 80 feet. Flatbed trailers are great for hauling lumber, steel beams, and construction materials such as cinder blocks, pipes, rebar, and can even handle smaller machinery such as mini excavators. Your basic two-axle flatbed trailer can handle around 14,000 pounds while extended flatbeds may be able to carry up to 18,000 pounds.
Drop Deck Trailers
Drop deck trailers, sometimes called lowboy trailers, are excellent for hauling items that may exceed the height limitations of a standard flatbed trailer. Because the trailer has a dropped area (or two dropped areas if you have a double drop deck), loads as tall as 12 feet can be safely transported. Drop deck trailers are great for hauling heavy machinery, construction equipment, and building materials or taller items such as farm tractors. Drop deck trailers can haul a load up to 48,000 pounds.
Step Deck Trailers
Similar to drop deck trailers, step deck trailers have a dropped area that can handle tall and heavy freight, but they also have one higher deck where smaller items can be loaded. And comparably, step deck trailers are good for hauling heavy machinery and construction equipment, but the upper deck can be used for pallets loaded with things like smaller construction materials, tools, and more. These items can easily be removed from the trailer with a forklift without needing to unload the heavier equipment off the back. Step deck trailers can haul up to 48,000 pounds of equipment.
Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailers
Removable Gooseneck Trailers (RGNs) are another style of hauling equipment that bear resemblance to drop deck trailers, except that the RGN has a detachable gooseneck at the front of the trailer, allowing it to be lowered to the ground to create a ramp for easy loading and unloading of large cargo. This is versus the drop deck trailers that typically require lifting equipment to load cargo. Gooseneck trailers also can be outfitted with a number of different axles allowing them to carry heavier loads. An RGN trailer with more than 20 axles can transport loads up to 150,000 pounds.
Know Before You Go
When choosing the right trailer for your truck, there are three other major considerations you need to keep in mind before heading off with a load. First, always make sure that the tow vehicle can handle the job. No matter what vehicle you are driving, you need to check the Gross Combined Vehicle Weight Rating (GCVWR), which indicates the maximum allowable weight of the truck, trailer, and load combined. You should be able to find the GCVWR in your truck’s owner or operator manual. If the combined weight of the truck and loaded trailer is below the allowable GCVWR of your tow vehicle, you’re good to go.
Second, even if the tow vehicle can handle the weight of what you intend to haul, you need to make sure the trailer’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) can handle the weight of your payload. This is usually indicated on a sticker attached to the trailer frame.
Third, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) regulates how large loads can be secured on commercial trailers. This includes the number of tie-downs used, tie-down strength, tie-down placement, tie-down security, and how chocks and wedges should be used. Additionally, there are municipal considerations to keep in mind when hauling a large load, including special permits and special driver license designations, as well as restrictions on travel routes, operating hours, special signage on the truck and trailer, and potentially the need for pilot and/or chase car escorts.
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All Aboard
Now that you know what’s available, you can start your search for the trailer you need on the marketplace. Explore your options of trucks and trailers to make it easy for you to find what you want quickly and get the job done right.
Barrett Baker
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