What is Freight?
A lowboy trailer, also known as a lowbed or low-loader trailer, is a specialized type of heavy-duty trailer designed to transport oversized and overweight cargo.
What is a Lowboy Trailer?
Learn Here About Lowboy Flatbed Trailers
What is a Lowboy Trailer? A lowboy trailer is a low-platform flatbed trailer used to haul heavy, bulky, and taller-than-normal items. They have carry capacities of 25 tons (50,000 pounds) and 35 tons (70,000 pounds). A lowboy trailer is an excellent choice for hauling construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and other heavy-duty loads. The low height makes loading and unloading easier and helps to keep the payload level while in transit, which is important for preventing damage.
As is the case with many trailers, there are various lowboy trailers. Each variation has different tools and makeup, making specific haul jobs easier. When, where, and why to use these types of trailers can create a headache of questions for those looking to ship more oversized items.
A lowboy trailer is good for overweight and oversized loads. If traveling over rough terrain or through tight spaces, you will need a lowboy trailer designed for those conditions. FreightCenter aims to ease the pain and help ensure customers find the right trailer for their shipping needs. So when you decide you want to go with a lowboy trailer, follow these definitions to ensure you choose the right trailer for your load.
Different Types of Lowboy Trailers
Fixed Gooseneck
Fixed Gooseneck trailers offer a variety of features. Their adjustable gooseneck allows for easy loading and unloading from the trailer’s front and rear. In addition to this handy feature, fixed gooseneck lowboys have several other features that make them ideal for hauling heavy loads. These trailers have a low ground clearance and drop-deck feature, allowing easy loading and unloading. They also have a strong frame and axles supporting a heavy load. A fixed gooseneck lowboy is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a trailer that can handle a heavy load and offers convenient loading features.
Fixed Neck Lowboy
A fixed-neck lowboy differs from a fixed gooseneck trailer in a few ways. Fixed-neck trailers are lightweight options that can carry heavier loads. Carriers can load from both the sides and rear, but due to the immovable gooseneck, these trailers are restricted to front-loading. If easy loading is not a top priority and you want to ship heavy materials, a fixed-neck lowboy is an excellent option.
Removable Gooseneck Lowboy
Removable gooseneck trailers come in two types: The original removable gooseneck and the folding gooseneck trailer. The removable gooseneck trailer is a versatile and convenient option for those needing a low-bed trailer. Its unique design makes it perfect for various purposes, including towing other vehicles and equipment. This trailer can be easily connected and disconnected, which makes it ideal for those who need to save space.
The removable gooseneck trailer is also lighter than other trailer types, making it easier to transport. Overall, it is a great option for both businesses and individuals.
Awards and Endorsements
- 2021, 2017 & 2016 Food Logistics’ Top Green Providers
- 2021 & 2018 Supply & Demand Chain Executives’ Pros to Know: Matthew Brosious
- 2020 & 2019 Top Food Logistics’ 3PL & Cold Storage Provider Award
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2019 Business Observer’s Top 500 Companies on the Gulf Coast
- 2020 & 2017 Food Logistics’ Champions: Rock Stars of the Supply Chain
- 2020 Best of Palm Harbor Awards for Local Businesses
- 2017 Green Supply Chain Award from Supply & Demand Chain Executive
- 2017 Tampa Bay Business Journal Heroes at Work
- 2016, 2015, & 2012 Food Logistics Top 100 Software and Technology Providers
- 2013 Tampa Bay Business 100 by Tampa Bay Business Journal
- 2013 Top 100 Great Supply Chain Partners by SupplyChainBrain
- 2012 TIA Samaritan Award Honorable Mention
- 2012, 2011 & 2010 TBBJ Fast 50 Recipient
Lowboy Trailer Specs
Due to the various lowboy trailers, dimensions can vary from trailer to trailer. Although they may differ, there are maximum dimensions that all lowboys must adhere to. These include:
- Length: 24 ft to 29.5 ft.
- Width: No wider than 8.5 ft.
- Height: The well height is 18 ft to 24 ft. The max freight height is 12 ft. With the trailer included, the overall max height is 14 ft.
- Weight limit: The weight limit for two axles is 40,000 lbs. With additional axles, the weight should not exceed 80,000 lbs.
When to Use and When Not to Use a Lowboy Trailer
You might need a lowboy if you want to move freight that exceeds the height or weight restrictions with other available trailers. Thanks to their variety and special features, lowboy trailers can accommodate shippers with unique shipping needs. Lowboy trailers specialize in hauling taller-than-usual freight, partly because of their double-deck feature. This lowered deck allows for improved stability while adding a few extra feet of clearance.
The max height of a lowboy, trailer included, is 14 feet, allowing lowboy trailers to transport heavy, bulky, and oversized freight across the country. If you frequent auctions or enjoy buying and selling large equipment, you should become familiar with lowboy trailers and their abilities. Heavy machinery and oversized loads like tractors, combines, and dump trucks are just a few examples of lowboy trailer freight.
While there are many reasons to use a lowboy trailer, there are also many situations where using a different trailer type will be best for your freight. If you want to ship home furnishings, non-perishables, electronics, or dry goods, you should consider using a dry van. Perishables are best shipped using a refrigerated (reefer) trailer. If you are unsure which trailer to use, call FreightCenter. One of our trusted call agents to assist you in finding the best trailer for your freight. FreightCenter is a leader in Third-Party Logistics, ensuring our customers receive the best carrier at the lowest rate for shipments.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Using a Lowboy Trailer
The number one advantage of using a lowboy trailer is the vast number of oversized items they can transport. Every highway has height restrictions for cargo, and lowboy trailers help ensure shipments remain within these restrictions. The configuration of these trailers also allows shippers to transport heavy items safely and, in some cases, easily. The lowered deck on a lowboy trailer allows for a more stable ride and center of gravity for your shipment. Tall and heavy items are at the forefront of lowboy trailer shipments. But these trailers also offer an essential width advantage to bulky, oversized items.
A few disadvantages to consider when considering a lowboy include availability, volatile costs, and shipment volume. How available a lowboy is in your location can lower or raise costs. And like other freight shipping methods, lowboy trailers are subject to rising costs. These costs will also be affected by how much of the trailer your shipment will take up. All these factors should be weighed when deciding how to ship your freight.
Guaranteed competitive pricing every time you ship.
To create value for our customers by delivering customized shipping solutions that meet their unique needs and to fulfill shipping demands from simple to complex with expertise, guidance and ingenuity.
Rail shipping is a cost-effective and environmentally friendly transportation method that utilizes trains to move goods over long distances. It's known for its efficiency in handling large volumes of cargo, making it a sustainable and economical choice for businesses seeking reliable freight transport options.
Expedited shipping is a premium service designed to meet urgent delivery needs. It prioritizes speed and quick turnaround, ensuring that packages or goods reach their destination faster than standard shipping options. Expedited shipping is the go-to choice when time-sensitive deliveries are essential, providing businesses and individuals with reliable and prompt service for critical shipments.
White glove shipping is a premium service that goes beyond standard delivery, offering meticulous handling, specialized packaging, and in-home setup or installation for valuable or delicate items, ensuring a seamless and hassle-free experience for customers.
Less than truckload (LTL) shipping is a smart logistics solution for businesses with smaller shipments. It combines multiple smaller shipments into a single truckload, optimizing space and reducing costs. LTL shipping offers affordability and efficiency while ensuring timely delivery, making it an ideal choice for companies looking to save on transportation expenses without compromising on service quality.
We provide competitive freight shipping prices and an all-inclusive, easy-to-use shipping experience for our customers. Exceeding our customers’ expectations results in thousands of satisfied customer reviews and repeat business. We believe in the power of our customer relationships. Check out FreightCenter reviews from real customers, and learn what they have to say about their freight shipping experience!
FAQs
Q. What is a lowboy trailer?
A. A lowboy trailer is a specialized type of semi-trailer with a low deck height designed to transport tall or oversized cargo, such as heavy machinery, construction equipment, or industrial components. The low deck height allows for easier loading and unloading of tall or heavy items and provides better clearance when transporting oversized loads.
Q. What types of cargo are typically transported using lowboy trailers?
A. Lowboy trailers are commonly used to transport heavy and oversized cargo, including construction equipment such as bulldozers, excavators, cranes, and industrial machinery. They are also used for transporting large components for infrastructure projects, such as bridge beams, wind turbine blades, and oversized tanks or vessels.
Q. What are the advantages of using a lowboy trailer for trucking?
A. The main advantage of using a lowboy trailer is its low deck height, which allows for the transportation of tall or oversized cargo that may not fit on standard trailers. Additionally, lowboy trailers offer greater stability and weight distribution, making them suitable for hauling heavy loads over long distances. Their detachable gooseneck design also facilitates easy loading and unloading of equipment.
Q. What are the weight and size limitations for lowboy trailers?
A. The weight and size limitations for lowboy trailers vary depending on regulatory requirements and specific equipment configurations. However, lowboy trailers are typically designed to accommodate payloads ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 pounds or more, with deck lengths ranging from 24 to 29 feet or longer. It’s essential for trucking companies and drivers to adhere to local regulations and obtain any necessary permits for oversized or overweight loads.
