RGN/Lowboy Trailers
If you work with heavy equipment, there’s a good chance you’ll run into a lowboy trailer. These trailer types are extremely common within the construction, mining, automotive, agriculture and forestry industries. Choosing the right type and model maximizes the use you get from your trailer.
How to Pick the Right Lowboy Trailer?
Lowboy trailers are specialized trailer types often used for hauling heavy equipment and oversized loads. Common loads this type of trailer carries include dozers, excavators, passenger cars, agricultural machines and more. These equipment types come in a variety of configurations, including removable gooseneck (RGN), fixed gooseneck and fixed neck lowboy models.
With such an assortment of options, it can often be a challenge to determine which type of lowboy trailer is best for your needs. Evaluate these factors when considering which is right for you:
- Tonnage capacity: Knowing the total weight of the cargo you plan to transport helps you ensure your new trailer is up to the task of hauling the load safely.
- Trailer specifications: Lowboy trailers vary in length, deck height, and axle configuration, so it’s essential to know what specifications your application demands.
- Length and space requirements: Standard options for lowboys range between 24 and 29 feet, allowing you to choose an option that meets your hauling needs.
- Budget: Analyze your budget to determine how much you can comfortably afford and take maintenance and ownership expenses into account.
- Compatibility: Before landing on a choice, it’s wise to evaluate your towing vehicle’s weight capacity and hitch type to ensure you can haul your loads effectively.
Lowboys vary in the amount they can safely and effectively haul, ranging from 20,000 to over 100,000 pounds depending on the number of axles and configuration. Other considerations include equipment size and weight, road limits, load distribution, maneuverability in tight spaces and overall transporting needs.
Load King has been a part of the Custom Truck One Source family for decades, and is committed to producing customized tonnage solutions to help professionals effectively address their applications.
Why Does Deck Height Matter?
Lowboy trailers, also known as dropdeck trailers, are known for their low deck height. Lower profile decks make loading and unloading cargo much easier, especially when using hydraulic ramps, and will ensure loads maintain a low center of gravity to increase stability during transport. Many towns and states have load height restrictions, so finding the right deck height will make sure you remain compliant with DOT restrictions.
Typical Deck Heights
These types of decks are usually suspended between 18 and 30 inches off the ground, depending on it having a single or double drop configuration. Flatbed trailers, another common type of trailer, typically have 48 to 60 inches of deck height, while gooseneck trailers are 30 to 36 inches off the ground. These decks are built using either wood or steel, offering various degrees of strength and cost-efficiency.
Haulers opt for steel decking for its durability and strength for heavy, rugged loads. You can achieve more cost-effective transportation of lighter loads with wood decking, which weighs far less than steel.
Load King Customization Options and Other Considerations
When selecting your trailer, several options are available to further tailor your equipment to your hauling applications:
- Hydraulic ramps: Facilitate easier loading and unloading of heavy equipment.
- Detachable goosenecks: Gain the flexibility to transport a wide range of equipment.
- Axle configurations: Tandem, tridem and multi-axle options offer performance advantages according to your load’s weight and balance.
- Tire types: Selecting the right tires for your trailer has a significant impact on stability and adaptability to diverse terrain for safer hauling.
Purchase Your Lowboy Trailer With Custom Truck One Source
Ready to find the perfect lowboy trailer for your heavy-haul needs? Whether you’re in construction, agriculture, or another industry, Custom Truck’s lineup of Load King lowboy trailers offers the durability and customization you need. Explore our wide selection of trailers today and speak with one of our experts to get the ideal solution tailored to your specific job requirements. Visit our lowboy trailer page or contact us for more information and a personalized consultation!