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When transporting delicate or abnormally large loads, you must ensure you can do so legally. Heavy-haul trailers allow drivers to haul oversized loads anywhere in the U.S. with the proper permits. In this guide, we’ll explore the most common types of heavy-haul trailers — and when to use each — so you can make the most informed decision.
What Is a Heavy-Haul Trailer?
An oversized load is any freight that exceeds a state’s maximum legal size or weight limit. Because they are so large, they require special equipment for safe and legal transportation. Heavy-haul trailers are semitrailers specifically for carrying oversized loads such as:
- Heavy equipment
- Prefabricated homes
- Construction materials
- Agricultural machinery
- Boats
- Aircraft
Manufacturers have designed many types of heavy-haul trailers to meet different equipment requirements. Choosing the appropriate trailer for your load can make a significant difference in helping you overcome the obstacles of your haul.
How Big Are Heavy-Haul Loads?
While specific dimensions vary by state, it’s generally safe to assume that any load meeting or exceeding these numbers will need a heavy-haul trailer.
- Width: 8.6 feet
- Height: 13.6 feet
- Length: 48 to 53 feet, depending on state
- Gross weight: 80,000 pounds
Before beginning any haul, check the laws in the states you’ll be driving through. Usually, you’ll need at least one escort vehicle to travel with your load. You’ll also need to attach flags or flashing lights to your trailer to alert other drivers — specific signage may vary depending on load size and state.
Additionally, you must obtain the proper permits for each state you visit if your haul is a multi-state trip. While the federal government does not issue these permits, you can find information and links to each state’s permitting office on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s website.
5 Heavy-Haul Trailer Types
You have many heavy-haul trailer options, and the correct one depends on the load you carry. Here’s a brief overview of the most common types of trailer for hauling heavy equipment on the market today.
1. Flatbed Trailers
Heavy-haul flatbed trailers are ultra-versatile, so they’re the most popular trailers for heavy equipment. Their features include a flat, open bed without sides or a roof. This design allows for easy loading and unloading, as you can avoid the awkward maneuvering involved with fitting loads on an enclosed trailer. You can also use different areas of the trailer to maximize your available space.
The amount of weight you can carry depends on the number of axles your flatbed has. Generally, more axles mean you can haul more weight — and additional features like railings or gooseneck hitches can help you increase safety and loading efficiency even more.
2. Lowboy Trailers
Lowboy trailers feature low-riding platforms that are perfect for transporting especially tall loads. Because they’re only about 18 to 24 inches high, you can safely haul items that exceed the legal height limit — usually up to 12 feet at the tallest — without worrying about overhead clearances. They’re also helpful for standard-sized loads.
These trailers feature a well in the center of the bed where you load the over-height cargo. You can use the surrounding surfaces to put other items if the trailer has not reached its maximum capacity. Extendable lowboy trailers allow you to elongate the well for additional space.
3. Step-Deck Trailers
Sometimes called “drop-deck” trailers, step-decks are open trailers that feature two decks of different heights. The lower deck works like a lowboy trailer, allowing you to haul freight that exceeds state height regulations. It also enables safer loading and unloading, as your forklift must only elevate the freight a short height.
While step-decks typically have the same load capacity as flatbed trailers, they’re often wider, longer and taller. This extra space provides greater flexibility, as you can maximize your trailer by placing smaller items on the higher deck at the front of the trailer.
4. Dump Trailers
As the name implies, heavy-haul dump trailers use a hydraulic lever underneath the trailer bed to tilt backward and safely “dump” your load. They have enclosures on all sides, making them ideal for carrying overweight loads of loose items, like construction scraps or job site waste.
You can haul almost anything that fits in a dump trailer that you would on a flatbed. This double-duty feature makes them cost-effective — for example, if you’re transporting construction equipment to and from a job site, you don’t need as many additional trailers.
You can also find dump trailers with various options for loading gates, which can help you increase safety for your specific load. For example, if you’re hauling loose rocks, you can position a landscape spreader door to allow them to slowly roll out when unloading.
5. Removable Gooseneck Trailers
RGNs are more of a feature than a specific type of trailer, but they’re an excellent option for hauling heavy-duty freight. The gooseneck refers to the front end of the trailer, which curves up and over the your truck frame like a goose’s neck.
Here are some of the advantages of using an RGN hitch trailer.
- Easier loading and unloading: You can detach the gooseneck from the main trailer bed for a safe, efficient loading experience.
- Greater flexibility: The detachable gooseneck creates a ramp when removed, enabling you to load almost any equipment without needing additional machinery like cranes or forklifts.
- Heavier loads: With the right configuration, RGN trailers can handle heavier freight than fixed-neck trailers.
Most trailers are available with RGN configurations, so check with your dealer when evaluating your options.
Carry More With Heavy-Haul Equipment Trailers From Big Tex Trailer World
If you need a high-quality heavy-haul trailer for your next job, Big Tex Trailer World has the one for you. We’re a full-service trailer company with more than 60 locations across the U.S. Whether you’re looking to buy a new trailer or need us to repair one you already have, you can count on us to get your load on the road.
You can browse our selection of heavy-duty flatbed trailers online, or visit your nearest Big Tex retail location to see them in person. Our team will help you find the right trailer for your oversized hauling needs.