Commonly Used Flatbed Trailers For Plant Movement And Other Heavy Loads

Is it your plant and machinery transportation that is giving you a headache? 

When you have an industrial structure that is bigger and heavier than what fits in a typical dry van, you may want a better solution to transporting safely. 

The flatbed trailer fits in situations like these, where moving freight can be risky from one point to another.

Industrial plant movement, be it for construction or other commercial purposes, needs experts in this field alongside the suitable type of vehicle. With so many different trailers on the road nowadays, it can be tough to determine what each one is for and which one fits your needs.

If this is the case, this post will enlighten you.

What is a flatbed trailer?

A flatbed trailer has a flat hauling platform with no sides or a roof. Hence, people can load it from the top, sides, or back. More precisely, it is a piece of transportation equipment with a steel frame, lighting system, brakes, and tyres.

Ideally, major plant and machinery movement companies use it to transport large or heavy loads, such as machinery and construction equipment, between point A and point B.

Flatbed trailers are available in various forms and functions.

Types of flatbed trailers 

1. Standard flatbed

It is the most common flatbed type with no doors, sides, or roof. They are available in different sizes, such as 24, 40, 45, 48, and 53 feet. It can haul the highest capacity of 48,000 pounds. 

The flatbed’s open back and sides are commonly used to move steel, construction equipment, lumber, and other open-air commodities, allowing for easy loading and unloading by a forklift crane. 

• Lowboy Trailers

A lowboy trailer, also known as a low bed or float trailer, is a non-powered trailer. This type typically has a lower ground clearance to transport tall, huge, or heavy items that exceed the height restrictions when carried on a flatbed.

Lowboy trailers typically have two axles and a maximum hauling capacity of 40,000 pounds. The number of axles utilised determines an additional weight capacity of up to 80,000 pounds (weight of the trailer + weight of the load).

• Step Deck Trailers

A step deck, a drop deck or a single-drop is a flatbed trailer with a bottom and a top deck. It is suitable to transport over-height items that can not be on a standard flatbed due to height restrictions.

Drop deck trailers are typically much shorter than standard flatbed trailers. They also provide up to 2 feet of additional overhead clearance with a maximum load weight of 48000 pounds.

These trailers are frequently used for transporting agricultural and construction supplies.

• Double Drop Trailers

A double drop trailer features a middle piece lower than both ends, comparable to a single drop. This trailer type also prevents overhangs by acting as a brace. 

Loading up to 10 feet is the standard parameter on the lower deck. The trailer can form a “well” with a part measuring 25 to 29 feet tall at the back deck and middle of the trailer. It can carry up to 45000 pounds.

It is also frequently used to transport freight that requires a crane to load and unload.

• Removable Gooseneck Trailers (RGN)

RGNs serve many of the same functions as the double-drop trailer with the same weight and height limitations. In addition, the front of an RGN trailer is removable, allowing it to be dumped onto the ground and used as a ramp. 

RGNs make transporting heavy-duty industrial equipment easier for industrial plant movement companies. You only need to drive your mobile machinery onto the trailer before it departs, secure it safely, and separate it once you reach your destination. Thus, it eliminates the need for cranes and forklifts throughout the loading/unloading procedure.

It can be expanded from 3 axles to over 20 axles when the space of the “well” falls short for bigger items, a scenario similar to the double-drop trailer. 

• Conestoga Trailers

A Conestoga trailer, ideal for moving fragile and valuable items, is a specially-made flatbed with a strong shell and tarping system to protect the cargo inside. 

It typically measures 53 feet long and is an alternative to many open-deck trailers since it’s available in step-deck, double-drop, and flatbed configurations. It can haul a maximum weight of 42000 pounds to 45000 pounds.

In this post, we’ve come across some of the most popular trailers available on the market, and it is important to choose the right one for your needs. With a bit of research, you should be able to find a reputable supplier who can provide you with a high-quality trailer that will serve you well.