Trailers are specialized vehicles that can accommodate and safely transport cargo from one point to another. Manufacturers build them in different designs to meet various transportation needs.
At Wide Load Shipping, we’ll match your freight with the right type of trailer and assign an experienced driver to transport it to the desired destination.
Types of Transporting Trailers
Explore the different flatbed trailer types for transporting cargo below.
Standard Flatbed Trailers
Standard flatbeds are the most common trailers we see pulled down the road daily. They come in different sizes, including 45 feet, 48 feet and 53 feet in length. The flat deck can accommodate different types of cargo and allow convenient loading and offloading from the side using a crane or forklift.
The standard flatbed trailer is 8.5 feet wide and has a maximum capacity of 48,000 pounds. It can transport various loads, such as freight with unusual shapes, construction materials, oversized loads and heavy equipment.
Step Deck Trailer
The step deck, drop deck or single-drop trailer is like a flatbed trailer except for the step in its deck. Its rear deck is lower than the front one and is suitable for loads that may cause height requirement issues on a standard flatbed. The step deck trailer can carry different types of cargo, such as tall equipment, heavy machinery and large piles of construction material.
Step deck trailers are popular, and most feature built-in ramps, enabling operators to drive their machinery onto the deck at loading times. This trailer type is versatile, provided the cargo is not above 48,000 pounds. The length of a step deck trailer ranges from 48 feet to 53 feet, while the width is 8.5 feet.
Double Drop Deck Trailer
Manufacturers design the double drop deck trailer explicitly to haul tall shipments that would normally require oversize trucking permits to ship on a standard flatbed trailer. It features a well between the front and rear decks, making it ideal for hauling tall cargo that may be too tall for a step deck trailer. The double drop deck trailer is suitable for shipping boats, farm equipment, houses and other heavy equipment.
This trailer’s maximum capacity is 45,000 pounds, while its maximum length and width are 29 feet and 8.5 feet, respectively.
Below is an illustration of a standard double-drop trailer.
Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Trailer
Removable gooseneck (RGN) trailers are a type of flatbed trailer made for hauling wide and tall heavy machinery or equipment like combines, cranes, forklifts, caterpillars and backhoes. They’re easy to load and unload because the gooseneck in the front is removable hence the name “removable gooseneck trailer.” RGNs can transport oversized vehicles and boats as well as extensive farming and industrial machinery.
A standard RGN trailer can transport a load of up to 42,000 pounds. It’s typically 29 feet long and 8.5 feet wide. A more specialized design of this trailer, the stretch RGN, features a maximum length of 53 feet and can accommodate loads of up to 150,000 pounds.
How Our Process Works
When you contact us, we’ll assign a logistics agent to your load so they can recommend a suitable transport solution. They’ll then calculate a cost estimate based on the dimensions of the cargo, where it’s coming from and its destination. Once you choose to work with us, the agent will manage permit applications and all other transportation paperwork, saving your company the hassle and time of figuring it out alone.
We assess all transportation routes to verify the cargo will reach its destination safely. Our process also entails inspecting the load and filling out a bill of lading form to show its condition before transport. We’ll offer a full insurance cover to safeguard your business’s valuable cargo.
Why Ship Cargo With Our Trailers?
Feel confident shipping with our trailers for the following reasons:
- Proper weight distribution: If you’re shipping extra heavy cargo, we’ll add axles to our trailers to distribute the load’s weight evenly. These additional axles help protect road and bridge integrity. hey
- Reliable trailers: We have various trailers to safely move wide, overweight, heavy haul and super loads.
- Escort vehicles: We provide pilot and escort vehicles for heavy hauling trailers to ensure the safety of road users. These vehicles help trailer drivers navigate and alert motorists of approaching oversized cargo.
We Have a Trailer Type That Fits Your Load
Choose Wide Load Shipping for convenient and customizable shipping solutions. Thanks to our range of trailers, we can transport any cargo within the U.S. or to Mexico and Canada safely and efficiently.
Contact us online to tell us about your load today.
