Have you ever seen one of those trucks pulling a flat platform trailer carrying some heavy equipment? Chances are it was a lowboy trailer. These unique trailers are specifically designed for hauling heavy construction equipment, like bulldozers, excavators, boats, and modular homes. Not sure what exactly a lowboy is or why someone would want one? Keep on reading and we'll tell you everything you need to know.

What Exactly Is a Lowboy Trailer?

Lowboy trailers are a type of trailer with a lower deck height designed to provide a low load angle and increased stability for hauling tall and heavy equipment. It's called a lowboy because the trailer deck sits lower to the ground, usually just above the height of the wheels, unlike most standard flatbed trailers that sit higher. A low load height means equipment can be driven on and off the trailer ramps much more easily. The ramps are also gentler in their incline. This allows for hauling super heavy machinery that would struggle with steeper ramp angles on typical flatbeds and reduces the risk of tipping during loading.

What Are the Benefits of a Lowboy?

So why would anyone want to use a lowboy? These trailers are the preferred way to transport extra heavy, bulky, and oversized equipment because of their lower center of gravity, enhanced stability, and lower ramps. The lower deck places the cargo's weight much closer to the trailer's axles and towing truck, creating a lower center of gravity and a more balanced and controlled ride. With heavy machinery weighing as much as 100,000 pounds, according to John Deere, you want the weight dispersal to be just right. The lower platform also increases overall stability, reducing side-to-side load shifting and sway under such heavy loads during transport.

What Should You Look For When Buying?

To further enhance a lowboy's stability, many have spread axles that increase the axle track width even more. According to ELG Accident Attorneys, the majority of large trucks are 53 feet long. Some may also have specialized gooseneck hitches allowing sharper turning maneuvers. Retractable ramp extensions that can be hydraulically lowered provide the extra length needed to handle the long wheelbases of things like cranes and excavators. Outriggers or support legs might also extend from the trailer frame to the ground, adding even more load support when parked. There are dolly accessories available for additional axles and modular configurations to legally distribute super heavy loads while towing and meet road regulations.

The next time you see an excavator cruising down the highway on what looks like an extra low flatbed, you'll know it's a specialized piece of equipment called a lowboy trailer hard at work. If you're looking to rent lowboy trailers, contact TSTL, Inc today.