Trailer Types

Browse all 30 trailer types with specifications and best use cases

Understanding Deck Heights

The deck height determines the maximum legal cargo height. Total height (cargo + deck) must not exceed 13.5 feet without permits.

Lowest deck (more height clearance)
Medium deck
Standard deck

Flatbed 48'

FLATBED

5' deck

Standard 48-foot flatbed trailer. Most common and economical choice for freight that fits within legal dimensions.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
48K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Steel coils and beams
Lumber and building materials
Machinery under 8.5' tall
+2 more
Loading: crane

Flatbed 53'

FLATBED

5' deck

Extended 53-foot flatbed for longer cargo. Maximum legal trailer length for standard operations.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
45K lbs
Deck: 53' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Long steel beams
Extended machinery
Multiple items requiring extra length
+1 more
Loading: crane

Stretch Flatbed

FLATBED

5' deck

Extendable flatbed that can stretch from 48' to 80' or more for extra-long loads. Requires oversize permits when extended.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
43K lbs
Deck: 80' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Wind turbine blades
Long structural steel
Bridge beams
+2 more
Loading: crane

Hotshot 40'

FLATBED

3'6" deck

Gooseneck flatbed pulled by heavy-duty pickup (Class 3-5). Faster, more economical for lighter loads.

Max Cargo Height
10'
Max Weight
16.5K lbs
Deck: 40' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
Time-critical small loads
Farm equipment
+2 more
Loading: drive on

Step Deck 48'

STEP DECK

3'6" deck

Standard step deck with upper deck (11') and lower main deck (37'). Lower deck height allows taller cargo.

Max Cargo Height
10'
Max Weight
48K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 37'
Best For:
Forklifts and small equipment
Cargo 8.5' to 10' tall
Vehicles that can drive on
+2 more
Loading: drive on

Step Deck 53'

STEP DECK

3'6" deck

Extended 53-foot step deck with more deck space. Upper deck (11') and lower main deck (42').

Max Cargo Height
10'
Max Weight
46K lbs
Deck: 53' L × 8'6" W • Well: 42'
Best For:
Longer equipment up to 10' tall
Multiple pieces of machinery
Extended agricultural equipment
+1 more
Loading: drive on

Low Pro Step Deck

STEP DECK

2'6" deck

Low profile step deck with reduced deck height for taller cargo. Uses low-profile tires.

Max Cargo Height
11'
Max Weight
44K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 37'
Best For:
Cargo 10' to 11' tall
Tall equipment that fits legally
Borderline oversize loads
+1 more
Loading: drive on

Stretch Step Deck

STEP DECK

3'6" deck

Extendable step deck for tall and long cargo. Can stretch from 48' to 65'+ as needed.

Max Cargo Height
10'
Max Weight
43K lbs
Deck: 65' L × 8'6" W • Well: 50'
Best For:
Long and tall equipment
Extended agricultural machines
Crane booms
+1 more
Loading: drive on

RGN 2-Axle

RGN

2' deck

Standard 2-axle removable gooseneck with very low deck. Gooseneck detaches for front-loading.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
42K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 29'
Best For:
Excavators and dozers
Tracked equipment
Tall machinery (10'-11.5')
+2 more
Loading: drive on

RGN 3-Axle

RGN

2' deck

Heavy-duty 3-axle RGN for heavier loads. Same low deck height with increased weight capacity.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
52K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 29'
Best For:
Heavy excavators (CAT 330+)
Large dozers
Mining equipment
+1 more
Loading: drive on

RGN 4-Axle

RGN

2' deck

Extra heavy-duty 4-axle RGN for the heaviest tracked equipment. Maximum weight distribution.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
65K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 29'
Best For:
Heaviest excavators (CAT 390+)
Mining haul trucks
Large cranes
+1 more
Loading: drive on

Stretch RGN

RGN

2' deck

Extendable RGN for long and tall heavy equipment. Stretches from 48' to 65'+ for oversized loads.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
48K lbs
Deck: 65' L × 8'6" W • Well: 45'
Best For:
Long-reach excavators
Crane booms on equipment
Mining equipment with attachments
+1 more
Loading: drive on

Lowboy 2-Axle

LOWBOY

1'6" deck

Standard lowboy with lowest deck height available (1.5'). Fixed gooseneck, requires crane loading.

Max Cargo Height
12'
Max Weight
40K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 24'
Best For:
Tallest equipment (11.5'-12')
Large transformers
Oversized industrial equipment
+2 more
Loading: crane

Lowboy 3-Axle

LOWBOY

1'6" deck

Heavy-duty lowboy with 3 axles for heavier tall loads. Maximum capacity for standard lowboy.

Max Cargo Height
12'
Max Weight
55K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 24'
Best For:
Heaviest tall equipment
Large transformers
Mining equipment
+1 more
Loading: crane

Lowboy 4-Axle

LOWBOY

1'6" deck

Extra heavy-duty 4-axle lowboy for the heaviest tall loads. Used for superloads.

Max Cargo Height
12'
Max Weight
70K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 24'
Best For:
Power transformers
Nuclear components
Heavy industrial equipment
+1 more
Loading: crane

Detachable Lowboy

LOWBOY

1'10" deck

Lowboy with detachable gooseneck for drive-on loading. Combines low deck with loading flexibility.

Max Cargo Height
11'8"
Max Weight
45K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 26'
Best For:
Tall tracked equipment
Equipment that can drive on
When crane not available
+1 more
Loading: drive on

Stretch Lowboy

LOWBOY

1'6" deck

Extendable lowboy for long and very tall cargo. Can extend deck length significantly.

Max Cargo Height
12'
Max Weight
50K lbs
Deck: 65' L × 8'6" W • Well: 40'
Best For:
Long transformers
Extended tall equipment
Reactor vessels
+1 more
Loading: crane

Double Drop

DOUBLE DROP

2' deck

Three-level trailer with low center well. Combines height advantage with length for tall, long cargo.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
45K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W • Well: 25'
Best For:
Tall machinery with length
Industrial generators
Large compressors
+1 more
Loading: crane

Stretch Double Drop

DOUBLE DROP

2' deck

Extendable double drop for extra-long tall cargo. Well section can extend significantly.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
42K lbs
Deck: 65' L × 8'6" W • Well: 40'
Best For:
Long industrial equipment
Extended tanks and vessels
Large generator packages
+1 more
Loading: crane

Landoll (Tilt Bed)

LANDOLL

2'6" deck

Self-loading tilt bed trailer. Tilts and slides for ground-level loading without ramps or cranes.

Max Cargo Height
11'
Max Weight
50K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Containers
Equipment without crane access
Remote locations
+2 more
Loading: tilt

Conestoga

CONESTOGA

5' deck

Flatbed with retractable tarp system. Provides weather protection while maintaining flatbed flexibility.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
44K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Weather-sensitive cargo
Paper products
Food-grade freight
+2 more
Loading: forklift

Dry Van 53'

DRY VAN

4' deck

Standard enclosed 53-foot trailer. Most common trailer in the US for general freight.

Max Cargo Height
9'
Max Weight
45K lbs
Deck: 53' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
General freight
Palletized goods
Consumer products
+2 more
Loading: forklift

Reefer 53' (Refrigerated)

REEFER

4' deck

Temperature-controlled 53-foot trailer. Maintains cargo at specified temperature.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
43K lbs
Deck: 53' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Frozen foods
Fresh produce
Pharmaceuticals
+2 more
Loading: forklift

Curtain Side (Side Kit)

CURTAIN SIDE

5' deck

Flatbed with curtain side walls. Easy side access with weather protection.

Max Cargo Height
8'6"
Max Weight
44K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Beverages
Building materials
Packaged goods
+2 more
Loading: forklift

Multi-Axle 13-Line

MULTI AXLE

2'6" deck

13-axle trailer for superloads. Used for the heaviest industrial equipment and transformers.

Max Cargo Height
11'
Max Weight
200K lbs
Deck: 60' L × 12' W • Well: 45'
Best For:
Large power transformers
Reactor vessels
Turbines
+2 more
Loading: crane

Multi-Axle 19-Line

MULTI AXLE

2'6" deck

19-axle trailer for the heaviest superloads. Maximum weight distribution for extreme loads.

Max Cargo Height
11'
Max Weight
350K lbs
Deck: 80' L × 14' W • Well: 60'
Best For:
Nuclear reactor components
Largest transformers
Refinery equipment
+2 more
Loading: crane

Schnabel Trailer

SCHNABEL

3' deck

Specialized trailer where cargo becomes part of the trailer structure. For the heaviest single-piece loads.

Max Cargo Height
10'6"
Max Weight
500K lbs
Deck: 100' L × 16' W • Well: 60'
Best For:
Largest transformers
Pressure vessels
Nuclear components
+2 more
Loading: crane

Perimeter / Beam Trailer

PERIMETER

1' deck

Open frame trailer with no deck. Cargo sits between frame beams for maximum clearance.

Max Cargo Height
12'6"
Max Weight
60K lbs
Deck: 48' L × 10' W • Well: 35'
Best For:
Extremely tall equipment
Tall tanks and vessels
Oversized generators
+1 more
Loading: crane

Steerable Dolly Trailer

STEERABLE

2' deck

Trailer with steerable rear axles for tight turns. Essential for long loads in urban areas.

Max Cargo Height
11'6"
Max Weight
48K lbs
Deck: 53' L × 8'6" W • Well: 40'
Best For:
Long loads in cities
Tight delivery locations
Wind turbine components
+1 more
Loading: crane

Blade Trailer (Wind Turbine)

BLADE

4' deck

Specialized trailer for wind turbine blades. Adaptable for blades 150'+.

Max Cargo Height
9'6"
Max Weight
30K lbs
Deck: 180' L × 8'6" W
Best For:
Wind turbine blades
Long composite structures
Aerospace components
Loading: crane