Given the legal dimensions, here are the factors to consider when choosing between a graduated deck trailer or a flatbed trailer: Platforms are an indispensable large trailer without sides or roof, commonly used for standard-sized loads. For heavier cargoes, many platforms have the option to add additional axles to meet federal weight guidelines. Technically, drop-down and stair deck trailers are platforms with additional bridges. In a typical mode of transportation, you`d balance your cargo by having it in the back, but on a stepped deck, it`s actually the other way around. In this case, place your cargo closer to the front of the trailer. It`s crucial not to forget to extend the life of your treads. An extendable drop deck trailer is similar to the standard drop-down deck trailer, but its 38-foot (11.6-meter) platform can be extended up to 19.8 meters (65 feet). The maximum load capacity of a removable deck trailer is 43,000 pounds (19,504 kilograms). Whether you need a staircase or a low-loader, Hale Trailer Brake and Wheel, Inc. has 12 trailer rental locations, each with knowledgeable representatives ready to serve you. Our wide range of drop-down trailers for sale and lease, as well as our extensive inventory of commercial trailers and service offerings, make us the first choice for all your trailer needs. Heavy cargo and machinery are often transported on progressive deck trailers due to their larger size.

Each state has different laws regarding cargo size, but generally the maximum height is 13`6″ to 14`, even with a permit. This is especially important to ensure driver safety and clearance for bridges. Stair deck trailers can only carry goods less than 10 feet 2 inches high before they become oversized. For this reason, if you hope to move goods that exceed this height, you should use a more specialized type of equipment. Today we are here to help you decide if a stepbridge or lowboy trailer is best for your needs. In this blog, we`ll break down the difference between stair trailers and lowboy trailers so you can finally decide for yourself which one is best for your cargo. The Double Drop with removable bridge, also known as RGN, can accommodate goods with a maximum legal weight of 44,000 lbs. Having trouble getting approval for your graduated deck trailer? Or are you looking for a safe business to get any kind of permits in any state? OverweightPermits.com will help you get your permits easily and safely! For more information, call (888) 799-8858 or visit our website at www.OverweightPermits.com. The biggest question you need to ask yourself when considering a stepped deck versus a low-loader is what kind of cargo you`ll be carrying. If you know that the cargo is usually shorter, a conventional low-loader will meet your needs. If your cargo is 8`6″, a stair trailer will best suit your needs. A stair deck trailer, also known as a lower-deck trailer or low-deck trailer, is a commercial trailer designed to carry high cargo that exceeds the legal height limit when transported on a conventional low-loader.

Transporting large cargo on a stepped bridge eliminates the need for drivers and operators to obtain permits. The following list shows the general permissible total load dimensions for commercial trailers, including the tread deck and the roadbed. Since each state has different legal limits, it`s important to check with local authorities to ensure compliance. By law, stair trailers are allowed to carry goods with a maximum weight of 48,000 pounds (21,772 kilograms) with a total laden weight of 80,000 pounds (36,287 kilograms). This allows progressive deck trailers to transport large items and machinery over long distances. The upper deck is closest to the truck`s cab and is 60 inches high and 11 feet long. In this manual, I have explained the usual dimensions of a stair deck trailer. In case you forgot, a graduated deck trailer is between 48 and 53 feet (14.6 and 16.2 meters) in length and has an upper and lower platform with lengths ranging from 11 feet (3.4) and 37 to 48 feet (11.3 to 12.5 meters, respectively). This trailer is used to tow units that are too high to safely transport a standard platform on the highway. The stair deck trailer can carry parts up to 10`. Due to the open-air nature of these trailers, decks also offer limited protection from the elements, even if they are camouflaged. For any cargo where protection during transport is an issue, a stair deck does not meet your requirements Stair trailers have two decks, one upper and one lower.

Many stair deck trailers also have ramp functions that make it easy to load and unload equipment. Their lower height allows forklifts to easily access the load because they are closer to the ground. Options may include fixed neck, gooseneck and detachable gooseneck (RGN), depending on the type of cargo and loading and unloading requirements. Fixed-neck trailers have more limited loading and unloading options, while RGNs can be loaded at the front or rear. The main function of a drop bridge is to ship larger loads. With a pitch from one level to a lower level, the maximum loading height is increased when the transport is closer to the road. Low loaders are another commonly used type of trailer. Their measurements vary from trailer to trailer, but they are generally between 24 and 53 feet (7.3 and 16.2 meters) long. Like graduated deck trailers, platforms do not have sidewalls, but their deck is usually higher than the lower platform of a stair deck trailer, making it easier for drivers to reach the legal load height limit.

Factors such as trailer sourcing in your area, the urgency of your shipment, and seasonality play a much bigger role in determining your price than switching from a platform to a stepped bridge. For example, if your cargo doesn`t need the extra height and weight capacity (3+axle) of the lowboy trailer, consider a staircase or platform instead. Loading a stair trailer can be done from any side as it has no side walls. The lower platform is several meters above the ground and supports most of the trailer load. Cyclists typically place larger pieces of equipment on the lower platform to comply with height restrictions and may not require a permit. Use the following comparison chart, where we have compared the capabilities of the most common stair and low-level trailers, to choose the right trailer for your cargo: The standard platform is best used when height is not an issue. Bed height is usually 60 to 62 inches, so 8`4″ to 8`6″ height is available for legal shipments. What the lowboy abandons throughout the well room, he compensates for with the height capacity.

And the maximum legal height of any cargo carried by a low trailer can reach 11 feet, 6 inches – as long as the trailer is 24 inches above or below the ground. Conestoga trailers are 53-foot-long (16.2-meter) trailers that are possible alternatives to regression and over-lowering types. They are usually used to transport delicate goods that could be damaged if covered with a tarpaulin. Products such as agricultural equipment, industrial machinery and other bulky goods are usually transported by progressive deck trailers. If necessary, the top and aft decks of these trailers – which vary in height and are typically between 6 and 10 feet long – can be used to transport additional cargo that does not fit into their 25- to 30-foot well. For example, if you need to move goods with a total height of more than 10 feet, two inches, a staircase simply won`t meet your needs. On the other hand, if your cargo is less than 53 feet long and falls below 10 feet, 2 inches tall, a stepped deck is your most cost-effective option. A progressive deck trailer is a type of trailer that can carry very large pieces of equipment. They have no walls on the sides, allowing users to load and unload cargo from any orientation.

Where platforms are typically 5 feet above the ground, stair deck trailers are much shorter, measuring 3 feet, 4 inches at their lowest point. In the 53-foot version, the upper and lower deck lengths of these trailers are 10 feet and 43 feet, respectively, leaving plenty of room for many types of cargo.