In the transportation industry, choosing the right trailer is very important. It ensures safe transportation, reduces costs, and increases efficiency. Flatbed and step trailers are two common choices for businesses that need to transport large, heavy, or oversized loads. Flatbed trailers have a spacious, flat surface that is ideal for transporting low but heavy loads. Step trailers, on the other hand, can easily transport extra tall cargo through their low-level design, often without the need for additional permits or escort vehicles.
This article will detail the design features, size requirements, applicable cargo, advantages and disadvantages, and how to choose between these two types of trailers to help you make a more informed decision.
Table of Contents
Trailer Type Definitions and Basic Designs
Flatbed Trailers
A flatbed trailer is a very practical and versatile means of transportation that is widely used for transporting standard-sized and low-profile heavy cargo. It is designed without sidewalls or a roof, making loading and unloading cargo easier. It is especially suitable for those cargoes that need to be loaded and unloaded by forklift or crane. The standard deck height of a flatbed trailer is typically 5 feet and the maximum height for carrying cargo is 8 feet 6 inches. It is widely used to transport heavy cargo such as construction equipment, agricultural machinery, raw materials, and scrap metal. For situations where heavier cargo needs to be transported, flatbed trailers have the option of adding additional axles. Its design features are:
Simple construction: trailers feature a single flat deck, usually without sidewalls or roofs.
Standard Height: Flatbed trailers typically have a deck height of approximately 5 feet, which determines the upper height limit for the cargo they transport.
Scope of Application: Mainly used to transport wide, heavy but height-restricted cargo. Examples include raw materials, construction equipment, agricultural implements, and scrap metal.
The advantage of flatbed trailers is that it is very easy to load and secure cargo. However, if the height of the cargo exceeds 8 feet 6 inches, it may be necessary to apply for a special permit or use an escort vehicle, which will increase the difficulty and cost of transportation.
Step Trailers
Step trailers, also known as drop trailers or lowboy trailers. Designed for transporting extra tall cargo, it is capable of carrying higher loads than a flatbed trailer and does not require special permits. It has an upper and lower deck, with the lower deck typically being 3 feet 6 inches. The reduced height allows for easy loading and unloading by forklift. Many step trailers are equipped with ramps for easy loading and unloading. Depending on demand, step trailers are available in fixed neck, gooseneck, and removable gooseneck (RGN.) RGN trailers allow loading from the front or the rear, and can even lift loads from either end. Offering greater flexibility. Its main features are:
Dual Deck Construction: trailers are designed with an upper and lower deck, where the lower deck is typically 3 feet 6 inches lower than a flatbed trailer.
Increased Transportation Height: Due to the low chassis design, step trailers can transport loads that are approximately 20 inches taller than flatbed trailers. Standard step trailers can transport cargo up to 10 feet 2 inches. Some double-drop designs can even reach 11 feet 2 inches.
Ease of loading and unloading: Some ladder trailers are equipped with a ramp design to facilitate forklift loading and unloading, reducing loading and unloading costs and time.
Application: Suitable for transporting extra tall and heavy loads such as excavators, tractors, large construction materials and agricultural equipment.
The ladder trailer design solves the problem of flatbed trailers when transporting over-height loads, often without the need for additional permits or escort vehicles, making transportation more efficient and safer.
Size, Capacity and Regulatory Requirements
Regardless of which trailer you choose, the size and load capacity must comply with state and federal regulations. Here are the requirements common to both types of trailers
Length: typically between 48 and 53 feet.
Width: The standard width is 8 feet 6 inches.
Overall height: the legal overall height is typically 13 feet 6 inches.
Weight limit: most trailers have a maximum gross weight of 80,000 pounds.
However, there is a significant difference in cargo height between the two types of trailers:
Flatbed trailers: due to the high deck, the height of cargo that can be transported is usually no more than 8 feet 6 inches.
Step Trailers: The low chassis design allows it to transport taller cargo, with a standard height of 10 feet 2 inches, and some models can even reach 11 feet 2 inches.
Before transportation, enterprises need to carefully check the local regulations to ensure that the trailer and cargo are in line with the requirements, to avoid extra costs or safety hazards due to over-height or over-weight.
Applicable Cargo and Practical Application Scenarios
Flatbed trailer applications
Flatbed trailers are widely used to transport a wide range of heavy cargoes due to their spacious and flat decks, mainly including:
Raw materials: e.g. steel, lumber and precast concrete for construction.
Construction equipment: large pieces of equipment or tools are more easily secured to the flatbed when being transported.
Agricultural implements: such as tractors and other farm machinery, typically have large weights but do not exceed standard height limits.
Scrap metal and other oversized loads: due to the large deck area of the trailer, higher weights can be loaded.
The advantage of flatbed trailers is that they are simple to operate and low cost. However, if the cargo is extra tall or wide, an escort vehicle may be required, which can make transportation more difficult and expensive.
Step Trailer Applications
Step trailers are designed for the transportation of over-height cargo, and their application scenarios mainly include:
Heavy machinery and equipment: such as excavators, cranes and large construction equipment, these goods are usually high in height.
Agricultural equipment: some large agricultural machinery cannot be transported on flatbed trailers due to their height and size.
Specialized cargo: Cargo that needs to be transported without exceeding the legal gross height, with particular advantages in terms of bridge clearance and other regulatory restrictions.
Stepped trailers utilize a low chassis to provide additional height margin, allowing companies to transport over-height cargo without the need for additional permits or escort vehicles, thus reducing transportation risks and costs. Additionally, some models are equipped with ramps that allow for easy loading and unloading of cargo without lifting equipment.
Comparison of Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages and disadvantages of flatbed trailers
Pros:
Simple structure: simple design, easy to operate, easy to bundle and fix cargo.
Widely applicable: suitable for the transportation of standard goods with high weight and wide area, such as raw materials and construction equipment.
Lower cost: lower maintenance and operating costs due to simple construction.
Disadvantages:
Height limitations are evident: flatbed trailers are designed to limit the height of the goods to be transported and are usually not suitable for extra tall equipment.
Additional Requirements: If the cargo is overweight, an escort vehicle or special transportation permit may be required, increasing transportation costs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Step Trailers
Pros:
Increased Cargo Height Accommodation: The low chassis design allows the trailer to transport taller cargo, up to 10 feet 2 inches standard and even 11 feet 2 inches on some models.
Easy loading and unloading: some models are equipped with ramps for easy forklift loading and unloading, reducing loading and unloading times.
Reduced Legal Risk: Legal and safety risks are reduced as extra tall cargo can be transported within legal heights without the need for additional permits or escort vehicles.
Disadvantages:
Higher risk of exposure: the open design makes the cargo susceptible to the elements during transportation and may pose some risk to fragile or delicate equipment.
Some limitations remain: despite the increased cargo height, some extremely high cargoes are still beyond their carrying capacity and require separate consideration of transportation options.
Market Application and Selection Recommendations
For transportation needs, enterprises should consider the following factors when choosing a trailer:
Cargo size: If the height of the cargo is within 8 feet 6 inches, flatbed trailers are sufficient. If it exceeds this height, a step trailer is a better choice.
Cargo weight: The weight limit for both types of trailers is around 80,000 pounds, but adequate axles need to be equipped according to the actual weight of the cargo.
Laws and regulations: There are strict state and federal regulations on the size and weight of cargo to be transported, so you should check the regulations carefully before choosing one to ensure that it is legal to transport.
Loading and unloading requirements: If loading and unloading efficiency is important during transportation, a step trailer equipped with a ramp can dramatically increase loading and unloading speeds; conversely, a flatbed trailer can be advantageous due to its simplicity of operation.
Conclusion
Flatbed trailers and step trailers have their advantages. Flatbed trailers are suitable for transporting heavy but lower-height loads at a lower cost, while step trailers are capable of transporting higher-height loads, often without the need for additional permits or escort vehicles.
When choosing a trailer, companies need to make a decision based on cargo size, weight, loading and unloading needs and local regulations. With proper planning and professional consultation, you can reduce transportation risks, increase efficiency and gain an edge over the competition.
Hopefully, this article will help you better understand flatbed trailers and step trailers and make the best choice!