You&#;ve got oversized freight to haul. You need the right trailer for the job, but which one is best for your job: a traditional lowboy trailer, a schnable trailer, or a removable gooseneck trailer (RGN)?
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Both lowboys and RGNs are commercial trailers known for their impressive hauling capacity, especially when it comes to moving tall, heavy freight. But there are some differences to understand to ensure that you&#;re choosing the right trailer for your job.
Often, this class of commercial trailers is used to haul oversized machinery such as construction and industrial equipment. People are likely most familiar with seeing these trailers moving bulldozers or excavators with &#;Oversize Load&#; across the back.
The advantages of using lowboy trailers lie in their ability to transport large loads without additional permits. They can have axles added for increased weight capacity, and the dropdown feature allows for taller equipment to be moved without height permits.
Having the ability to move equipment without additional permitting can save you time and money. As you consider lowboy vs. RGN trailers, make sure you know all the options to choose the right trailer for the job!
When it comes to height and weight, certain types of lowboys are better, but what&#;s the difference between all the different types on the market? The most notable differences come in the loading functionality, hauling capacity, and costs.
The most important considerations when deciding between a lowboy and RGN trailer are the weight capacity and well length. A two-axle lowboy trailer can support a maximum weight of 40,000 pounds. However, the weight capacity can be increased up to 80,000 pounds by adding additional axles. The length of a lowboy well ranges from 24&#; to 29.6&#;. A 25&#; well is perfect for hauling most equipment, such as bulldozers.
The most common lowboy trailer configuration:
With a convenient ramp, RGN trailers are ideal if you can drive the equipment onto the trailer. RGN trailers can be configured with up to 20 or more axles to support up to 150,000 pounds. The well length (main deck) is typically 29&#;, which is ideal for hauling even the largest equipment, such as cranes or agricultural combines.
The most common RGN trailer configuration:
One of the most common uses of commercial semi-trailers is to transport heavy machinery like bulldozers. When freight can be driven, there is an advantage to using a trailer with a ramp.
RGN trailers can be lowered to the ground to create a ramp for large vehicles or equipment to be driven directly onto a trailer. This is made possible by the unique design of a hydraulic-powered, removable gooseneck (called such because of its resemblance to the neck of a goose) at the front of the trailer. Once the gooseneck is detached, self-powered cargo can be easily loaded.
Using an RGN prevents you from needing additional equipment to aid with loading and unloading. If the accessibility of additional loading/unloading equipment is an issue, an RGN trailer may be your best choice.
Essentially, RGNs fall under the class of lowboy trailers. But lowboy trailers come in a variety of configurations that can affect the overall cost of a lowboy rental. Most of these differences have to do with the capacity of the trailer.
An ordinary lowboy trailer is a flatbed with one drop after the gooseneck. They were originally introduced in the s as a viable option for hauling large freight. While they can carry heavy cargo, they cannot accommodate extra tall cargo. This is due to the higher platform on which cargo sits. Using a lowboy with less hauling capacity leads to less expensive rental or purchase costs and is a great option for shorter equipment.
Double drop deck lowboy trailers encompass the RGN and fixed-neck variations, each with their own pros and cons.
Fixed-neck lowboy trailers have the following features:
Fixed gooseneck lowboy trailers have the following features:
Removable gooseneck lowboy trailers, which were introduced in , have the following features:
As you can see, each of these falls under a lowboy trailer, so it&#;s important to know exactly what features you need for your type of cargo and what your budget is. The more hydraulics, axles, and capacity you need, the higher the cost. But you may also save time and money by choosing a well-outfitted lowboy trailer.
We&#;ve established that lowboy trailers of all kinds are great for heavy cargo, with certain types being useful for specific loads. With that in mind, if you work in certain industries, you&#;ll want to consider a lowboy for rent or purchase. Let&#;s take a look at some of the most common industries to consider a lowboy trailer, and more specifically an RGN trailer.
In the oil and gas industries, hauling large freight is essential. A variety of lowboy trailers are used to transport drills, mining equipment, high-capacity shovels, generators, and various cargo. Depending on the equipment being transported, it may be necessary to use RGNs or other customized versions of lowboy trailers.
Due to the rugged nature of this industry, trailers often need to be highly durable and sturdy to endure adverse conditions. Time is of the essence, so reliable performance is a huge factor when choosing an RGN trailer vs. a lowboy. If a trailer breaks due to poor construction, this can cost companies time and money in repairs.
The oil and gas industry will often have custom lowboy trailers manufactured to suit their specific needs. This requires clear communication between fleet owners and trailer manufacturers to ensure that the trailers are created with specific needs in mind. Unclear communication can lead to problems later.
In this industry, lowboy or RGN trailers may be a bigger consideration due to the vastly different types of equipment being transported. Some cargo may be small enough to be moved on a fixed-neck trailer, while other cargo may require the functionality of an RGN.
Some common trailer variations for this industry are:
Hauling agricultural equipment is incredibly important, especially in certain areas of the United States where agricultural is a primary industry. Thus, having the right trailers is key. The most common types of lowboy trailers are RGNs due to their accessibility in loading and unloading heavy machinery.
When a large vehicle like a motor coach breaks down or needs to be transported, a heavy-haul trailer is essential. Choosing between a lowboy vs. RGN trailer comes down to accessibility.
Using an RGN is highly advantageous as it allows for towed vehicles to be loaded in a variety of different ways. There are also other specifications that can be added to customize a trailer, such as side extensions, winches, and ramps.
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When considering which type of trailer to rent or purchase, it&#;s always important to be mindful of the regulations in your state, or the states you&#;ll be transporting through. The U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration offers a list of regulations by state to ensure that you&#;re not exceeding legal limits.
Keep in mind that even though your cargo may meet the total weight limit, it could exceed the per-axle limit. This is important to keep in mind with lowboy and RGN trailers, as they can be customized to add axles if weight is a factor. When choosing a lowboy vs. RGN trailer for extra-large cargo, it will be helpful to know if you need greater axle capacity.
One other consideration is the potential need for an escort. If you have an oversized load, you&#;ll want to consider that for both your trailer choice, but also in your overall freight costs. Regulations vary by state, but generally, any load over 8.5 feet wide is considered oversize. This is based on the standard 12-foot width of interstate lanes.
Permitting will be needed if you are using a standard lowboy trailer to haul large loads. One of the advantages of using a specialized lowboy trailer, like an RGN, is that you can haul large cargo without a permit.
If you&#;re hauling heavy machinery, towing large vehicles, or transporting large equipment, you&#;re likely going to be using some form of a lowboy trailer. Which type of lowboy trailer is the larger question.
In making your decision, remember these key things: weight and height of cargo, your industry, budget, and federal and state regulations. Once you know the what, where, and why of your hauling needs, you&#;ll have more clear direction on what type of lowboy trailer to choose.
Over-the-road freight shipping companies have several trailer and fleet solutions to accommodate many industries and their respective cargo. If you&#;re searching for freight transportation solutions online, you&#;ve probably come across Conestogas, RGNs, lowboys, and more. It can be a challenge discerning which trailer you need if you&#;re unfamiliar with trucking options.
Generally, heavy and oversized freight usually relies on lowboy trailer transportation. In the shipping industry, when we refer to &#;heavy&#; and &#;oversized,&#; we mean any cargo exceeding a width of over 8.5 ft, a height over 13.6 ft., and a length between 48 &#; 53 ft.
This article will explain how lowboy trailers serve these needs and answer FAQs like &#;how long is a lowboy trailer?&#; and &#;what&#;s the difference between an RGN and lowboy?&#;.
A lowboy trailer is a specialized trailer with two drops in deck height: One directly after the gooseneck and another right before the wheels. Compared to other trailers, and as the name suggests, this trailer&#;s deck is extremely low to the ground, providing the ability to transport loads up to 12 ft tall, meaning it can carry extra-tall cargo.
So, how do lowboy trailers work? Lowboy trailers are towed by trucks. Most have hydraulic systems that lift the trailer to engage it once loaded, and all come with air brakes. Heavy-duty lowboy trailers are available in configurations from two to eight axles, which can be lifted or swiveled, via an independent wired or radio remote control.
At Cowtown Logistics Freight Management, we&#;re often asked by clients, &#;what is a lowboy truck?&#; Lowboy trailers are specialized hauling rigs that transport tall and heavy equipment and machinery. They differ from standard flatbeds because they sit very close to the ground to accommodate the extra height.
A standard 2-axle lowboy can haul 40,000 lbs. If you increase the number of axles, this weight can double to 80,000lbs. Most importantly, unlike flatbed trucks, lowboys have a double-level drop system, making the deck height at the tail taller than the well but lower than the front.
Below are typical lowboy trailer dimensions:
Lowboy trailers are commonly used for transporting heavy equipment and types of machinery like bulldozers, excavators, backhoe loaders, passenger cars, vans, trailers, and agricultural machines.
Essentially, any items that do not fit onto a flatbed trailer or single-drop trailer. Construction, excavation, and mining equipment of various load sizes are frequently transported on these trailers across the United States.
Lowboy trailer capacity depends on the model type. Freight and logistics industries use three different types of lowboy trailers, categorized by how the gooseneck attaches to the trailer.
FGLs are firmly attached to the trailer with drop decks that make them easy to load from the back and front. Despite their name, the gooseneck is adjustable, and once reattached, maintains a fixed position.
These trailers are the lightest weight and come with slightly longer decks. Their necks are arched in such a way that, when lowered, becomes a ramp, allowing the front tires of equipment to be pulled onto the FGL&#;s deck.
While these trailers offer the lightest weight for more payload, their necks are entirely secured and cannot be adjusted for front-loading. Heavy equipment can be driven onto the trailer via fixed load ramps.
RGNs are the best choice if you need to drive, push, pull, or lower equipment onto a lowboy. These trailers are available in two types: mechanical and hydraulic. The latter&#;s height can be adjusted or even detached using hydraulic cylinders. RGNs are some of the heaviest haulers, with some extending up to twenty axles, capable of carrying up to 150,000 pounds.
Using an RGN trailer or lowboy will depend on the type of cargo you require to be transported, as each trailer accommodates different load specifications.
The most visible difference between an RGN vs. a lowboy is that an RGN can be detached from the front, unlike a lowboy trailer. RGNs carry almost all types of cargo, including heavy motorized machinery, since these trailers can be lowered to their ramp.
A two-axle double drop lowboy trailer can support up to 48,000 pounds, with the ability to double this capacity by attaching additional axles. These trailers range in length from 24 to 29.6&#;, making them ideal for transporting equipment like heavy bulldozers, for example.
An RGN trailer can be configured to support up to 150,000 pounds or more across multiple axles, with the well extending to 29.6&#;, making them suitable for large cranes, etc. If you need to haul hefty loads, then an RGN trailer is a better option.
The enhanced capabilities that allow an RGN trailer to transport up to 70 tons of cargo compared to a lowboy&#;s 40 tons come with increased cost. Opting to hire an RGN trailer will cost more; however, sometimes, this is the safest and best option for oversized hauls.
One of the advantages of an RGN trailer is its unique ability to lower to the ground, creating a ramp for vehicles and equipment to be driven onto it. This eliminates the procurement of equipment like cranes and lifts.
Lowboys are less versatile, yet lowboy trailer weight is much lighter, permitting more weight for load capacity. Any cargo that exceeds the legal heights of flatbed trailers, but doesn&#;t require the specialization of an RGN trailer, is perfectly suitable for a lowboy trailer.
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