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Step Deck vs Lowboy Trailers: Which One Fits Your Hauling Needs?

There are a great variety of trailers in the trucking world. Step deck and lowboy trailers are two of the most popular trailers. There is a lot of misperception that people are the same but is not true. Since they appear somewhat similar, it may be odd to decide on the appropriate one. Nevertheless, there are important differences in Step Deck vs Lowboy Trailers of which you are to be aware.

It is good to know the functionality and how each type of trailers works, before knowing about these key differences.

What Is a Step Deck Trailer?

A drop deck trailer or a step deck trailer is a flatbed; however, it is lower. It is two decked with the upper deck at the top and the lower deck underneath. These trailers measure 48 or 53 feet. The bottom deck curbs the heavy loads without violating the height regulations on the road.

A flatbed trailer has a height of approximately 5 feet whereas a step deck trailer has a height of approximately 3 feet in the lowest point. The 53-foot step deck trailer is 10-foot top deck, and 43-foot bottom deck. This provides ample space on huge and tall loads. In the comparison of Step Deck vs Lowboy Trailers, it’s a smart idea to use step deck trailer when you have tall loads and require the addition of height.

What Is a Lowboy Trailer Service

A lowboy trailer has been designed to transport extremely heavy or high machines. It has the front part of it known as a gooseneck which is able to be removed using hydraulic parts. This will assist in lowering the trailer in order to allow big machines to be moved on it with ease. Under this design, you do not require cranes and additional ramps to load the equipment. The trailer is very low to the ground and therefore safe in transiting tall loads on the road. Comparing Step Deck vs Lowboy Trailers, the lowboy trailer is the ideal one in terms of moving very heavy or oversized machines which require additional support and low height.

Differences Between Step Deck and Lowboy Trailers

Although both step deck and lowboy trailers are very good trailers to use when transporting bulky loads, the two trailers have a great difference in terms of design and capacity. Their major differences can be defined as follows:

Design and Structure

A step deck trailer has two decks that include an upper front deck and a lower main deck. Its front deck is also higher in terms of height and its main deck is only a few feet off the ground. Comparatively, a low boy trailer has one low deck that is near to the ground. This design is best suite to tall equipment, but its disadvantage is that it is not versatile in the loading and handling of different types of loads.

Height Clearance and Load Accommodation

The step deck trailer is similar to the flatbed, except that its front deck can accommodate taller cargo than a flatbed but not beyond the legal height limit. Its height bearing is however limite to an average of 10 feet on the main deck and 8.5 feet on the front deck. When your load is taller than this then a lowboy trailer is a more appropriate choice as it can carry items up to 12 feet in the air, with its very low deck, and it is therefore suitable to extra-large machineries and equipment.

Load Capacity

The step deck trailer is capable of holding a heavy weight, and has a load capacity of approximately 48,000 pounds. This is sufficient to most commonly used forms of heavy equipment, however, it does not quite match the capacity of the lowboy trailer which is capable of carrying up to 70,000 pounds due to its more sturdy construction and low close to the ground design.

Versatility

The step deck trailer is at an advantage as far as versatility is concerned. The dual deck structure enables it to transport a wider variety of freight such as large and bulky packages though with a greater ground clearance. Lowboy trailer, though incredibly strong and being useful with tall cargo, is not as versatile. Its deck is very low and therefore ideal to taller machinery but not good in situations that do not require so low deck.

Cost and Regulations

The step deck trailer is also usually cheaper to hire out or buy than the lowboy trailer, simply because of its simpler design and less weight bearing capacity. The step deck trailers are also likely to have fewer permits when making over-height shipments since the elevated front deck can be below the legal height limits in most areas. Lowboy trailers on the contrary usually come with special permits on oversized loads, particularly where the heights of the load are above the normal height limits.

When to Use Step Deck vs Lowboy Trailers

When to use a step deck trailer versus a lowboy trailer depen on the specific needs of the load being transporte.

• Choose a Step Deck Trailer: If your cargo is tall but not oversized, a step deck trailer is a great choice. It’s ideal for loads like construction equipment, generators, or wide machinery that don’t exceed 10 feet in height. Additionally, step decks offer the flexibility to handle a variety of freight types with their two-deck design.
• Choose a Lowboy Trailer: If your freight is exceptionally tall or extremely heavy, the lowboy trailer is the better choice. Lowboys excel in transporting extra-large machinery, cranes, or oversized vehicles, thanks to their extremely low deck height and high load capacity.

Conclusion

Both step deck trailers and lowboy trailers have their distinct advantages depending on the type of load you’re hauling. While step deck trailers provide excellent height clearance and versatility, lowboy trailers are the best option for transporting very heavy and extra-tall cargo. Knowing the key differences and the types of freight you plan to move will ensure you select the right trailer for your specific transportation needs.