What Is a Drop Deck Trailer

Drop deck trailers, also called lowboy or step deck trailers, are built to haul freight that exceeds the height limits of a traditional flatbed.

With a retractable upper and lower deck and no sides or roof, these drop-deck trailers sit lower than deck flatbeds, making them ideal for carrying taller freight. Made of steel, the drop decks, like the drop deck flatbed trailer, handle heavy equipment or construction equipment efficiently.

In this guide, we will go through what is a drop deck trailer, its drop deck trailer dimensions, how it works, suitable and unsuitable freight, and comparisons to step deck and flatbed options to determine which trailer is right for your freight.

What Is the Average Drop Deck Trailer Size

Well, drop deck trailers come in different shapes, but their drop deck trailer dimensions aren’t boundless. A typical dropdeck trailer tops out at 8.5 feet wide, with beds stretching between 48 and 53 feet long, depending on the build and state rules.

The deck height allows freight up to 14 feet tall, and these drop decks can support anything as heavy as 48,000 pounds, which is pretty standard for this type of trailer.

Need something smaller?

A single drop trailer or drop deck flatbed trailers with shorter beds suit lighter jobs, unlike the full span of a semi drop deck trailer. Hence, that setup keeps the dropdeck trailers a cost-effective choice for hauling heavy machinery or construction equipment under strict height restrictions.

How Do Drop Deck Trailers Work

The drop-deck trailers excel at hauling heavy equipment and freight that needs to be carried at higher heights, thanks to their unique design. A drop-deck gooseneck trailer features a flip axle on its deck, laid back when idle but flipped down to carry heavy machinery or construction equipment.

The lower deck, or "well," sits closer to the ground, lowering the deck height to ease transport of freight up to 13’6" to 14’ tall, within U.S. height restrictions. This setup simplifies forklifting and enhances safety. Most drop-deck flatbed trailers also include ramp options, making loading and unloading dropdeck freight more efficient for various types of freight.

Types of Cargo Drop Deck Trailers Carry

Curious about what is a drop deck trailer meant for?

Well, drop deck trailers stand out when moving freight that requires more than the limits of a traditional flatbed, thanks to their utility for handling extra height and weight.

With a dropdeck setup featuring a dipped rear deck, they offer a cost-effective way to haul taller and heavier freight, such as thick construction equipment or heavy machinery.

Here are some examples of types of freight that drop decks are used for:

• Vehicles: Hauling anything from cars to buses, a drop deck car trailer or drop deck motorcycle trailer comes with ramps at the drop deck tail end, simplifying loads/unloads.

• Heavier Machinery: Drop decks handle heavy equipment like bulldozers, cranes, or excavators, using a lower deck height to clear space for lofty machines.

• Agricultural Equipment: Tractors or harvesters ride smoothly on dropdeck trailers, utilizing the generous height limits for safe trips across rural stretches.

• Industrial Equipment: Double drop deck trailers manage hefty boilers or generators, keeping their bulk and height steady on the road.

• Building Materials: Rough-edged freight like lumber or concrete settles nicely on drop deck equipment trailers, thanks to the wide-open deck space.

What makes drop deck trailers shine is their advantage over deck flatbeds for tricky freight. So, whether it’s agricultural equipment or construction materials, the drop down trailer will ensure the heavy equipment and taller freight travel without an error.

What Types of Loads Are Unsuitable for Drop Deck Trailers

Drop deck trailers include plenty of hauling perks, but not every single type of freight can fit their open design. While dropdeck trailers excel at carrying taller freight like heavy equipment, some freight types demand more than what a step deck can offer.

Here’s a look at freight that doesn’t suit these drop-down trailers:

• Oversized and Overweight Freight: Federal rules cap every trailer drop deck at specific size and weight limits, so pushing past these with heavy machinery that’s too big or bulky can ultimately result in road risks and legal trouble.

• Perishable Goods: Open-air drop deck flatbed trailers can’t shield freight from weather, unlike a drop deck enclosed option, leaving the fresh produce or frozen items exposed without the temperature or moisture control they need.

• Livestock: Drop decks aren’t built for living freight such as moving animals, which requires specialized setups to keep them safe, not open step-deck equipment trailers.

So, picking the right type of trailer matters for safety and smooth runs. Drop deck trailers handle plenty of types of freight, but they’ve got limits just like any deck flatbeds, unlike the drop deck enclosed trailers that shield the freight.

Pros and Cons of Drop Deck Trailers

The drop deck trailers bring a lot to the hauling industry, but they’re not without their limitations. So, comparing their upsides against their quirks helps you figure out if a dropdeck trailer suits your next haul—here’s the breakdown.

Advantages:

• Taller Freight Friendly: The lower deck height of a drop deck flatbed trailer clears height restrictions for taller freight like construction equipment.

• Heavy Duty Hauls: Drop decks handle heavy freight up to 48,000 pounds, making them a go-to for big jobs.

• Easy Loading: Ramps or a gooseneck trailers setup on dropdeck trailers, often equipped with spare tires, simplify getting freight on and off.

• Versatile Freight Types: From agricultural equipment to lumber, drop down trailers adapt to varied types of freight.

• Cost-Effective for Height: Compared to specialized rigs, drop deck equipment trailers offer a budget-friendly way to haul taller freight.

Disadvantages:

• Width Limits: Capped at 8.5 feet, the drop deck trailers can’t spread out for extra-wide freight.

• No Weather Shield: Open dropdeck designs leave the freight exposed, ruling out perishables or delicate goods.

• Size Restrictions: Oversized freight beyond 14 feet tall or 53 feet long hits the height limits and length caps.

• Not for Livestock: The Drop decks lack the setup to keep living freight secure or comfy during the ride.

• Maintenance Needs: Ramps and axles on step deck equipment trailers demand regular upkeep, hiking costs.

• Less Deck Space: Compared to deck flatbeds, the split design shrinks usable flat area for some freight.

Difference Between Drop Deck and Step Deck Trailer

The labels drop deck and step deck often get tossed around as if they’re the same, but these types of trailers aren’t quite twins.

Drop Deck Trailer

A single drop deck trailer dips its main deck height low between the front and rear, smoothing the way to load taller freight. This design keeps drop deck flatbed trailers handy for heavy machinery that needs extra clearance without much fuss.

Step Deck Trailer

Well, a step deck equipment trailer, unlike double drop trailers, splits the deck into two zones, an upper front and a lower rear stretch, offering freight more space. This makes it a solid choice for construction equipment, balancing height with a shorter profile than deck flatbeds.

Difference Between a Flatbed and Drop Deck Trailer

When picking between a traditional flatbed and a drop deck trailer, the choice depends on how your freight fits the road.

Flatbed Trailer

A flatbed stretches flat from end to end, giving a no-frills deck for types of freight like lumber or steel that remove any height concerns. Its higher deck height limits how tall freight can go, sticking to stricter height limits without much wiggle room.

Drop Deck Trailer

A drop deck trailer drops its deck low in the middle, built to haul taller freight like construction equipment or machinery closer to the ground. With ramps or a gooseneck trailers twist, drop deck flatbed trailers make loading easier.

Which Trailer Is Right for Your Freight?

So, choosing between a step deck and a traditional flatbed for your freight is all about what your haul demands.

The step deck equipment trailers, with a lower deck height, stand out for carrying taller freight like heavy equipment or construction equipment, staying within height restrictions while offering room for oversized freight.

In contrast, flatbed trailers bring a larger deck and a cost-effective solution, which is perfect for straightforward freight like lumber or steel that doesn’t need the dropdeck dip. They’re simpler to load and tie down, suiting a wide range of deck flatbeds needs.

Conclusion:

Hence, to wrap things up, we can say that drop deck trailers offer a smart fix for types of freight that push past traditional flatbed limits, balancing height and heft with ease.

So, whether you opt for a step deck or another type of trailer, matching your freight’s needs to the right deck design is key to a smooth haul.