The Best Types of Trailers for Hauling Construction Equipment and Materials

Tags: Dumps, Flatbed, Lowboy, Walking Floors

At Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc., we know that picking the right type of trailer for hauling construction equipment is necessary. Depending on the industry and size of your construction equipment, pairing your truck or vehicle with the most appropriate heavy equipment trailer guarantees a safe and efficient transfer between job sites.

There are many different advantages and disadvantages associated with each of the trailer types. It is important for fleet managers, logistics managers, and owner or truck operators to know these differences and have in depth knowledge on the best heavy trailers to use for all hauling situations.

Whether it’s construction equipment such as forklifts, backhoes or dozers, we know that construction projects involve a lot of hauling to and from the site. Whether it’s removing scrap materials or transporting heavy construction equipment, we have several types of trailers for hauling everything involved with your construction project.

The best trailers for hauling equipment include lowboys and tag-a-long trailers. Three of the most common types of trailers for hauling materials include flatbeds, dump, and moving floor trailers. While flatbeds are used for transporting materials to the job site, dump and walking floor trailers are most efficient at taking waste and debris away from the site. In this article, we will go over what each trailer is used for and how they are vital for completing a construction project.

Lowboy Trailer Uses for Construction

The first type of trailers for hauling we will discuss is the lowboy trailer. The name lowboy comes from the trailer being able to drop in deck height, allowing it to get tremendously low when put against other trailers. The lowboy is a type of semitrailer, which is specifically designed to move extremely large construction equipment. With the lowboy’s capabilities, heavy construction equipment can “roll on or roll off” these near ground trailers, making the loading and unloading process a breeze.

The lowboy trailer is especially useful when your project requires taller, larger, and heavier equipment that cannot be broken into smaller parts or dimension loads. These tall and high loads often require extra permits. The lowboy height is specifically designed to transport under obstructions and allows for oversized construction equipment or a haul to be transported efficiently under bridges, streetlights, and power lines. 

These specialized trailers can haul up to 150,000 pounds, stretch up to 65 feet, and have more than 20 axles. Lowboy trailers are great for moving oversized loads and vehicles, such as dozers and excavators.

Lowboy Trailers Are Best for Hauling:

• Excavators
• Loaders
• Dozers
• Compactors
• Skid Steers
• Wheel Loader Backhoes
• Rough Terrain Cranes

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. has an extensive inventory of lowboy trailers for rent and for sale. Our selection of lowboy trailers are constructed with top-tier craftsmanship guaranteeing a semitrailer that can reliably transport extra-long equipment with minimal fuss.

Flatbed Trailer Uses for Construction

Flatbed trailers are one of the most common types of trailers for hauling construction materials to and from the job site. One of the many reasons flatbeds are a favorite for hauling materials is because they can carry weights up to 48,000 pounds, with their length ranging from 48 to 53 feet. Flatbed trailers are highly versatile, capable of hauling everything from steel coils to lumber. Legally, the maximum width and height for operation is 8.5 feet measured from the surface of the bed. The standard height of a flatbed is usually 60 inches off the ground.

Flatbed trailers are best suited for delivering building materials to the job site. Some examples of materials that are often transported on a flatbed include the following:

• Lumber
• Scaffolding
• Concrete
• Brick
• Steel Beams
• Rods

Another pro of the flatbed trailer is that it has a level surface, making it easier to onload and offload cargo. However, flatbed trailers do not drop down, so the use of a crane, forklift, small loading crew or loading dock will be necessary to load your equipment or cargo at your construction site. 

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. carries steel, composite, and aluminum flatbeds from Dorsey, Fontaine, Manac, and East. Whatever your flatbed trailer needs are, Hale Trailer has a full inventory of flatbed trailers for sale and rent.

Dump Trailer Uses for Construction

Another type of trailer for hauling is a dump trailer, which is ideal for hauling debris and landscape materials and are equipped with hydraulic systems to dump loads easily. Dump trailers often differ in size depending on state regulations and local bridge laws that limit the amount of weight that a trailer can pull and distribute on axles. Dump trailer lengths start at 28 feet, but depending on the project and local laws, they may vary up to 42 feet.

When determining which dump trailer is best for your construction project, consider whether you need a framed or frameless dump trailer. While frameless dumps are lighter, they require more room for dumping as well as modifications to the truck that is pulling it. A lighter frame means there is more weight allowance for the cargo being hauled. Because they require more room for dumping, a frameless dump trailer will be limited if the dump location is small.

For situations where you have tighter spaces to dump in, a framed dump trailer will be better suited. Another advantage of framed dumps is that they can be pulled by nearly any truck, as long as it has the proper hydraulics. In contrast to frameless dumps, the frame adds a lot of weight to the haul, so the trailer must be loaded less to stay under gross vehicle weight laws. One way to combat the load restriction is by choosing a lighter material, such as aluminum. Aluminum dump trailers are great for softer materials such as dirt, gravel, and sand. For hauling more abrasive materials like stone and concrete, a steel dump will be more durable and versatile.

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. carries aluminum, steel, and Genesis frameless and framed dump trailers from East. We carry dumps in tandem, tri-, and quad-axle configurations. The best configuration depends on your specific project and location. At Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc., our sales department is prepared to guide you through the best trailer options and configurations to suit your needs. Contact your local Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. sales department to speak with an expert before making your decision.

Walking Floor Trailer Uses for Construction

The last type of trailer for hauling at construction sites is the walking floor trailer. The walking floor trailers are perfect for hauling bulk material or loose loads with the intention of dumping without too much human interaction. They are mainly used to dump agricultural, waste, or recyclable materials.

Additionally, walking floor trailers contain thread grips or metal slats on the flooring of the trailer. The hydraulically controlled slats move one at a time independently, sideswiping from the front to the back of the trailer to first sift the loose load. Then they move all together at once towards the back of the trailer, slowly dumping the load gradually.

Standard walking floor trailers typically have 21 slats but can have anywhere from 15 to 24 slats. Trailers that have less slats are meant for heavier transport hauls and trailers with more slats are used for finer loads. These walking floor trailers can be opened or closed depending on the type of load being hauled.

Walking Floor Trailers Are Best for Hauling:

• Recyclables
• Agricultural Products
• Packaged Goods
• Waste
• Scrap
• Biomass
• Sawdust, Mulch, Chips
• Not Fragile Loads

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. has a wide selection of walking floor trailers for sale and rent that utilize the Keith Walking Floor System, the world’s premier self-unloading system, designed to ensure maximum payload.

Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. carries a full, extensive inventory of trailers available to rent or buy for any project. An extensive inventory enables us to offer our customers a wide selection of products by some of the finest names in the business such as East, Parker, Peerless, Hyundai, and Polar. Whatever your project may be, Hale Trailer Brake & Wheel, Inc. is proud to be your one stop solution for all your trailer needs.