Flatbed Trailer Types
p11di09ng > 11-09-2021, 07:30 AM
Flatbed Trailer Types
Flatbed trailers come in all shapes, sizes, and maximum load capacities. Some of the most common types of flatbed trailers and specialized trucking trailers include:- Lowboy Trailers
- Step Deck Trailers
- Stretch Double Drop Trailers
- Removable Gooseneck Trailers (RGN)
- Conestoga Trailers
- Sidekit Trailers
It is essential to note the maximum legal load weight of the cargo as well as the dimensions of a particular type for proper and accurate flatbed & specialized trucking rates.
Each flatbed trailer is different from the other types, and it is essential to note the maximum legal load weight of each. While most of the trailers mentioned in this article are capable of handling loads that exceed the legal dimensions and weights for safety, some states will require a permit and/or have premium charges that will need to be obtained before a shipment can be transported.
Flatbed trailers are widely used and highly versatile, making them one of the most popular trailers seen on the roads today. Typically, freight is loaded onto the tip, sides, and rear of the flatbed. With this easy loading capability, flatbeds have become one of the cornerstones of today’s trucking industry.
A flatbed trailer can carry a maximum legal freight weight of 48,000 pounds.
A lowboy trailer is an unpowered trailer, commonly used to haul freight. With a lowered bed in front of the rear axels, lowboys are designed to transport taller goods that would exceed the height restrictions if carried on a flatbed. Depending on the freight, some states require may permits.
Lowboy trailers generally have two axles with a maximum load weight of 40,000 pounds. An additional weight capacity of up to 80,000 pounds will depend on the number of axles used (weight of the trailer + weight of the load).
How Does a Dump Trailer Work?
Hydraulic dump trailers are the most efficient type of dump trailer, making cleanup significantly easier at the end of a job. Here, we cover the basics of how different hydraulic lift systems function as well as what to consider when buying a dump trailer to help you streamline the decision process.
Hydraulic Dump Trailer Operation
Using a dump trailer is more detailed than just towing it to the site, loading it with trash, and hauling it to the dump.
The most valued feature of the hydraulic dump trailer is its hydraulic lift system for obvious reasons. The hydraulic lifting capabilities allow users to tilt the container in order to dump its contents with very little contact, reducing the risk of puncture wounds and splinters from debris.
There are three main types of lifting mechanisms:
- Telescopic-style lift - A single cylinder lifts the dump bed of this hydraulic trailer to its full dump angle. Manufacturers typically put this in the center of the dump container’s front end.
- Dual-piston lift - As implied, this system uses two pistons to lift the dump trailer.
- Scissor lift - Most popular. The scissor-like function of one cylinder allows for maximum leverage while dumping and also expands the footprint to help with uneven loads.
An article by Family Handyman notes that the battery life of a hydraulic trailer can be cut in half if the hydraulic system uses it when lowering the dump box. However, the “gravity down” option on some trailers doesn’t utilize the battery, which means you likely won’t need to replace it as often.
Rigins of the semi-trailer truck
At the dawn of the 20th century, transportation was going through a period of transformation. With the development of the first practical automobile in the late 19th century and invention of Henry Ford’s assembly lines, making cars became more affordable and accessible than ever before, thus thrusting transportation into a new era.
With automobiles cornering the market, other automotive-based inventions popped up too. A great example of this is the semi trailer. Two different inventors are credited with its creation, each design serving a similar purpose.
The trailer was a success, so successful in fact that Sibley Sr. had Fruehauf build similar vehicles to use at his lumber yard. Fruehauf called these vehicles “semi trailers.” Fruehauf’s semi trailers were a success, business boomed, and four years later, Fruehauf incorporated his business to form the Fruehauf Trailer Company in 1918.