When it comes to shipping freight, you have an important decision to make. First, you’ll need to choose which type of trailer you’ll be hauling. What trailer you should use will be determined almost primarily by what you are hauling. Two popular trailer options when transporting larger items are lowboy and flatbed trailers.

China BAPUTI trailer company will go over some of the key features of lowbed, flatbed trailers so you can decide which is best for you.

1.What is a Flatbed Trailer

A flatbed is a trailer with a flattened hauling platform, and most can be loaded from the top, sides and rear. Flatbeds are a great way to transport wide loads or heavy things that need restraint. They are more universal and can be a good use for hauling a variety of cargo.

With these capabilities, flatbeds have truly become the primary and leading assets of the trucking industry.

1.1What Types of Freight Do Flatbeds Carry?

Flatbeds are a great trailer option for carrying a variety of freight, especially larger quantities of heavier items. You can use a flatbed trailer to transport anything from furniture to appliances to construction materials. They are not well-suited for taller cargo and have limited loading and unloading capabilities.

1.2Types of Flatbed Trailers

There are a lot of options with flatbeds trailers, but standard flatbed, side kit trailer, and step deck trailer are the three most common types of flatbed trailers. Flatbed trailers are versatile, making them a common asset for carriers. Step-deck trailers can haul taller loads than flatbed trailers, usually have a ramp for loading/unloading, and tend to be safer for forklift pickup. Double drop deck trailers have extra axles for better balance.

1.3The maximum capacity for a Flatbed trailer is:

Maximum freight dimensions. Length: 48 – 53 ft.

Height: 8.5 ft. Width: 8.5 ft.

Maximum freight weight. 48,000 – 52,000 lbs.

Learn More: Flatbed trailer

2.What is a Low Bed trailer

Low bed Trailer means a trailer with a flat loading platform but with a swan neck or a wheel arch both at the front and at the rear end. The platform height may be lower than the trailer tyre diameter.

Low bed trailers have two decks, an upper and a lower. Many step deck trailers also have ramp capabilities, making it easier to load and unload equipment. Their lower height allows forklifts to easily access cargo since they’re closer to the ground. Options can be fixed-neck, gooseneck, and removable gooseneck (RGN), depending on the type of freight and loading/unloading needs. Fixed-neck trailers have more limited options for loading and unloading, while RGNs can be loaded on either the front or back.

2.1What Types of Freight Do Low Bed Trailers Carry?

Low bed trailers are often used to transport machinery and heavy equipment. Low bed trailers are commonly used in the trucking industry to transport a wide variety of equipment. They're used to transport agricultural equipment, construction equipment, excavation equipment, mining equipment, and more.The following is a list of the most common freight transported on a step deck trailer:

• Tractors

• Excavators

• Building Materials

• Agricultural Materials

• Machinery

2.2Types of Low Bed Trailers

The lowbed Trailer production from 2 to 10 axles and from 20 Tons up to 120 Tons with different kinds of specification as per customers demands or requests.

(1)Fixed Gooseneck (FGN) Lowboy

The first type of lowboy trailer is the fixed gooseneck lowboy. Also known as an FGN, this type of trailer comes with a longer deck length and is lightweight.  

Since it is a lowboy, an FGN is low to the ground and usually has drop ramps in the back for the quick and easy loading of equipment.

(2)Fixed Neck Lowboy

The second type of lowboy trailer is the fixed neck lowboy. This type of trailer comes with a fixed neck that can make it difficult to load from the front since it cannot be detached for easy loading. However, it does offer the lightest weight.

(3) Removable Gooseneck (RGN) Lowboy

The third type of lowboy trailer is the removable gooseneck lowboy. Also known as an RGN, this type of trailer comes with a shorter deck length. The gooseneck can be quickly and easily detached thanks to a hydraulic system that’s able to raise and lower the trailer on demand. An RGN is ideal for driving, rolling, pushing, or pulling the equipment onto the trailer bed.

3.Compare and Contrast: Flatbed Trailers and Lowboy Trailers

Both flatbeds and lowboys haul oversized loads. An example of what they both haul is big machinery equipment for construction sites. These trailers are more versatile than others because freight can load from the rear, the side, or the top by a crane.

Knowing the difference between a lowboy and a flatbed trailer is very important. But, it can be tough to find the right one for your needs.

3.1Advantages of Lowboy Trailer

Improved stability, due to the low center of gravity

Improved safety, due to high-strength material construction

Their ability to help oversized equipment comply with height regulations

Suitability for both heavy loads and over-dimensional cargo transportation

Additional versatility in terms of load types

3.2Disadvantages of Lowboy Trailer

Lowboys are a less common type of trailer and cost more to use. For smaller, lighter loads, a standard flatbed is more cost-effective. But lowboys make more sense for larger cargo. Loads can be driven directly onto a lowboy.

4.Low bed trailer or flatbed trailer? How to Choose?

The biggest question to ask when considering a lowboy vs. flatbed trailer is what type of freight you’ll be hauling.

It’s important to know the difference between these two trailers, as well as when, why, and where to use them, can help ensure you have the right trailer for your shipment. Select the option that best suits the type of cargo you’ll be transporting. Looking for a universal option that can handle a variety of loads? A flatbed is probably the way to go.

Although, if you’re mostly concerned with hauling heavy, bulky, or tall equipment, a lowboy might be the better option. It’s best to find the exact size and dimensions of your cargo first then determine the right trailer. Most obviously, lowboys are lower to the ground compared to standard trailers.