What is the Difference Between Lowboy and Lowbed Trailers? Understanding Heavy Hauling Options

Are you looking for a heavy trailer for big jobs? Do you need to move tall things or very heavy stuff? This guide will help you pick the right one.

Let’s learn about lowboy trailers and lowbed trailers. They may sound alike, but they are not the same. This will help you pick the right one for your job.

What Are These Trailers?

Lowboy Trailer

A lowboy trailer is a special truck bed that sits very low to the ground. It is about 18-24 inches from the road. This makes it good for tall loads up to 12 feet high.

Lowbed Trailer

A lowbed trailer is also for big loads. But it has a stronger frame for very heavy stuff. Some people call these “double drop trailers” because they have a drop in the middle section.

Key Differences: At A Glance

Here is a simple chart that shows how they are different:

What We Compare	Lowboy Trailer	Lowbed Trailer
How High Off Ground	18-24 inches	A bit higher with double-drop design
How Much Weight	20-80 tons	Up to 150 tons
What It’s Best For	Tall loads like cranes	Extra heavy loads like mining gear
How It’s Made	One low deck	Double-drop deck design
Special Permits	For tall loads	More strict permits for heavy weight
How You Load It	Ramps	May have removable front end
Best For What Jobs	Building, wind farms	Mining, oil drilling
Cost	Less money up front	Costs more but works for bigger jobs
Safety Rules	Need special license	Needs road checks and escort cars

Why Pick a Lowboy Trailer?

A lowboy trailer is great when you need to:

• Move tall equipment like cranes
• Stay under bridge height limits
• Get a lower center of gravity for safer trips
• Transport construction equipment
• Move bridge parts or wind farm pieces

The low deck height makes it easy to fit under bridges. You won’t need to find special routes as often.

“Lowboy trailers sit at around 18 inches off the ground to carry freight that’s too tall — up to 12 feet.”

When To Use a Lowbed Trailer

The lowbed trailer is your best choice when:

• You have extremely heavy loads (over 80 tons)
• You need a stronger frame for mining equipment
• You want a detachable front for easier loading
• You’re in oil and gas or big manufacturing
• You need to move industrial machines

Lowbed trailers can carry up to 150 tons in some models! This makes them perfect for the mining industry and energy sector.

Deck Design: A Big Difference

One big difference is how they are built:

• Lowboy trailers have one continuous low deck
• Lowbed trailers have a double-drop design with higher ends

Permit Rules and Road Safety

When you use these trailers, you need to know the rules:

For Lowboy Trailers:

• Need CDL license with special marks
• Require height permits in some states
• Must use load securing straps

For Lowbed Trailers:

• Need stricter permits because of weight
• Often require escort vehicles
• Must do route surveys for bridges
• Need multi-axle systems for weight balance

Industry Uses: Who Needs What?

Different jobs need different trailers:

• Construction sites use both but prefer lowboys for tall equipment
• Mining companies almost always need lowbeds for massive machinery
• Wind farms use lowboys for tall tower parts
• Oil fields use lowbeds for heavy drilling gear

Load Capacity: How Much Can They Carry?

The weight limit is a big difference:

• Lowboy trailers: Usually handle 20-80 tons
• Lowbed trailers: Can carry up to 150 tons

This means a lowbed can move things like:

• Large mining excavators
• Industrial reactors
• Heavy generators
• Modular buildings

Loading and Unloading: How It Works

The way you get things on and off these trailers is different:

• Lowboy trailers use ramps or hydraulic systems
• Lowbed trailers might have a detachable gooseneck or sliding axles

The removable gooseneck on some lowbeds makes it easier to load very big items from the front instead of using ramps.

Cost Comparison: What’s Your Budget?

Think about money when you choose:

• Lowboy trailers cost less to buy or rent
• Lowbed trailers cost more but can do bigger jobs
• Transport permits cost more for lowbeds
• Escort vehicles add costs for very big loads

Special Features Worth Noting

Some neat things these trailers can have:

• Hydraulic ramps for easier loading
• Corrosion-resistant materials for long life
• Multi-axle systems to spread out weight
• Adjustable height options on some models
• Special tire setups for heavy loads

Real-World Case Study: Construction Project

A bridge building company in Texas needed to move:

• 45-ton steel beams
• 12-foot tall concrete pillars
• Heavy machinery

They chose a lowboy trailer because the height was more important than the extreme weight. This saved them money on permits and let them use more direct routes.

Questions People Often Ask

Learn More About Heavy Hauling

Want to know more about heavy transport and the right trucks for your trailers?

• Read about Tractor Units for Semi-Trailers to find the right towing vehicle
• Check our guide on Flatbed Truck Trailers for standard hauling needs
• Explore Lowbed Flatbed Semi-Trailers for heavy equipment transport

Final Thoughts

The main difference between lowboy and lowbed trailers is their design and weight capacity. A lowboy is best for tall loads, while a lowbed is made for extremely heavy loads.

Know what you need to move, check the rules, and pick the trailer that fits your job. This will save you time and money, and keep you safe on the road.