When you need to ship multiple types of equipment and machinery, a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t always cut it. You may have already noticed that various types of trailers can be used to ship awkward, oversized, or bulky machinery, and we’re here to explain what makes a staggered deck trailer an excellent choice for transportation.
What is a Step Deck Trailer?
The step deck trailer transport is a shipping platform that has no restrictive sides, roof or doors. A stepped deck is a semi-trailer with two deck levels: a higher deck near the truck cab and a lower deck toward the rear. The higher deck at the front is designed to safely clear the edge of a tractor, but can also be lowered to help tow higher loads.
Perhaps the biggest advantage of hauling step deck trailers is that you can tow a wide variety of equipment with the same type of trailer. The walk-behind design allows tandem walk-behind trailers to carry a variety of equipment as part of the same shipment.
Construction equipment, in particular, lends itself well to staggered deck trailer shipping methods, as even the most awkwardly shaped machinery can often fit safely on the trailer, and several different types can be shipped in tandem.
How does a Step Deck Trailer compare to a Flatbed Trailer?
Both flatbed trailers and stepped-bed trailers are popular choices for hauling large or bulky cargo. However, there are some important differences between the two that can help you decide which one is best for your towing needs. For example, flatbed trailers have a uniform height above the ground, usually around 5 feet. This standard height limits vertical clearance for cargo, while a staggered deck trailer can carry taller items without additional clearances.
Another difference is the versatility and use of each type of trailer. The open nature of the platforms makes them ideal for transporting a wide variety of goods, from construction materials and machinery to industrial equipment. Walk-through decks are particularly suitable for transporting tall equipment, including vehicles and other machinery that exceed the height limitations of a flat platform. The two deck heights also allow you to transport different types of cargo together, which is a great way to optimize space and reduce transport costs.
Even the safety of loads can differ between a step deck trailer and a flatbed. While flatbed trailers offer ease of loading and versatility, securing the load can be more difficult due to height and the need for specialized anchorages to accommodate different types of cargo. On the other hand, the lower deck height of walk-behind trailers makes loading easier and often allows for better safety and stability of the load during transport. This can help reduce the likelihood of movement and potential accidents.
The Advantages of Step Deck Trailer Shipping
Transporting staggered deck trailers can be used to transport large equipment of different shapes and sizes with ease. Some of the most significant benefits of step deck trailers include, but are not limited to:
• Easier to load with forklift
• Can carry higher loads without the need for additional permits
• Suitable for towing a wide variety of equipment
• Goods can be stacked on the lower level to carry more at once
Loading equipment using forklifts is common in many industries, and because the trailer platform on the stepped deck is closer to the ground, it means forklift operators don’t need to raise the forks as much to load and unload the load This makes the process of loading and unloading staggered deck trailers much safer for everyone involved.
Another essential advantage of shipping machinery using stepped deck trailers is that the lower deck height can allow up to 41 inches of additional load height over a standard flatbed trailer before you need to apply a height permit.
Large cargo can be placed lower to the ground, ensuring the shipment meets federal shipping and transportation regulations without additional paperwork stress or delays. With a step deck trailer, you can haul equipment up to 11 feet tall, while flatbed trailers can haul equipment up to 8 feet tall.
How many types of staggered deck trailer transport are there?
You may have come across several trailer names when searching for the right type of deck trailer for your hauling project. Step deck trailers can have a single or double drop deck, a removable deck or flatbed, an extended single drop deck, or an extended double drop deck. The right step deck trailer trailer for your load will depend on its weight and dimensions.
- Single Drop Deck: These trailers have a deck height drop that creates a higher section at the front and a lower section at the rear. This design is especially useful for transporting tall items that need to stay within legal height limits on the road.
- Double Drop Deck: This type of step deck trailer has two deck height drops, with an even lower center section than the single drop provides. This makes it ideal for extremely tall or heavy items. The double-drop design means there’s plenty of room and stability for oversized gear.
- Removable cover: Also known as removable gooseneck trailers, these step covers allow the front of the trailer to be detached. This is useful when you need to bring the load to the trailer at ground level. For example, when transporting heavy vehicles or equipment that can be driven directly on the trailer.
- Extended release coverage: These step deck trailers extend the length of single or double drop sections to carry longer items without the need for additional trailers. Extended drop decks are perfect for transporting long pieces of construction material.
- Flat Convertible Step Cover: These trailers offer the ultimate in versatility as they can function as both a traditional flatbed and a walk-behind flatbed. Convertible trailers offer the flexibility to adjust the deck configuration based on the specific dimensions of each load.
Ultimately, choosing the right step deck trailer will depend on the type of equipment you need to haul. For example, the weight and height of the load will determine whether a single or double drop is required, while the length might determine whether an extended cover is required.
How much weight can a step deck trailer carry?
Typically, the maximum legal weight of a walk-behind platform is 48,000 pounds. The staggered deck trailer can also be used to carry cargo that meets the following maximum dimensions: 48 ft – 53 ft long if using an extended trailer, 8.5 ft wide and 10 ft – 11 ft d height
What types of cargo are suitable for step deck trailers?
Step deck trailers are designed to hold a wide variety of cargo types, especially those that are unusually sized or shaped. Their unique structure makes them ideal for transporting items that would otherwise require special handling or permits when shipped on standard flatbed trailers. Some of the key types of cargo you may want to use a step deck trailer for include:
- Construction equipment: Items such as excavators, backhoes, and backhoes fit well under the undercarriage of walk-behind trailers, which can support substantial weight and provide ample space for secure attachment. They can also transport long beams and precast concrete sections for large construction projects.
- Agricultural equipment: The height and weight of farm machinery make them perfect candidates for staggered deck trailers, which can handle their size without exceeding height restrictions. Even large irrigation systems with long pipes and pumps can be arranged on step decks for safe transport.
- Industrial machinery: Equipment used in manufacturing, such as presses and lathes, often require the additional headroom that step deck trailers provide. Other industrial equipment, such as turbines and generators, have heavy or tall items that require the strength and unique configuration of step-flat trailers.
- Specialized containers and modular units: Bulky and tall modular homes and mobile offices can be efficiently transported on staggered roof trailers. Storage tanks and pressure vessels used in various industries can also be safely shipped using step-over decks, as they have the ability to handle heavy loads that other transport trailers cannot.
Every type of load benefits from the step platform trailer design, which minimizes the need for lifting equipment to clear high edges and reduces the risk of damage during loading and unloading.
Utilization of platform trailers for efficient transport
From construction and agricultural equipment to industrial machinery and specialist containers, flatbed trailers are equipped to handle the complexities of modern transport demands. Its adaptability to different industries is unmatched, providing tailor-made solutions that flatbeds or other types of trailers simply cannot offer.
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