Need A Lowboy to Transport Your Heavy Haul?
What’s a “Lowboy”?
Lowboy Hauling Heavy Equipment. A Lowboy is an equipment trailer that is very low to the pavement and can haul tall heavy loads. So this makes it ideal for shipping Loaders, Articulated Rock Trucks, Screeners and more.
Without a lowboy trailer it will be highly unlikely over dimensional tall equipment can be hauled legally on most road networks throughout Canada and the United States.
Remember that drivers have to follow all rules and regulations. So that’s why it’s important you always check how your Carrier or Driver will be hauling your heavy equipment. Because using the incorrect equipment can have serious consequences for all parties involved.
Isn’t A Lowboy Also Known As An RGN?
Well yes, a Lowboy Trailer being used to transport heavy equipment will also be known as an RGN. Or can also be known as a Double Drop. There is quite a lot of variety when we talk about Lowboys. Lets clarify.
RGN
An RGN trailer means Removeable Gooseneck. The trailer itself can actually detach from the Semi Truck allowing the equipment to load at the front of the trailer. Imagine now the trailer has just become a giant ramp. Watching one in action is pretty cool.
These trailers are either hydraulic or mechanical in the way they detach and re-attach. Most are ground bearing too.
Ground Bearing Lowboy
Ground bearing lowboys feature hydraulic rams that will push into the ground to lift the trailer. This allows it to re-attach to the Semi Truck. So not great if the equipment is in a muddy field, as the driver will need blocks.
Non-Ground Bearing Lowboy
Non-Ground Bearing Trailers use cylinders in the trailer neck which lift the lowboy upon attaching to the Semi Truck.
When reattaching they push down on the Semi truck which raises the trailer. So the load weight is spread more effectively and the driver wont require blocks.
Double Drop
This trailer has what’s known as a “well”. This trailer can also haul tall loads. The equipment is loaded in the well of the trailer. The trailer has a top deck at the front, the equipment well, and a rear deck.
The image below shows a Trusted Dispatch driver with a customer CASE IH Combine utilizing the equipment wheel and the top deck having another tire on.
Sometimes these Double Drops are also highly specialized to carry long loads. These are known as Extendable Double Drops. And as the name suggests they can increase in length. Very, very useful if you have an oversized long piece of equipment.
If you’re interested in learning more about the different trailer types that a heavy hauler will use for equipment loads why not take a look at our trailer guide.
Finding a Lowboy Trailer and Driver to Haul Your Heavy Equipment.
So now you have a better understanding of what and how a Lowboy can bring your Heavy Equipment home, lets get into how you find the right driver or Carrier for your equipment.
Trusted Dispatch
Start with Trusted Dispatch. It’s a digital loadboard that connects available loads to a large and growing community of expert heavy haul drivers that have free capacity and that are, or will be, passing through the area.
Including those that have Lowboy trailers hauling Heavy Equipment!
Give Me The Details
The platform is automated and uses leading edge technology and algorithms to accurately quote, post and match drivers to these loads. And it’s all done quickly.
The rates are fair to the drivers and the shippers. The shipper can save up to 30% on average and the driver is getting extra revenue.
All of the drivers are vetted and have full cargo insurance. The best part about this platform is the ability to review the driver that accepts your haul before you confirm. You get direct contact with the driver so it’s easy to make final arrangements too.
Getting Your Shipping Quote
It’s really easy. Visit the site, www.trusteddispatch.com or download the app through the Apple App Store, or the Google Play Store.
If you’re on the website click the “Get Your Instant Shipping Quote“
Now all you’ll need to do is enter a pick up location, drop off location. Then enter the model of the equipment. The platform has a built in equipment specification search tool. It will pre-populate the dimensions and weight for you.
You can also enter these manually or make changes if needed.
The rate is then displayed after you enter an e-mail address as a first time user.
Easy Peasy
Pretty straightforward. If you like the price you can then complete the load details page.
This page allows you to add notes, set your ready date and delivery deadline (Keep in mind that a long haul takes time, and a driver needs to be in position to accept the haul). Toggle if there is a loading dock, or loading provided even add images of your haul.
Basically the more information added here the more likely you can connect with an available driver.
Then just post the load to the driver database.
Driver Connected
This platform automatically tells you when a drivers accepts the haul And you get to review the driver before confirming and pre-paying the shipping. You’re immediately connected with the Owner Operator. You can then make final arrangements, discuss the load, and questions/concerns. That’s it.
The driver can’t claim his payment for the load until he delivers to you. Just pass along the delivery code to the driver that was sent at the confirmation point.
The website has some useful how to guides and videos that walk you through the process and also information on shipping cross border. If you want to speak to customer support just give us a call on 587-956-8681
