Selecting the right or perfect trailer for hauling heavy equipment can be challenging due to the options you need to consider. It becomes even more complicated when looking for wheeled vehicles such as Brechbill Trailers for carrying a wide range of machines towards and away from project areas or job sites.
Here are the most vital considerations and questions you should answer when selecting the right trailer for hauling heavy-duty equipment:
#1. The Right Trailer Size
It’s crucial to correlate your desired trailer’s capacity with the overall weight of the equipment you plan on hauling. On the one hand, if the trailer you purchase is relatively small, it’ll be unsafe or impractical to pull the heavy-duty equipment with it. On the other hand, if it’s too large or has a somewhat high capacity, you’ll be flushing a lot of good money down the drain.
As declared by an expert, an excellent decision translates into a great return on investment. However, the truth is that you shouldn’t consider the trailer only; you should ensure that the tow vehicle and trailer are of sufficient size, enough to transport the load.
You should also look into the weight of the attachments you intend on transporting alongside the truck Unfortunately, many individuals searching for the right trailer for hauling heavy equipment often overlook attachments.
Moreover, some heavy-duty machines, such as excavators or Bobcat mini exs, feature a travel mode option that shrinks the machine’s overall width.
However, the sad reality is that some operators don’t take the trouble to put this heavy-duty machine in this mode or don’t even have an idea of this feature.
Knowing the process with which your operators load the machine is crucial if you don’t want to impose unnecessary stress on the trailer. This is why you should be on the lookout when comparing the load capacity of trailers.
No one-size-fits-all method of determining a trailer’s capacity rating exists, though. As a result, the ratings of some manufacturers are primarily based on an impractical distribution of load.
However, there’s an easier way to determine the load capacity of your intended trailer of purchase. For instance, a 35–65-ton capacity truck is perfect for carrying most mid-sized to large construction machinery, while a 55–65-ton-capacity trailer is typically ideal for conveying specialty equipment and larger cranes.
#2. How Many Trailers Do You Need?
It’s not uncommon for users to focus on purchasing a single trailer for hauling all their equipment. However, in most cases, this is practically impossible. This is why you should consider selecting a trailer that can accomplish up to 80% of your moves and outsource the transport of highly specialized cargo to a third-party hauler.
The number of equipment you can convey to a job site in one move is inversely proportional to your hauling costs. Therefore, look for a more usable deck space to transport various pieces of equipment.
#3. Knowing Where to Haul Your Heavy Equipment
Rules and regulations change from one state to another, so it’s crucial to consider the distance that will be covered and where you want to travel. Having the right trailer capacity, the ideal number of axles, as well as ensuring the axles are positioned in the perfect location is highly crucial.
#4. The Types of Trailers
Everything boils down to the type of trailer you’re looking for. Different trailer designs exist today, and each one offers a wide variety of benefits to users when transporting heavy equipment. Mytee Products offers variety of cargo control tools and equipment required to transport heavy loads.
Here are the types of trailers you should know to help you make an excellent choice and a worthy buying decision:
A. Gooseneck Trailers
Gooseneck trailers feature a distinctive ‘neck’ that looks like that of a goose, hence the name. The trailer’s neck extends over the bed or box of the tow vehicle, and a ball hitch is placed in the truck’s bed.
One remarkable feature of the gooseneck trailer design is its greater stability since weight is distributed evenly on the center of the truck’s rear axle instead of the rear bumper.
B. Lowboy or Low-Bed Trailers
Low-bed, lowboy, or float trailers feature two drops in deck height, i.e., a drop right after the gooseneck and one just before the wheels. This type of trailer is primarily designed to keep heavy haul loads as low as possible, i.e., at least 18 inches off the ground.
A low-bed trailer is an excellent option if you’re worried about increasing vertical clearance to transport equipment safely. According to experts, the argument of “the lower, the better” holds for this trailer type as this helps minimize the chances of roller accidents.
C. Tilt Trailers
Tilt trailers don’t require ramps for loading and unloading heavy equipment. But some equipment may require shallow load angles, which require adding ramps.
The axles on tilt trailers are usually further forward compared to beavertail trailers which usually have ramps. Such a feature means the trailer can tilt effortlessly without hitting the tires. The position of the axles also enhances maneuverability.
Tilt trailers with hydraulics are often fitted with an immobile platform just after the tilt deck. The tilt deck permits the loading and unloading of the machine while the stationary platform remains flat.
D. Drop Deck Trailers
A drop deck trailer is an open trailer with 2 deck levels, i.e., an upper deck and a lower deck. The lower deck usually drops down as soon as it clears the tractor unit.
Equipment is often loaded onto drop deck trailers using fold-down ramps. As a result, drop deck trailers are the perfect choice for hauling compact, heavy-duty equipment.
E. Traveling or Sliding Axle Trailers
In these trailers, the axle slides forward so that the trailer’s tail lowers toward the floor, creating a ramp sufficient for loading heavy-duty equipment and delivering a load angle of up to six degrees.
Conclusion
We’ve discussed the four most crucial considerations for anyone searching for the best trailer for hauling heavy-duty equipment. Overall, understanding your specific needs will help you make an informed decision. That way, you’ll have sufficient information on the right trailer that suits your needs.