Low Boy Shipping
Transport using a specialized low-bed trailer designed for heavy or tall equipment.
Definition
Low boy trailers allow safe transport of oversized equipment while meeting height regulations on highways.
Overview of Low Boy Shipping
Low boy shipping refers to the transportation of heavy, oversized, or tall equipment and machinery using a specialized lowboy trailer (also called a low-bed or double-drop trailer) that has an exceptionally low deck height, typically 18 to 24 inches above the ground compared to a standard flatbed trailer deck of 48 to 58 inches. The dramatically lowered deck height allows the total height of the loaded trailer to stay within legal height limits (typically 13 feet 6 inches in the U.S.) while transporting extremely tall loads such as construction equipment, industrial machinery, transformers, generators, large HVAC units, and heavy manufacturing equipment. Lowboy trailers may have hydraulic neck sections that further lower the deck for loading by driving equipment directly up the rear. Removable gooseneck (RGN) variants allow the front section to detach, enabling wheeled equipment to be driven directly onto the deck. In warehouse and logistics operations, low boy shipping requires specialized knowledge of oversize and overweight permitting. Loads that exceed legal weight limits (typically 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight in the U.S.) or height limits require state-issued oversize and overweight (OS/OW) permits for each state the load transits. Permits specify approved routes, travel time restrictions (daylight only, weekday only), and may require escort vehicles. Route surveys are conducted for bridges, overpasses, and utility lines that might be impacted. Low boy shipments are almost exclusively booked through specialized heavy haul freight brokers and carriers with experience in project cargo, permitting, and specialized equipment management. WareMatch connects businesses needing to move heavy industrial equipment with freight brokers experienced in oversized and project cargo logistics. The platform helps manufacturers, construction companies, and warehouse operators find trusted specialized carriers who can manage the complete permitting, routing, and transport execution for complex low boy shipping requirements.
Role
Transport using a specialized low-bed trailer designed for heavy or tall equipment.
Focus
Low boy shipping refers to the transportation of heavy, oversized, or tall equipment and machinery using a specialized lowboy trailer (also called a low-bed or double-drop trailer) that has an exceptionally low deck height, typically 18 to 24 inches above the ground compared to a standard flatbed trailer deck of 48 to 58 inches. The dramatically lowered deck height allows the total height of the loaded trailer to stay within legal height limits (typically 13 feet 6 inches in the U.S.) while transporting extremely tall loads such as construction equipment, industrial machinery, transformers, generators, large HVAC units, and heavy manufacturing equipment. Lowboy trailers may have hydraulic neck sections that further lower the deck for loading by driving equipment directly up the rear. Removable gooseneck (RGN) variants allow the front section to detach, enabling wheeled equipment to be driven directly onto the deck. In warehouse and logistics operations, low boy shipping requires specialized knowledge of oversize and overweight permitting. Loads that exceed legal weight limits (typically 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight in the U.S.) or height limits require state-issued oversize and overweight (OS/OW) permits for each state the load transits. Permits specify approved routes, travel time restrictions (daylight only, weekday only), and may require escort vehicles. Route surveys are conducted for bridges, overpasses, and utility lines that might be impacted. Low boy shipments are almost exclusively booked through specialized heavy haul freight brokers and carriers with experience in project cargo, permitting, and specialized equipment management. WareMatch connects businesses needing to move heavy industrial equipment with freight brokers experienced in oversized and project cargo logistics. The platform helps manufacturers, construction companies, and warehouse operators find trusted specialized carriers who can manage the complete permitting, routing, and transport execution for complex low boy shipping requirements.
Example
See the definition above for context.
Benefits
- Lowboy trailers enable transportation of extremely tall or heavy equipment that would be physically impossible to move on standard flatbed trailers.
- The removable gooseneck design of RGN lowboys allows wheeled construction equipment to be self-loaded, eliminating crane costs at origin.
- Specialized heavy haul carriers manage the complete OS/OW permitting process, removing the regulatory complexity from the shipper.
- Low boy shipping provides a legally compliant, cost-effective solution for oversized industrial equipment moves compared to disassembly and reassembly.
- Professional escort vehicle services used in low boy moves protect public safety and comply with state routing permit requirements.
- Hydraulic lowboys with adjustable ride height accommodate a variety of equipment dimensions within a single trailer configuration.
FAQs
Q: What types of cargo are typically shipped on lowboy trailers?
A: Common lowboy cargo includes construction equipment (excavators, bulldozers, graders, cranes), industrial machinery (CNC machines, presses, turbines), transformers and electrical equipment, large HVAC systems, oil and gas equipment (compressors, blowout preventers), prefabricated modules, and oversized manufactured goods. Any load that is too tall for a standard flatbed due to the combined trailer height plus load height requiring lowered deck clearance is a candidate for lowboy transport.
Q: How are oversize and overweight permits obtained for low boy shipments?
A: Permits are obtained from the department of transportation in each state the load transits, plus any county or city jurisdictions with specific requirements. The carrier or a specialized permit service submits route details, load dimensions, and vehicle configurations to each state. Processing times range from same-day to several weeks depending on load complexity and state requirements. Multi-state moves on defined superload corridors may require federal coordination. The cost ranges from a few hundred dollars to several thousand dollars for complex multi-state moves.
Q: What is the maximum weight a lowboy trailer can carry legally?
A: Standard legal gross vehicle weight in the U.S. is 80,000 pounds (including tractor and trailer). Lowboy trailers themselves weigh 15,000 to 25,000 pounds depending on type, leaving 55,000 to 65,000 pounds for cargo weight on a legally compliant move. Loads exceeding this require overweight permits, which may allow up to 200,000 pounds or more depending on the state and the number of axles used, with costs for permit fees, route engineering, and potentially escort vehicles.
Q: When should a low boy trailer be used versus a standard flatbed?
A: A lowboy is necessary when the combined height of the cargo plus the standard flatbed deck height exceeds the legal limit of 13 feet 6 inches. For example, construction equipment 8 feet tall placed on a standard 58-inch flatbed deck would have a total height of approximately 14 feet 10 inches, exceeding the limit. On a lowboy with an 18-inch deck, the same equipment would be approximately 9 feet 6 inches total — well within legal limits.