When your equipment is too tall or too heavy for a standard flatbed, a lowboy trailer is the answer. Freedom Heavy Haul operates one of the most capable lowboy trailer fleets in the country, moving construction equipment, industrial machinery, and oversized loads across all 48 states. Whether you need a standard 48-foot lowboy or a multi-axle stretch configuration for a 200,000-lb transformer, we have the equipment and expertise to get it done right.
A lowboy trailer (also called a low-bed or double-drop trailer) features a deck that sits just 18–24 inches off the road surface — significantly lower than a standard flatbed at 48–54 inches. This low deck height is critical for transporting tall equipment that would exceed 13.5-foot height restrictions on a standard trailer. The “double drop” design drops behind the gooseneck and rises again at the rear, creating the low central deck where equipment sits.
There are two primary lowboy configurations we use:
Use a lowboy when:
A standard flatbed or step deck is sufficient when equipment fits within 13.5-foot height and 48,000-lb weight thresholds. When in doubt, call us — we’ll recommend the most cost-effective trailer for your specific load.
Most lowboy loads require oversize/overweight permits. Our permit team handles the full process:
We have direct relationships with state DOT permit offices in all 48 states, which means faster approvals and fewer delays compared to carriers using third-party permit services.
Provide us with your equipment dimensions (length, width, height, weight) and delivery address. We calculate the trailer configuration, permit requirements, and routing within 2 hours.
Our permit team files in all required states simultaneously. Most permits are secured in 2–5 business days. Super loads requiring engineering reviews may take 5–10 days.
Driver arrives at agreed pickup window. For RGN trailers, equipment drives on. For fixed-neck lowboys, we coordinate crane or forklift loading. Full condition inspection and photo documentation before departure.
GPS-tracked transit with 24/7 dispatcher availability. Delivery confirmation 2 hours out. On-site unloading coordination with your crew.
Standard lowboys handle up to 80,000 lbs. With multi-axle configurations (13-axle, 19-axle), capacity can exceed 150,000 lbs. Super loads over 200,000 lbs are possible with specialized hydraulic platform trailers. Contact us with your weight specs for a capacity confirmation.
With a deck height of 18–24 inches, equipment up to 11–12 feet tall typically ships legally without special height permits. Equipment up to 14–15 feet may be transported with permits in most states. Some states (like California) have lower permit thresholds.
It depends on load dimensions. Most overwidth loads (over 12 feet wide) require rear escorts. Loads over 14 feet wide typically need both front and rear escorts. Some states require state police escorts for super loads. We coordinate all escort requirements — you don’t need to arrange them separately.
Transit time depends on distance and permit processing. Most loads move within 3–7 business days of booking. Rush options are available for time-critical moves.
Yes — with an RGN (Removable Gooseneck) trailer. The gooseneck detaches, creating a ramp to the ground. Self-propelled equipment drives directly on, which eliminates crane costs and speeds up loading significantly.
All 48 contiguous states. We also handle cross-border moves to Canada and Mexico with appropriate customs documentation.
Call (866) 305-6018 or use the quote form on this page. Have your equipment dimensions (L x W x H) and weight ready, along with pickup and delivery addresses. We’ll respond with a firm quote within 2 hours.
They’re the same thing — “double drop” and “lowboy” are used interchangeably in the industry. Both refer to the trailer with a low center deck section that drops behind the gooseneck. The low deck is the defining feature regardless of what it’s called in a given region.