What equipment is required to be on a trailer? A standard trailer must have working trailer lights, two safety chains and a properly rated trailer coupler.
Trailer brakes are additionally required for bigger trailers weighing 3,000 pounds or more. Our top priority is your safety.
You might also require additional towing supplies, like ratchet straps to secure cargo, in order to tow your trailer safely.
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Table of Contents
Equipment Trailers: What Are They?
In order to transport extremely heavy equipment, hauls like cars, construction materials like pylons, service equipment like tractors, and a variety of other items that call for the assistance of a utility trailer, equipment trailers serve as the backbone of utility vehicles.
How Does A Trailer For Equipment Operate?
To the back of a truck, an equipment trailer is hitched or docked. Every kind of equipment trailer serves a specific purpose, and some are even especially designed for certain tasks. That is where the utility trailer got its name.
Types Of Equipment Trailers
There are many different kinds of equipment trailers, but some of the most popular ones are the deckover, single, tandem, flatbed, and enclosed trailers.
Axle Type
Axle type, along with bed and deck types, is the only category that actually has legal precedence and must be considered for all categories of equipment trailers.
Single
In single-axle trailers, the load-bearing axle frequently lacks brakes. Legally, most regions with sizable trucking populations have laws requiring vehicles to have braking systems in place. You won’t be working on heavier hauls with this equipment because it is illegal to transport more than 3,000 pounds with a single axle in America.
Tandem
You need a tandem axle system for any haul weighing more than 3,000 pounds. For trips over varied terrain, a dual-axle setup is preferable. Some vehicles have two load-bearing axles, typically with additional leaf or slipper spring suspensions for safety.
Bed Type
Flatbed
Flatbed trucks work best when moving heavy machinery that doesn’t need to be exposed to the elements, such as small equipment, oversized equipment that might have odd proportions, and general heavy equipment. The items being hauled will still be completely exposed because flatbeds never have roofs, even if there are guards on either side of the flatbed.
Enclosed
In contrast, enclosed trailers are exactly what they sound like, allowing you to load more than you can in equipment that is exposed. Hauls are protected from all environmental factors by enclosed beds. Enclosed trailers, however, weigh much more than flatbeds. On the plus side, goods in enclosed trailers are significantly better guarded against theft and damage.
Deck Type
Deckover
Utility trailers that are constructed above the wheels are known as deckover trailers. Large-width items can be securely transported using these trailers.
Fender
Deckover trailers are built above the wheels, whereas fender equipment trailers are built between the wheels. Because they are built between the wheels, the trailer is much lower to the ground, making it much simpler to load and unload.
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Trailer Safety Tips
When transporting equipment, the loading and unloading process presents the biggest risk. A few straightforward rules can help ensure secure equipment transport. We asked Felling Trailers’ Nathan Uphus, the sales manager, for a list of the top ten safety recommendations. They include:
- Read the owner’s manual and stickers on the trailer. Make sure you are aware of the trailer’s rated capacity, which is listed on the VIN tag.
- Know what you’re moving. The equipment’s weight, including any additional attachments, is a common factor., is miscalculated, which can easily cause the trailer to be overloaded.
- Know your vehicle’s tow rating and make sure it can handle the trailer and other equipment you’ll be towing. Tow ratings, which represent the tow vehicle’s maximum weight when loaded, are given by each vehicle manufacturer.
- Make sure that the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of the trailer you’re towing meets or exceeds the hitch rating of your tow vehicle. This holds true for both the receiver hitch itself and the ball mount and ball or pintle hitch assembly.
- Know the dynamics of towing. No matter the size, adding a trailer to the back of a car will significantly reduce its acceleration, braking, handling, and stability.
- Ensure the trailer complies with safe operating requirements by conducting a walkaround inspection. Check the tires for proper pressure and excessive wear, look for any cracks in the frame, and check the suspension parts. Inspect the emergency breakaway system and the braking systems for proper brake adjustment.
- Making sure the trailer tows properly depends on the hitch height. On a flat, level loading surface, the trailer should typically be higher in the front than the back so that the truck and trailer sit level when the trailer is fully loaded.
- Don’t transfer your tongue beyond the maximum allowed. 10% to 15% is a frequent illustration of tongue transfer. The percentage, however, might vary based on the type of coupler, the load, the vehicle, and other factors. The loss of control that can result from under-loaded or negative tongue weight is worse than excessive tongue weight.
- Be aware of your tie-down requirements. The size and quantity of tie-downs can vary depending on the equipment being hauled.
- Last but not least, and most crucially, perform routine maintenance on your hubs and bearings, brakes, suspension parts, tires, and electrical system. Trailers are frequently forgotten about when it comes to fleets of equipment, but they are essential to the operation of the fleet and must be properly maintained.
How To Pick The Right Trailer To Haul Your Heavy Equipment?
Find The Right Size Trailer
The key is to make sure that the weight of the equipment you want to haul and the trailer’s capacity are compatible. “Buying too small is unsafe, buying too much capacity is a waste of money,” says Jim Ladner, the Transportation Products division’s national sales manager for Landoll Company. “An excellent ROI on the selling side is a wise decision right now.”
You must also take other factors into account in addition to the trailer. “It’s imperative that both the trailer and the tow vehicle are appropriately sized to carry the load,” says Sales manager at Felling Trailers, Nathan Uphus. Don’t forget to take into account the weight of any attachments you intend to transport with the machine. According to Uphus, attachments are frequently disregarded.
“Most excavators have a travel mode that narrows the width of the machine,” says Talbert Trailers’ Troy Geisler, vice president of sales and marketing. “Some operators, however, are unwilling to take the time to switch the machine to travel mode. Knowing how your operators will actually load the machine is necessary to avoid overstressing the trailer.”
When comparing load capacity, Geisler warns that buyers should exercise caution. “There is no standard method to determine a capacity rating, “says Geisler. “The load distribution used in some manufacturer ratings may not be realistic.”
To transport the majority of medium or large construction equipment, a trailer with a 35 to 65 ton capacity is required. Larger cranes and specialized equipment must typically be transported on trailers with a 55- to 65-ton capacity.
Know Where Are You Going To Haul Your Equipment
It’s important to take into account where you want to travel because laws vary from state to state. “You want to make sure you have the right trailer capacity, the correct number of axles and the axles are positioned in the correct locations,” says Ladner.
One Trailer Capable Of Doing It All
“Users frequently desire purchasing a single trailer that can transport all of their equipment, but Ladner notes that this is typically not feasible. “”Users ought to think about choosing a trailer that handles 80% of their relocations and outsourcing the highly specialized loads to a third party hauler.”
According to Ladner, hauling costs will decrease the more equipment you can move in a single move. He suggests that operators look for more deck space that can be put to use for a variety of equipment.
FAQs
What Should I Look For In A Trailer For Equipment?
The level of durability that is one step higher than what you will need to haul should come first, followed by what you need.
How Do I Know What Size Trailer To Buy?
Your haul will determine what size trailer you need.
What Is The Best Utility Trailer?
It really depends on your needs, but to determine your axles and bed type, start by considering your weight and size requirements. Once you have the specifications for your ideal trailer, continue working your way down the list.
Final Words
Consider the way you are securing the device. Routing chains close to or in sensitive locations, such as tie-rods or hydraulic hoses, makes it simple to damage machinery. The most effective working load is provided when securing the equipment with a chain angled at 45 degrees between the equipment and deck. This angle pulls the load down to the trailer while also providing a clamping load to stop equipment from sliding.
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