Kaiser Logistic's primary carrier always use step deck and double drop trailers in their fleet. Why? Well, it’s simple really, they can haul taller freight, these types of trailers have a lower center of gravity. A regular flatbed trailer is higher off the ground; therefore, it will max out height restrictions with less freight. Step decks and double drop trailers fit perfectly into an LTL (Trailer Space Sharing) business model. They can pack more freight from more customers on these trailers. This saves customers money because they do not have to pay for a whole trailer if they don’t need it. Building out loads on these types of trailers is more of a challenge, but we love a good challenge. 

What are the Different Types of Trailers?

The use of step-deck and double drop trailers offer more freight capacity and extra height on the lower levels.

A typical flatbed trailer is five feet above the ground. This means you can only load 8’ 6” of freight on that trailer before it exceeds the maximum height allowed by the Department of Transportation. Kaiser Logistic's preferred carriers uses step-deck, double drop, and removable goose-neck trailers. 

Step-Deck Trailers

The main strength of a step deck trailer is its small higher deck in the front. Then, the trailer drops down to a height of just 3’ 6” to allow a full 10’ of freight on top and still comply with DOT height regulations. 

Double Drop Trailers

Similar to a step-deck trailer, a double drop trailer has a higher deck in the front and the back, although much lower in the middle, also known as the “belly” or “well.”

The height of the well is only 1’ 9” off the ground, so you can stack almost 12’ of freight onto that part of the trailer and still comply with DOT regulations. Both trailers are 48’ in length.

Removable Gooseneck Trailers

Also referred to as RGN trailers, removable goosenecks are commonly used for transporting really large pieces of equipment. Once the removable gooseneck attachment is detached from the trailer, vehicles and equipment can freely load from the front of the trailer, removing the necessity of a ramp.

Trailer Weight

No matter what kind of trailer you have, the maximum gross weight is 80,000 pounds for any loaded semi, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group. This is per DOT regulations. If this weight is exceeded you will need to obtain an oversized load permit. An escort vehicle may be required if the load is over 10 or 12 feet wide.