Step Deck Semi Trailers, also known as drop deck trailers, offer a versatile solution for transporting oversized or tall items that cannot be shipped easily on standard flatbed trailers due to height restrictions on roads and under bridges. Understanding the types of cargo that best fit these trailers can enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and ensure the safety of the goods during transit.
Construction Equipment
Heavy Machinery
- Examples: Excavators, bulldozers, and backhoes.
- Dimensions: Varies, but often exceeds 10 feet in height, making them ideal for the lower deck with a height allowance of up to 3.2 meters.
- Weight: Can range up to 80,000 pounds for a standard trailer, depending on the axle configuration.
- Advantages: Easy loading and unloading due to the step deck’s design.
Building Materials
- Materials: Lumber, steel beams, and precast concrete.
- Quality: Must withstand the rigors of open transport.
- Size Specifications: Lengths can extend beyond 48 to 53 feet, suitable for the long lower deck of step deck trailers.
- Cost Efficiency: Reduces the need for special permits associated with oversized loads.
Agricultural Equipment
Tractors and Combines
- Dimensions: Heights that may exceed 11 feet fit comfortably on the lower deck.
- Weight: Generally falls within the 30,000 to 60,000-pound range.
- Speed of Delivery: Critical during planting and harvest seasons, making the faster loading/unloading times of step decks advantageous.
Manufacturing Equipment
Industrial Machinery
- Specs: Large presses, lathes, or CNC machines that require careful handling.
- Size Parameters: Weights can approach the trailer’s maximum capacity, emphasizing the need for precise load balancing.
- Lifespan and Value: Often represents a significant investment, with values easily exceeding hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Efficiency: The accessibility of step decks facilitates the use of cranes for loading bulky items, saving time and labor costs.
Vehicles
Automobiles and Trucks
- Specifications: Vary widely but often include vehicles that are non-operational or specialized.
- Transport Efficiency: Step deck trailers can accommodate multiple vehicles at once, optimizing space and reducing transportation costs.
Recreational Vehicles and Boats
- Dimensions: Boats, in particular, can utilize the full width of the trailer, often requiring the additional space provided by the step deck’s design.
- Cost Factors: Transporting these high-value items on a step deck can reduce potential damage risks, affecting insurance and overall costs positively.
Advantages of Choosing Step Deck Semi Trailers
- Flexibility in Load Types: Their design accommodates a wide range of cargo sizes and weights.
- Cost-Effective: By avoiding the need for additional permits and escorts for oversized loads, step decks can offer a more economical shipping solution.
- Speed and Efficiency: The ease of loading and unloading heavy or bulky items can significantly reduce transit times.
Conclusion
Selecting a step deck semi trailer for transportation needs not only broadens the range of cargo that can be transported but also offers efficiency, cost savings, and adaptability. Whether for construction materials, agricultural equipment, manufacturing machinery, or vehicles, the step deck trailer stands out as a superior choice for loads that challenge the limitations of standard flatbed trailers.