Making Moves: Equipment Trailering Today

Heavy-haul trailers such as flatbeds, step decks and goosenecks are essential to the construction industry, ensuring that heavy machinery, equipment and materials are transported safely and efficiently. Over the past decade, these trailers have undergone significant changes driven by technological advancements, regulatory updates and evolving customer demands.

Changes in Heavy-haul Trailers and Their Impact on Efficiency, Safety and Load Capacity

Troy Geisler, vice president of sales and marketing at Talbert Manufacturing, notes that over the past decade, there have been several key changes in trailer permits related to state and federal bridge laws in the U.S. For example, many states have updated their bridge laws to allow higher load limits for trailers, provided they meet specific requirements. This includes using the Federal Bridge Formula, which allows higher weights based on the number and spacing of axles.

“In response to this, customers have changed their trailer design requirements. We’ve noticed a need for higher load capacities and more versatile configurations and have met that demand by continuing to innovate and manufacture the trailers that meet those specifications,” Geisler said. “These advancements have made heavy-haul trailers more efficient and adaptable for construction projects.”

Geisler emphasizes that safety remains a top priority throughout the entire process, from design to delivery, and each trailer is customized to the customer’s needs.

“The manufacturer needs to take into account multiple things like where the trailer will be operational, local and federal regulations, what types of equipment are being hauled, and even if the load capacity needs to change over time,” Geisler said. “Asking these questions — and more — can help determine which manufacturer and dealer are best to work with for a customer’s unique needs.”

Nathan Uphus, director of sales at Felling Trailers agrees that construction equipment is constantly evolving. Driven by technology, efficiency and project demands, equipment manufacturers are continually developing larger and heavier products than their predecessors.

“Over the last 10 to 15 years, we’ve seen a shift in the size and capacity of commonly produced trailers to accommodate the ever-evolving equipment,” Uphus said.

Heavy-Haul Trailer Use With Construction Equipment: Key Features and Advancements

Geisler believes the most in-demand trailer features depend heavily on the customer. However, he recommends that customers look for high-quality materials like steel with a 100,000 psi minimum yield and apitong decking to provide the toughest, longest-lasting decks.

“One of the most misunderstood features is camber. Camber describes the arc that forms in the center of a well-designed trailer, which prevents excessive deflection in the main beams. When properly loaded to capacity, the arc will flatten, resulting in the trailer’s loaded deck height,” Geisler said. “Our trailers can adjust camber in custom designs to meet the operator’s specific needs.”

Geisler adds that many customers look for add-ons to maximize capacity and potential. For example, deck extensions made from the same quality materials for a perfect fit and nitrogen-dampened axle extensions with a self-tracking pivot design for consistent load transfer over uneven terrain are desirable options. 

Uphus believes the most common feature request is air-powered ramps.

“When the trailer’s braking system is operated by air, it only makes sense to harness the truck’s common air to operate additional systems,” Uphus said. “We manufacture trailers for many construction and paving equipment applications and offer options that will accommodate equipment with low load angle requirements.” 

Uphus adds that some of the most common technological advancements introduced to the trailer world within the last few years have been the more common use of air or fluid power to operate loading ramps.

“In certain custom applications, we’ve used Trailer Roll Stability technology as well as the central tire inflation system,” Uphus said. “Trailer technology is continually advancing; Trailer Health Monitoring systems include sensors on the trailer’s tires, hubs, brakes and other components that alert drivers to issues.”

Selecting the Right Trailer for Transporting Construction Equipment to the Jobsite

Geisler advises that the top five components to consider when selecting a trailer include the size and weight of construction materials, the overall weight the trailer can carry, the area of deck that weight can safely be carried in, optimal travel speed, and the safety factor.

“We use all of these specs to make sure customers get the best options for their business. Contractors should be wary when working with a manufacturer, though, because there is no industry-set or government-mandated system in place,” Geisler said.

Uphus adds that any models or options that promote safety, reliability, and ease of use should be considered.

“We’ve worked with many safety-conscious fleet customers and designed trailers for their specific use cases. The most important questions to ask any customer during the discovery process would be: What are you hauling? What are you towing it with? And are there any special requirements regarding safety or functionality? Once we have answers to these important questions, we can work with them to spec a trailer for their needs,” Uphus said.

Trailer Performance and Capacity: Key Considerations for Safe Operation

Uphus advises always allowing some buffer between the trailer’s rated capacity and the payload’s actual weight.

“All too often, I see someone hauling a piece of equipment that weighs right at the capacity of the trailer. Too many variables are at play when doing this: How much of the trailer’s weight and payload is being transferred to the tow vehicle? Is the vehicle rated for the weight transfer? Is the load evenly distributed? When a trailer is loaded to its maximum carrying capacity, the overall life of the trailer will be shortened, and depending on the positioning of the load, there could be a possibility of overloading individual components.” 

Geisler recommends considering the following factors for load capacity and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) to ensure a safe and efficient operation:

• Load distribution — Properly distributing the load across the truck and trailer’s axles is crucial for maintaining balance and stability. Unevenly distributed loads, unless designed accordingly, may affect handling and increase the risk of accidents.

• Towing capacity — Towing capacity is the maximum weight a vehicle can tow. Knowing the towing capacity is important to avoid overloading the vehicle when towing trailers or other heavy loads.

• Road conditions — Different road conditions, such as steep inclines, sharp turns, and rough terrain, can affect a vehicle’s load capacity and handling. It’s essential to consider these factors when planning a trip.

• Preventative and ongoing inspection and maintenance — Regular inspection and maintenance of the trailer, including checking tire pressure, brakes and suspension, ensures that the trailer can safely handle its maximum load capacity.