Lowboy Trucking — Heavy Haul for Tall and Oversize Equipment
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When equipment is too tall or too heavy for a flatbed, it rides a lowboy. ShipMyCar US books lowboy and RGN carriers, permits and escorts across the country.
Quick Answer
Short answer: Lowboy trucking for tall and heavy equipment: fixed-neck, fixed-gooseneck and RGN trailers, multi-axle options, permits and escorts arranged nationwide. It's built for anyone comparing car shipping options who needs to know if this service fits their vehicle and timeline — use the quote form on this page for your exact price.
Last updated: September 11, 2026
A lowboy trailer sits just 18–24 inches off the ground, which gives tall machinery the vertical room it needs to stay under bridge heights. Combine that with multiple axles and you can legally move equipment that would never fit on a standard flatbed: excavators, crawler dozers, cranes, large tractors, transformers and industrial tanks.
ShipMyCar US arranges lowboy trucking for construction companies, farms, manufacturers and equipment dealers. We pick the lowboy type for your load, plan the route around low clearances and weight limits, obtain the permits and book escorts when they're required.
Types of Lowboy Trailers
A lighter lowboy with a gooseneck that doesn't detach. It loads from the rear, which works for longer loads but makes front loading impractical.
Higher capacity than a fixed neck, with rear ramps for driving equipment on. A good fit for medium-weight machinery.
The front detaches and drops to form a ramp so equipment can be driven, pulled or pushed on from the front. The most versatile choice for tracked machines.
The gooseneck is raised and lowered hydraulically, which speeds loading for frequent moves.
Extendable decks handle long loads, and multi-axle configurations with up to 20 axles can carry 150,000 lb or more.
What a Lowboy Can Haul
- Excavators and crawler dozers
- Wheel loaders and motor graders
- Cranes and crane components
- Large farm tractors and combines — see tractor transport
- Industrial tanks, transformers and generators
- Forklifts and telehandlers too tall for a flatbed
- Box trucks and work trucks that can't ride a car carrier
- Wind turbine and other oversize components
What Lowboy Trucking Costs
The base of every heavy-haul quote. Lowboy and RGN loads typically start around $4 per mile in today's market.
Overweight and oversize loads add permits, and very heavy loads need more axles.
Hydraulic RGNs and multi-axle configurations cost more than a standard fixed-neck lowboy.
Each state on the route issues its own permit. Wide loads need one or more pilot cars.
Loading assistance, cranes, storage or multiple stops add to the total.
We quote with permits and escorts included so you get one number for the move.
Why Lowboy Trucking Is Often the Cheapest Option for Tall Loads
A lowboy's low deck often avoids removing cabs, booms or tracks just to clear bridges.
A low center of gravity reduces sway and makes heavy loads safer at highway speed.
Ramps and detachable goosenecks let self-propelled machines drive on, cutting crane costs.
One trailer class handles a wide range of heights, weights and lengths.
How Lowboy Shipping Works
- 1
Load Specs
Send the equipment type, dimensions, weight and photos of both sites.
- 2
Trailer and Route Plan
We pick the lowboy type, plan the route around clearances and weight-restricted bridges and apply for permits.
- 3
Loading
The machine is driven or winched on and chained at four or more points to federal securement standards.
- 4
Permitted Transit
The load follows the approved route and travel hours, with escorts where required.
- 5
Delivery
Unloaded at the job site, yard or farm. Inspect and sign the Bill of Lading.
Recurring Lowboy Hauls for Businesses
Contractors and rental companies that move machines between sites every month can set up recurring lowboy service with one coordinator, consistent rates and priority scheduling. Ask about commercial accounts when you request a quote. For one-off moves of mixed equipment, see heavy equipment shipping.
What Is a Low Boy Trailer?
A low boy (also called a lowboy or lowbed) is a trailer with a deck that sits very close to the ground — often just 18 to 24 inches high. That low deck lets tall, heavy machinery travel under bridge and wire clearances that would stop a standard flatbed. Lowboys are rated for very heavy loads, and multi-axle versions spread the weight to meet road limits.
RGN Trucking vs. Fixed-Neck Lowboys
The front of the trailer detaches so the deck becomes a ramp. Equipment drives on from the front. RGN trucking is the go-to for heavy tracked machines like excavators and dozers.
The gooseneck stays attached, and equipment loads from the rear with ramps. Often a little lighter and less expensive for loads that can be driven on from behind.
Hydraulic RGNs detach faster, which helps with frequent loading.
Add axles for the heaviest loads so each axle stays within legal limits.
Choosing Lowboy Trucking Companies
- Confirm the trailer's deck height, length and weight rating fit your load.
- Ask who handles permits, route surveys and escorts.
- Check securement equipment and insurance limits.
- Ask about delivery site needs — lowboys need room to maneuver and detach the neck.
ShipMyCar US arranges lowboy shipping nationwide for construction, agricultural and industrial equipment.
Lowboy Delivery: Planning the Drop-Off
For lowboy delivery, the receiving site needs a firm, level area long enough for the truck and trailer, plus room for the machine to drive off. Overhead lines, soft ground and tight turns are the most common problems. Share photos of the delivery area at booking, and make sure a qualified operator will be there to unload.
See heavy equipment shipping, tractor transport and Komatsu equipment shipping.
Lowboy Shipping Cost Factors
- Weight: Determines the number of axles and the trailer class.
- Dimensions: Width and height decide permits, escorts and route.
- Distance and states crossed: Each state issues its own permit.
- Escorts: Pilot cars add cost on wide or tall loads.
- Loading time: Detaching the neck and positioning the load takes time.
- Timing restrictions: Daylight-only and weekend bans can add travel days.
Lowboy transport services are quoted per load after we review the equipment specs.
Recurring Lowboy Transport for Contractors
Contractors who move equipment between job sites often benefit from a standing arrangement. Regular moves let carriers plan routes and permits in advance, which can lower costs and speed up scheduling. Tell us about your typical machines and routes so we can plan ahead.
Industries That Rely on Lowboy Transport
- Construction: Excavators, dozers, loaders and cranes moving between job sites.
- Agriculture: Large tractors, combines and harvesters.
- Energy: Drilling and oilfield equipment, transformers and generators.
- Mining and quarrying: Haul trucks, crushers and large loaders.
- Manufacturing: Industrial machinery and presses.
Each industry has its own timing and site needs, so share as much detail as you can when you request a quote.
FAQ
Lowboy Trucking — Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about lowboy trucking from the ShipMyCar US team.
QWhat is lowboy trucking?
Lowboy trucking uses trailers with a very low deck, usually 18–24 inches high, to haul equipment that's too tall or heavy for a flatbed while staying under legal height limits.
QWhat's the difference between a lowboy and an RGN?
An RGN is a type of lowboy whose gooseneck detaches so equipment can drive on from the front. Fixed-neck lowboys load from the rear.
QHow much does lowboy transport cost?
Lowboy and RGN loads typically start around $4 per mile, plus permits and escorts for oversize loads. We quote each load from its specs.
QDo you handle permits for oversize loads?
Yes. We obtain the state permits, plan the route and book escorts, and include the cost in your quote.
QHow long does a lowboy haul take?
Short hauls take 1–3 days. Long-distance moves typically take 5–7 days, more if travel is restricted to daylight hours.
QDo you offer lowboy trucking nationwide?
Yes, across the lower 48 states, including job sites and rural farms.
QWhat can a lowboy trailer haul?
Excavators, dozers, loaders, cranes, large tractors, industrial machinery and other tall or heavy equipment.
QWhat is the difference between a lowboy and a step-deck?
A lowboy's deck is much lower and rated for heavier loads. A step-deck is higher and suits lighter equipment that still needs extra height clearance.
QDo lowboy loads need permits?
Often, when they exceed legal width, height or weight. The carrier obtains permits for each state.
QHow much does lowboy shipping cost?
It depends on weight, dimensions, distance and permits. Heavy-haul loads are quoted individually.
QHow far ahead should I book lowboy trucking?
One to two weeks for most moves, and longer for loads needing multi-state permits or escorts.
QCan a lowboy carry two machines at once?
Sometimes, if their combined weight and size stay within the trailer's rating and legal limits — for example, two compact excavators. Larger machines usually ship alone.
QDo you offer lowboy transport near me?
We arrange lowboy trucking nationwide through a network of heavy-haul carriers, so pickups can be scheduled in most areas. Rural sites may need a little more lead time.
QWhat permits does a lowboy load need?
It depends on the load's width, height and weight. Each state on the route issues its own oversize or overweight permit, and some loads also need escorts or route surveys. The carrier handles the permits and includes the cost in your quote.
QIs RGN trucking more expensive than a standard lowboy?
Often slightly, because RGN trailers are specialized and take more time to load. For heavy tracked equipment, they're usually the safest and most practical option.
Still have questions? Our team is ready to help.
Source: every broker and carrier's operating authority, safety rating, and insurance status is public record — verify any company for free at the FMCSA SAFER System.
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