Why Trailer Type Matters for Heavy Equipment
Most contractors and farm operators know they need a truck to move equipment. Fewer know that the wrong trailer type causes real problems. A flatbed that requires a crane when no crane is on site. A Landoll that cannot load a machine with a blown engine. A lowboy dispatched for a compact skid steer that would have loaded on a Landoll in 20 minutes.
Trailer type affects loading time, permit requirements, and site access. Picking the right one before dispatch saves time and money on both ends of the haul.
Big Frog Transportation runs flatbed and Landoll trailers across Florida and the Southeast under USDOT 3395422, MC-1105738. The company dispatches from Ocala and Jacksonville with 9 CDL drivers. Call (352) 632-2041 to confirm the right trailer for your load.
The Full Comparison at a Glance
| Feature | Flatbed | Landoll | Lowboy / RGN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deck Height | High. Typically 4 to 5 ft from ground. | Standard. Rear tilts to ground for loading. | Low. Typically 18 to 24 inches from ground. |
| Loading Method | Crane, forklift, or loading dock required. | Equipment drives on under its own power. | Detachable neck or crane. Equipment drives over gooseneck. |
| Crane or Forklift Needed | Yes | No | Sometimes |
| Best For | Steel, lumber, materials, non-self-propelled equipment. | Excavators, dozers, skid steers, tractors that self-load. | Very tall equipment, cranes, large excavators with booms. |
| Max Load Height | Standard legal limit of 13 ft 6 in from ground. | Standard legal limit. Deck sits higher than lowboy. | Lower deck gives more room for tall equipment above. |
| Equipment Must Run | No. Winch or crane loads non-running equipment. | Yes. Equipment must drive on under its own power. | Sometimes. Depends on loading method used. |
| Permit Likelihood | Depends on load dimensions. Often needed for equipment. | Depends on track or tire width. Often needed. | Almost always needed. Lowboy loads are typically oversize. |
| Loading Time | Varies. Crane scheduling can add hours. | 15 to 30 minutes on firm ground with operator on site. | Varies. Detachable neck setup takes more time than Landoll. |
| Site Requirements | Needs crane access or loading dock nearby. | Needs firm, flat ground at pickup point. | Needs space for detachable neck setup. Firm ground preferred. |
Flatbed Trailers: When to Use One
Flatbed
A flatbed trailer is an open deck with no sides and no roof. Cargo loads from the top, side, or rear. The deck sits high off the ground, typically 4 to 5 feet, which means equipment that cannot be craned or forked on cannot use a flatbed.
Use a flatbed for: Steel beams, lumber, building materials, palletized freight, generators on skids, and equipment that a crane or forklift can place on the deck. Also the right call for non-running equipment when a winch is available to pull the machine onto the deck.
Do not use a flatbed for: Equipment that needs to drive on under its own power when no crane is on site. A flatbed without a crane or winch cannot load a self-propelled machine.
Standard flatbed hauls in Florida run $3.50 to $4.50 per mile for loads within legal dimensions. See the flatbed trucking page for full details.
Landoll Trailers: When to Use One
Landoll
A Landoll trailer, also called a traveling axle trailer, has a hydraulic rear section that tilts the deck down to ground level. The machine drives up the tilted deck under its own power, the axle travels back under the load, and the deck returns to road position. No crane or forklift is needed at the pickup site.
Use a Landoll for: Excavators, bulldozers, skid steers, motor graders, tractors, and any wheeled or tracked equipment that can operate under its own power. The Landoll is the fastest loading option for self-propelled equipment when firm ground is available at the site.
Do not use a Landoll for: Equipment that cannot run. Dead haul machines need a flatbed with a winch or a crane assist. Also avoid a Landoll when the pickup site has soft or muddy ground that prevents the deck from tilting flat.
See the full guide on how this trailer works: How Landoll Trailers Work for Ground-Level Equipment Loading. Big Frog Transportation runs Landoll trailers out of Ocala and Jacksonville across Florida and the Southeast. See the Landoll trailer transport page for more.
Lowboy and RGN Trailers: When to Use One
Lowboy / RGN
A lowboy trailer sits low to the ground, typically 18 to 24 inches from the pavement to the deck. That low deck height is the key advantage. Tall equipment that would exceed Florida's 13 foot 6 inch legal height limit on a standard flatbed may clear that limit on a lowboy because the lower deck brings the overall load height down.
A removable gooseneck (RGN) lowboy has a detachable front section. The front detaches, drops to the ground, and equipment drives over the gooseneck onto the deck from the front. This allows loading without a crane on some machines.
Use a lowboy for: Large cranes, tall excavators with booms that cannot fold low enough, drilling equipment, and any machine where height is the primary concern. Lowboy hauls almost always require oversize permits due to load weight and dimensions.
Note: Big Frog Transportation runs flatbed and Landoll trailers. The company does not operate lowboy trailers. For loads that require a lowboy, call (352) 632-2041 to discuss the load and Big Frog Transportation can confirm the right carrier for that trailer type.
The Most Common Mistakes in Trailer Selection
Calling for a flatbed when no crane is on site
A contractor calls for a flatbed to pick up an excavator on an active job site. No crane is available. The truck arrives and cannot load the machine. The driver leaves. A Landoll would have loaded the same excavator in 30 minutes with the operator on site.
Calling for a Landoll for non-running equipment
A machine with a blown engine or broken tracks cannot drive onto a Landoll deck. Calling for a Landoll to pick up dead equipment wastes a truck dispatch. A flatbed with a winch is the right call for non-running equipment in most cases.
Not measuring height before calling for a flatbed
A large excavator with the arm folded sits at 12 feet on a flatbed deck that adds 4 feet of height. Total load height runs 16 feet, well over Florida's 13 foot 6 inch legal limit. A lowboy brings the deck down and may keep the same machine within legal limits. Measuring before dispatch avoids a permit error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Landoll and a lowboy?
A Landoll tilts its rear deck to ground level so equipment drives on from the back. The deck then returns to road position for transport. A lowboy has a fixed low deck that sits close to the ground. The lowboy's low deck height is its main advantage for tall equipment. A Landoll's self-loading capability is its main advantage for job sites with no crane. They solve different problems.
Can a flatbed haul the same equipment as a Landoll?
Sometimes. A flatbed can haul the same equipment as a Landoll if a crane or forklift is available at the pickup and delivery points to load and unload the machine. The Landoll eliminates that requirement by tilting to ground level. On job sites with no crane, a Landoll is the only option that does not require additional equipment at the site.
Which trailer is cheapest for moving a skid steer?
A Landoll is typically the fastest and most practical option for a skid steer that runs. Fast loading reduces driver time at the site. Flatbed hauls that require crane scheduling add cost and time. Lowboys are overkill for most skid steers. Call (352) 632-2041 with your machine details for a flat quote on the right trailer type.
Does Big Frog Transportation operate lowboy trailers?
No. Big Frog Transportation runs flatbed and Landoll trailers. For loads that require a lowboy, call (352) 632-2041 and the company can confirm the right trailer type and refer to the appropriate carrier.
What trailer should I use for a bulldozer?
Most bulldozers load well on a Landoll if the machine runs under its own power. The blade must be lowered and the overall width confirmed before the permit is filed. Large dozers over 50,000 pounds may need weight confirmation before the trailer type is selected. See the prep guide: How to Prepare a Bulldozer or Skid Steer for Transport.