What a Landoll Trailer Actually Does
A Landoll trailer, also called a traveling axle trailer, has a rear section that tilts down to ground level. The back of the deck drops until it rests flat on the pavement. Equipment that moves on wheels or tracks drives up the ramp under its own power and stops when it reaches the front of the deck. The axle then travels back under the load and locks in place before the truck moves.
That is the whole mechanism. It is not complicated, but it changes everything about how a piece of equipment gets loaded and what a job site needs to have ready before the truck arrives.
Key fact: Big Frog Transportation dispatches Landoll trailers from Ocala, Florida across the Southeast. The company operates under USDOT 3395422, MC-1105738, authorized for interstate for-hire transport. Call (352) 632-2041 for availability.
The Difference Between Landoll, Flatbed, and Lowboy Trailers
These three trailer types get confused constantly. They are not interchangeable. The right one depends on the equipment being moved and what the destination can handle.
| Trailer Type | How Equipment Loads | Best For | Height Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Landoll | Deck tilts to ground so equipment drives on under its own power | Wheeled and tracked equipment, job sites with no crane or forklift | Standard legal height (deck rides higher than lowboy) |
| Flatbed | Crane, forklift, or loading dock required | Steel, lumber, building materials, palletized freight, smaller equipment | Standard: 8.5 ft from deck to top of load |
| Lowboy / RGN | Detachable neck allows equipment to drive over the gooseneck or be craned on | Very tall equipment, cranes, tall excavators with booms | Lowest deck height. Best for overheight loads |
A Landoll is the right call when there is no crane on the job site and the equipment can operate on its own. It is not the right call for a load that needs to go under 14-foot bridges. That is where the lowboy takes over.
Which Equipment Works Best on a Landoll Trailer
Any machine that drives or tracks can use a Landoll. The operator drives the equipment up the tilted deck and sets it in place. Big Frog Transportation regularly moves these types of equipment on Landoll trailers:
- Track excavators and mini excavators
- Bulldozers and crawler dozers
- Skid steer loaders and compact track loaders
- Motor graders and road graders
- Rubber-tired backhoes
- Wheel loaders and articulated loaders
- Tracked dump wagons and articulated haul trucks
- Agricultural tractors and combines with tracks
Equipment that cannot drive or track under its own power goes on a flatbed. This includes a generator on a skid, a structural steel beam, or pallets of material. The Landoll is specifically for self-propelled machines.
Why Job Sites in the Southeast Prefer Landoll Loads
Most active construction sites across Florida, Georgia, and Alabama do not have a crane standing by when equipment arrives. Calling a crane takes time and money. Waiting for a forklift on a remote site in South Georgia or rural Alabama can cost half a day. A Landoll trailer eliminates that requirement entirely.
The equipment operator drives the machine onto the trailer. The truck leaves. Nobody waits for equipment that was supposed to be there yesterday.
That is the practical reason most contractors in the Southeast prefer Landoll transport when the equipment qualifies. It is faster from dispatch to cleared job site.
Route note: Big Frog Transportation runs Landoll hauls regularly between Ocala and Jacksonville, Tampa, Orlando, Savannah, Atlanta, and Birmingham. The company ran 1,350,000 miles across the Southeast in 2025 with a fleet of 9 drivers under CDL.
When a Landoll Trailer Is Not the Right Choice
There are situations where the Landoll does not fit the load. Knowing this upfront prevents a wasted truck dispatch.
If the equipment is too tall with the cab, boom, or attachment in place, a Landoll may push the load over legal height. Florida DOT and Georgia DOT both set the standard oversize threshold at 13 feet 6 inches for height. A tracked excavator with the arm raised can clear that easily. The arm needs to fold flat or the load needs to go on a lowboy with a lower deck height.
If the destination has a soft surface such as freshly graded dirt, muddy ground after rain, or a tight confined area, the tilted deck may not make solid contact. Landoll loading works best on firm, flat ground at the pickup and delivery point.
Equipment that cannot run due to engine failure, a broken track, or hydraulic problems cannot drive up the deck. That situation calls for a different trailer type and sometimes a crane assist regardless of trailer choice.
Frequently Asked Questions About Landoll Transport
How long does Landoll loading take compared to a crane load?
A typical Landoll load on firm ground takes 15 to 30 minutes from setup to secured and ready to roll. A crane load depends entirely on crane availability, which can add hours on a busy site. Most experienced operators have loaded a machine onto a Landoll before and move through it quickly.
Does the equipment operator need to be present for loading?
Yes. The equipment must be driven onto the trailer, which means the operator runs it up the deck. Big Frog Transportation handles all the chain and binder work to secure the load once it is positioned. The driver inspects and signs off before departure.
What states does Big Frog Transportation cover for Landoll hauls?
Big Frog Transportation dispatches Landoll trailers to destinations across Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, and other Southeast states. The company is licensed under MC-1105738 for interstate for-hire transport.
Is a Landoll trailer the same as a step deck or drop deck?
No. A step deck has a fixed lower rear section but does not tilt. A Landoll's entire rear section physically rotates down to the ground. They are different trailers with different loading requirements. The Landoll's ground-level capability is what sets it apart.