A standard flatbed covers most open-deck freight — but the moment your cargo passes about 8' tall, climbs above 48,000 lbs of payload, or runs longer than 53' on the deck, you need a specialty trailer. Step decks, double drops, RGNs, lowboys, extendables, and multi-axle configurations each solve a specific dimension problem.
Most quotes returned within the hour during business hours.
Quotes are free and there is no obligation to book.
Or call (509) 321-4381
Deck height drives legal cargo height. Axle count drives legal payload. Both decide which trailer you need.
Deck height: ~38" main deck
Legal cargo height: ~10'2"
Payload: up to 48,000 lb
Length: 48' or 53'
Best for: tall machinery, stacked loads, taller building materials
Deck height: 18"–24"
Legal cargo height: ~11'6"
Payload: up to ~40,000 lb
Length: 48' or 53'
Best for: tracked equipment, cranes, tall construction iron
Deck height: 18"–24"
Legal cargo height: ~11'6"
Payload: 50,000–60,000 lb
Length: 48' or 53'
Best for: heavy excavators, dozers, dril rigs
Deck height: 18"–22" in the well
Legal cargo height: ~11'6" (in well)
Payload: 40,000–45,000 lb
Length: ~25'–30' well
Best for: single tall machine in the well, short tall items
Extends to: 65', 80', up to 100'+
Permits: length permits required beyond 53'
Payload: trailer-spec dependent
Best for: wind blades, long pipe, beams, tower sections
Adds: jeep axle ahead, booster axle behind
Payload: 80,000–150,000+ lb (permits)
Use: superload weight distribution
Best for: transformers, large rotables, superload machinery
The fastest way to wrong-quote a heavy haul is to assume the trailer. Below: 10 of the most common machines we move and what they actually need. Weights vary by counterweight, stick length, bucket, and tracks — always confirm against the dealer's serial-build sheet.
Spec sources: VeriTread spec sheets, Ritchie Specs, manufacturer transport configuration guides. Confirm against your serial-build sheet before quoting.
Sources: westernstatescat.com, modernmachinery.com/locations, construction.papemachinery.com/locations, freightlinernorthwest.com/xl-specialized-trailers.
Ritchie Bros. (Edmonton AB is the major Western Canada yard for PNW-bound equipment) requires a paid invoice plus a sign-in / release ticket at the gate before the carrier can roll. We handle the release-form workflow as part of dispatch — the carrier shows up with the paperwork in hand and is not turned away at the yard office.
Sources: OPB (Jan 2026 Microsoft Quincy), Sila press release, Hecla Q3 2025 earnings, Daily Montanan.
Federal cargo-securement rules for wheeled or tracked equipment 10,000 lb or heavier require:
We stage the carrier at the loading site with chains and WLL math calculated against the unit's serial-build weight, not the catalog spec.
Source: eCFR 49 CFR § 393.130; US Cargo Control / Peerless Chain WLL references.
Standard motor truck cargo (MTC) limit on heavy-haul carriers is $100,000/load. That is often inadequate — a used CAT 336 at auction routinely lists for $250K-$300K, and a 2022 Komatsu PC490 can clear $500K. The math fails before the truck rolls.
What to ask any heavy-haul broker before booking:
Evergreen Shippers supplies $250K, $500K, and $1M cargo-limit endorsements for high-value equipment dispatches. Lloyd's of London carries our contingent cargo coverage.
Source: industry MTC standards (Logrock commercial truck insurance guide); Lloyd's broker contingent.
Width, height, length, gross weight. Make/model if it's known equipment — we will pull factory specs.
Step deck, RGN 2-axle / 3-axle / multi-axle, double drop, extendable, jeep+booster — matched to load.
State over-dimensional permits, route survey, pilot cars or police escorts pulled and booked.
Vetted carrier dispatched, daylight-only travel windows, status check-calls, POD on delivery, single invoice.
We won't quote until we know the actual cargo dimensions. Wrong trailer at pickup = blown load and lost time.
State permits and pilot cars pulled and paid for as part of the brokered move. One all-in rate; no permit reimbursement chase.
Snoqualmie, Stevens, Lookout, Lolo, US-12, US-95 Lewiston grade — we know what the route does to a permitted load before we book it.
Vetted carriers running 2-axle, 3-axle, jeep+booster, and extendable configurations. The right rig is in the pool.
Most quotes back within the hour during business days. Permit-load quotes typically same business day.
MC#896325 · USDOT 2569360 · $75K BMC-84 bond · $1M GL / $2M auto · Lloyd's of London cargo coverage.
Call (509) 321-4381 — send dimensions or just the make/model and we'll spec the right trailer.