Equipment Guideline
It’s very crucial to select the best type of trailer for your project. When choosing a trailer for your freight transport service, you want to ensure that the trailer can legally and safely transport your freight or project within each province or state. Your decision will be based on the total weight, dimensions and type of freight that is being shipped. Our guideline gives you a general idea of what equipment/ trailer you will need for your project, and give you the confidence that you are making the right choice with Vectra Heavy Haulers.
If you have any questions on what trailer to use for your freight transport needs, please contact us directly.
Flatbed Trailer
One of the most common methods used in open-deck trucking is flatbed freight. Flatbeds range from 48 to 53 feet in length, they can scale up to 48,000 pounds without needing a permit, and their decks are regular dock height. This versatility makes flatbeds a great method for the freight transport of construction equipment and other heavy machinery since they are easy to load and unload at a warehouse with a forklift or on a job site with a crane.
Tandem Flatbed (48'-53' Trailer) / Tridem Flatbed (48'-53' Trailer)
The only difference between tandem and tridem is tridem has three axles on the trailer and tandem only has two. This allows tridem trailers to be able to scale and permit more cargo weight if a single piece is on the deck.
Tandem trailers max out between 46,000-48,000 lbs whereas tridem trailers max out between 60,000 lbs for multiple piece loads within Canada and can haul up to 75,000 lbs for a single piece load within North America if the weight is evenly distributed.
Both trailers are able to carry loads up to 53′ in length without a permit.
Maximum Freight Weight:
48,000 lbs
Maximum Freight Dimensions:
| Length | 53 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
Any dimensions greater than these will need to be moved as an over dimensional load unless it can be moved legally on a different trailer configuration.
Step deck Trailer
This trailer is ideal for shipments that are greater than 8’6″ tall up to 10′ tall since its deck height is 18″ shorter than a regular flatbed. This is ideal for a variety of types of open-deck trucking and over dimensional hauling. A low-profile step deck has an even lower main deck height and can accommodate freight up to 10’6” tall without requiring a permit. Some of these trailers are equipped with ramps which make it easy to load and unload equipment from the ground level.
Tandem Step Deck (48'-53' Trailer) / Tridem Step Deck (48'-53' Trailer)
The only difference between tandem and tridem is tridem has three axles on the trailer and tandem only has two. This allows tridem trailers to be able to scale and permit more cargo weight.
Tandem trailers max out between 44,000-46,000 lbs whereas tridem trailers max out between 60,000 lbs for multiple piece loads within Canada and can haul up to 75,000 lbs for a single piece load within North America if the weight distribution is within the trailer’s capabilities.
Both trailers are able to carry loads up to 53′ in length without a permit.
Maximum Freight Weight:
46,000 lbs
Maximum Freight Dimensions:
Main Deck Max. Dimensions
| Length | 42 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 10 feet (305 cm) |
Front Step Deck Max. Dimensions
| Length | 11 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 10 feet (259 cm) |
Any dimensions greater than these will need to be moved as an over dimensional load unless it can be moved legally on a different trailer configuration.
Extendable Step Deck Trailer (53' Trailer, 2/3 axles)
Same as a 53′ step deck trailer but the bottom deck can extend out to 65′ long. Ideal for a single piece that is over 42′ in length and up to 10’6” tall.
Maximum Freight Weight:
40,000 lbs
Maximum Freight Dimensions:
| Length | 65 feet+ (depending on cargo type) |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 10.5 feet (259 cm) |
Detachable Double Drop
This trailer is another great open for over dimensional hauling. It is ideal for loads that are greater than 10′ tall and for machinery that needs to be driven on or off if there are no loading docks or ramps available.
Tandem Detachable Double Drop (48' Trailer) / Tridem Detachable Double Drop (53' Trailer)
The only difference between tandem and tridem is tridem has three axles on the trailer and tandem only has two. This allows tridem trailers to be able to scale and permit more cargo weight. Tandem trailers can permit up to 55,000 lbs whereas tridem trailers max out at 70,000 lbs for a single piece load within North America.
Maximum Freight Weight:
40,000 lbs
Maximum Freight Dimensions:
Main Deck Max. Dimensions
| Length | 29 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 12 feet (365 cm) |
Front Step Deck Max. Dimensions
| Length | 10 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
Rear Step Deck Max. Dimensions
| Length | 11 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 10 feet (305 cm) |
Any dimensions greater than these will need to be moved as an over dimensional load unless it can be moved legally on a different trailer configuration.
Extendable Double Drop Trailer (48'-53' Trailer, 2/3 axles)
This trailer has the ability to extend its lower deck space from 29′-50′ feet. Ideal for a single piece load that is over 29′ in length and 11′ tall. Weight capacity on this trailer will be dictated by the number of axles in the configuration but they tend to have a heavier tare weight which limits the amount of weight we can permit.
Maximum Freight Weight:
35,000 lbs
Maximum Freight Dimensions:
| Length | 50 feet |
| Width | 8.5 feet (259 cm) |
| Height | 12 feet (365 cm) |
Specialized Trailers
For any loads that are too heavy or large to fit on one of these aforementioned trailers, a more specialized trailer will be required to get the cargo moved. Feel free to contact us so we can understand the breadth of the move so we can match it with the right equipment to get it moved safely.