When you have equipment or recreational toys you need to haul around Michigan, it can seem challenging to find the right kind of trailer. Most people initially think of a traditional flatbed trailer, when looking to purchase one. But a better option may be a deckover trailer. Discover the difference between these two options, and why the deckover design may be a better hauling trailer.
What is A Deckover Load Trailer?
When it comes to finding the proper trailer, there are a number of design options to consider. One of those options is how the trailer deck sits compared to the wheels.
A standard flatbed positions the trailer deck between the two wheels. The benefit of this style is that it tends to keep the deck lower, easing the process of loading your equipment.
The other option is where the deck rides over the wheels, known as the deckover trailer. This is the same concept semi trailers use, but applied to bumper pull and gooseneck trailers. These trailers do away with the obstacle of the wheel wells, offering several benefits for how you haul your equipment.
Benefit to Wider Loads
One of the major challenges of any flatbed trailer is dealing with wide loads. Standard flatbed trailers may simply be too narrow to handle wider equipment.
Deckover trailers allow you to use the full width of the trailer, not just what fits between the wheels. This proves especially helpful when you’re hauling a wide load like a large mower deck, utility tractor, or even multiple ATVs or snowmobiles.
Be sure to continue keeping an eye on your load capacity. While deckover trailers may accommodate wider loads, the load capacity is similar to standard flatbed trailers. Remember, hauling capacity is a match between both the trailer’s construction and your tow vehicle.
Challenges With Loading and Unloading
Anyone who’s tried to load or unload a trailer knows the challenges that come with it. While trying to load equipment or vehicles, you have to contend with the wheel wells on standard flatbed trailers. If you’ve attempted to drive a classic car onto a standard flatbed, you know how challenging getting out can be when the door won’t swing over the wheel well.
However, the ease of loading goes well beyond vehicles and equipment. Rather, when you need to work with large loads, you may use a forklift to lift it onto or off the trailer. A standard flatbed only allows you to load it from the back of the trailer. A deckover trailer also allows you to load from the sides, giving you the opportunity to better balance your load.
Complex Loads
It’d be great if every load was symmetrical and easily stacked and loaded in a square or rectangular area. However, that’s not the case for many loads. This leaves your trying to figure out how to place your load on a narrow trailer initially, but then compounded by endeavoring to load multiple pieces.
When you remove the obstacle of the wheel wells, you make loading these unusually sized and shaped loads easier. First, you can more easily position the load and secure it, being you have more anchor points available.
Next, it allows you to find unique ways to safely add more to the load. This helps you decrease the number of trips needed, saving on fuel and time.
Load Trail Trailers
Load Trail offers some of the best deckover trailers on the market, and are available at USA Trailer locations throughout Michigan. Load Trail offers both bumper pull and gooseneck hitch options. All the trailers offer double axles, allowing for a larger load capacity. They also offer a range of sizes and styles to accommodate everything from light personal use to heavy-duty commercial applications.
When you’re shopping for a new trailer in Michigan, look no further than USA Trailer. Come visit one of our seven locations throughout the state for the best selection of trailers.