Lowboy Buyer's Guide & Specs
If you're hauling tall iron, a lowboy (double-drop) keeps the deck down in the well so you clear bridges without stacking permits. Most fleets standardize on a 50–55-ton hydraulic RGN with a 48–53 ft overall length and a well that fits their most common machine. From there you add a flip or a booster when the job calls for it.
Capacity & weight planning
- 35-ton: smaller dozers, wheel loaders, and rollers.
- 50–55-ton: mid-size excavators and heavier machines (most common choice).
- Beyond 55-ton: plan axle additions (flip/booster) or a jeep/dolly based on your corridors and bridge laws.
Length, deck height & well
Overall length (48–53 ft) is easy to shop, but the well length and deck height are what make loads fit cleanly. Match well length to the machine's track/wheel base and check loaded deck height against the machine's transport height. If the tracks sit wide, go with outriggers or swing-outs.
Neck type & loading
Hydraulic detach saves time and headaches loading on uneven sites. Mechanical detach keeps weight and cost down for fleets that don't need to drop the neck as often. Either way, make sure your crew has a repeatable rigging process—pins, hoses, and locking hardware should be quick to inspect and service.
Axles, flips & boosters
Tandem and tri handle the bulk of work. Add a flip axle when you occasionally run heavier; use a booster when you need to spread loads and meet bridge formulas. Your permits and usual states will dictate what makes sense.
Suspension & floor
Air ride is easiest on machines and operators; spring is simple and tough. Apitong/wood floors are common and repairable; steel decking stands up to point loads and track shoes. Spec chain drops, D-rings, lights, and toolboxes to match how your crew actually ties down.
Used lowboy checklist
- Neck pins, saddles, hinge points—look for elongation and cracking.
- Main beams, cross-members, and gussets—rust at welds, evidence of bowing.
- Air system, valves, and tanks—leaks and contamination.
- Suspension bushings, brakes, drums/rotors, hub oil, and lights.
- Flip/booster hardware and plumbing—treat it like a separate machine.
Pricing on this page updates from active listings. Today's typical list prices cluster around $39,900–$113,000 with a median near $68,900. Most units listed are 53 ft overall, with 35-ton and 55-ton capacities the most common.
Lowboy Trailer Buyer FAQs
How much does a lowboy trailer cost? (September 2025)
On our marketplace right now, most lowboy trailers list between $39,900–$113,000 with a sitewide median around $68,900. Used units generally center near $55,000 and new near $82,500, but you'll see everything from budget older tandems to premium multi-axle hydraulic RGNs with boosters in the six figures.
- Used: typically $3,500–$384,990, median ~$55,000
- New: typically $5,950–$447,145, median ~$82,500
Price moves with capacity (tons), neck type (hydraulic vs mechanical), axle count/booster, suspension, floor, and options like outriggers, winches, chain drops, and lighting.
What capacity (tons) do I need?
35-ton covers many smaller dozers and loaders. 50–55-ton is the sweet spot for mid-size excavators and heavier machines. If you're routinely over that, plan on a tri plus a flip/booster or a jeep/dolly depending on your routes and permits.
Always size to the machine's operating weight with attachments and check axle/bridge laws for your states and typical corridors.
What length should I look for—does well length matter?
Most lowboys we see are 48–53 ft overall (53 ft is most common). More important is the well length—that's the usable deck between the drops. Match well length to your machine's wheel/track base. If your track width is wide, make sure the trailer has outriggers or removable swing-outs.
Hydraulic vs mechanical detach—what's the trade-off?
Hydraulic RGN loads easier and faster, especially on uneven ground, and is worth it if you're loading frequently. Mechanical costs less, weighs less, and has fewer hydraulic components to service. Both are proven—the right choice depends on your crew and cycle times.
Tandem or tri? Do I need a flip axle or booster?
Tandem and tri are the most common. Add a flip axle for occasional higher weights, or a booster when you need to spread loads for bridge and stay legal. Your routes and state rules will drive this more than anything else.
What suspension and floor should I pick?
Air ride is the most common on the market for smoother ride and easier load protection. Spring is simple and rugged. Floors are typically Apitong/wood or wood over steel—wood is grippy and easy to repair, steel is durable for point loads.
What should I inspect on a used lowboy?
Look closely at neck pins, hinge points, and the gooseneck saddle. Check the well for bowing or cracked gussets, main beams for rust at welds, and air system leaks. Verify suspension bushings, hub oil, brakes, and lights. If it has a flip or booster, inspect the hardware and plumbing as a separate system.