Trailers built with a drop in the deck height. The upper part of the deck drops in height directly after it clears the back of the driving unit and sits on the back of the tractor unit.

Has the same basic design as a drop deck, however, the trailer’s body can extend for loads that are long and cannot extend over the back end of the trailer, yet still require the support of the trailer under its entire body.

Connects to the hauling unit by a permanently attached modifiable bar that is affixed to the bed.

A trailer with a very low bed and two height drops in the deck, allowing a maximum capacity of up to 12 feet in height.

Otherwise referred to as a drop deck or lowboy trailer, is a commercial trailer designed to carry tall cargo that exceeds the legal height limit if transported on a traditional flatbed trailer. Transporting tall cargo on a step deck prevents drivers and operators from having to obtain permits.

While dunnage isn’t a typical vocabulary word used in the average conversation, it is a common term for most shippers. Used to describe the packaging materials that keep goods in place during shipping like bubble wrap, kraft paper, crinkle paper, plastic bracing, fillers, planks, blocks, and boards, dunnage is any material used to help secure and support packages throughout the shipping and handling process. In Heavy Hauling, dunnage will be made from sturdier materials, such as wood, heavy-duty plastic, or metal.

The commodity footprint is a term used quite often and with a lot of confusion. Basically, it means the amount of space the commodity is using to sit or is touching on the trailer. This becomes very important when dealing with a step deck or double drop trailer where there are upper and lower decks.