Flatbed vs. Step Deck vs. RGN: Which Trailer Do You Need?
The trailer decides whether your machine ships legal or oversize, and it is the single biggest factor in open-deck pricing. Here is the difference between the three trailers that move almost all heavy equipment.
Flatbed — the simplest deck
A standard flatbed has a single deck about 5 feet off the ground and hauls up to roughly 48,000 lbs. It works for machines that are short enough to stay under 13'6" total height once loaded — skid steers, small forklifts, attachments, and low equipment. It is the cheapest option when the machine fits.
Step deck — lower deck, taller loads
A step deck (drop deck) has an upper and a lower deck. The lower deck sits closer to the ground, so taller machines stay under legal height without a permit. Backhoes, mid-size equipment, and taller forklifts commonly ride here. Weight capacity is similar to a flatbed.
RGN / lowboy — for the heavy and tall
A removable gooseneck (RGN), or lowboy, detaches at the front so the machine can drive up onto a very low deck. That low deck height is what lets tall, heavy machines — large excavators, dozers, graders, big loaders — ship legally. Multi-axle RGNs spread very heavy loads across more axles to stay within road weight limits. It is the most capable and the most expensive of the three.
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(208) 495-2260Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a step deck and an RGN?
A step deck has a fixed two-level deck for taller legal loads; an RGN detaches at the front and sits much lower to the ground for the tallest, heaviest machines that need a drive-on low deck.
What is the legal height limit for a load?
Most states cap total loaded height at 13 feet 6 inches. Above that, the load needs an oversize height permit and careful routing around low bridges.
How much weight can an RGN carry?
A standard RGN handles around 40,000–50,000 lbs, and multi-axle configurations carry well over 100,000 lbs by adding axles to stay legal on weight.