How to Ship a Vacuum Excavator Truck: Dimensions, Trailers & Costs

Vacuum Excavator Truck Specifications

Vacuum excavator trucks vary significantly in size depending on the manufacturer and tank capacity. Understanding your specific unit's specs is the first step in arranging transport:

• Compact / Trailer-Mounted Units: 8,000–18,000 lbs, typically 20–28 ft long, 8–8.5 ft wide. Often transportable on a standard flatbed or step-deck without oversize permits.
• Mid-Size Truck-Mounted Units: 25,000–45,000 lbs, 28–35 ft long, 8–8.5 ft wide. May require a step-deck or lowboy depending on height with boom raised.
• Large / Industrial Hydrovac Trucks: 50,000–80,000+ lbs, 35–45 ft long, up to 8.5 ft wide. Typically require a lowboy or RGN trailer and may trigger overweight permits.

Always obtain the exact operating weight, overall length, width, and height (with boom in transport position) from the manufacturer's spec sheet before requesting a shipping quote.

Trailer Selection

The correct trailer depends on the machine's weight and height in transport configuration:

• Flatbed (48–53 ft): Suitable for compact trailer-mounted units and smaller truck-mounted hydrovacs that fit within 8.5 ft wide and 13.5 ft tall.
• Step-Deck / Drop Deck: Adds 18–24 inches of vertical clearance for mid-size units with taller boom assemblies or tank configurations.
• Lowboy / RGN: Required for large industrial hydrovac trucks exceeding 13.5 ft in height or 80,000 lbs GVW. The low deck keeps the machine within legal height limits.
• Multi-Axle Lowboy: For the heaviest units exceeding 80,000 lbs — distributes weight across additional axles to meet bridge law requirements.

Permit Requirements

Federal legal limits apply nationwide: 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight, 8.5 ft width, 13.5 ft height. Most mid-size and large vacuum excavator trucks will trigger at least one of these thresholds. Oversize/overweight permits are required from each state the load travels through. Pilot cars (escort vehicles) are required in most states for loads wider than 12 ft. Your carrier handles all permit applications — provide accurate dimensions and weight at booking to avoid delays.

Preparing Your Vacuum Excavator for Transport

• Lower and secure the boom: The vacuum boom must be fully retracted and locked in its transport cradle to minimize height and prevent movement during transit.
• Drain the debris tank: Empty and rinse the debris tank before transport. Carriers may refuse to haul units with liquid or semi-liquid debris loads due to weight and spill risk.
• Drain the water tank: Remove water from the pressure tank to reduce weight and prevent freezing in cold weather.
• Secure hoses and attachments: Coil and secure all vacuum hoses, water hoses, and nozzle attachments to prevent damage or loss during transit.
• Document condition: Photograph the machine from all angles, including the boom, tank, and undercarriage, with timestamps before the carrier takes possession.

Loading Considerations

Vacuum excavator trucks are self-propelled and can typically drive onto a lowboy or RGN trailer under their own power. However, if the unit is non-running or has a mechanical issue, a crane or heavy-duty wrecker will be needed for loading — add $300–$800 to the shipping cost for crane-assisted loading. Confirm that the pickup and delivery sites have adequate space for a large truck-trailer combination to maneuver.

Shipping Cost Factors

IronHaul Logistics moves vacuum excavator trucks and hydrovac equipment nationwide. Our team handles permit coordination, carrier dispatch, and route planning so your machine arrives safely and on schedule. Call (208) 495-2260, email [email protected], or submit your load details through our online quote form for a competitive rate.