You will always find a great selection of used low loader semi-trailers for sale at Truckpages. Low loaders are typically trailers with a step frame and small set of rear wheels. This makes the loading height from the rear of the trailer very low (hence the name). Using built-in ramps a piece of construction equipment can be driven onto the trailer or dragged onto the trailer using a winch built into the front of the trailer. They can also be called machine carriers – as they carry machinery. The loading ramps are usually hydraulically assisted – or better still, fully automatic. Often you can find a ‘cheesewedge’ set of ramps that fold up totally making the folded ramp into part of the loading floor not wasting any loading space at all. Typically, the low loaders will be tri axle semi trailers, but for heavier special types STGO operation there may be 4-axle or more in use. Remember to check out the heavy haulage tractor unit category if you operate in this market.
Instead of ramps, you may find some trailers with removable ‘goosenecks’ for loading. Other designs will make full use of the neck of the trailer by having ramps where the machines can be loaded right up on top of the tractor unit’s fifth wheel. Finding used low loaders at Truckpages is straightforward – there are examples from plenty of different manufacturers with Andover, Montracon and Nooteboom being the most common. If you are looking from an extendable low loader, you may wish to browse the extendable trailers category.
These trailers are valuable pieces of equipment and tend to be kept for quite some time so the original buyer can recoup their investment. If you can find a late, good condition used low loader then snap it up!
If you are looking at an older low loader trailer then consider the condition and maintenance schedule that it has enjoyed. As an indication, if all of the tyres are on their last legs, this may indicate the condition of the rest of the trailer.
If the trailer is fitted with a winch and/or hydraulic ramps test them to make sure they work perfectly – if possible test the winch with a load.
There are plenty of European manufacturers of low loader trailers – some concentrating on standard tri-axle 40ft low loaders and others concentrating on extendable trailers and those designed for extreme heavy haulage.
Dennison Irish company making lots of types of trailers including Low Loaders
Montracon Part of the Ballyvesey Group, Doancaster based business manufacturers a range of trailers including low loaders.
Nooteboom Dutch manufacturer of specialist low loader and extendable trailers.
Broshuis – Dutch business specialising in low loaders since 1956
Faymonville Family company from Belgium
MAX Trailer (Part of Faymonville Group)
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