Styles and Uses of Equipment Trailers

Welcome to the world of equipment trailers, where functionality and versatility come together to revolutionize the way you transport heavy machinery and equipment. Whether you’re a seasoned professional in the construction industry, an avid DIY enthusiast, or an entrepreneur seeking efficient logistics solutions, understanding the various styles and uses of equipment trailers is essential for maximizing productivity and streamlining your operations.

At Kaufman Trailers, our equipment trailer experts are sharing our wide variety of models to choose from, so that equipment trailer consumers understand our equipment trailer styles and uses better. Plus, we will provide helpful information you can use to choose the most beneficial model for your needs.

What is an Equipment Trailer?

With so many types of trailers on the market, it may be hard to identify the characteristics of an equipment trailer by name alone. An equipment trailer, also known as a utility trailer or flatbed trailer, is a specialized type of trailer designed for transporting heavy equipment, machinery, vehicles, and other large or bulky items. These trailers are specifically built to handle the weight and size of such items and provide a convenient and efficient method of transportation.

An equipment trailer is a trailer that has:

Fenders
The floor sitting down in between the fenders
A loading system for your equipment that incorporates either swing-up loading ramps or a tilting floor

Benefits of an Equipment Trailer

Some of the many benefits of an Equipment Trailer include:

Versatile Cargo Capacity: Equipment trailers come in various sizes and payload capacities, allowing you to transport a wide range of equipment, machinery, vehicles, and large or bulky items.
Ease of Loading and Unloading: Many equipment trailers are designed with features that simplify the loading and unloading process. Ramps, beavertails, hydraulic lifts, or tilt beds make it easier to drive or roll equipment onto the trailer, saving you time and effort.
Enhanced Safety: Equipment trailers are built with stability and safety in mind. They typically feature sturdy construction, reinforced frames, and reliable braking systems to ensure secure transportation of heavy loads.
Efficient Towing: Equipment trailers are designed to be towed by a variety of vehicles, including pickup trucks, SUVs, or specialized towing vehicles. They distribute the weight of the cargo evenly, improving towing stability and reducing strain on the towing vehicle. This allows for more efficient and controlled towing, even on long-distance journeys.
Increased Productivity: By having an equipment trailer at your disposal, you can transport your machinery and equipment to different job sites or locations easily. This saves valuable time and resources that would otherwise be spent arranging third-party transportation or hiring specialized equipment for each project.
Cost Savings: Rather than relying on rental services or outsourcing transportation, owning a trailer gives you control over your logistics, eliminating recurring rental fees and the potential for delays or availability issues.
Increased Mobility: With an equipment trailer, you have the freedom to move your machinery and equipment whenever and wherever needed.
Diverse Applications: Equipment trailers have wide-ranging applications across multiple industries. They are commonly used in construction, agriculture, landscaping, utility services, transportation, and more. Regardless of your specific industry or profession, having an equipment trailer offers the versatility to meet your unique hauling needs.

Equipment Trailer vs Flatbed and Gooseneck Trailers

Other products that we offer also serve the same purpose of hauling equipment but are designated with a different name description. Products that fall under these other name descriptions include flatbed trailers and gooseneck flatbed trailers. While these two families of trailers could technically be described as “equipment trailers,” they technically are not. This is because if the floor is over the tires we refer to the trailer description with the “Flatbed” designation instead of the “equipment” designation.

6 Styles of Equipment Trailers

Kaufman Trailers offers six different equipment trailer families– each of these families carries both “Standard” and “Deluxe” models. For each style of equipment trailer, the mainframe and running gear is always the same on the Standard or Deluxe models. Beyond that, there are significant differences. For instance, deluxe trailers always add additional features that are packaged in a one-price deal. This offers great savings compared to pricing these separately as an a la carte package.

The following equipment trailer styles and uses offer various suggestions for which type of Kaufman Equipment Trailer might work best for you.

#1 – Contractor and General Use Equipment Trailers

Contractor and General Use Equipment Trailers are great for an all-around trailer and are sold in both standard or deluxe equipment trailer options. This model has an all-channel iron frame, with a dovetail and swing-up loading ramps. It is ideal to use for hauling a skid steer or mini-excavator. It is also easy to load palletized materials since the floor is even with the top of the frame. This is important for pulling the forks back out of a pallet of materials that have been set on the trailer. This model is offered in GVW ratings from 7,000 to 17,000 lb.

Characteristics

Sturdy construction for heavy-duty use
Flatbed design for versatile cargo transport
Multiple length and width options available
Payload capacities ranging from light to heavy loads
Durable flooring materials, such as treated wood or steel
Built-in tie-down points for securing equipment
Ramp options for easy loading and unloading
Lighting and braking systems for safety on the road
Various hitch options (pintle, ball, or combo) for towing flexibility

Best Used For

Construction equipment and tools
Landscaping and gardening supplies
Building materials and supplies
Small to medium-sized machinery and vehicles
General-purpose hauling and transportation needs

#2 – Gooseneck Equipment Trailers

Despite the Gooseneck Equipment Trailer essentially being the same trailer as described above, the difference is a gooseneck hitch, which allows the trailer and load to be pulled from the center of the truck bed instead of the back of the vehicle. This adds considerable carrying capability to the tow vehicle with a much-improved degree of towing safety.

Characteristics

Gooseneck hitch design for improved stability and weight distribution
Greater towing capacity compared to bumper pull trailers
Heavy-duty construction for demanding loads
Spacious deck length for accommodating large equipment
Multiple axle configurations for increased load capacity
Wide range of payload capacities available

Best Used For

Heavy machinery and equipment transportation
Construction and industrial applications
Farming and agriculture equipment
Large vehicles, such as trucks or tractors

#3 – Skid Steer Trailers

The main difference in the skid steer trailer model of equipment trailers is that the floor sits down in the frame instead of being even with the top of the frame. The benefit of this is a lower loading height and there is a lip sticking up on each side of the trailer bed for an extra degree of safety as you load your machine.

Characteristics

Specially designed for skid steer loaders and other compact equipment
Low-profile design for ease of loading and unloading
Tilt or ramp options for convenient equipment access
Reinforced construction to withstand heavy loads
Various lengths and widths to accommodate different equipment sizes
Tie-down points for securing the equipment during transit

Best Used For

Skid steer loaders
Mini excavators and compact construction equipment
Landscaping and hardscaping equipment
Small utility vehicles and ATVs

#4 – Tilt Equipment Trailers

The tilt equipment trailer is a part of Kaufman Trailer’s most popular product line. This trailer is very versatile. You can load palletized materials on the fixed front section, then load a piece of equipment on the tilting back section. There are no ramps to bother with and the entire loading process is much safer with the full width of the floor lowering to ground level for loading. As the equipment comes up on the bed and the center of gravity changes, the bed lowers back into the travel position. This transition is kept smooth with a damper cylinder that lowers the bed slowly.

Characteristics

Hydraulic or manual tilt bed for easy loading and unloading
Fixed or adjustable tilt angles to accommodate various equipment
Heavy-duty construction for durability
Multiple lengths and widths available
Wide range of payload capacities
Integrated ramps for additional versatility

Best Used For

Equipment with wheels or tracks
Construction equipment and machinery
Small to medium-sized vehicles and trailers

#5 – Gooseneck Tilt Equipment Trailers

Gooseneck Tilt Equipment Trailer is the gooseneck version of the same equipment trailer as described above. The gooseneck hitch allows the trailer and load to be pulled from the center of the bed instead of the back of the vehicle. Because of this increased hitch load capacity, we offer longer, fixed floor sections in front of the tilting section. Again, additional carrying capability and improved safety while towing are the benefits gained.

Characteristics

Combination of gooseneck hitch and tilt bed design
Enhanced stability and weight distribution
Heavy-duty construction for demanding loads
Hydraulic or manual tilt bed for easy loading and unloading
Various lengths and widths available
Wide range of payload capacities

Best Used For

Heavy machinery and equipment transportation
Construction and industrial applications
Farming and agriculture equipment
Large vehicles, such as trucks or tractors

#6 – Gravity Tilt Equipment Trailers

Our Gravity Tilt Equipment Trailer model is different in two ways from our regular equipment tilt trailers in that the floor sits down in the frame instead of being even with the top of the frame and the complete floor tilts instead of having a fixed front section in front of the tilting section. The main benefit is a shallower loading angle and the trailer is more maneuverable in tight working conditions where space is constricted. We also offer this model in a super heavy-duty version for hauling conventional forklifts.

Characteristics

Gravity-operated tilting mechanism for convenient loading and unloading
No hydraulics or manual effort required
Durable construction for long-lasting use
Available in various lengths and widths
Suitable for medium-sized equipment and machinery
Tilt lock feature for secure transport

Best Used For

Equipment with wheels or tracks
Construction equipment and machinery
Small to medium-sized vehicles and trailers

Equipment Trailer Styles and Uses By Kaufman Trailers

Are you ready to unlock the full potential of equipment trailers and revolutionize the way you transport heavy machinery and equipment? Look no further than Kaufman Trailers, your trusted partner in trailer manufacturing and innovation.

Whether you’re a construction professional, landscaper, farmer, or DIY enthusiast, understanding the right equipment trailer for your needs is crucial for enhancing productivity and streamlining operations. We offer a wide range of top-quality equipment trailers designed to meet the demands of various industries. Invest in a Kaufman Trailer and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with owning a reliable, durable, and versatile equipment transportation solution.

To process an order, inquire about our inventory, or ask a question about our equipment trailers, contact us today by calling 866-455-7444 or filling out our contact form.