Equipment Hauling 101: What You Need to Know

Hauling heavy equipment requires more planning, the right trailer, and safe loading techniques. A mistake can cost thousands in equipment damage — or worse. ## Choosing the Right Equipment Trailer For skid steers and compact excavators under 10,000 lbs: a 14,000 lb GVWR equipment trailer with slide-out ramps is typically sufficient. For larger equipment: step up to a deckover or gooseneck trailer with ratings of 20,000 lbs or more. Always leave a 20% safety margin between your equipment weight and trailer GVWR. ## Loading Safely 1. Park on level ground whenever possible 2. Set the trailer brakes before loading 3. Approach the ramps slowly and straight 4. Keep all bystanders well clear of the loading area 5. Load heavy equipment with center of gravity forward of the axles ## Securing Your Load Heavy equipment should be secured with at least 4 chain binders attached to the machine’s designated tie-down points. Never use the bucket, blade, or hydraulic cylinders as tie-down points. Use transport chains rated for the load. ## Permits for Oversize Loads If your equipment or trailer combination exceeds 8.5ft wide, 14ft tall, or 65ft total length, you’ll need an oversize load permit in Texas. Contact TxDOT for permit requirements and route approvals. ## Regular Trailer Inspection Equipment trailers take a beating. Inspect the deck boards or steel floor regularly for cracks. Check the ramp hinges and pins after every few loads. Inspect the tie-down rings for cracks or deformation.