---
title: Shipping Machinery — The 8 Choices in Transporting Machinery
description: There are many kinds of trailers that you can use to transport machinery. The type of trailer that you use often depends on the kind of fabricating equipment you're shipping.
---

[SFMS Blog | Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales ](https://www.southernfabsales.com/blog)

# [Shipping Machinery — The 8 Choices in Transporting Machinery](https://www.southernfabsales.com/blog/shipping-choices-in-transporting-machinery)

 Written by [Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales](https://www.southernfabsales.com/blog/author/southern-fabricating-machinery-sales) | December 3, 2018

Depending on the type of equipment you’re moving, there are many different equipment options to choose from [when shipping machinery](https://www.southernfabsales.com/blog/shipping-machinery-terms). From box trailers to flatbeds, your trucking broker or trucking company has a wide selection of tools to help make your machinery move smooth, safe and affordable. Below is a selection of the most common trailer types along with their carrying/load capacities. It's a good idea to familiarize yourself with these terminologies and descriptions when discussing your equipment move. (Note: Photos Courtesy of [Nationwide Transportation, Inc](http://nwtransportation.com/).)

## **FLATBED**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below. It's also available in a few variations—such as the Curtainside (hard pan top with tarp sides) and the Conestoga (the convertible of trailers):

## **SINGLE-DROP DECK (AKA STEPDECK)**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **DOUBLE-DROP DECK**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **DOUBLE-DROP W/DETACHABLE DECK (AKA LOWBOY, REMOVABLE GOOSE NECK/RGN)**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **ENCLOSED BOX TRAILER (AKA DRY VAN)**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **STRETCH FLATBED**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **STRETCH SINGLE-DROP DECK**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

## **STRETCH DOUBLE-DROP DECK — 2 OR 3 AXLES (DEPENDING ON WEIGHT)**

This trailer accommodates freight with the maximum legal weight and dimensions shown below:

Whether you’re moving a few thousand pounds of equipment or a few hundred thousand pounds, your trucking representative has all these tools (and a few more) available to them to ensure your load is moved safely. From standard flatbeds to over-dimensional, over-weight, and multi-axle loads, your rep can assist you in getting the right equipment at the right price.

If you are moving any machinery or electronically-controlled equipment, always make sure your loads are shipped via an Air-Ride Trailer (which reduces vibration tremendously) and is fully enclosed or tarped to prevent water invasion during transport. Tarping your load might cost a few dollars more, but it’s well worth the investment to avoid the risks involved in moving the load un-tarped.

[Call the machinery experts](https://www.southernfabsales.com/contact-us) at *Southern Fabricating Machinery Sales, Inc. *today for more answers to your questions about transporting your equipment—or just questions about equipment in general. We love to chat with our customers about all the ways we can save you money, frustration, and headaches, including with transportation.

(Special Thanks to [Nationwide Transport](http://nwtransportation.com/) and Scott Hecht (331) 481-5812 for the graphics and help)

[View full post](https://www.southernfabsales.com/blog/shipping-choices-in-transporting-machinery)

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