Used and new lowboy trailers
A lowboy (or low-bed) trailer is a platform semi-trailer with a lowered deck designed for transporting heavy machinery, industrial vehicles and indivisible oversized loads. The reduced loading height (800-900 mm from ground) allows transport of machinery that would exceed the 4-metre maximum height on a conventional semi-trailer.
Specialist manufacturers
- DOLL (Germany): Leading manufacturer of lowboys up to 250 tonnes. The Panther (2-4 axles) and Vario (modular) series stand out for engineering with Domex/Strenx high-strength steel that minimises kerb weight. Coatrucks is the official DOLL distributor in Spain.
- Faymonville (Belgium): Benchmark in exceptional transport. The MultiMAX range offers extendable 2-5 axle lowboys with independent hydraulic steering per axle. Specialists in bespoke configurations.
- Nooteboom (Netherlands): Over 140 years of history. The OSDS (3-4 axles) and MCO (multi-axle) series are industry standards. Pendular suspensión technology for uneven terrain and self-steering systems.
- Goldhofer (Germany): Leader in heavy transport over 100 tonnes. Combinable STZ-L modules for unlimited configurations. PST self-propelled systems for ultra-special loads.
Lowboy types
- Fixed low-bed: 2-4 axles, 25-50 tonne payload. For excavators, backhoe loaders, wheel loaders. Hydraulic or mechanical rear ramps for self-loading.
- Extendable: Telescopic neck or extendable centre section. For long loads: steel beams, precast concrete, wind turbine blades, steel structures. Up to 25 metres usable length.
- Modular: Axle units combined into bespoke configurations. For special transport over 100 tonnes. Distribute weight across more axles to comply with per-axle weight limits in each country.
Permits and regulations
Transport of loads exceeding standard dimensions or weights requires a special transport permit issued by the competent traffic authority. In Spain this is managed by the DGT. Requirements include: pilot vehicle, special signage, restricted hours (generally overnight on motorways) and specific liability insurance.