Commercial Equipment
Step Deck (Drop Deck)
Taller Open-Deck Machinery & Equipment Transport
Step deck trailers feature a lowered bottom deck designed to haul taller cargo (up to 10ft high) without requiring special oversize transit permits.
Standard Length
48ft - 53ft
Trailer exterior or combination dimension.
Maximum Payload
48,000 lbs
Subject to federal 80,000 lbs GVWR limits.
Pallet Capacity
Upper Deck + Lower Deck
Standard 48x40-inch GMA pallet layout.
Typical Transported Commodities
- Tractors & Agricultural Equipment
- Generators
- Excavators
- Prefab Components
FMCSA Verification Checklist
Operating Authority:
For-hire motor carriers must maintain active FMCSA Property Carrier Authority.
Insurance Filings:
Form BMC-91X primary liability ($750K to $1M+) and sufficient commercial cargo policy limits.
Frequently Asked Questions
How high can cargo be on a step deck without an oversize permit?
Because the lower well sits closer to the ground (approx. 36-38 inches), cargo up to 10 feet tall can usually travel legally under standard 13ft 6in highway overpass clearances.