How to Load a Lowboy Trailer: Safety Tips for Heavy Equipment
Loading heavy equipment onto a lowboy trailer is one of the most safety-critical operations in heavy hauling. A 40,000-pound excavator that shifts or falls during loading can cause catastrophic injury, equipment damage, and trailer damage. This guide covers the step-by-step loading procedure for both RGN (drive-on) and FGN (crane) loading methods, proper securement using chains and binders, weight distribution, and the pre-trip inspection you should perform before every haul.
4 Min
Chains per 10 ft of Cargo
6,600 lbs
3/8" Grade 70 WLL
50%
Min Tie-Down WLL Ratio
20-45 min
RGN Load Time
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years coordinating heavy equipment loading, verifying cargo securement compliance, and managing heavy haul safety procedures
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingHow to Load a Lowboy Trailer: Safety Tips for Heavy Equipment (2026)
Key Takeaways
- RGN (drive-on) loading suits self-propelled equipment; fixed-gooseneck (FGN) lowboys and non-mobile loads require a crane.
- FMCSA requires at least 2 tie-downs for cargo up to 10 ft and 4 for cargo over 10 ft, plus one more per additional 10 ft.
- The aggregate working load limit of all tie-downs must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight.
- 3/8-inch Grade 70 chain (6,600 lbs WLL) is the standard for most heavy equipment between 20,000 and 50,000 lbs.
- Lower all booms, buckets, and blades before transport, and re-inspect securement within the first 50 miles as FMCSA requires.
Before Loading: Essential Preparation
Before any equipment touches the trailer, complete these preparation steps:
Verify equipment weight — Confirm the actual weight of the equipment being loaded. Do not rely on estimates. Compare against your available payload capacity (see our weight capacity guide).
Measure equipment dimensions — Measure height, width, and length of the equipment, including any attachments (buckets, booms, blades). Compare against trailer deck dimensions and legal limits.
Inspect the loading surface — Ensure the ground at the loading site is level, firm, and stable. Soft ground can cause the trailer to tilt or sink during loading. If the ground is questionable, use cribbing or move to a paved area.
Inspect the trailer — Check tires, brakes, lights, deck surface, tie-down points, and (for RGN) the hydraulic system before loading. A damaged tie-down point discovered after loading means unloading the equipment to fix it.
Prepare securement equipment — Lay out all chains, binders, straps, and dunnage you will need before loading begins. Grade 70 transport chains are standard for heavy equipment. Verify all hardware is in good condition with no visible damage.
Lower all attachments — Lower the equipment's bucket, blade, boom, and any other raised components to their lowest position. This reduces overall height and lowers the center of gravity for safer transport.
RGN Drive-On Loading Procedure
Drive-on loading using an RGN (removable gooseneck) trailer is the fastest and most common method for self-propelled equipment:
Position the Trailer on Level Ground
Back the trailer into position on level, firm ground. Set the trailer brakes and chock the rear wheels. Ensure the area in front of the trailer is clear for the gooseneck to be removed and for equipment to approach.
Detach the Gooseneck
Activate the hydraulic detach system (or remove mechanical pins). The gooseneck disconnects from the trailer deck. Pull the tractor and gooseneck forward. The front of the trailer deck will drop to ground level, creating a gradual loading ramp (typically 5 to 8 degree angle).
Drive Equipment Onto the Deck
The equipment operator drives the machine slowly onto the trailer from the front, up the ramp created by the lowered deck. Use a spotter to guide the operator. Center the equipment on the deck and position it according to your weight distribution plan. Keep speed to a minimum — typically walking pace.
Lower Attachments and Shut Down
Once in position, lower all buckets, blades, and booms to their lowest point. Shut down the equipment, engage the parking brake (if equipped), and remove the ignition key. For tracked equipment, lower the tracks flat against the deck surface.
Re-Attach the Gooseneck
Back the tractor so the gooseneck reconnects to the trailer deck. Engage the hydraulic or mechanical connection. Verify the connection is fully locked and secure. Connect all air lines, electrical connections, and safety chains between the gooseneck and trailer.
Secure the Equipment
Apply chains, binders, and any additional securement according to FMCSA requirements (detailed below). Secure all loose components separately — buckets, quick couplers, hydraulic lines, mirrors, and any removable parts.
Crane Loading (FGN Trailers)
Crane loading is required for fixed gooseneck (FGN) lowboys and for non-mobile equipment that cannot drive onto a trailer:
Verify crane capacity — The crane must be rated for the weight of the equipment plus the rigging (slings, spreader bars, shackles). Typical safety factor: crane capacity should be at least 125% of the load weight.
Position the crane alongside the trailer — The crane must be on firm, level ground with outriggers fully extended. The lift path should be clear of overhead obstructions (power lines, tree branches, structures).
Attach rigging to designated lift points — Use the equipment manufacturer's designated lift points. Never rig to non-load-bearing components. Use appropriate slings rated for the load weight.
Lift, swing, and lower onto the deck — Lift the equipment clear of the ground, swing over the trailer deck, and lower slowly onto the planned position. Use tag lines to control swing. Place dunnage or blocking under the equipment as needed before releasing the load from the crane.
Never Stand Under a Suspended Load
FMCSA Cargo Securement Requirements
FMCSA regulations (49 CFR Part 393, Subpart I) set minimum securement requirements for all cargo, including heavy equipment on lowboy trailers. Here are the key rules:
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Minimum tie-downs (under 10 ft) | 2 tie-downs minimum |
| Minimum tie-downs (over 10 ft) | 4 tie-downs, plus 1 per additional 10 ft or fraction |
| Aggregate working load limit | Must equal at least 50% of cargo weight |
| Prevention of movement | Cargo must not shift forward, rearward, sideways, or vertically |
| Re-inspection requirement | Within first 50 miles, then every 3 hours or 150 miles |
Chains, Binders & Securement Hardware
Grade 70 transport chains are the standard for securing heavy equipment on lowboy trailers. Here are the specifications you need to know:
| Chain Size | Working Load Limit | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| 5/16" Grade 70 | 4,700 lbs | Lighter equipment under 20,000 lbs |
| 3/8" Grade 70 | 6,600 lbs | Most common for heavy equipment (20K-50K lbs) |
| 1/2" Grade 70 | 11,300 lbs | Very heavy equipment (50K-80K+ lbs) |
Load binders are used to tension the chains. Two types are common:
- Ratchet binders — Use a ratcheting mechanism to tighten chains gradually. Safer and easier to operate. Preferred for most applications.
- Lever (snap) binders — Use a lever action for quick tensioning. Faster but require more operator skill and can release violently if improperly handled. Use caution.
Calculate Chain Requirements Before Loading
Weight Distribution on the Deck
Where you place equipment on the lowboy deck directly affects axle weights and vehicle stability. Improper placement can cause overweight axles (even with a legal total GVW) or dangerous handling characteristics.
Center the equipment on the deck — Position the equipment's center of gravity as close to the center of the well as possible, both front-to-back and side-to-side. This distributes weight most evenly across all axle groups.
Adjust for heavy ends — Equipment like excavators has more weight at the upper body (cab + boom) end. Position the heavier end toward the center of the well, not toward the front or rear edge.
Check individual axle weights — After loading and before leaving the site, weigh each axle group (steer, drive, trailer) to confirm no group exceeds its legal limit. See our weight capacity guide for axle limits.
Pre-Trip Inspection After Loading
After loading and securing equipment, perform a complete pre-trip inspection before departing:
Walk around the entire load — Visually inspect every chain, binder, and tie-down point. Check that all chains are tensioned with no slack, binders are fully engaged, and no chain is rubbing against a sharp edge that could cause failure during transport.
Measure overall height — Use a measuring pole or tape to verify the highest point of the loaded vehicle is under 13'6" (or your permitted height). Measure at the highest point of the equipment plus any securement hardware on top.
Check overall width — If the equipment extends beyond the 8'6" trailer width, verify you have the required overwide permits and that flags, lights, or banners are properly positioned on the load edges.
Verify all lights are visible — The loaded equipment should not block the trailer's tail lights, turn signals, or clearance lights. If any lights are obstructed, attach temporary lights to the rear of the load.
Re-check after first 50 miles — FMCSA requires a securement re-inspection within the first 50 miles of travel. Stop, walk the load, re-tension any chains that have loosened, and verify nothing has shifted.
Common Loading Mistakes to Avoid
Not lowering the boom or bucket before transport — A raised excavator boom adds 3 to 5 feet of height and raises the center of gravity dramatically. Always lower all attachments to their lowest position.
Using worn or damaged chains — Inspect every chain for stretched links, cracks, and excessive wear before each use. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Replace any chain showing signs of damage.
Not securing loose components — Loose buckets, quick couplers, hydraulic lines, and mirrors can shake free during transport and become road hazards. Secure or remove every loose item.
Loading on soft or uneven ground — The trailer can tilt or sink, causing the equipment to slide or the trailer to be damaged. Always load on firm, level surfaces.
Skipping the first 50-mile re-check — Chains loosen during the first miles of travel as the equipment and trailer settle. Failing to re-check is both a safety risk and an FMCSA violation.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many chains do you need to secure equipment on a lowboy?
FMCSA requires at least 2 tie-downs for cargo up to 10 ft long, and 4 tie-downs for cargo over 10 ft, plus 1 more for each additional 10 ft. The aggregate working load limit of all tie-downs must equal at least 50% of the cargo weight. Heavy equipment with its own drive train usually also needs separate chains on the front and rear of the machine. When in doubt, add more chains — exceeding the minimum is always allowed.
Can you load a lowboy trailer without a crane?
Yes. Self-propelled equipment such as excavators, dozers, and loaders are usually driven on using an RGN (removable gooseneck) lowboy, where the gooseneck detaches and the front of the deck drops to the ground to form a ramp. A crane is only required for fixed-gooseneck (FGN) lowboys or for non-mobile equipment that cannot drive onto the deck.
How long does it take to load a lowboy trailer?
Drive-on (RGN) loading of self-propelled equipment typically takes 20 to 45 minutes including detaching the gooseneck, positioning the machine, re-attaching, and securement. Crane loading takes longer because of rigging, lift setup, and outrigger positioning. Securement and the post-loading pre-trip inspection are the steps most often rushed — never skip them to save time.
Do you need a permit to haul equipment on a lowboy?
If the loaded height, width, length, or weight exceeds your state's legal limits (commonly 13 ft 6 in high, 8 ft 6 in wide, and standard axle weights), you need an oversize/overweight permit from each state you travel through. Routes, travel hours, and escort or flag requirements vary by state, so confirm the live rules with each state's permit office before the haul.
How Our Team Supports Safe Loading
At O Trucking LLC, we coordinate the loading logistics for every heavy haul load — verifying equipment weight and dimensions, confirming trailer compatibility, and ensuring our carriers have the right securement equipment before they arrive at the loading site. Safe loading starts with proper planning, and that is our job. For the full lowboy reference, see our lowboy trailer glossary page.
Need Dispatch That Prioritizes Safety?
Our team coordinates every aspect of heavy haul loading — from trailer matching to securement verification. Your equipment arrives safely because we plan every detail.