Mercer Transportation

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Types of Trailers

Typical Trailers and Legal Load Limits

Mercer Transportation is one of the leading freight carriers in the United States, known for its reliable and diverse transportation solutions. With decades of experience, Mercer serves a range of industries, from construction and manufacturing to commercial and government contracts. By providing access to a variety of trailer types, Mercer ensures that businesses can move their freight efficiently, safely, and on time. Each trailer type is equipped to handle a specific purpose, making Mercer Transportation a trusted partner for all logistics requirements.

View Mercer Transportation’s Equipment Types

Flatbed Trailers

Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions
46,000 – 48,000 lbs Length48′ – 53′ (576 – 636 inches)
Width8’6″ (102 inches)
Height8’6″ (102 inches)

Mercer Transportation operates a large fleet of over 1,300 standard flatbed trailers. A flatbed trailer is an open platform with no sides or roof, providing easy access for loading and unloading from all angles. This type of trailer is commonly used when the freight doesn’t fit inside a standard enclosed trailer. 

Flatbed Trailers are Best Used For
  • Construction materials like lumber, steel beams, and scaffolding.
  • Heavy machinery and large equipment such as excavators and tractors.
  • Auto transport, including cars and trucks.
  • Utility trailer transport and other oversized goods.
Benefits of Shipping with Flatbed Trailers
  • Versatile Loading: With no sides or roof, flat deck trailers allow easy loading from any direction. This is especially ideal for freight that can be loaded by cranes, forklifts, or other heavy equipment.
  • Accommodates Oversized Freight: Ideal for loads that exceed typical width restrictions.
  • Durability: Flatbeds are built for strength, handling some of the industry’s heavier loads.

Single Drop Deck Trailer

single drop deck trailer graphic
Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions
Main Deck
Max Freight Dimensions
Front Deck
45,000 – 48,000 lbsLength 37′ – 42′ (444 – 504 inches) 10′ – 11′ (120 – 132 inches)
Width8’6” (102 inches) 8’6″ (102 inches)
Height 10′ (120 inches) 8’6″ (102 inches)

Mercer also offers single drop deck trailers, also known as step deck trailers. These trailers have an upper and a lower deck, with the lower deck sitting closer to the ground. This design allows for transporting taller loads that wouldn’t fit on a standard flatbed or dry van.

Single Drop Deck Trailers are Best Used For
  • Heavy equipment such as forklifts, cranes, and industrial generators.
  • Construction materials like large piping and steel girders.
  • Machinery that requires extra height clearance.
Benefits of Shipping with a Step Deck Trailer
  • Greater Height Clearance: Allows for taller loads while still meeting height restrictions on roads and bridges.
  • Easy Loading: Lower deck height makes it easier to load and unload.

Dry Van Trailers

dry van graphic
Max Freight Weight Max Freight Dimensions
45,000 lbsLength52’6″ (630 inches)
Width8’6″ (102 inches)
Height9’2″ (110 inches)

Mercer’s fleet includes over 850 53 ft. dry van trailers, the industry standard for transporting goods. A dry van trailer is fully enclosed to protect cargo from weather and road conditions, making it ideal for most general freight shipments. Every Mercer dry van is equipped with E-Tracks, which provide extra cargo securement, ensuring that goods are safely anchored during transit and reducing the risk of damage.

Dry Van Trailers are Best Used For
  • Retail goods such as packaged products, clothing, and furniture.
  • Electronics that require protection during transport.
  • Non-perishable goods, including commercial products.
Benefits of Shipping with Dry Van Trailers
  • Secure and Protected: Goods are enclosed and protected from external elements such as rain, dust, and debris.
  • Versatile: Suitable for everything from consumer goods to electronics and recreational vehicles.
  • Efficient Loading: Dry vans are easy to load at a loading dock, making them ideal for businesses shipping large volumes of products.

Double Drop Deck (Lowboy)

lowboy trailer graphic
Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions Main Deck Max Freight Dimensions Front Deck Max Freight Dimensions Rear Deck
40,000 lbsLength 29′ (348 inches)10′ (120 inches)7’6″ (90 inches)
Width8’6″ (102 inches)8’6″ (102 inches)8’6″ (102 inches)
Height11’6″ (138 inches)8’6″ (102 inches) 10′ (120 inches)

Mercer Transportation also utilizes double drop deck trailers, commonly referred to as lowboy trailers. These trailers typically have a low middle section between two higher upper decks, which gives it extra height clearance for oversized equipment that is too tall for other types of trailers.

Double Drop Deck Trailers are Best Used For
  • Heavy construction equipment, including bulldozers, cranes, and excavators.
  • Oversized industrial machinery that requires extra height clearance.
  • Specialty loads such as wind turbine components or large steel structures.
Benefits of Shipping with Lowboy Trailers
  • Maximum Height Capacity: The lower deck design allows for transporting very tall loads while staying within legal height limits.
  • Handles Heavy Equipment: Lowboys can carry heavy machinery like bulldozers, cranes, and other industrial vehicles.
  • Detachable Deck Option: Mercer’s fleet includes removable gooseneck trailers (RGN), which make loading and unloading large equipment easier by detaching the front of the trailer.

Double Drop with Detachable Deck (Lowboy, RGN – Removable Gooseneck Trailer)

removable gooseneck graphic
Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions Main DeckMax Freight Dimensions Front DeckMax Freight Dimensions Rear Deck
38,000 lbsLength29′ (348 inches)10′ (120 inches)7’6″ (90 inches)
Width8’6″ (102 inches)8’6″ (102 inches)8’6″ (102 inches)
Height11’6″ (138 inches)8’6″ (102 inches) 10′ (120 inches)

Mercer also operates removable gooseneck trailers (RGN), a specialized type of lowboy trailer with a detachable front. The removable gooseneck trailer offers an advantage in loading heavy and oversized equipment from the ground level, as the gooseneck can be detached, allowing easy front access for drive-on loading.

Removable Gooseneck Trailers are Best Used For
  • Large equipment such as cranes, bulldozers, and other oversized machinery.
  • Motor vehicles including military vehicles and industrial equipment.
Benefits of Shipping with Removable Gooseneck Trailers
  • Easy Loading for Heavy Equipment: The detachable deck simplifies the process of loading and unloading large equipment like construction machinery.
  • Maximizes Height and Weight Capacity: With a lower deck, this RGN trailer allows for maximum height clearance and the ability to haul heavy loads.

Shipping Containers

20 ft. Container

Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions
66,139 lbsLength: 19’10.5″
Width: 8′
Height: 8’6″

40 ft. Container

Max Freight WeightMax Freight Dimensions
66,139 lbsLength: 40′
Width: 8′
Height: 8’6″

40 ft. High Cube Container

high cube container graphic
Max Freight Weight Max Freight Dimensions
68,008 lbsLength: 40′ (480 inches)
Width: 8′ (96 inches)
Height: 9’6″ (114 inches)

Mercer offers transportation for 20 ft. and 40 ft. containers, including high cube containers for taller cargo. The different sizes of shipping containers are fully enclosed and are commonly used for transporting large volumes of freight over long distances. They are also versatile, as they can be easily transferred across different modes of transportation, such as rail, truck, and ship.

Shipping Containers are Best Used For
  • Retail goods and consumer products in bulk.
  • Construction materials like steel and industrial supplies.
  • Non-perishable goods or heavy loads that need secure, enclosed transport.
Benefits of Shipping with Shipping Containers
  • Secure and Weatherproof: Shipping containers provide total protection from weather, dust, and damage during transport.
  • Optimized for Large Volumes: Containers are ideal for businesses moving large amounts of cargo, offering efficient space utilization.
  • Versatile Usage: Containers can be used for transporting goods across different modes of transportation, including rail, truck, and ship.

Reefer Trailers

Mercer Transportation offers 20 reefer trailers (refrigerated trailers) designed to transport temperature-sensitive freight. These enclosed trailers are equipped with a refrigeration unit that ensures consistent temperature control, making them ideal for shipments that need to be kept at specific temperatures throughout transit.

Reefer Trailers are Best Used For
  • Perishable food items like fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats.
  • Pharmaceuticals and medical supplies that require strict temperature control.
  • Frozen goods such as ice cream and other frozen foods.
  • Temperature-sensitive chemicals or materials that must remain stable during transport.
Benefits of Shipping with Reefer Trailers
  • Temperature Control: Maintains a specific temperature range for sensitive freight, such as food, beverages, or medical supplies.
  • Secure and Protected: Goods remain enclosed and insulated, protecting them from external conditions like extreme heat or cold.

Conestoga Trailers

Conestoga trailers are a specialized type of flatbed trailer equipped with a sliding tarp system. The tarp can be easily retracted to allow for side, rear, or top loading and unloading, offering the benefits of a flatbed while providing protection similar to an enclosed trailer.

Conestoga Trailers are Best Used For
  • Construction materials that need protection from the weather during transit.
  • Heavy equipment that requires easy access for loading and unloading.
  • Freight that benefits from flatbed accessibility but requires protection similar to an enclosed trailer.
Benefits of Shipping with Conestoga Trailers
  • Weather Protection: Goods are shielded from rain, wind, and other environmental conditions, similar to a dry van trailer.
  • Easy Loading and Unloading: The retractable tarp system allows quick access from the sides, rear, or top, making it highly versatile.
  • Versatile Cargo Transport: Suitable for various types of freight, including equipment, machinery, and construction materials that need protection without the restrictions of a fully enclosed trailer.

Ship With Mercer Transportation

  • Heavy Haul: Specializes in transporting oversized and overweight loads, including large machinery, equipment, and industrial components, with expertise in heavy haul services.
  • Military: Provides reliable military freight solutions, delivering critical equipment and supplies safely and on time to support defense operations and government contracts.
  • Commercial: Offers commercial freight services, transporting goods for businesses across industries, ensuring safe and efficient delivery of products, materials, and equipment.
  • Equipment: Handles equipment transportation, expertly moving large machinery and construction equipment for industries like manufacturing, agriculture, and construction.
  • Full-Truckload: Provides full-truckload (FTL) services, ensuring fast, dedicated shipping for businesses requiring entire truck capacity for large, high-volume freight shipments.

Ship Your Freight

At Mercer Transportation, we pride ourselves on offering the right trailer for your specific needs. Whether you’re shipping heavy equipment, construction materials, or standard freight, our diverse fleet ensures that your cargo is moved efficiently, securely, and on time.

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