Trailer Shipping

At booking, provide the trailer’s total length (including the tongue or hitch), overall width, height (including any rooftop equipment or raised structures), and gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). If the trailer will be transported loaded with cargo or equipment, also provide the total loaded gross weight. These specifications determine the transport method, the carrier type, and whether permits are required for the route.

Inaccurate trailer dimensions at booking are the most common cause of carrier mismatches and permit errors in trailer transport. A trailer quoted at 8 feet wide that is actually 8 feet 6 inches wide requires permits in every state on the route. A loaded trailer quoted at 10,000 pounds that is actually 18,000 pounds requires a different tow vehicle. Accurate specs at booking prevent both of these scenarios entirely.

Before the carrier arrives, confirm that the trailer’s lights, tires, brakes, and hitch coupling are all in road-legal condition. All running lights must be functional: brake lights, turn signals, and marker lights. All tires must be properly inflated and within legal tread depth. If the trailer has electric or hydraulic brakes, confirm the brake system is operational. The hitch coupler, safety chains, and breakaway cable must all be in serviceable condition.

A carrier who arrives for a trailer pickup and finds inoperable lights, a flat tire, or a non-functional brake system on a trailer that requires brakes cannot legally tow the trailer. If the trailer has known mechanical or lighting issues, address them before the pickup date or notify your SAC coordinator so the driver can be briefed and any scheduling impact can be managed in advance.

If the trailer is being transported loaded with cargo or equipment, all cargo must be properly secured within the trailer before the carrier arrives. Loose cargo that shifts during transit can damage the trailer’s interior, cause the trailer to sway at highway speeds, and in extreme cases affect the stability of the tow vehicle. Use ratchet straps, cargo bars, blocking, and bracing appropriate for the weight and type of cargo being transported.

For trailers loaded with machinery or equipment, confirm that all moving parts are locked or secured in the transport position and that all fluid caps (fuel, hydraulic, coolant) are sealed tight. Equipment that shifts or leaks inside a closed trailer during a multi-day transport can cause significant damage to both the cargo and the trailer’s interior. A pre-transport cargo security check is the most important step in a loaded trailer move.

Before pickup, retract, fold, or remove any components that extend the trailer’s transport dimensions beyond its standard width, height, or length. Side mirrors on horse trailers with living quarters should be folded in. Rooftop air conditioning units that can be removed for transport should be assessed against the permit savings of reducing overall height. Extended side panels on enclosed trailers should be confirmed in the fully closed and latched position.

For gooseneck trailers with adjustable necks or extendable decks, confirm the trailer is in its minimum transport configuration unless the extended configuration is specifically required. Measure the trailer in its actual transport configuration (not the manufacturer’s stated dimensions) and provide those measurements at booking. What the trailer measures in transport position is what determines permit requirements and route planning, not what the spec sheet says.

Before transport, disconnect and secure all external hookup points on the trailer. Shore power connections should be retracted and capped. Water inlet caps should be tightly closed. Sewer connections must be capped. For horse trailers and living quarters trailers, LP gas tanks must be turned off at the valve and confirmed off before the carrier arrives.

For trailers with hydraulic landing gear or electric jacks, ensure all leveling components are fully retracted and confirmed in the travel position before pickup. Extended leveling jacks or partially deployed landing gear will contact the ground during towing, causing damage to the jack mechanisms and potentially destabilizing the trailer during transit. A quick exterior walk-around confirming all connections are closed and all mechanical components are in the travel position is the final step before the carrier arrives.

At booking, confirm the trailer’s hitch type so SAC can dispatch a carrier with the compatible tow vehicle configuration. Standard ball hitches (1-7/8 inch, 2 inch, or 2-5/16 inch ball) require a receiver hitch with the correct ball size. Fifth wheel trailers require a fifth wheel hitch in the tow vehicle’s bed. Gooseneck trailers require a gooseneck ball in the truck bed. Pintle hitch trailers require a pintle hook on the tow vehicle.

A carrier that arrives with an incompatible hitch configuration cannot complete the pickup. This is one of the most preventable causes of trailer transport delays and is entirely avoided by confirming the hitch type at booking. If you are uncertain about your trailer’s hitch type or coupling specifications, identify the hitch mechanism on the trailer before booking and describe it to your SAC coordinator so the right tow vehicle is confirmed.

Before the pickup date, confirm that the location where the trailer is parked is accessible by the tow vehicle being dispatched. For full-size gooseneck or fifth wheel configurations, the tow vehicle is typically a one-ton or larger pickup truck. For heavy-duty trailer moves on flatbeds or lowboys, the carrier is a full commercial vehicle requiring adequate road width, turning radius, and overhead clearance at the access point.

For trailers stored in tight spaces (gated storage lots with narrow lanes, equipment yards with low overhead clearances, or residential driveways with limited turning room), communicate these access details to your SAC coordinator at booking so the driver is briefed before arrival. If necessary, coordinate moving the trailer to a more accessible staging location before the pickup date. The same access assessment applies to the delivery location. Confirming access at both ends before dispatch eliminates the most common cause of pickup and delivery delays in trailer transport.