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Step Deck Trailer Dimensions and Deck Heights

Step Deck Trailer Dimensions and Deck Heights

14 manufacturer models, the legal load height on each deck, and the machines that fit

Quick answer

What is a step deck trailer?

A step deck (also called a drop deck) is a semitrailer with a short upper deck over the tractor and a longer, lower main deck behind it. Published specs put the upper deck at 9 to 11 ft long and the lower deck at 34 to 40 1/4 in high, so a load up to 10 ft 1 3/4 in tall clears 13 ft 6 in on any of them.

Updated October 2026 by the HTS Logistics broker team (FMCSA MC# 1178470).

HTS Logistics is a licensed property broker (MC# 1178470): we book carriers that run step decks and don't own any ourselves. The specs on this page come from 14 manufacturer models checked in October 2026, and every load height is our own arithmetic: legal height minus deck height. For flatbeds, double drops, RGNs and lowboys, see the other heavy haul trailer types.

GET A STEP DECK QUOTE CALL (631) 683-8275

What is the purpose of a step deck trailer?

It buys height. Utility publishes both for its 48 ft trailers: the 4000S flatbed deck is 58 3/16 in high (on a 47 in fifth wheel) and the 4000AE drop deck's rear deck 40 1/4 in, so the drop deck gives the load 17 15/16 in more room before it reaches the legal height. Trail King describes it as two deck levels that let taller freight stay within legal height limits.

Take a Volvo EC230 excavator, 9 ft 11 in tall in transport posture. On the 58 3/16 in flatbed it rides at 14 ft 9.7 in, over the limit in all 28 states we track. On the 40 1/4 in drop deck it rides at 13 ft 3.8 in, legal for height in New York with 2.2 in to spare. At 9 ft 10 in over the tracks it still needs a width permit.

The cost is deck layout. A flatbed gives one deck at one height, while a 48 ft step deck splits into a 10 or 11 ft upper deck and a 38 ft lower deck, so a load longer than the lower deck rides partly on the upper deck, which Utility lists at 59 5/8 in. Deck heights, capacities and loading for all three trailers are side by side in step deck vs flatbed and RGN, and the flatbed's own numbers are in flatbed trailer dimensions.

Step deck trailer dimensions from 14 manufacturer models

Every figure below is copied from the maker's own page or spec sheet, and "not listed" means the maker doesn't publish it. Most of these trailers are about 48 ft overall, every published width is 102 in (8 ft 6 in), and most carry an 80,000 lb distributed rating. The concentrated rating, for a load sitting on a short stretch of deck, runs 50,000 to 60,000 lb.

Step deck and drop deck trailer specifications from manufacturer sources, checked October 2026
Model Build Overall length Upper deck Lower deck length Lower deck height Width Distributed rating Concentrated rating Trailer weight
Trail King TK80ACS-34 Aluminum/steel combo 47 ft 10 in 10 ft not listed 34 in 102 in 80,000 lb 60,000 lb in 10 ft 9,575 lb
Trail King TK80ACS-38 Aluminum/steel combo 47 ft 10 in 10 ft not listed 38 in 102 in 80,000 lb 60,000 lb in 10 ft 9,885 lb
Trail King TK80ACS-40 Aluminum/steel combo 47 ft 10 in 10 ft not listed 40 in 102 in 80,000 lb 60,000 lb in 10 ft 9,995 lb
XL Specialized 80 SD Heavy-duty, one-piece 48 ft 10 ft (neck) 38 ft 39 1/2 in not listed 80,000 lb 60,000 lb in 10 ft not listed
Utility 4000AE Drop Deck Aluminum/steel combo 48 ft 11 ft not listed 40 1/4 innot labeled loaded 102 in 80,000 lb not listed not listed
Fontaine Revolution dropdeck All-aluminum 48 ft or 53 ft 10 ft (11 ft on 53 ft) 38 ft (42 ft on 53 ft) not listed not listed 80,000 lb 50,000 lb in 4 ft 8,600 lb
East Beast (BST Drop) All-aluminum Up to 53 ft not listed not listed not listed not listed 80,000 lb not listed not listed
East XLD All-aluminum, low deck not listed not listed not listed 36 innot labeled loaded not listed not listed not listed not listed
Fontaine Infinity low-height dropdeck Low-height combo 53 ft not listed not listed 36 in not listed 80,000 lb not listed not listed
Trail King TK80HT Hydraulic tail 47 ft 11 in 9 ft not listed 35 1/2 innot labeled loaded 102 in 80,000 lb 50,000 lb in 10 ft not listed
Fontaine Traverse HT Hydraulic tail 48 ft not listed 38 ft 2 in 35 in not listed 80,000 lb not listed 17,700 lb (±3%)
Talbert 35HT Hydraulic tail not listed 9 ft 2 in (neck) not listed 36 1/4 in 102 in 70,000 lb 50,000 lb in 16 ft 18,380 lb (est.)
Landoll 930E-48-15 Traveling tail 48 ft not listed 38 ft 3 in 38 in 102 in 70,000 lb 50,000 lb in 10 ft 18,770 lb (±3%)
XL Specialized Power Tail Hydraulic folding tail 48 ft or 53 ft 9 ft (neck) not listed not listed not listed 80,000 lb 50,000 lb in 10 ft not listed

Deck heights are loaded unless marked. "Neck" is the maker's name for the raised front section. Fontaine's Traverse HT page prints its concentrated ratings in inches where feet are meant, so they are left out. Ratings are frame capacities: Landoll notes that axle ratings (GAWR) and state and federal law can hold the real load below them.

What are the typical dimensions of a 48-foot step deck trailer?

A 10 ft upper deck, a 38 ft lower deck and 102 in of width. Fontaine's 48 ft Revolution splits 10 ft and 38 ft, XL's 80 SD lists a 10 ft neck and a 38 ft main deck, the Fontaine Traverse HT has a 38 ft 2 in deck and Landoll's 930E 38 ft 3 in. Utility's 4000AE is the exception, with an 11 ft front deck and no published rear deck length, so measure that one rather than subtract.

53 ft step decks and where they can run

The 53 ft versions add lower deck: Fontaine's 53 ft Revolution has an 11 ft front deck and a 42 ft rear deck, 4 ft more than its 48 ft model. Fontaine's 53 ft Infinity low-height dropdeck rides at 36 in loaded, XL builds its Power Tail at 48 or 53 ft, East's drop decks run up to 53 ft, and Trail King offers the TK80ACS at 50 ft 10 in and 52 ft 10 in overall.

A 53 ft trailer is not legal everywhere a 48 ft one is. Federal rules only require states to allow 48 ft on the National Network (23 CFR 658.13). New York allows 48 to 53 ft only on Qualifying and Access Highways, with no more than 43 ft from the kingpin to the center of the rear axle (VTL 385(3)), and in New York City only on named stretches of I-95, I-295 and I-495. New Jersey and Pennsylvania cap that kingpin distance at 41 ft and California at 40 ft on STAA routes; Texas allows a 59 ft semitrailer.

How high off the ground is a step deck trailer?

The lower deck sits 34 to 40 in off the ground on the models whose makers label the figure as loaded, and Utility lists 40 1/4 in for its 4000AE without saying which. The upper deck is about 5 ft up: Utility is the only maker we found that publishes it, at 59 5/8 in on a 47 in fifth wheel.

On Trail King's TK80ACS the deck height follows the tires: 34 in on 235/75R17.5 tires, 38 in on 265/70R19.5 and 40 in on 255/70R22.5. The low version gains 6 in of load height and gives up 6 in of loaded ground clearance (9 in against 15 in), which matters at steep yard entrances and humped rail crossings.

Low-profile step decks push the deck down further. XL builds step decks with deck heights from 33 to 40 in, East's all-aluminum XLD sits at 36 in (East says it reduces the need to partly dismantle loads to get under 13 ft 6 in), and Fontaine's 53 ft Infinity low-height dropdeck is 36 in loaded. Ask for the measured height on the actual tractor, too: Utility quotes its heights on a 47 in fifth wheel, while Trail King builds its step decks for 48 to 50 in, and a taller fifth wheel raises the front of the trailer.

What is the maximum height a step deck can haul?

Legal height minus deck height. The limit is 13 ft 6 in in 18 of the 28 states we track, New York included (VTL 385(2)), so the load can stand 10 ft 1 3/4 in tall on a 40 1/4 in deck and 10 ft 8 in on a 34 in deck. Eight states we track, including California and Texas, allow 14 ft, which adds 6 in, and Colorado and Nebraska allow 14 ft 6 in. There is no federal height limit; FHWA says most state limits run from 13 ft 6 in to 14 ft.

Maximum legal load height on each published step deck height, at 13 ft 6 in and 14 ft
Deck height Deck Models Max load height, 13 ft 6 in Max load height, 14 ft
59 5/8 in Upper deck Utility 4000AE Drop Deck, on a 47 in fifth wheel (not labeled loaded) 8 ft 6 3/8 in 9 ft 3/8 in
40 1/4 in Lower deck Utility 4000AE Drop Deck (not labeled loaded) 10 ft 1 3/4 in 10 ft 7 3/4 in
40 in Lower deck Trail King TK80ACS-40 10 ft 2 in 10 ft 8 in
39 1/2 in Lower deck XL Specialized 80 SD 10 ft 2 1/2 in 10 ft 8 1/2 in
38 in Lower deck Trail King TK80ACS-38; Landoll 930E-48-15 10 ft 4 in 10 ft 10 in
36 1/4 in Lower deck Talbert 35HT 10 ft 5 3/4 in 10 ft 11 3/4 in
36 in Lower deck Fontaine Infinity low-height dropdeck; East XLD (not labeled loaded) 10 ft 6 in 11 ft
35 1/2 in Lower deck Trail King TK80HT (not labeled loaded) 10 ft 6 1/2 in 11 ft 1/2 in
35 in Lower deck Fontaine Traverse HT 10 ft 7 in 11 ft 1 in
34 in Lower deck Trail King TK80ACS-34 10 ft 8 in 11 ft 2 in

Derived: 162 in (13 ft 6 in) or 168 in (14 ft) minus the published deck height, not a manufacturer figure. Air-ride height, deck deflection, blocking and tarps change the real number, so measure the loaded height before the move.

Freight on the upper deck gets less: 8 ft 6 3/8 in under 13 ft 6 in on Utility's 59 5/8 in front deck. That still takes a compact track loader. A Bobcat T770 is 6 ft 9 in tall and 9 ft 6 in long with the bucket off, short enough for Utility's 11 ft upper deck, where it rides at 11 ft 8.9 in.

Which machines clear 13 ft 6 in on a step deck?

We ran 17 machines from our OEM equipment data against the 11 published lower-deck heights. "Highest deck" is the tallest deck that keeps the machine at or under 13 ft 6 in: 6 clear on any step deck, 4 need a low one, and 7 need a lower trailer.

Machine transport heights against step deck heights, computed from OEM data and manufacturer deck heights
Machine Transport height Width Weight Loaded height on a 40 1/4 in deck Highest deck for 13 ft 6 in Step decks that work (of 11)
Cat D3crawler dozer 9 ft 1 in 9 ft 2 in (permit) blade on 20,640 lb 12 ft 5.2 in 12.8 in under 13 ft 6 in 53.0 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Deere 450 P-Tiercrawler dozer 9 ft 6 in 6 ft 1 in tracks, blade off 17,816 lb 12 ft 10.4 in 7.6 in under 13 ft 6 in 47.8 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Deere 550 P-Tiercrawler dozer 9 ft 6 in 6 ft 7 in tracks, blade off 18,853 lb 12 ft 10.4 in 7.6 in under 13 ft 6 in 47.8 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Volvo EC230excavator 9 ft 11 in 9 ft 10 in (permit) tracks 51,588 lb 13 ft 3.8 in 2.2 in under 13 ft 6 in 42.4 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Komatsu PC220LC-12excavator 10 ft 10 ft 5 in (permit) tracks 54,013 lb 13 ft 4.7 in 1.3 in under 13 ft 6 in 41.5 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Cat D5crawler dozer 10 ft 1 in 8 ft 2 in blade off 37,368 lb 13 ft 5.7 in 0.3 in under 13 ft 6 in 40.5 in Any step deck 11 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Cat 320excavator 10 ft 4 in 10 ft 5 in (permit) tracks 49,800 lb 13 ft 8.7 in 2.7 in over 13 ft 6 in 37.5 in Step deck at 37.5 in or lower 6 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Komatsu D51PXi-24crawler dozer 10 ft 5 in 8 ft 6 in tracks, blade off 27,492 lb 13 ft 9.3 in 3.3 in over 13 ft 6 in 36.9 in Step deck at 36.9 in or lower 6 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Cat D6crawler dozer 10 ft 6 in 8 ft 10 in (permit) trunnions, blade off 42,280 lb 13 ft 9.8 in 3.8 in over 13 ft 6 in 36.4 in Step deck at 36.4 in or lower 6 at 13 ft 6 in 11 at 14 ft
Deere 750 P-Tiercrawler dozer 10 ft 8 in 8 ft tracks, blade off 37,569 lb 14 ft 0.2 in 6.2 in over 13 ft 6 in 34.0 in Step deck at 34.0 in or lower 1 at 13 ft 6 in 10 at 14 ft
Komatsu D61PXi-24crawler dozer 10 ft 11 in 9 ft 10 in (permit) tracks, blade off 40,653 lb 14 ft 3.8 in 9.8 in over 13 ft 6 in 30.4 in Double drop or RGN at 30.4 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 6 at 14 ft
Komatsu WA380-8wheel loader 11 ft 1 in 9 ft 6 in (permit) bucket 40,686 lb 14 ft 5.7 in 11.7 in over 13 ft 6 in 28.5 in Double drop or RGN at 28.5 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 1 at 14 ft
Cat 140motor grader 11 ft 4 in 8 ft 4 in tires 41,947 lb 14 ft 8.2 in 14.2 in over 13 ft 6 in 26.0 in Double drop or RGN at 26.0 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 0 at 14 ft
Cat 950wheel loader 11 ft 4 in 9 ft 7 in (permit) bucket 42,461 lb 14 ft 8.3 in 14.3 in over 13 ft 6 in 25.9 in Double drop or RGN at 25.9 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 0 at 14 ft
Deere 8R 410tractor 11 ft 8 in OEM figures differ 28,000 lb 15 ft 0.1 in 18.1 in over 13 ft 6 in 22.2 in Double drop or RGN at 22.2 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 0 at 14 ft
Cat 966wheel loader 11 ft 9 in 10 ft 7 in (permit) bucket 51,124 lb 15 ft 1.7 in 19.7 in over 13 ft 6 in 20.5 in Double drop or RGN at 20.5 in or lower 0 at 13 ft 6 in 0 at 14 ft
Deere 9RX 640tractor 12 ft 11 in 9 ft 9 in (permit) tracks 56,320 lb 16 ft 3.6 in 33.6 in over 13 ft 6 in 6.6 in Over 13 ft 6 in on every deck we found 0 at 13 ft 6 in 0 at 14 ft

Heights and widths are the OEM transport figures in our equipment data, with the configuration under each width; weights are OEM shipping weights where published, otherwise operating weights. Unlabeled deck heights (Utility, East XLD, Trail King TK80HT) are counted as published. Derived values, checked October 2026.

Two results are too close to plan on. The Cat D5 clears Utility's 40 1/4 in deck by 0.3 in, and the Deere 750 P-Tier clears only Trail King's 34 in TK80ACS-34, by 0.1 in. At that margin air-ride height and deck deflection decide it, so measure the actual trailer before booking.

Height is only one check. 10 of the 17 are over 8 ft 6 in wide as shipped and need an oversize permit on any trailer: the Cat D6 measures 8 ft 10 in over its trunnions even with the blade and push arms off. The Komatsu D51PXi-24 is the opposite case: 2,590 mm (101.97 in) over its tracks, just inside 102 in once its 11 ft blade comes off. Blade-off widths for every dozer are on our bulldozer transport page, and excavator shipping sizes on excavator transport.

Weight is the third. A Cat 320 (49,800 lb) on a 9,575 lb TK80ACS-34 is 59,375 lb before the tractor is counted, against an 80,000 lb federal gross (23 CFR 658.17). If the tractor weighs more than the 20,625 lb left, the load is overweight, and overweight permits go only to loads that can't be reduced, such as a machine that would take more than 8 work hours to take apart (23 CFR 658.5). Tractors, graders and loaders at the bottom of the table are covered on tractor transport and construction equipment transport; to test your own machine, use the oversize load checker.

When to move up to a double drop or RGN

Start at the highest deck and stop at the first trailer that works on height, length, weight and loading:

  1. Up to 10 ft 1 3/4 in tall: any step deck in our data. Its 38 ft lower deck (on a 48 ft trailer) is longer than any double drop well (29 to 34 ft) or RGN deck (23 to 28 ft) we checked, so a long machine of moderate height belongs here.
  2. 10 ft 1 3/4 in to 10 ft 8 in: a lower step deck, picked from the "highest deck" column above. The 6 lowest published decks run 34 to 36 1/4 in (Fontaine Traverse HT, Fontaine Infinity low-height dropdeck, East XLD, Trail King TK80ACS-34, Trail King TK80HT, Talbert 35HT); in California and Texas most standard decks work.
  3. Over 10 ft 8 in: no step deck we found keeps it under 13 ft 6 in. A double drop trailer with a 12 to 22 in loaded well allows 11 ft 8 in to 12 ft 6 in, and an RGN trailer at 14 to 24 in loaded allows 11 ft 6 in to 12 ft 4 in. The price is deck length, as the first rule shows; fixed and detachable necks are compared in our lowboy trailer guide.
  4. Over 12 ft 6 in: over height on every deck in our data (the lowest is 12 in), so the move needs height permits, a route survey in New York at 14 ft and up, or a perimeter frame from our specialized heavy haul trailers. The Deere 9RX 640 is 12 ft 11 in to the top of its exhaust extension.
  5. Heavier than the deck rating: these step decks carry 50,000 to 60,000 lb concentrated (over 4 to 16 ft, by maker). The RGNs we checked are rated 70,000 to 160,000 lb concentrated and take flip axles, jeeps and boosters for permit loads, though XL notes that boosters add axles to scale a load, not capacity to the trailer.
  6. It can't climb ramps, or there is no dock: an RGN lowers its deck to the ground for loading over the front; on a step deck, use a hydraulic or traveling tail.

Hydraulic drop deck and traveling tail trailers

A hydraulic drop deck folds its tail down to the ground as a built-in ramp, so a wheeled or tracked machine drives on without loose ramps, and three of the five below also lift the tail to dock height. Landoll's traveling tail lowers the tail with the axles moving under it; Landoll says the design gives stable dock loading and a longer wheelbase.

Hydraulic tail and traveling tail drop deck trailers from manufacturer sources
Model Tail Load angle Dock and lift Deck height Rating (distributed; concentrated) Trailer weight
Trail King TK80HT 12 ft 2 in hydraulic tail (8 ft main tail, 52 in fold-under); 10 ft hydraulic upper deck ramp 12.5° (upper ramp 11°) Raises to 58 in dock height, lowers to the ground 35 1/2 in (not labeled) 80,000 lb; 50,000 lb in 10 ft not listed
Fontaine Traverse HT 14 ft ramp (10 ft main tail, 4 ft flip tail) not listed Lifts 25,000 lb to loading dock height 35 in 80,000 lb; concentrated not listed 17,700 lb (±3%)
Talbert 35HT 12 ft folding tail (8 ft on the platform, 4 ft flip under) 15° Lifts 20,000 lb 4 ft back from the hinge pin 36 1/4 in 70,000 lb; 50,000 lb in 16 ft 18,380 lb (est.)
Landoll 930E-48-15 15 ft traveling tail; 6 ft x 102 in air-operated upper deck ramp rated 10,000 lb 11° with the 15 ft tail Lifts 24,000 lb up to a 53 in dock height 38 in 70,000 lb; 50,000 lb in 10 ft 18,770 lb (±3%)
XL Specialized Power Tail Hydraulic folding tail; 9 ft full-width fixed neck not listed not listed not listed 80,000 lb; 50,000 lb in 10 ft not listed

The tail costs payload. The three tail trailers that publish a weight come in at 17,700 to 18,770 lb, against 8,600 lb for Fontaine's aluminum Revolution and 9,575 to 9,995 lb for Trail King's TK80ACS: 7,705 to 10,170 lb less for the machine under an 80,000 lb gross. Talbert and Landoll also rate theirs at 70,000 lb distributed rather than 80,000.

A tail trailer makes sense when the machine drives on and off and one end of the move has no dock or loading ramp, for example a compact track loader going to a house lot. Check two numbers: the lift rating if the machine will ride the tail up (20,000 lb on the Talbert, measured 4 ft back from the hinge pin, up to 25,000 lb on the Fontaine), and the load angle for machines with little ground clearance (11° on the Landoll, 12.5° on the Trail King, 15° on the Talbert).

What are the legal dimensions for a step deck trailer?

The trailer itself fits standard limits; the load decides whether it needs a permit. These are the limits a step deck load is checked against, with New York and two of the 14 ft states we track, California and Texas:

Federal, New York, California and Texas size and weight limits for a tractor and step deck
Limit Federal (Interstate and National Network) New York California and Texas
Width 102 in (8 ft 6 in) on the National Network (23 CFR 658.15) 96 in; 102 in on Qualifying and Access Highways (VTL 385(1)) 102 in (both)
Height No federal limit; states set it 13 ft 6 in (VTL 385(2)) 14 ft (CVC 35250; Transp. Code 621.207)
Semitrailer length States must allow at least 48 ft (23 CFR 658.13) 48 ft; 53 ft on Qualifying and Access Highways with 43 ft or less from kingpin to rear axle (VTL 385(3)) California 53 ft on STAA routes, 40 ft kingpin to rear axle; Texas 59 ft
Gross weight 80,000 lb (23 CFR 658.17) 80,000 lb 80,000 lb (both)
Axle weight 20,000 lb single, 34,000 lb tandem 22,400 lb single, 36,000 lb tandem 20,000 lb single, 34,000 lb tandem (both)

Width is the limit that trips first for most of the machines above. Anything over 8 ft 6 in needs a permit from each state on the route (see oversize permits by state), and New York adds an escort over 12 ft wide; the other states' thresholds are on pilot car requirements by state. Every state's limits, including travel times, are in legal load limits by state.

Overhang comes from the state, not the trailer: Texas lets a load extend 4 ft past the rear without a permit (Transportation Code 621.206) and Pennsylvania wants a following pilot car past 15 ft. The state-by-state comparison with a worked example is under overhang limits on a 48 ft trailer. Weight is checked twice, as a gross and per axle group, so test a specific tractor and trailer with the Bridge Formula calculator.

Extendable step decks

For loads longer than the lower deck, an extendable step deck stretches the main deck: XL's 80 SDE goes from 38 ft to 62 ft 4 in at a 40 in loaded deck (10 ft 2 in of legal load height), and Fontaine's Xcalibur XTD5372SA3 opens from 53 to 72 ft on three axles at 18,950 lb. Fontaine's page gives two different deck heights for the Xcalibur, so we don't quote one.

Booking a step deck load

Send the make, model and serial number, or the measured height, width, length and weight, plus the pickup and delivery addresses. We check the machine against the carrier's deck height and every state's limits on the route, then book step deck trucking with a carrier whose trailer fits. Price follows miles, permits and escorts, and our heavy equipment transport cost guide prices each of those with dated benchmarks.

Run a step deck? Carriers with active authority and at least $1M auto liability, $1M general liability and $100,000 cargo insurance can haul step deck loads with HTS.

Step deck questions

What is another name for a step deck trailer?

Drop deck. The two names describe the same trailer: Trail King and XL Specialized sell step decks, Utility, East and Fontaine sell drop decks, and Fontaine's 2015 fact sheet calls its Revolution an all-aluminum stepdeck. You will also hear single drop, which separates it from a double drop, a trailer that drops behind the neck and rises again over the rear axles.

How long is a step deck trailer?

Usually 48 or 53 ft overall. Trail King's TK80ACS is 47 ft 10 in (with 50 ft 10 in and 52 ft 10 in options), XL's 80 SD and Landoll's 930E are 48 ft, and Fontaine builds its Revolution at 48 ft (10 ft upper, 38 ft lower deck) or 53 ft (11 ft and 42 ft). Extendable versions such as XL's 80 SDE stretch the main deck from 38 ft to 62 ft 4 in.

How much overhang can you have on a step deck trailer?

As much as each state on the route allows, and the numbers are far apart. Without a permit, Texas allows 3 ft past the front and 4 ft past the rear. A New York trip permit allows up to 15 ft in front and a rear overhang of up to one third of the load's length, with an escort past 10 ft. Connecticut and California require a pilot car past 25 ft.

What is the weight limit for a step deck load?

The trailer's rating is not the limit. Most step decks we checked are rated 80,000 lb distributed and 50,000 to 60,000 lb concentrated, but the federal limit is 80,000 lb for the whole rig, tractor included, and 34,000 lb on a tandem axle group (23 CFR 658.17). A 9,575 lb TK80ACS-34 leaves 70,425 lb for the tractor and the load.

Can a step deck carry an excavator?

Mini excavators fit any step deck, and some mid-size ones do. Volvo's EC230 (9 ft 11 in tall in transport posture) rides at 13 ft 3.8 in on a 40 1/4 in deck, while Cat's 320 (10 ft 4 in) needs a deck of 37.5 in or lower to stay under 13 ft 6 in. Both are wider than 8 ft 6 in on their tracks and weigh about 50,000 lb, so they still need a width permit and a weight check.

What is a low-profile step deck?

A step deck with a lower main deck for taller loads. On Trail King's TK80ACS the difference is the tires: the TK80ACS-34 sits at 34 in loaded on 17.5 in wheels, the TK80ACS-40 at 40 in on 22.5 in wheels. The low version gains 6 in of legal load height and gives up 6 in of loaded ground clearance (9 in against 15 in). East's XLD and Fontaine's 53 ft Infinity low-height dropdeck sit at 36 in.

Does HTS run its own step decks?

No. HTS Logistics is a freight broker: our FMCSA broker number is MC 1178470 and our USDOT number 3535360, and the team has heavy-haul experience since 2011 (licensed broker since 2021). We book carriers that run step decks, match the machine to a deck height that keeps it legal where one exists, and arrange the permits and escorts the load needs.

Sources

Facts on this page were checked in October 2026 against the sources below. Rules and rates change; we confirm current requirements on every move.

  1. Trail King Aluminum-Steel Combo Step Deck product page (Trail King TK80ACS-34, Trail King TK80ACS-38, Trail King TK80ACS-40)
  2. Trail King TKACS brochure p.4 (Trail King TK80ACS-34, Trail King TK80ACS-38, Trail King TK80ACS-40)
  3. XL Specialized Step Deck page (XL Specialized 80 SD)
  4. Utility Trailer flatbed specifications page (Utility 4000AE Drop Deck)
  5. Fontaine Revolution brochure LT-078-R24 (c)2020 (Fontaine Revolution dropdeck)
  6. Fontaine Revolution fact sheet (c)2015 (Fontaine Revolution dropdeck)
  7. East Trailers drop decks page (East Beast (BST Drop), East XLD)
  8. East Flatbed & Drop Deck Brochure 2025 (East Beast (BST Drop))
  9. Fontaine Infinity brochure LT-063-R30 (c)2020 (Fontaine Infinity low-height dropdeck)
  10. Trail King TKHT Hydraulic Tail product page (Trail King TK80HT)
  11. Trail King TK80HT brochure p.5 (Trail King TK80HT)
  12. Fontaine Specialized Traverse HT spec page (Fontaine Traverse HT)
  13. Talbert 35HT product page (Talbert 35HT)
  14. Landoll 930 Traveling Tail product page (Landoll 930E-48-15)
  15. XL Specialized Power Tail page (XL Specialized Power Tail)
  16. XL Specialized Step Deck Extendable page (XL Specialized 80 SDE)
  17. Fontaine Specialized Xcalibur XTD5372SA3 spec page (Fontaine Xcalibur XTD5372SA3)
  18. Fontaine Specialized Renegade N12 spec page (Fontaine Renegade N12)
  19. Fontaine Specialized Renegade N18 spec page (Fontaine Renegade N18)
  20. Trail King Commercial MED-HED Extendable Double Drop brochure (2025 upload) (Trail King 80MED)
  21. Trail King TKHD-S one-pager (2026) (Trail King TKHD-S)
  22. Trail King HD-S product page (Trail King TKHD-S)
  23. Fontaine Specialized Magnitude 75 MFLD spec page (Fontaine Magnitude 75 MFLD)
  24. Trail King Hydraulic Detachable Gooseneck (TKHDG-C) product page (Trail King TK70HDG (TKHDG-C))
  25. Trail King TKHDG-C brochure (c)2020, p.4 (Trail King TK70HDG (TKHDG-C))
  26. XL Specialized XL HDG page (Available Models table) (XL Specialized 160 HDG)
  27. XL Specialized High-Capacity Detachable Gooseneck page (boosters) (boosters do not add trailer capacity)
  28. 23 CFR 658.15 Width (eCFR, current as of 2026-10-15) (Width on the National Network)
  29. 23 CFR 658.13 Length (Semitrailer length on the National Network)
  30. 23 CFR 658.17 Weight (Interstate weight limits and permits for nondivisible loads)
  31. 23 CFR 658.5 Definitions (Nondivisible load definition)
  32. FHWA, Federal Size Regulations for Commercial Motor Vehicles (Vehicle height)
  33. NY VTL 385 (height, width, semitrailer length and kingpin rule)
  34. California Vehicle Code 35250 (California height limit (western 14 ft example))
  35. CVC 35401.5 STAA (53 ft on STAA routes, 40 ft kingpin to rear axle)
  36. Texas Transportation Code ch. 621 (14 ft height, 59 ft semitrailer, legal overhang)
  37. N.J.S.A. 39:3-84 (statute PDF hosted by NJDOT) (41 ft kingpin rule)
  38. 75 Pa.C.S. 4923 Length (41 ft kingpin rule)
  39. NYSDOT PERM 30 Information Concerning Special Hauling Permits (09/26) (permit overhang limits)
  40. NYS Certified Escort Manual 2025 (escort triggers)
  41. 67 Pa. Code 179.10 General conditions (pilot car for rear overhang)
  42. RCSA 14-270-21 Escort (pilot car) vehicles (pilot car for overhang)
  43. Transportation Permits Manual Ch. 5 Routing and Safety (rev. 6/25/2024) (pilot car for overhang (TPM 502.6))
  44. Cat D3 Small Dozer product brochure AEHQ8307-06 (09-2026) (Cat D3 transport dimensions)
  45. John Deere 450 P-Tier Dozer MD450PAU (24-07), pp. 7-8 (Deere 450 P-Tier transport dimensions)
  46. John Deere 550 P-Tier Dozer brochure/specifications MD550PAU (24-07), pp. 7-8 (Deere 550 P-Tier transport dimensions)
  47. Volvo EC230 product guide (Tier 4f), Ref. No 20062838_E / English-22 / 2024.08 (Volvo EC230 transport dimensions)
  48. Komatsu PC220LC-12/PC220LCi-12 brochure, EN-PC220LC/LCi-12-BR01-1025-V2 (c)2025 (Komatsu PC220LC-12 transport dimensions)
  49. D5 Track-Type Tractor Technical Specifications AEXQ2535-03 (09-2022) (Cat D5 transport dimensions)
  50. 320 (07H) Hydraulic Excavator Technical Specifications (N Am) AEXQ3758-01 (11-2025) (Cat 320 transport dimensions)
  51. Komatsu D51EX/EXi/PX/PXi-24 brochure EN-D51-BR01-0526-V3, ©2026 (pp. 17-18) (Komatsu D51PXi-24 transport dimensions)
  52. D6/D6 XE Track-Type Tractors Technical Specifications AEXQ2470-05 (09-2022) (Cat D6 transport dimensions)
  53. John Deere 750 P-Tier Dozer MD750PAU (25-03), pp. 7-9 (Deere 750 P-Tier transport dimensions)
  54. Komatsu D61EX/EXi/PX/PXi-24 brochure EN-D61-BR01-0526-V2, ©2026 (pp. 17-19) (Komatsu D61PXi-24 transport dimensions)
  55. Komatsu WA380-8 brochure AESS882-0326-V6 (Komatsu America, ©2026) (Komatsu WA380-8 transport dimensions)
  56. 140 Motor Grader Technical Specifications, AEXQ4601-00 (09-2026) (Cat 140 transport dimensions)
  57. 950 (14C) Wheel Loader Technical Specifications, AEXQ4425-00 (11-2025) (Cat 950 transport dimensions)
  58. John Deere 8 Series tractors brochure YY2614153 (EN, EU market, ©2026), 8R and 8RX specification pages (Deere 8R 410 transport dimensions)
  59. 966 (14C) Wheel Loader Technical Specifications, AEXQ4419-00 (11-2025) (Cat 966 transport dimensions)
  60. John Deere 9 Series brochure YY2314127 rev1 (EN, EU), 9RX specification page (Deere 9RX 640 transport dimensions)
  61. 2026 Bobcat Full-Line Equipment Specifications B-1000 (08/26) (Bobcat T770 transport dimensions)

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