When it comes to moving an oversize load, picking the right trailer is more than a logistical detail — it’s a legal, safety, and efficiency requirement.
Whether you’re transporting construction equipment in Hamilton, a steel tank from Brantford, or modular buildings across Southern Ontario, your choice of trailer affects everything: from permit requirements to route planning and project timelines.
In this post, we’ll walk through the most common trailer types used in heavy haul trucking, when to use them, and how DFS Projects helps you make the right choice for every job.
What Makes a Load “Oversize” in Ontario?
Before you can choose the right trailer, you need to know if your load is oversize or not.
In Ontario, a load is considered oversize if it exceeds any of the following limits:
- Width: 2.6 metres (8.5 feet)
- Height: 4.15 metres (13.6 feet)
- Length: 23 metres (75 feet) for truck + trailer
- Weight: Over 63,500 kg depending on axle groupings
If your load is larger or heavier than these limits, it will require a special trailer configuration, permits, and possibly escort vehicles.
Trailer Types for Oversize Load Transport
1. Flatbed Trailers
Best for: Legal loads, equipment under 8.5 ft wide and 13.5 ft high
Flatbeds are the most common trailers used in trucking. They offer a flat, open platform that makes loading and unloading easy, especially for freight that doesn’t need to be enclosed.
Use Flatbeds when:
- Load is under the legal limit
- No height clearance issues
- You want fast turnaround and access from all sides
Not ideal for: Very tall or very heavy oversize loads
2. Step Deck (Drop Deck) Trailers
Best for: Loads slightly over standard height limits
Step decks have a lower main deck that drops after the upper section, giving you more vertical clearance. These are perfect for loads that are too tall for a standard flatbed but not tall enough to require a lowboy.
Use Step Decks when:
- Load height is up to ~10 feet
- You need a safer loading height
- Avoiding permits for minor height overages
Common in: Agricultural equipment moves from Guelph, machinery from London, or prefab units under 10′ tall.
3. Double Drop (Lowboy) Trailers
Best for: Extremely tall or heavy equipment
Lowboys are designed to carry tall and heavy equipment by offering a much lower deck height. Some can haul up to 12 feet of height clearance — perfect for industrial loads that can’t be disassembled.
Use Lowboys when:
- Load height is over 10 feet
- Load is extremely heavy (with multi-axle options)
- Clearance is a concern
DFS Projects Insight:
We frequently use lowboys to transport cranes, generators, and heavy machinery from Toronto to Windsor, often navigating bridge height restrictions across Southern Ontario.
4. Extendable Trailers (Stretch Trailers)
Best for: Long cargo like beams, wind turbine blades, tanks
If your load exceeds standard trailer lengths, you’ll need an extendable or stretch trailer. These units expand to accommodate long materials while still providing safe support.
Use Extendables when:
- Load exceeds 53 feet in length
- You’re transporting modular or structural components
- You need consistent weight distribution
Ideal for steel fabricators and manufacturers in Hamilton and St. Catharines.
5. Multi-Axle Trailers
Best for: Overweight loads that exceed axle limits
When you’re hauling very heavy equipment, a standard trailer can’t legally support the weight. Multi-axle trailers distribute the load across more points of contact, complying with Ontario’s axle weight regulations.
Use Multi-Axle when:
- Total weight exceeds 80,000 lbs
- Hauling dense equipment like transformers, presses, or mining gear
- MTO requires special axle spacing and configurations
DFS Projects handles the permit coordination, axle calculation, and securement plans required for these complex moves.
How DFS Projects Helps You Choose the Right Trailer
With dozens of variables — from cargo weight to bridge clearance to cross-border compliance — choosing the right trailer shouldn’t fall on your shoulders.
At DFS Projects, we handle it all for you:
- Site assessment to determine equipment needs
- Load planning based on dimensions, weight, and destination
- Permit & routing support across Ontario and cross-border
- Access to a wide fleet of trailers, including lowboys, extendables, and multi-axles
- Safe, experienced drivers trained in heavy haul and oversize logistics
The Risk of Choosing the Wrong Trailer
Choosing the wrong trailer can cause:
- Delays due to permit violations
- Fines for overweight or oversize travel without clearance
- Load damage due to improper securement
- Increased liability in the event of an accident
When in doubt, let the experts at DFS Projects make the call — it could save your project thousands.
From Quote to Delivery: Trailer Solutions Across Southern Ontario
Whether you’re based in:
- Hamilton
- Mississauga
- Brantford
- Kitchener-Waterloo
- Windsor
- Toronto
- London
DFS Projects provides expert heavy haul trucking and oversize load solutions, including the right trailer for every job.
Not sure what trailer your load needs? Let’s figure it out together.
DFS Projects will recommend the best trailer for your cargo — and handle everything else, too.