Roll Haulers: Specialized Trailers for Transporting Massive, Heavy Loads

An Introduction to Roll Haulers

Roll haulers, sometimes referred to as bull haulers, are specialized trailers used to transport large, heavy loads. They are an important tool for many industries including construction, agriculture, and oversized loads. Keep reading to learn more about what roll haulers are, what they transport, and who uses them.

What is a Roll Hauler?

A roll hauler is a versatile trailer with a hydraulic loading bed that can tilt back to form a ramp. This allows equipment and cargo to easily roll on and off the trailer rather than needing a lifting crane. The bed can also be lowered flat to safely transport equipment.

These trailers are designed to handle extremely heavy cargo weighing 80,000 pounds or more. They distribute weight evenly over multiple axles which range from two axles up to eight or more axles. This weight distribution prevents overloading and allows a roll hauler to transport massive loads while meeting Department of Transportation weight regulations.

Common Types of Roll Haulers

There are a few main types of roll haulers including:

• Lowboy trailers: The most common style with deck heights around 34-38 inches
• Drop deck trailers: Deck is lower to the ground, usually 24-30 inches high
• Removable gooseneck trailers: Gooseneck detaches allowing cargo to load from the front
• Extendable trailers: Deck length extends for longer equipment

What do Roll Haulers Transport?

Roll haulers are built for transporting oversized, overweight cargo that is difficult to load and unload. Some of the most common cargo includes:

• Construction equipment: Bulldozers, excavators, cranes, scrapers, lifts, etc.
• Agricultural equipment: Tractors, combines, spray equipment, cotton pickers, etc.
• Commercial equipment: Generators, turbines, boilers, presses, rail cars, etc.
• Building materials: Prefabricated homes and buildings, storage containers, steel beams and girders

In the agriculture industry, specialized roll haulers called bull haulers are used to transport livestock. These trailers have ventilation, bedding, lighting and access for feeding/watering animals while in transit.

Who Uses Roll Haulers?

There are a few main industries that frequently use these heavy hauling trailers including:

• Construction industry - For moving equipment between jobsites and transporting pre-made modular buildings.
• Mining and energy companies - To haul giant extraction and processing equipment.
• Manufacturers and factories - Transporting massive presses, generators and other machinery.
• Transportation companies - Provide contracted hauling services for oversized loads.
• Farmers and ranchers - Bull haulers to safely move livestock to sale barns.

Owning and Operating Roll Haulers

For companies that frequently need to transport oversized loads, owning your own roll haulers can make financial sense. However operating these types of heavy haul trailers requires special knowledge, skills and licensing.

Purchasing Roll Haulers

New roll haulers range greatly in price from around $50,000 up to $150,000 or more for highly specialized custom trailers. There are also many quality used roll haulers available at lower prices.

When purchasing roll haulers, key factors to consider include:

• Load capacity based on the weights you need to haul
• Number of axles
• Deck length and width
• Ramp size and style
• Gooseneck type - fixed or removable
• Hydraulic stabilization jacks
• Durability of decking material
• Type and capacity of suspension
• Parking/storage space available

Specialized CDL Licensing

Safely operating roll haulers requires a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) with specific endorsements from the Department of Motor Vehicles. Required license endorsements include:

• Class A CDL - Needed for trailers over 26,000 lbs gross vehicle weight.
• Hazardous Materials Endorsement - If transporting hazardous cargo such as gasoline, batteries or combustible construction materials.
• Oversize/Overweight Permit - Obtain permits for any over width, length, height or overweight loads.
• Additional state-specific licenses - Some states require specialized licenses for certain oversized loads.

Important Safety Regulations

There are many important federal and state safety regulations that must be followed when operating roll haulers on public roads including:

• Adhering to DOT regulations for oversize load signage, flags, lighting and escorts.
• Using the proper number of pillow block axles for the cargo weight.
• Staying within bridge weight limits and height restrictions along the route.
• Insuring the load is balanced and properly secured before transporting.
• Checking tire pressure, lights, brakes and safety connections.

Carefully following all safety protocols reduces accidents and protects other vehicles on the road.

The Importance of Roll Haulers

Roll haulers fill a vital transportation niche by allowing the safe, compliant movement of loads that are impossible to transport with normal tractor trailers. Without these specialized heavy hauling trailers, many vital industries would not be able to transport the oversized equipment and materials that their operations depend on.

Next time you see one lumbering down the highway, think about the critical cargo it is carrying to a jobsite, farm or factory where it is likely needed urgently to avoid costly delays. Roll haulers might not be glamorous, but they haul the machinery that powers our world!

FAQs

What is the weight capacity of most roll haulers?

The majority of roll haulers have an enormous weight capacity over 80,000 lbs and ranging up to 140,000+ lbs gross vehicle weight. Specialized haulers with high numbers of axles can transport cargos weighing hundreds of thousands of pounds.

What kind of truck do you need to pull a roll hauler?

You need a commercial tractor with high horsepower and multiple drive axles to safely pull a loaded roll hauler. Most use tractors with 400+ HP and tandem rear axles. Lowboy roll haulers may require 500+ HP tractors.

Can you drive a roll hauler without a CDL?

No, you must have a CDL Class A license to drive a roll hauler. Additionally specific hazardous material, oversize, overweight and other specialty endorsements are usually required as well depending on the load.

Are roll haulers legal on all roads?

Roll haulers exceeding certain size and weight capacities require special overweight/oversize permits depending on local regulations. They are restricted from narrow local roads as well as bridges and overpasses too small to accommodate their height and width.