Trailer-Based Transport Intelligence Hub
Semi Truck Transport Resources and Planning Guides
A planning center for customers moving semi trucks and commercial vehicles themselves — not the freight carried inside them. Every resource on this page is written for trailer-based transport: running or non-running, damaged or wrecked, oversized or overweight, unregistered, not legally roadworthy, mileage-sensitive, purchased from auctions or dealerships, or moving as part of a fleet relocation.
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Step 1 of 3 · Route
Start Here
A five-step transport planning path
Answer these five questions before requesting a quote and dispatch can price the correct trailer class on the first pass.
- 1
Identify the commercial vehicle
Confirm year, make, model, configuration (day cab, sleeper, cab & chassis, box truck, tractor with trailer) and VIN. Attach photos of all four corners plus the roof and undercarriage.
- Required
- Year, make, model, VIN, photos, configuration.
- Common mistake
- Describing a raised-roof sleeper as a “standard” tractor — this pushes the load onto the wrong trailer class.
- 2
Confirm its operating condition
Note whether the truck runs, rolls, steers, and brakes. Non-running units, wrecked frames, missing tires, and locked wheels each require different loading equipment.
- Required
- Runs / rolls / steers / brakes — yes, no, or partial.
- Common mistake
- Marking a truck “running” when it starts but will not hold air pressure or move under its own power.
- 3
Collect exact dimensions and weight
Measure overall length, width, height (including antennas, stacks, and roof accessories), wheelbase, ground clearance, and actual weight. These drive trailer class, permits, and route.
- Required
- Length, width, height, wheelbase, ground clearance, gross weight.
- Common mistake
- Reporting brochure dimensions instead of the actual loaded height with modifications.
- 4
Select appropriate loading equipment
Match the vehicle to standard flatbed, step-deck, RGN, lowboy, Landoll, or a winch-equipped trailer. Loaded height (vehicle height + deck height) determines which classes are legal in the states you cross.
- Required
- Confirmed vehicle height, weight and rolling condition to pick equipment.
- Common mistake
- Assuming every day cab fits a flatbed or every sleeper needs a step-deck — the loaded height calculation decides.
- 5
Review the route, permits and pickup access
Confirm origin and destination access (gate width, turning radius, overhead clearance), interstate corridors, state-by-state permit needs, escort requirements, and delivery appointment windows.
- Required
- Origin / destination addresses, access notes, target pickup and delivery windows.
- Common mistake
- Skipping origin access — a truck that cannot leave the yard delays the entire dispatch.
Equipment Selection Center
How the seven trailer classes compare
No blanket rule fits every truck. Use the loaded-height formula — vehicle height + trailer deck height — and confirm operability before locking equipment.
| Trailer | Typical use | Deck | Loading | Non-running fit | Height notes | Limits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard flatbed | Day cabs and low-roof sleepers with legal loaded height. | Deck ~58–60 in. above ground. | Drive-on ramps or winch when operable. | Suitable when the truck rolls and steers. | Loaded height often exceeds 13'6" once a tall sleeper is added — verify. | Not for tall raised-roof sleepers, oversize widths, or units that will not roll. |
| Step-deck | Taller cabs and mid-roof sleepers that would exceed 13'6" on a flatbed. | Lower deck ~38–42 in. above ground. | Ramps or winch; some units require lifting. | Possible with winch equipment; verify wheels and steering. | Reduces loaded height by ~18–20 in. vs. a standard flatbed. | Deck length limits some long wheelbases; not for extreme oversize. |
| Removable Gooseneck (RGN) | Heavy, tall, or non-running tractors and vocational trucks. | Well deck ~18–24 in. above ground when gooseneck removed. | Drive-on with detached gooseneck — no ramps needed. | Preferred when a truck has no brakes, no steering, or requires winching. | Lowest deck available — best for tall sleepers and oversize. | Longer load/unload cycles; higher day rate than flatbed. |
| Lowboy | Legal-overweight or oversized tractors and heavy vocational units. | Very low deck; height varies by trailer. | Detachable gooseneck or ramp; often winched. | Common for wrecked and salvage units. | Best when both weight and height push the limits. | Slow travel days; state permits and escorts often required. |
| Landoll (tilt trailer) | Non-running tractors that roll but cannot steer up ramps. | Deck tilts to ground level for winch loading. | Hydraulic tilt + winch. | Purpose-built for non-running and disabled units. | Similar to step-deck once loaded. | Weight capacity and deck length lower than RGN or lowboy. |
| Winch-equipped trailer | Any non-running truck that rolls but does not power itself. | Any of the above with an added winch system. | Cable winch pulls the vehicle onto the deck. | Required for the majority of non-running loads. | Depends on host trailer. | Not a solution for units with locked wheels or seized brakes. |
| Specialized oversize equipment | Superloads, extreme heights or widths, unusual axle configurations. | Engineered per load. | Case-by-case; may require crane assist. | Handled with heavy-haul procedures. | Engineered under a state-approved route study. | Long lead times; multi-state permits and escorts. |
Loaded height is estimated as vehicle height + trailer deck height. Final equipment and routing require vehicle-specific review with dispatch.
Dimensions & Permits
What to measure before quoting
Accurate measurements determine trailer class, permit exposure, and route. Brochure specs and modified trucks rarely match.
Vehicle-height limits are generally established by individual states, most commonly at 13'6" or 14'0". There is no single federal vehicle-height limit for commercial trucks on the National Highway System — plan around the strictest state on your route.
- Overall vehicle length
- Overall width including mirrors and accessories
- Overall height including antennas, stacks, and roof-mounted equipment
- Actual gross weight
- Wheelbase (front axle to rear axle center)
- Ground clearance at the lowest point
- Axle count and configuration (single, tandem, tridem, tag, lift)
- Attached equipment (fifth wheel, headache rack, hydraulic system)
- Modifications (raised roof, exhaust stacks, tool boxes, ladder racks)
Vehicle Condition & Loading
Match condition to loading equipment
Every condition category below drives a specific equipment and loading procedure. Skip this step and dispatch may arrive with the wrong trailer.
Condition categories
- Running and roadworthyWidest equipment choice; driveaway is also an option.
- Running but not roadworthyTrailer transport only; verify wheels, steering, and brakes.
- Non-running (rolls)Winch-loaded flatbed, step-deck, RGN, or Landoll.
- Damaged or wreckedDocument damage with photos; expect RGN, lowboy, or Landoll.
- Locked brakesRequires RGN, lowboy, or specialized handling; may need dollies.
- Missing tires or wheelsSkidding or dolly service — expect specialized loading.
- Steering problemsDetached gooseneck or lowboy; do not attempt ramp loading.
- Low ground clearanceRGN or lowboy to prevent frame contact on ramps.
- Fluid leaksDocument type and volume; some carriers require containment measures.
- Auction / salvage-yard accessConfirm yard release, gate hours, and required paperwork before dispatch.
Preparation checklist
- Photograph the vehicle from all four corners, roof, and undercarriage.
- Note existing damage in writing with time-stamped photos.
- Remove loose accessories, tools, and personal property from the cab.
- Leave no more than a quarter tank of fuel for trailer transport.
- Provide title, registration, and any release or auction paperwork.
- Confirm keys, gate access, and a 24/7 origin contact.
- Verify that the pickup location has 100+ feet of clear loading runoff.
Winching, lifting, or specialized loading may be required for non-running, wrecked, or low-clearance units. Confirm with dispatch when booking.
Featured Resource
Explore Popular Semi Truck Transport Routes
The Route Intelligence Hub covers 100 priority routes, 40 state-to-state lanes, 60 metro lanes, and 15 corridor families. Every entry is written from a trailer-transport perspective — corridors, bottlenecks, permit jurisdictions, pickup and delivery access, equipment availability, and route-specific pricing factors.
- State-to-state planning
- City-to-city lanes
- Interstate corridors
- Bottlenecks and weather exposure
- Permit jurisdictions
- Pickup and delivery access
- Equipment availability
- Route-specific pricing factors
Transport Pricing & Scheduling
What actually drives a transport quote
Every quote combines the factors on the right. We do not publish fixed prices or guaranteed delivery times — every lane is priced from live carrier availability.
Scheduling terms
- Quote turnaround: typically same business day.
- Carrier assignment: 1–5 business days after booking.
- Pickup window: a range provided at dispatch.
- Transit estimate: based on lane distance and equipment class.
- Delivery appointment: confirmed as the carrier nears destination.
- Mileage
Longer lanes reduce cost per mile but raise total price.
- Vehicle dimensions
Height, width, and length drive trailer class and permit exposure.
- Vehicle weight
Overweight loads move to lowboy and can trigger state permits.
- Operating condition
Non-running loads typically add 15–30% over comparable operable rates.
- Trailer type
Flatbed is the base rate; step-deck, RGN, Landoll, and lowboy cost more.
- Loading requirements
Winch, tilt, or crane-assisted loading adds labor and time.
- Permits and escorts
State permits, pilot cars, and superload studies add fees per state.
- Origin and destination access
Tight yards, low overpasses, and dock-only receivers add cost.
- Seasonal demand
Q4 dealer resets, harvest, and construction cycles tighten capacity.
- Fuel and toll exposure
Corridors with heavy tolls and mountain grades cost more.
- Carrier availability
Thin lanes require longer booking windows or expedited rates.
- Expedited scheduling
Dedicated single-truck dispatch typically runs 40–75% over standard.
- Multi-unit coordination
Fleet volume unlocks discounts and staged pickup pricing.
Fleet, Auction & Dealership Planning
How dispatch scales from one truck to hundreds
Auction, dealer, leasing, municipal, manufacturer, upfitter, port and multi-unit fleet moves share the same core workflow — inventory the units, stage pickup, sequence delivery, and confirm receiving contacts before dispatch.
Fleet-planning checklist
- Vehicle manifest with year, make, model, VIN, and operability per unit
- Actual dimensions and weights for tall or oversize units
- Keys, fobs, and secondary keys inventoried
- Release documents from auction, dealer, leasing company, or fleet operator
- Primary pickup contact with 24/7 phone availability
- Delivery sequence and staging plan
- Insurance certificates matched to the receiver's requirements
Transport Resource Directory
Every published transport-planning resource
Grouped by planning stage. Every card links to an active canonical URL — no placeholders.
- Trailer Selection Guide
Match flatbed, step-deck, RGN, lowboy, or Landoll to the load.
- Loading & Winch Guides
Loading procedures for operable and non-running units.
- Non-Running Semi Truck Transport
Winch, tilt, and RGN loading for disabled units.
- Heavy-Duty Truck Transport
Oversize and overweight semi and vocational trucks.
Transport FAQs
Answers dispatchers give every day
Twelve of the most common trailer-based transport questions. For the full library see the FAQ Encyclopedia.
What equipment do you use to transport a semi truck?+
Standard flatbed, step-deck, removable gooseneck (RGN), lowboy, Landoll tilt trailer, or a winch-equipped trailer. The choice depends on the truck's height, weight, operating condition, and loading access.
Can you ship a non-running semi truck?+
Yes. Non-running units move on winch-equipped flatbed, step-deck, RGN, Landoll, or lowboy trailers. Wheels that roll and a chassis that can be winched are the two most important factors.
How do I know if my truck needs a permit?+
State-specific size and weight limits determine when a permit is required. Loaded heights above roughly 13'6", widths above 8'6", or gross weight above 80,000 lb typically trigger state permits and, in some cases, pilot cars.
How is the loaded height calculated?+
Loaded height equals the actual vehicle height plus the trailer's deck height. A raised-roof sleeper on a standard flatbed can easily exceed common state limits — step-deck or RGN often solves it.
Is there a federal maximum height for commercial vehicles?+
There is no single federal vehicle-height limit. Height limits are established by individual states, most commonly at 13'6" or 14'0". Always plan around the strictest state on the route.
How far in advance should I book?+
Standard lanes: 3–7 business days. Oversize or permitted moves: 5–10 business days. Auction yards may charge storage after the free release window (typically 3–5 days), so book as soon as you have the release.
Do you handle auction pickups?+
Yes — Ritchie Bros, IronPlanet, Manheim Commercial, TruckPaper, and dealer wholesale auctions. Provide the lot number, invoice, and buyer information and we handle yard release and gate pass.
Can you coordinate multi-unit fleet moves?+
Yes. Fleet volume pricing applies at 3+ units, with staged pickup schedules, consolidated billing, and a shared status dashboard.
How is transport pricing determined?+
Mileage, dimensions, weight, operating condition, trailer class, loading requirements, permits, seasonal demand, and lane density all contribute to the quoted price.
How do I document damage before pickup?+
Photograph the vehicle from all four corners, the roof, and the undercarriage, and note any pre-existing damage in writing. This becomes the baseline for the delivery inspection.
What paperwork do you need?+
Title or ownership documentation, registration (where applicable), and any auction, dealer, or leasing release paperwork. Fleet moves also require a signed unit manifest.
What happens if my truck is not ready at pickup?+
Dispatch will reschedule or, in some cases, apply a dry-run fee. Confirming keys, paperwork, and a 24/7 origin contact eliminates the most common causes.
Sources & Editorial Standards
How this hub is written and maintained
Every technical and regulatory statement above is written from active dispatch experience and cross-checked against authoritative federal and state sources.
State vehicle height, width, and weight limits.
Motor carrier authority and safety requirements.
Oversize permits, pilot cars, and superload approvals.
Ritchie Bros, IronPlanet, Manheim, dealer wholesale.
Build my transport plan
Preselected for Trailer-Based Transport. A dispatcher reviews every request, confirms equipment class, and returns a written quote — no calculator on this page, and no surprise fees.
- Route
- Vehicle
- Contact
Step 1 of 3 · Route