How do I choose
the dolly (type) and Why?

Ask us
your question!

How do I choose
the dolly (type) and Why?

The loading floor of a low loader is "recessed" in relation to the bogie height. This enables the operator to transport high loads with clearance under bridges and tunnels.

If you want to increase the trailer payload you would normally add additional axles under the loading floor, but with a low loader this is not a practical solution with the lowered deck. The solution would be to add extra axles to the rear bogie, but this limited to 3 axle low loader because of the weight distribution between king pin and rear bogie.

To achieve this axles should be added both at the front and rear to increase the trailer capacity and correctly position the centre of gravity.

(To do this the chassis would also require strengthening.)

Load capacity

There is only one way to increase the loading capacity at the rear, that is to add additional axles, which means more steel and extra weight.

There are four options for increasing the load capacity at the front of loading floor, each with its own advantages and disadvanges:

Advantages

+ Short combination length
+ Low tare weight of combination
+ Easy to operate
+ Easier to control
+ Auxiliary steering on all axles of the low loader

Disadvantages

- Long + heavy gooseneck
- Heavy duty loading floor due to increased neck length
- Expensive Truck
- Dependence on one particular truck
- Limited to 6 axle truck
- Larger turning circle
- Can only be sold as combinations
- Not legal in every country

Advantages

+ Short combination length
+ Low tare weight of combinations
+ Small turning circle due to double pivot point
+ Standard Truck
+ Lower “Cost Of Ownership”
+ Lower purchase cost
+ Easy to operate
+ Does not need to be used for lighter loads

Disadvantages

- High coupling height gooseneck
- Dependence on the Jeep Dolly
- Reversing takes practice
- Limited to Max. 4 axle Jeep Dolly
- Permitted axle loads differ per country

Advantages

+ Normal coupling height gooseneck
+ Standard Truck
+ Permitted bogie load at least 12T/ line
+ Lighter low bed
+ Easy to operate
+ Axles liftable
+ Auxiliary steering on all axles of the low loader

Disadvantages

- Longer combinations
- Higher tare weight combinations
- Larger turning circle
- Higher maintenance cost
- High purchase cost

Advantages

+ Normal coupling height gooseneck
+ Low loader can be used without dolly
+ Standard truck
+ Permitted bogie load at least 12T/line
+ Lighter low bed
+ Easy to operated
+ Dolly axles liftable
+ Auxiliary steering on all axles of the low loader
+ Can be converted to a semi low loader
+ Possible to link more axle lines

Disadvantages

- Longer combination
- Higher tare weight combination
- Larger turning circle
- Higher “cost of ownership”
- Higher purchase value
- Operation requires experience
- More complex hydraulic, air and electrical systems

Advantages
+ Normal coupling height gooseneck
+ Semi loader can be used without dolly
+ Standard truck
+ Permitted bogie load at least 12T/line 
+ Lighter semi
+ Easy to operate
+ Dolly axles liftable
+ Auxiliary steering on all axles of the semi low loader
+ Possible to link more axle lines

Disadvantages
- Longer combination
- Higher tare weight combination

Applied to,
Among products