What is the difference in deck height between an RGN and a Stepdeck?

A standard stepdeck trailer bottom deck sits between 36 to 42 inches above the pavement, while a Removable Gooseneck (RGN) lowboy well deck rides at 18 to 24 inches, allowing tall machinery (up to 12 feet) to travel under legal 13'6" to 14'0" bridge envelopes.

How does Exspeedite help heavy haulers prevent bridge strikes and bottom-outs?

Exspeedite matches surveyed route bridge clearances against total loaded vehicle height and alerts dispatchers to humped rail crossings with low ground clearance.

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RGN vs Stepdeck Ground Clearance & Height Calculator

Interactive engineering tool comparing Removable Gooseneck (RGN) lowboy vs stepdeck deck heights, humped railroad crossing bottom-out risk, and bridge clearance margins.

RGN Well Deck (18" - 24")

RGNs detach at the front neck for drive-on loading of tracked excavators and heavy bulldozers. The ultra-low well height accommodates cargo up to 11'8" without triggering oversize height permits.

Stepdeck Lower Deck (36" - 42")

Stepdecks provide 38 to 43 feet of lower deck space, ideal for wheeled loaders and crated machinery up to 10 feet tall. Higher ground clearance prevents bottoming out on rural road transitions.

Railroad Hump Hang-Up Risks

RGN trailers with 6" to 8" belly clearance frequently bottom out on elevated railway grade crossings. Exspeedite routes heavy haul loads away from flagged Low Ground Clearance (MUTCD W10-5) crossings.

Total Loaded Height & Permit Analysis

Cargo Height (Inches)

Trailer Configuration

Minimum Route Bridge Clearance (Inches)

Total Loaded Transit Height & Safety Margin:

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Specialized Heavy Haul Trailer Comparison

Trailer Type	Typical Deck Height	Usable Deck Length	Best Suited Cargo	Permit Implications
Standard Flatbed	58" - 60"	48' - 53'	Building materials, steel pipe, coils	Cargo over 8'6" requires overheight permit
Single Drop (Stepdeck)	36" - 40"	38' - 43' lower deck	Tractors, small excavators, crated freight	Accommodates cargo up to 10'2" legally
Double Drop / RGN Lowboy	18" - 24"	26' - 32' well deck	Large excavators, bulldozers, combines	Accommodates cargo up to 11'8" legally
Beam / Perimeter Trailer	8" - 14" (Suspended)	Custom expanding well	Generators, heavy transformers, vessels	Multi-state superload engineering required

Schedule a Specialized Heavy Haul Fleet Review with Scott Elliott

Learn how Exspeedite automates RGN dispatch, route survey bridge clearances, and heavy equipment accessorials.