Oversize Load Transport Miami: The Complete Guide to Low Boy & Landoll Trucking in South Florida (2026)
Moving oversized, heavy, or non-standard freight in Miami requires specialized equipment, experienced operators, and proper permitting. Whether you’re shipping construction equipment, industrial machinery, prefabricated structures, or heavy steel, oversize load transport demands more planning than standard trucking.
This guide covers everything you need to know about oversize load transport in Miami and South Florida — including equipment types, permitting requirements, costs, and how to choose the right heavy hauling company.
What Is Oversize Load Transport?
An oversize load (also called an oversized or over-dimensional load) is any shipment that exceeds standard legal dimensions or weight limits for highway travel. In Florida, the standard limits are:
Width: 8 feet 6 inches (102 inches)
Height: 13 feet 6 inches
Length: 53 feet (for semi-trailers)
Weight: 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight (GVW)
Any load that exceeds these dimensions requires special permits, route planning, and often escort vehicles. Loads exceeding 80,000 lbs GVW require overweight permits in addition to oversize permits.
Types of Equipment for Oversize Load Transport
Different types of freight require different specialized trailers. Here are the most common equipment types used for oversize load transport in Miami:
Low Boy Trailers (Lowboy)
Low boy trailers are the workhorses of heavy hauling. They feature a deck height of just 18–24 inches off the ground (compared to 48–60 inches for standard flatbeds), allowing them to carry taller loads while staying under bridge height restrictions.
Typical capacity: 40,000–80,000 lbs (some specialized lowboys handle 100,000+ lbs)
Deck dimensions: 24–29 feet long, 8.5 feet wide (can accommodate wider loads with permits)
Best for: Construction equipment (excavators, bulldozers, cranes), industrial machinery, generators, transformers, tanks, and any heavy equipment that needs to be driven or rolled onto the trailer
Low boys feature a detachable gooseneck (RGN — Removable Gooseneck) that drops to ground level, creating a ramp for self-loading heavy equipment. This eliminates the need for a crane in most cases.
Landoll Trailers
Landoll trailers (also called tilt-bed trailers or sliding axle trailers) are versatile flatbed trailers with a hydraulic tilting deck. The entire bed tilts and slides backward to ground level, allowing cargo to be loaded from the rear without a crane or forklift.
Typical capacity: 35,000–50,000 lbs
Deck dimensions: 48–53 feet long, 8.5 feet wide
Best for: Vehicles, containers, small to mid-size equipment, steel structures, precast concrete, modular buildings, and any cargo that can be winched onto a tilting platform
Landoll trailers are especially popular in Miami for loading and unloading shipping containers at locations without loading docks or heavy equipment.
Step Deck (Drop Deck) Trailers
Step deck trailers have a two-level deck — an upper deck near the cab and a lower deck at the rear. This provides more vertical clearance than a standard flatbed while maintaining higher ground clearance than a lowboy.
Typical capacity: 40,000–48,000 lbs
Deck dimensions: Upper deck ~11 feet, lower deck ~37 feet, total ~48 feet
Best for: Tall but not extremely heavy loads — machinery, large vehicles, industrial equipment, and oversized fabricated components
Extendable Flatbeds (Stretch Trailers)
For loads that exceed standard trailer length, extendable flatbeds can stretch to 60–80+ feet. These are used for long structural steel, utility poles, wind turbine blades, bridge beams, and other lengthy cargo.
Typical capacity: 40,000–48,000 lbs
Best for: Long structural components, beams, poles, pilings, and any cargo exceeding 53 feet in length
Oversize Load Permits in Florida
Florida oversize/overweight permits are issued by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT). Here’s what you need to know:
Types of Permits
Single Trip Permit: Valid for one specific move with a defined route. Required when exceeding standard dimensions or weight. Processing time is typically 1–3 business days, though expedited same-day permits are available for an additional fee.
Annual (Blanket) Permit: For frequent haulers, annual permits allow multiple trips within specified dimension and weight limits. These are cost-effective for companies that regularly transport oversized loads.
Superload Permit: Required for exceptionally large or heavy loads (typically over 16 feet wide, 16 feet tall, 120 feet long, or 200,000 lbs). Superloads require route surveys, bridge analysis, and utility coordination. Processing can take 2–4 weeks.
Permit Costs
Single trip oversize permit: $15–$75 depending on dimensions
Single trip overweight permit: $15–$150+ depending on weight
Annual oversize permit: $75–$300
Superload permit: $100–$500+ plus engineering analysis fees
Escort vehicle requirements: One escort required for loads 14–16 feet wide; two escorts for loads over 16 feet wide; front and rear escorts for loads over 100 feet long
Escort and Safety Requirements
Florida law requires certified escort vehicles for certain oversize loads. Requirements include amber flashing lights, “OVERSIZE LOAD” signage, two-way radio communication with the hauling vehicle, and compliance with approved travel times (most oversize loads can only move during daylight hours and are restricted on holidays).
Oversize Load Transport Costs in Miami
Heavy hauling costs vary significantly based on load dimensions, weight, distance, and equipment requirements. Here are typical cost ranges for the Miami area:
Low boy local transport (within Miami-Dade): $500–$2,000 per move
Low boy regional transport (South Florida): $1,500–$5,000
Landoll local transport: $400–$1,500 per move
Landoll regional transport: $1,000–$3,500
Step deck transport: $350–$1,200 local, $1,000–$4,000 regional
Escort vehicles: $200–$500 per escort per trip
Permit fees: $15–$500+ depending on load specs
Crane services (if needed): $500–$5,000+ depending on crane size and duration
Factors that increase costs include weekend or after-hours moves, multi-axle trailer requirements for extremely heavy loads, route restrictions requiring longer detours, and bridge or utility coordination for superloads.
Common Oversize Loads in Miami
Miami’s construction boom, port operations, and industrial sector drive steady demand for oversize load transport. Common loads include:
Construction Equipment: Excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, cranes, pile drivers, and concrete pumps moving between job sites across South Florida’s active construction market.
Shipping Containers: 20-foot and 40-foot containers that need delivery to locations without loading docks, using Landoll trailers for ground-level loading and unloading.
Industrial Machinery: Generators, transformers, compressors, HVAC units, and manufacturing equipment for Miami’s industrial and commercial sectors.
Precast Concrete: Bridge beams, wall panels, pipes, and structural precast elements for South Florida’s infrastructure projects.
Marine Equipment: Boats, yacht components, marine engines, and dock structures serving Miami’s boating and marine industry.
Steel & Structural Components: I-beams, steel plates, rebar bundles, and fabricated steel structures for commercial construction.
How to Choose an Oversize Load Transport Company in Miami
Not every trucking company can handle oversized freight. Here’s what to look for:
1. Own Equipment (Asset-Based)
Companies that own their low boys, Landoll trailers, and flatbeds have direct control over equipment availability, maintenance, and scheduling. Broker-dependent companies may struggle with last-minute equipment availability.
2. Permitting Experience
Your hauler should handle all permit applications, route planning, and escort coordination. Experienced companies know the best routes, which bridges to avoid, and how to expedite permits when needed.
3. Insurance Coverage
Oversize load transport requires higher insurance limits than standard trucking. Verify that your carrier has adequate cargo insurance, general liability, and auto liability coverage for heavy hauling operations.
4. Equipment Variety
A company with multiple trailer types (lowboys, Landolls, step decks, flatbeds) can match the right equipment to your specific load, ensuring safe and efficient transport.
5. Local Knowledge
Miami’s roads, bridges, and construction zones are constantly changing. A local heavy hauling company knows which routes work, which areas have restrictions, and how to navigate South Florida’s traffic patterns.
Go Freight: Your Oversize Load Transport Partner in Miami
Go Freight is an asset-based heavy hauling company in Miami offering comprehensive oversize load transport services across South Florida. Our fleet includes:
• Low boy trailers with removable gooseneck (RGN) for heavy equipment up to 80,000 lbs
• Landoll tilt-bed trailers for ground-level loading of containers, vehicles, and equipment
• Step deck and flatbed trailers for tall and standard oversized loads
• 100+ company-owned trucks with experienced heavy haul operators
• Full permitting services — we handle all FDOT oversize/overweight permits and route planning
• Escort vehicle coordination for wide, tall, and long loads
• Container drayage from PortMiami and Port Everglades
• Warehouse distribution with Miami warehouse facilities for staging oversized freight
We move oversized loads daily across Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties. From a single piece of equipment to ongoing construction logistics, Go Freight has the equipment and experience to get it done.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered an oversize load in Florida?
In Florida, any load that exceeds 8 feet 6 inches wide, 13 feet 6 inches tall, 53 feet long, or 80,000 lbs gross vehicle weight is considered oversize or overweight and requires special permits from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).
What is a low boy trailer?
A low boy (lowboy) trailer is a specialized heavy haul trailer with a deck height of 18 to 24 inches off the ground. This low profile allows it to carry taller and heavier loads while staying under bridge clearances. Most lowboys feature a removable gooseneck (RGN) that creates a loading ramp for heavy equipment.
What is a Landoll trailer used for?
A Landoll trailer is a tilt-bed flatbed trailer with a hydraulic tilting and sliding deck. The entire bed tilts and slides to ground level for rear loading. Landolls are commonly used for shipping containers, vehicles, small to mid-size equipment, and any cargo that can be winched onto the tilting platform.
How much does it cost to transport an oversize load in Miami?
Local oversize load transport within Miami-Dade County typically costs $400 to $2,000 depending on equipment type and load specs. Regional transport across South Florida ranges from $1,000 to $5,000. Additional costs include permits ($15–$500+), escort vehicles ($200–$500 each), and crane services if needed.
Does Go Freight handle oversize load permits?
Yes, Go Freight handles all FDOT oversize and overweight permit applications, route planning, and escort vehicle coordination. Our team manages the entire permitting process so you don’t have to worry about compliance. We also expedite permits when time-sensitive moves require it.
Get a Free Oversize Load Transport Quote
Need to move oversized or heavy freight in Miami? Contact Go Freight today for a free quote. Whether it’s a single equipment move or an ongoing heavy hauling contract, our team will match the right equipment and plan the safest route for your load.
Call us: (305) 300-5768 | Email: operations@go-freight.io