Short answer
Advertised heavy-haul lowboy rentals run about $425 to $500 a day, $1,275 to $1,300 a week and $2,975 to $3,825 a month (Kaufman listing, Fontaine listings). A typical double drop or RGN well is 29 ft and carries freight up to about 11.5 to 12 ft tall (ILS chart).
Lowboy types
Typical figures from the ILS chart; extra axles and jeeps raise capacity with permits
| Type | How it loads | Typical well and height |
|---|---|---|
| RGN (removable gooseneck) | Gooseneck detaches; the machine drives on over the front | 29 ft well, freight about 12 ft, 44,000 lb |
| Fixed neck | Loaded over the rear with ramps | Shorter usable deck, cheaper |
| Double drop | Drops at front and back; fixed | 29 ft well, freight about 11.5 ft, 45,000 lb |
Permits
A load over 8.5 ft wide, over the state's height limit, or over 80,000 lb gross (23 U.S.C. 127) needs an oversize or overweight permit from every state on the route, and may need escort vehicles. The trailer rental does not include permits.
Questions to ask
- Axle count and rated capacity of the exact unit.
- Deck height of the well, empty.
- Whether outriggers, extra axles or a jeep come with it.
- Who pays tire damage from scrubbing on tight turns.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to rent a lowboy trailer?
Advertised listings seen in October 2026 ran about $425 to $500 a day, $1,275 to $1,300 a week and $2,975 to $3,825 a month for heavy-haul units. Shorter equipment-hauling lowboys cost less.
Do I need a CDL to pull a rented lowboy?
Yes, for almost every semi trailer. A tractor and trailer with a gross combination weight rating of 26,001 lb or more, where the trailer is rated over 10,000 lb, is a Class A vehicle under 49 CFR 383.91, so the driver needs a Class A CDL.
Sources
- ILS: Truck and trailer dimensions chart (typical figures)
- 23 U.S.C. 127: Vehicle weight limitations, Interstate System
- TruckPaper listing: 2023 Kaufman 47 ft lowboy for rent (advertised rates, seen October 29, 2026)
- TruckPaper: Fontaine lowboy trailers for rent (advertised rates, seen October 29, 2026)
Last reviewed October 29, 2026. Rates, branches and terms change; confirm with the lessor before you book.