jeff20878 Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 I have a question I'm also to embarrased to ask, but here goes: In regards to lowbed/lowboy trailers, what is the difference between ground bearing and non-groung bearing?I've run detachable gooseneck lowbed trailers in the past, but as I'm searching ads for a new trailer, I keep seeing these terms, but all the pictures look the same.....HELP! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThaddeusW Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 I have a question I'm also to embarrased to ask, but here goes: In regards to lowbed/lowboy trailers, what is the difference between ground bearing and non-groung bearing?I've run detachable gooseneck lowbed trailers in the past, but as I'm searching ads for a new trailer, I keep seeing these terms, but all the pictures look the same.....HELP! From what I read ground bearing means that a ram must engauge the ground to lift the goose neck to couple to the tractor, like landing gear. Non ground bearing means that the goose neck has a cylinder that tilts the neck to couple then lifts the trailer once coupled. so the weight of lifting the trailer goes onto the fifth wheel and not the ground. I am not 100% sure but thats what I remember. Quote -Thad What America needs is less bull and more Bulldog! Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5112 Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadusercharges Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 here in NZ , you will find a lot of lowloader constructors, and if you view their website s/email, you can pick up a few ideas; Stuart Dolly - hhes@actrix.co.nzcougar trailersTmc trailersMTE trailersnigel Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5113 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 From what I read ground bearing means that a ram must engauge the ground to lift the goose neck to couple to the tractor, like landing gear. Non ground bearing means that the goose neck has a cylinder that tilts the neck to couple then lifts the trailer once coupled. so the weight of lifting the trailer goes onto the fifth wheel and not the ground. I am not 100% sure but thats what I remember.That is my understanding also. You offer a very good explanation.Rob Quote Plodding along with no job nor practical application for my existence, but still trying to fix what's broke. Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5114 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 27, 2006 Share Posted March 27, 2006 The gooseneck on non-ground bearing has some type of a wrist action design that when actuated applies presure on the fifth wheel and on the deck about 2 feet back from the front end of the beams. This raises the deck and the rear of the gooseneck. After unlocking the "rests" the deck can be lowered to the ground. The real nice part of this system is the ability to raise the deck for additional ground clearance. Works well for crossing RR tracks. Look at talbertmfg.com for some pictures and a drawing of their 2 piece design. There is also the mechanical detachable with no hydraulics. Hope this helps. DavidOn the Talbert site there is also a program for determinating the horsepower required to pull a load. Have fun! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5115 Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeff20878 Posted March 28, 2006 Author Share Posted March 28, 2006 Thanks everyone for such quick and helpful replies! Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5116 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 Thanks everyone for such quick and helpful replies! I ran a ground bearing for years and it was great till you loaded something on a spring day in the rain and you couldn't find enough rocks to fill the hole you were punching in the ground when you were trying to hook up agian,Tim Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5139 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 I ran a ground bearing for years and it was great till you loaded something on a spring day in the rain and you couldn't find enough rocks to fill the hole you were punching in the ground when you were trying to hook up agian,Tim Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5142 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 From what I have been told a non-ground bearing lowboy has the center frame rails sticking up into the deck and they are even with the outer frame rails on the bottom side of the trailer. On a ground bearing lowboy the frame rails are even on the deck and the two center rails hang down lower on the bottom side of the trailer. Block Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5143 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 From what I have been told a non-ground bearing lowboy has the center frame rails sticking up into the deck and they are even with the outer frame rails on the bottom side of the trailer. On a ground bearing lowboy the frame rails are even on the deck and the two center rails hang down lower on the bottom side of the trailer. BlockGround bearing the rams push on the ground to pick the deck up and non ground bearing the rams work the deck and goose neck to pick up the deck,Tim Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5144 Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 From what I have been told a non-ground bearing lowboy has the center frame rails sticking up into the deck and they are even with the outer frame rails on the bottom side of the trailer.This is called a drop side. It has nothing to do with the gooseneck function (ground bearing or non-ground bearing). Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5145 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Timothy Maikshilo Posted March 29, 2006 Share Posted March 29, 2006 I have a question I'm also to embarrased to ask, but here goes: In regards to lowbed/lowboy trailers, what is the difference between ground bearing and non-groung bearing?I've run detachable gooseneck lowbed trailers in the past, but as I'm searching ads for a new trailer, I keep seeing these terms, but all the pictures look the same.....HELP! OK let's finish this, I've run lowbed trailers for 24 years and a non ground bearing trailer puts no pressure on the ground when detacting or hooking up the goose neck. A ground bearing puts pressure on the ground when hooking up or dropping the goose neck. That's what it is plain and simple,Tim Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5150 Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadusercharges Posted April 2, 2006 Share Posted April 2, 2006 right on TIM> nig Quote Link to comment https://www.bigmacktrucks.com/topic/1009-speaking-of-trailers/#findComment-5198 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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