Not every job is a sedan on the shoulder. Gregg County runs on trucks, trailers, and oilfield equipment as much as passenger cars, and a job site skid steer or a down box truck off Loop 281 doesn't get moved the same way a Civic does. This page is about the other half of what we haul.
Light-duty vs. equipment transport, plainly
| Light-duty (wheel-lift / standard flatbed) | Equipment transport | |
|---|---|---|
| What it hauls | Cars, pickups, SUVs, motorcycles | Box trucks, trailers, skid steers, generators, small equipment over about 10,000 lbs |
| Rig used | Wheel-lift or standard car-carrier flatbed | Heavier-rated flatbed with expanded deck and tie-down points |
| Typical price | $85 to $150 (see emergency towing) | $250 to $900 depending on weight and distance |
| Load limit | Standard passenger vehicle weight | Up to 26,000 lbs GVWR |
If you're not sure which one your situation needs, call and describe what you've got. We'll tell you straight which rig it takes, we're not going to send the wrong truck and charge you for the mistake.
How an equipment transport job runs
- Call and describe the equipment: type, approximate weight, and whether it currently runs or needs to be winched onto the deck.
- We quote based on weight class and distance, this isn't a flat number the way a car tow is, since loads vary too much.
- We confirm pickup and drop-off locations, including any site access issues (gate codes, soft ground, low clearance).
- Truck arrives with the correct flatbed and tie-down hardware for that load class.
- Equipment gets loaded, either self-driven onto the deck or winched if it's not operational, then secured with rated chains or straps.
- We haul to the destination and unload, confirming the site can actually receive the equipment safely before we drop it.
What makes an equipment haul harder
- Weight over our rated capacity. Our flatbed handles loads up to 26,000 lbs GVWR. Past that, you need a heavier commercial carrier, and we'll tell you that rather than take a job we can't safely secure.
- Non-running equipment. A skid steer or mower that won't start under its own power has to be winched onto the deck, which takes longer and needs a stable approach angle.
- Site access. Soft ground, narrow gates, or low overhead clearance at a job site can turn a simple pickup into a slow, careful maneuver. Tell us about site conditions when you call so we're not guessing on arrival.
- Oversize loads. Some equipment is wider or taller than a standard load and needs escort or route planning around low bridges and tight turns, particularly through downtown Longview or Gladewater's older streets.
How long it takes
A straightforward running-equipment pickup and haul, within the corridor, typically runs 60 to 100 minutes door to door depending on distance and loading complexity. A non-running load that needs winching onto the deck adds 20 to 40 minutes on the front end.
One fact, not an adjective
Our flatbed carries a rated 26,000 lbs GVWR capacity. That's the number that decides whether your load fits this service or needs a heavier commercial carrier, not a guess on site.
Who calls us for this
Gregg County runs on more than passenger cars. Kilgore still carries plenty of oilfield-related traffic from the East Texas Oil Field days, and small equipment breakdowns, workover rigs' support trucks, pump trailers, generator trailers, still happen along that stretch of US-259. Construction crews working around Longview's Loop 281 widening and similar road projects need down equipment moved off an active site fast, not scheduled for next week. And plenty of calls are simpler than that: a mower or utility trailer that needs to go from one property to another and won't make the trip under its own power.
Scheduling and route planning
Same-day equipment moves are usually fine for a single piece of gear with normal site access. If your load is wider than a standard lane, or the route runs through downtown Longview or Gladewater's older commercial blocks where clearance and turn radius get tight, tell us in advance so we can plan around low bridges and narrow intersections instead of finding out on the way.
Common questions
Can you move a box truck that won't start?
Yes, if it's within our weight rating. We winch it onto the flatbed rather than requiring it to run, then secure and haul as usual.
Do you haul construction equipment between job sites?
Yes, within Gregg County and the I-20 corridor towns. Tell us the equipment type and approximate weight when you call so we quote accurately.
What if my equipment is heavier than your limit?
We'll say so on the call. Rather than take a load our rig isn't rated for, we'll point you toward the type of carrier that fits, so nothing gets damaged and nobody gets hurt.
Do you need advance notice for equipment jobs?
Not necessarily, though same-day scheduling helps us line up the right flatbed and crew. For anything with tricky site access, a bit of lead time makes the job smoother.