Log trucks vary widely by region. As you travel across the United States, you may be surprised to see how many different styles exist. You can always recognize a log truck by the upright stakes which are known as
bolsters. A pair of bolsters makes a
bunk. The trucks below are a representative sampling of the log trucks across the United States.
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Maine Log Truck
Original image source unknown. |
Truckers in Maine have at least two very different types of logs to haul: long small diameter softwood and shorter thicker hardwood logs. The trucks they use work well for both.
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Log Length Log Truck
Common in the Midwest and Northeast, These trucks often have a rear mounted self-loader and are sometimes used with a short "pup" trailer. They are ideal for smaller jobs such as lot clearing, rather than industrial scale logging operations.
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Plantation style log truck
Picture adapted from photo at bluegrassforestry.com
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Plantation trailers are the style you'll see most often in the South. In these states, pine and hardwood plantations provide the timber used in home building and woodworking. These trailers are often built low to the ground to allow for a taller load. A push bar is located on the rear of the trailer so that heavy equipment can give the truck a shove when needed on soft, muddy ground.
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| Stinger Steered Pole Trailer Log Truck |
Stinger Steered Pole trailers may be the most unusual configuration in all of trucking. These units are ideal for navigating steep winding gravel forest roads in the mountainous Western states. One swivel mounted bunk is located in the spot where you'd normally find a fifth wheel hitch. Another swivel mounted bunk is above the rear axles. The trailer is attached by means of a pintle hitch. Amazingly, the logs determine the length of the trailer while the actual trailer telescopes to change length around corners.
Finally, the most versatile of the styles is a simple flatbed with bolsters. Not the most exciting, and not the perfect tool for the job, but if you only haul logs sometimes, a flatbed may be the best choice.
As always, if I've missed something or made an error, please don't hesitate to comment below.
All original art by David Swift
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