Equipment Hauling Explained: How Forklifts, Skid Steers, and Scissor Lifts Get Moved Safely

A recent industry survey found that 77% of U.S. construction contractors rent heavy equipment rather than own it outright. That shift toward renting means equipment spends more time moving between job sites, rental yards, and repair shops than it used to — and moving a forklift, skid steer, or scissor lift safely takes different equipment and know-how than towing a car. Here's what actually goes into equipment hauling, and what to know before you need it.

What counts as equipment hauling (and how it's different from towing)

Equipment hauling covers transporting non-drivable or specialty machinery — forklifts, skid steers, scissor lifts, mini excavators, and similar construction equipment — typically on a flatbed or specialized trailer rather than towed behind a truck. Unlike a standard tow, where a vehicle is designed to be pulled or driven onto a flatbed under its own limited power, equipment hauling often involves loading machinery that can't move itself, has an unusual center of gravity, or needs specific ramps and securement points most trucks simply aren't built to handle.

Why contractors and rental companies need a hauling partner

The rental-over-ownership shift in construction is significant — that 77% figure reflects just how standard renting has become for contractors managing cash flow and avoiding the cost of owning equipment that sits idle between projects. But renting equipment doesn't come with a built-in way to move it. Rental companies need equipment delivered and picked up on schedule, and contractors need machinery relocated between job sites without pulling a crew member off other work to figure out logistics. That's the gap a dedicated equipment hauling partner fills.

What equipment we haul

Darrah's Towing & Recovery hauls a wide range of equipment for contractors, rental companies, and property managers across Eastern Iowa, including forklifts, scissor lifts, skid steers, mini excavators, and general construction machinery. Whether it's a single skid steer moving between two job sites or a rental company needing scheduled pickups and deliveries, the process is the same: properly rated trailers, correct securement, and drivers who know how to load machinery that doesn't drive itself onto a ramp.

What affects the cost and logistics of an equipment haul

A few factors shape both the cost and how a haul gets scheduled:

• Weight and dimensions — heavier or oversized equipment may require specific trailer types or permits depending on the route.

• Distance and access — a job site with limited access or uneven ground takes more time and care to load safely than a paved lot.

• Loading complexity — equipment that's disabled or non-operational takes longer to load than machinery that can drive onto a ramp under its own power.

• Scheduling — rental returns and job site relocations often run on tight windows, so hauls need to be scheduled with the same reliability as any other logistics on a job.

How equipment actually gets loaded and secured

Loading heavy equipment safely starts with matching the trailer to the machine — a scissor lift and a skid steer have different weight distributions, and neither should be treated the same as a standard vehicle tow. Ramps have to be rated for the equipment's weight, and securement uses chains or straps rated for the load, placed at the points the manufacturer designates for transport, not just wherever seems convenient. Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration cargo securement rules set specific requirements for how heavy equipment must be tied down for road transport, and cutting corners here isn't just a compliance issue — it's a real safety risk for everyone on the road around the load.

"We rely on Darrah's Towing and Recovery for our fleet, and they consistently provide top-notch service. Their team is professional, prompt, and always handles our vehicles with care. Whether it's a routine tow or an urgent recovery, they respond quickly and get the job done efficiently. We appreciate their reliability and excellent customer service."

— A commercial fleet customer, Darrah's Towing & Recovery

Common scenarios we handle

• Job site relocations — moving equipment between active job sites as a project progresses.

• Rental pickups and deliveries — scheduled equipment moves for rental companies managing multiple job sites at once.

• Breakdown transport — hauling disabled equipment from a job site to a repair shop when it can't be driven.

• Dealer and yard transfers — moving equipment between dealer lots, auctions, or storage yards.

What to have ready when you call

A faster quote usually comes down to a few details: the type and approximate weight of the equipment, the pickup and drop-off locations, whether the equipment can move under its own power or needs to be loaded as dead weight, and your preferred timing. Having that information ready when you call cuts down on back-and-forth and gets a truck scheduled faster.

Serving contractors and rental companies across Eastern Iowa

Darrah's Towing & Recovery has served Eastern Iowa contractors, rental companies, and fleet operators since 1981, covering Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Hiawatha, Monticello, and the surrounding area. That's decades of experience handling everything from a single job site relocation to ongoing rental logistics for companies that need equipment moved reliably, on schedule, every time.

Quick answers

Can you haul equipment that doesn't run? Yes — non-operational equipment can be loaded as dead weight using ramps and winches rated for the equipment's size and weight. It just takes more time than loading something that can drive on under its own power.

Do you handle recurring rental company logistics, or just one-off jobs? Both. Some customers need a single job site move, others need scheduled recurring pickups and deliveries as part of their rental operations.

What size equipment can you haul? From compact equipment like skid steers and scissor lifts up through larger construction machinery — call with the specific make, model, and weight and we can confirm the right trailer for the job.

Get equipment moved, on your schedule

Need equipment moved — a single job site relocation or ongoing rental logistics? Call Darrah's Towing & Recovery at 319-363-7900. Serving contractors, rental companies, and fleet operators throughout Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, Marion, Hiawatha, Monticello, and the rest of Eastern Iowa.