Moving or Live Floor Trailers also commonly known as “walking floor trailers” or “moving floor trailers,” are designed for transport and unloading of bulk material. Unlike traditional dump trailers which rely on tilting the bed for unloading, live floor trailers utilize a hydraulically powered floor system composed of moving slats. These slats work in sequence to push the cargo horizontally out of the rear of the trailer.
The floor of a live floor trailer is divided into sets of slats, which move in a synchronized pattern
Forward Movement: All sets of slats move backward together, pushing the entire load towards the rear of the trailer.
Retraction: Individual sets of slats retract one by one, while the other two-thirds of the floor remain stationary, thus keeping the bulk of the load in place.
Repeat: This cycle repeats, gradually unloading the material from the trailer.
This system allows for controlled and precise unloading, as the driver can manage the speed and direction of the material being discharged. Some systems even allow for reverse motion for adjustments.
Live floor trailers are highly versatile and are used across various industries for hauling a wide range of materials, including:
- Agriculture – Grain, animal feed, fertilizer, silage, potatoes, and other produce.
- Recycling & Waste Management – Household waste, commercial skip contents, industrial waste, biomass, woodchip, and other recycled materials.
- Construction – Sand, gravel, topsoil, compost, aggregates, asphalt, rip-rap, and demolition debris.
- Other Bulk Goods – Pallets, paper rolls, and even some packaged goods can be transported, offering flexibility for return loads.
