Today, there are various types of trailers on the road, and each has a different purpose. In the trucking industry, there are several types of trailers that are commonly used.
Dry Van Trailers
The dry van trailer is the preferred solution when it comes to palletized or boxed shipments. It is also the most common type of trailer on the road today.
The common size of a dry van trailer is 53 feet. It is commonly used to transport items that people use every day, such as clothing, non-perishable food, and household goods.
Because it has physical walls, it is able to protect these goods from the weather. Dry van trailers have a maximum weight range of 42,000-45,000 pounds but are not suitable for carrying oversized loads.
A dry van trailer is a cost-effective investment for any company looking to expand its vehicle.
Standard flatbed trailers
In addition to dry van trailers, the standard flatbed trailer is also a common type of semi-trailer. But instead of 53 feet, its most common size is 48 feet.
The key feature of a standard flatbed trailer is versatility. Flatbed trailers are used to transport steel, construction equipment, lumber, etc. And because there are no trailer walls, cargo can be loaded or unloaded on the back and sides at the same time, increasing efficiency.
It is important to note that since flatbed trailers do not have physical walls, cargos need to be secured with tie-downs, etc. Also, tarpaulins are required to protect the cargo from the weather.
Lowboy trailer
It is closer to the ground than any other kind of trailer, because it has two drops. Because of this, it is often used to transport tall machinery and to ensure that the cargo does not exceed the legal height. The legal height of cargo which use lowbed trailer to transport is 11 feet 6 inches.
The maximum weight range of a lowbed trailer is between 40,000 and 80,000 pounds, and the reason for this wide variation is the number of axles. The more axles you have, the larger the load capacity.
Drop-Deck trailer
When the cargo is high, using a flatbed trailer would exceed the legal limit. Then the step-deck trailer will become an alternative. It consists of two parts, an upper deck and a rear section near the ground. It can haul loads up to 10 feet 2 inches. When agricultural and construction materials do not exceed 10 feet 2 inches, the drop-deck trailer would be ideal.
Refrigerated trailers
Reefer trailers are designed to transport any cargo that requires temperature control. It not only prevents goods from rotting, but also from frostbite. Fruits, medications, ice cream, temperature-sensitive electronics, etc. all need to be transported in a refrigerated trailer.
Reefer trailers also have a maximum weight capacity of between 42,000-45,000 pounds, the same as dry van trailers. And also, it cannot transport any cargo that exceeds the length of the deck.
Curtainside Trailers
The curtainside trailer itself has a tarp that protects the cargo from the weather during transportation. It is more flexible than a dry van trailer, and cargo can be loaded from both the back and the side. This is because the tarpaulin can be pulled off from the side.
Extendable Drop-Deck trailers
For some excessively long cargoes, ordinary flatbed semi-trailers, even if they are licensed to transport oversized cargoes, will not be able to transport the cargo due to too much overhang at the end. This calls for an extendable deck trailer.
It can usually be expanded up to 65 feet in length. The original length is around 38 feet. So, when there is no cargo, it can be driven on the road normally. Extendable drop-deck trailers can typically hold up to 43,000 pounds of cargo, similar to a standard flatbed semi-trailer.
Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RGN)
The front gooseneck tube of the RGN trailer can be removed. When the driver removes it, a ramp will be formed at the front of the trailer to facilitate the loading of large equipment.
If you want to buy a semi-trailer, please contact us and we will recommend the right type of semi-trailer for you.