If you are a new trucker, understanding the different types of trailers used in the industry is essential. Depending on the type of cargo you’re hauling, you’ll need to use different types of trailers. To help you better understand these trailer types, let’s look at some of the most commonly used ones.
Dry Vans
Dry vans are one of the most common types of trailers used in trucking. They are large rectangular containers with solid walls and doors that can be opened from either side or rear. They are ideal for transporting non-perishable food and beverage items, textiles, plastics, cars, and housing relocation. Dry vans usually have a maximum weight limit ranging from 33,000 to 53,000 pounds depending on size and material composition.
Reefer Trailers
Refrigerated trailers (also known as reefers) are designed specifically for freight that needs to be temperature controlled such as pharmaceuticals, perishable foods and beverages. Reefer trailers come equipped with an onboard cooling system which can maintain temperatures ranging from below 0°F up to 70°F depending on the type of cargo being transported. These trailers have a maximum weight capacity ranging between 34,000 and 45,000 pounds depending on size and materials used in construction.
Lowboy Trailers
Lowboy trailers are designed for tall, heavy or wide equipment such as excavators or other heavy machinery that cannot fit into a standard dry van or reefer trailer. Lowboy trailers typically feature two decks – one at ground level for loading/unloading cargo and another above it which allows for clearance over obstacles like curbs or service roads. Depending on size and material composition these lowboys usually have a maximum payload capacity between 30-48 tons (60-96K lbs).
Tanker Trailers
Tanker trailers are designed for transporting liquids such as water, fuel oil or chemicals along with gases such as propane or butane over long distances across state boundaries as well as international borders. The tanks used in this type of trailer vary in shape and design depending on their purpose but they all share similar characteristics including multiple valves which control both liquid flow rate as well as temperature inside the tank itself. Maximum payload capacity varies greatly depending on size however these tankers can generally carry around 25 tons (50K lbs) worth of cargo each trip.
Dump Trailers
Dump trailers are specialized vehicles that are designed to transport aggregate materials such as rocks gravel sand metal and even garbage from one location to another safely efficiently and quickly without having to worry about damaging any other goods being transported alongside them. These dump trucks usually have a maximum payload capacity ranging between 15-20 tons (30-40K lbs).
What type is best suited for you?
With so many different types of trailers available, it is important to know what type is best suited for your needs before making any decisions about hiring one for your next job! Knowing how each trailer works will help ensure that you choose the right one for your job so that you can get it done quickly safely efficiently -and cost effectively! Understanding these trailer types will also help ensure that your freight is loaded correctly onto the proper trailer so that it arrives safe secure –and undamaged! Thanks for reading our blog post about types of trailers used in trucking! We hope this was helpful information! Have any questions? Reach out anytime! We’re here to help! Happy trucking!
