Understanding the types of trailers when shipping goods by truck freight makes it easier to evaluate the right transport system for the task. You might find it challenging to arrange the right trailer for this logistics task if you’re inexperienced with different trailer types.
Most shipping experts focus on freight rates instead of using the right equipment. Let’s look at the most common types of trailers and how to assess which one to use in your logistics project.
How to Determine the Right Trailer Type for Your Freight
There are several types of trailers used in truck freight shipping. Each moves different freight, and picking the right one requires logistics managers to understand the differences and roles of trailers. Your cargo’s size, dimensions, and weight determine the right trailer for the job.
Flatbed Trailers
This category of freight trailer includes a range of sizes and shapes, including side-kit, drop-deck, step-deck, Conestoga designs, and others. Typically, the flatbed trailer has an open layout, with a specific deck height and no sides for loading freight.
Flatbeds aren’t a good choice if the cargo transported is susceptible to damage from rain and wind because they don’t offer any protection from the elements. However, using a flatbed trailer in your logistics projects might be the only option if it involves shipping oversized items.
Flatbeds are capable of handling irregularly shaped cargo in varying sizes. They’re typically most used in commercial industries involved in shipping industrial cargo.
Some of the commodities that suit shipping on flatbed trailers include the following.
- Industrial equipment.
- Vehicles.
- Oversized heavy machinery.
- Engines and aircraft.
- Steel rigs, pipes, and other products.
- Aircraft, engines
Dry Van Trailers
Dry vans are the freight industry’s most commonly used type of trailer. They transport commercial and industrial items, protecting them from the weather. A dry van is just that; the interior of the van is protected from natural elements like wind and rain. However, the van has no temperature control, meaning it can’t transport perishable or temperature-sensitive goods.
Dry van trailers have a fully enclosed area protected from any external influence. However, they have a limited capacity and aren’t suitable for shipping oversized freight. They’re the most commonly seen type of trailer on the road, moving goods across the country.
Some commodities that suit shipping in dry van trailers include the following.
- Electronics and machinery.
- Fabrics, textiles, and clothing.
- Consumer packaged goods (CPG).
- Retail products.
- Non-perishable beverages and food items.
- Retail products
Refrigerated Trailers (Reefers)
Refrigerated trailers, or “reefers,” are mobile refrigeration units offering a climate-controlled interior for logistics projects. From the exterior, they take the appearance of a dry van trailer. On the inside, they feature built-in temperature control systems to stabilize the interior climate of the trailer while it’s in transit.
As a result of the climate-controlled area, reefers are ideal for shipping goods like perishables and temperature-sensitive healthcare products. Most modern refrigerated trailers offer remote, automated temperature regulation, maintaining ideal conditions for the cargo during freight.
Some of the commodities that suit shipping in refrigerated trailers include the following.
- Pharmaceuticals.
- Perishable foods like meat and dairy.
- Flowers
The Junction LLC | Truckload Shipping
As a leader in the transportation industry, we demand excellence from our entire team. Our team at The Junction LLC strives to deliver the best possible customer service. We help our customers solve the toughest transportation and supply chain needs.
Our team is dedicated to serving our customers and will take the necessary action to deliver our customers’ products safely, efficiently, and on time. In fact, this is our promise to you!
Nationwide Services include:
Trucking & Freight Shipping Services:
- Overweight,
- Over-dimension
- Time-sensitive shipments
- LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)
- FTL (Full Truckload)
- Flatbed
- Flatbed LTLRGN (removable gooseneck lowboy)
- RGN (removable gooseneck lowboy)
- Maxi’s / A-Train / B-Train
- Heavy Haul
- Over Dimensional
- Dry Van
- Dry Van LTL
- Refrigerated
- Refrigerated LTL
- Power Only
Additional Services:
- Our sister companies can also provide warehousing in our food-grade facilities, cross-docking, and contract warehousing.
