Road transport is part of everyone’s daily life. These include passenger cars, trucks, buses or various specialized vehicles. We will focus on truck transport, a subject we are specialists. In this article, we will take a closer look at different semi-trailers and explain their characteristics.

Truck trailers types in road transport

A semi-trailer is a type of trailer whose front part rests on a tractor unit. It has t wo fathers – Alexander Winton and Charles Fruehauf. The first of them came up with the idea of creating a semi-trailer that could be attached to a car and the second one developed a single-axle chassis that could be attached to a car. These events took place over 100 years ago and a lot of changed since then. So what does it look now?

Not all goods can be transported in the same trailers. We will use different ones to transport construction materials than to transport food products that required a specific temperature. There are several types of semi-trailers that make it possible to transport atypical, non-standard and even dangerous goods.

Dimensions of the trailer

The dimensions of a given semi-trailer depend of its type. The standard one is 13.6 m long, 2,45 m wide and its height is from 2.65 m to 2.8 m. MEGA will differ only in height – 3 m.

There are regulations that talk about the maximum dimensions of a trailer. They can be found in the Decree of the Minister of Infrastructure dated December 31, 2002. The maximum length of a vehicle combination (tractor unit + semi-trailer) may not exceed 16.5 m.

The most common types of semi-trailers in road transport

Many semi-trailers are used in the transport of goods by land. What makes them different is the type of construction, dimensions or load capacity. The type of goods transported determines the choice of a specific semi-trailer. What are its most popular types?

Standard semi-trailer

This is the classic, most popular semi-trailer. It consists of a platform with a rigid frame placed in the chassis. On it there is a detachable cover. The side walls and roof of the trailer are made of tarpaulin. It’s universal – you can transport various types of cargo in it, which are usually secured on pallets. Tarpaulin semi-trailers allow loading from any side.

Curtain semi-trailer

A curtain is a type of tarpaulin semi-trailer. In terms of construction. It doesn’t differ much from its predecessor. However, there is a difference in opening. The material of the curtain semi-trailer needs to be moved like a curtain. This is also where its common name comes from. The curtain can be used to transport various types of goods. There are no problems with loading and unloading it. The whole thing is closed, which protects the transported goods from changing weather conditions.

MEGA semi-trailer

The MEGA is a semi-trailer used for higher loads, which also has a curtain side sliding system. It differs in the greater height of the cargo space – it can reach up to 3 m! Some of the semi-trailers are equipped with sliding side posts – they allow for loading larger goods from the side.

Refrigerated semi-trailer

The refrigerated truck is designed to transport goods that require a specific temperature, such as food or medicine. It has an isothermal structure which consists of rigid side walls and roof. Thanks to the refrigeration units located inside it’s possible to maintain a temperature from -30 to +30 degrees Celsius. Loading and unloading of goods is possible only through the rear doors of the truck.

Some refrigerated semi-trailers have two chambers. Thaks to this solution goods that require different temperatures can be transported.

Isothermal semi-trailer

Some people use the names refrigerated and isothermal interchangeably – however, they are not the same semi-trailer! There is a cooling unit in a refrigerator – there is none in an isothermal semi-trailer. In this case, there is no possibility of setting a specific temperature, only maintaining the initial temperature for a certain time. This semi-trailer is most often used for transporting goods over shorter distances.

Tipper semi-trailer

A tipper doesn’t have a roof. Loading is done through the top of the semi-trailer. Tipper semi-trailers are designed to transport bulk goods, coal, aggregates, etc. The lack of a roof may require the installation of special protection to protect the transported loas from loss or weather conditions. A tipper allows for quick unloading.

Types of special semi-trailers

Tanker semi-trailer

The design of the tanker is adapted to the type of material being transported. It’s characterized by an oval tank, in which fuels, gases, food products or liquid chemicals can be transported. It’s often adapted to transport dangerous goods. A tanker semi-trailer has special valves that protect the tank from excessive pressure.

Silo

Silos are similar in appearance to cisterns – they also have an oval tank. They differ in their application. Silo semi-trailers are mainly use for transporting bulk materials, such as flour or grain. After each unloading, the semi-trailer must be thoroughly cleaned, especially when the next transport involves a different material.

Platform semi-trailer

A platform, as the name says, consists only of a flat cargo area and a bulkhead wall that separates the goods from the rear wall of the tractor unit. In this case, it’s necessary to secure the load during transport. Loading and unloading cam take place from all sides.

Other semi-trailers

In addiction to the above-mentioned semi-trailers used in road transport, there are also:

• low-bed semi-trailers – adapted for transporting machines, metal structures or oversized loads;
• semi-trailers with a moving floor – the moving floor allows loading and unloading without human assistance;
• container semi-trailers – used for transporting sea containers (they have different sizes, so these semi-trailers can be of different sizes);
• semi-trailers – used for the transport of cars;
• livestock trailers;
• stanchion trailers – these transport timber and items of non-standard length.

Which semi-trailer should I choose for transporting goods?

As we already know, there are semi-trailers available in different sizes and applications. A silo or tipper is the right choice when it comes to transporting bulk materials or a low loader for heavy equipment.

Semi-trailers at DTW Logistics Group

Our fleet includes various types of semi-trailers with different load capacity, thanks to which we can transport a wide variety of goods. Each of them undergoes a systematic review to ensure the highest level of safety and reliability during the transport of your goods. Our trailers are adapted to transport various types of cargo. We transport food, chemicals and many others!

At DTW Logistics Group we also lease tarpaulin and refrigerated trailers on favourable terms. Contact us for more information!