For Free Consultation
We are listing the top 10 truck trailer types in North America. what are the different types of trailers?
The article provides you with the description, height, weight, length. width for the trailer in the picture.
In the Freight trucking business, you need to know the right kind of trailer to use to haul a load. This article will help you to
1) Flatbed Truck Trailer Types:
Flatbeds are a widely used and very popular type of trailer because of their versatility. Loads are loaded onto a Flatbed on its tips, sides, and rear. Such capabilities make a Flatbed a very important asset of a trucking company
Flatbed Trailers Maximum freight weight of 48,000 pounds.
Flatbed Trailers Maximum freight dimensions:
Maximum Flatbed Trailer Length- 48 ft – 53 ft
Maximum Flatbed Trailer Width- 8.5 ft
Maximum Legal Freight Height- 8.5 ft
2) Enclosed Trailer or Dry Van Truck Trailer Type:
Dry Van or enclosed cover is enclosed and is commonly used to protect the load/freight carried in it, from the elements, weather, etc. Its a popular truck trailer type in the USA
The load/shipment can be loaded on the rare of the dry van using a loading dock. Some dry vans come equipped with liftgates that help you to load and unload your freight into and from a dry van.
Dry Van Maximum freight weight is 42,000 lbs to 45,000 lbs.
Dry Van Maximum freight dimensions:
Maximum Dry Vans Length- 48 ft – 53 ft
Maximum Dry Vans Width- 8.2 ft
Maximum Dry Vans Height- 8 ft
3) Reefer or Refrigerated container Truck Trailer Type:
A reefer is a refrigerated container or a temperature-controlled unit used to carry frozen and chilled produce. The temperature inside the container is consistently cold whatever weather condition it may be outside. Reefers are equipped to take additional fuel to keep their inside cool, because of this it’s costly and hard to operate.
Refrigerated Trailers Max freight weight is 42,000 to 45,000 lbs.
Refrigerated Trailers Maximum freight dimension:
Maximum Refrigerated Trailers Length- 48 ft – 53 ft
Maximum Refrigerated Trailers Width- 8.2 ft
Maximum Refrigerated Trailers Height- 8 ft
4) Step Deck Truck Trailer Types:
Stepdeck/ drop deck trailer is a variation of a Flatbed trailer which consists of a bottom and top deck. These trailers haul freight that cannot be hauled by another standard flatbed trailer, often due to height limits/restrictions. Step decks also can be open or they can enclose a Conestoga-type trailer or a Dry van. This is a very popular truck trailer hitch type.
Step decks Maximum freight weight is 48,000 pounds.
Step decks Maximum freight dimensions:
Maximum Stepdeck Trailer Length- 48 ft – 53 ft
Maximum Stepdeck Trailer Width- 8.5 ft
Maximum Legal Freight Height- 10 ft
5) Conestoga Truck Trailer Type:
Conestoga Trailers has a rolling tarp system (uncover and cover loads). This tarp system protects the loads/freight, and the trap can be rolled back to do side loading or unloading of freight. This is a very popular truck trailer type.
Conestoga Trailers Max freight weight is 42,000 lbs to 45,000 lbs.
Conestoga Trailers Maximum freight dimensions:
Maximum Dry Vans Length- 48 ft – 53 ft
Maximum Dry Vans Width- 8.2 ft
Maximum Dry Vans Height- 8 ft
6) RGN (Removable Gooseneck) Truck Trailer Type:
RGN removable gooseneck trailer is apt for carrying tall and long loads. RGN has a detachable front, allowing the trailer to create a ramp by dropping to the ground. RGN can carry a load weighing up to 150,000 pounds. RGN can go from 3axels to 20 axels according to weight/length and height of the load. RGN trailers are expensive because they are specialized.
RGN’s Maximum freight weight is 42,000 pounds.
RGN’s Maximum freight weight is 42,000 pounds.
Removable Gooseneck – RGN Maximum freight dimensions:
Maximum Removable Gooseneck – RGN Well Length- Main Deck 29 ft
Maximum Removable Gooseneck – RGN Well Width- 8.5 ft
Maximum Removable Gooseneck – RGN Legal Freight Height- 11.6 ft
7) Stretch Removable Goose Neck (RGN) Truck Trailer Types:
Stretch Removable Goose Neck (RGN) trailer is supposed to carry loads too long to carry by standard RGN type. As per the weight of the loads, axles may range from 3 axles or more. This means for hefty loads more axels are used.
Stretch RGN or Removable Goosenecks Maximum freight weight is 42,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds or more. It is a very popular type of trailer for trucks.
Stretch RGN Maximum freight dimensions:
Max Stretch RGN Length in Well- Main Deck 29 ft to 65 ft
Max Stretch RGN Trailer Width- 8.5 ft
Max Stretch RGN Legal Freight Height- 11.6 ft
8) A Lowboy Truck Trailer Types:
A low boy trailer is usually an unpowered trailer designed to carry tall and long items. yard. Usually, the loads carried by lowboy are taller than the legal height of that load carried in a flatbed. This type of trailer is used to hostel loads between loading docks in a freight.
Lowboy's Maximum weight is 40,000 pounds for a 2-axle Lowboy Trailer; the additional weight of up to 80,000 pounds depending on the number of axles used (weight of the trailer and weight of the load added together).
Lowboy's Maximum Dimensions:
Maximum Lowboy Well Length- 24 ft – 29.6 ft
Maximum Lowboy Well Height- 18 in – 24 in
Maximum Legal Width- 8.5 ft
Maximum Legal Freight Height- 11.5 ft – 12 ft
Maximum Legal Overall Load Height- 14 ft
9) Straight Truck Trailer Type:
A straight truck, also known as a cube truck, cube van, box van, or box truck, is a truck that carries cargo on the same chassis as the power unit and cab. These types of truck trailers are often used to move furniture, home goods, and smaller items, or for “hot-shot” expedited freight deliveries.
Cube truck Maximum Dimensions:
Maximum Cube Van Well Length- 15 ft – 26 ft
Maximum Lowboy Well Height- 102″
Maximum Legal Width- 102″
10) Specialized Truck Trailer Type:
Specialized trailers are specifically made for certain types of freights and are commonly used with perimeter, double gooseneck, and dolly trailers.
- Specialized Trucking Trailers max freight weight is 200,000 pounds or more.
- Maximum Specialized Trucking Trailers dimensions (depends on the regulations imposed by the state/s)
The above are some of the most popular truck trailer types used in the USA. You can select any one of these according to specifications of the load to be hauled.
Other urgent requirements for running an trucking company:
Firstly, there are a few operational adjustments an owner operator should make while he/she is in nascent stages of operation. Like enlisting a dispatcher to help you get good and well paid loads.
Secondly, you need a good insurance agency/provider covering you for various circumstances/policy types. You need to take 3rd party liability, cargo, uninsured motorist, trailer/equipment insurance.
Thirdly, we need to enlist a factor who has competitive rates and above par service quality to make your business financial bottleneck-free. This will help you to have a good cash flow and working capital.
For more details
