Choosing the wrong truck can mean damaged goods, delivery delays or extra costs that were never necessary. In heavy transport no single truck suits everything: each trailer type is designed for a specific kind of load. This article reviews the main types and how to choose between them.
Flatbed trailer
A flat, open platform with no sides or roof, and one of the most widely used trailers because it can be loaded from any direction and quickly. It suits heavy loads that are not affected by rain, and oversized loads that need more space than a closed body can offer.
Lowboy / RGN trailer
It has a very low deck thanks to two drops in the deck height, which makes it possible to carry tall equipment without exceeding legal height limits. On the removable gooseneck (RGN) type, the front section turns into a ramp that makes it easy to drive machines on. That is why it is usually used for excavators, bulldozers and large industrial equipment.
Step deck trailer
Similar to a flatbed but with a lower deck over most of its length, so it can carry taller cargo within legal height limits, and it often comes with ramps that make loading easier.
Curtainsider trailer
It combines easy side loading with protection from dust and rain through its sliding curtains, and suits palletized and packaged goods.
Enclosed and refrigerated trailers
If your goods are sensitive to weather or heat, an enclosed or refrigerated trailer is the better choice because it protects them from outside factors for the whole journey.
How to choose the right truck
- Weight and size: start by defining the weight and dimensions of the load. Large equipment usually needs a flatbed or a lowboy.
- Sensitivity of the goods: if they are affected by rain, dust or heat, choose a covered, enclosed or refrigerated trailer.
- Ease of loading and unloading: some trailers, such as step deck and RGN, make loading with ramps easier.
- Special requirements: if the shipment needs additional arrangements, tell the transport company early.
Most importantly, give the transport company a full picture of your shipment before contracting, so it can recommend the most suitable truck instead of you bearing the consequences of an unsuitable choice.
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