Types of Trailers

Types of Trailers Used in Trucking

In this article, we will dive into the different types of semi trailers used in the trucking industry, their specific features, and the types of cargo they are designed to carry. Each trailer has it’s own page that goes into full details.
Learn about the Fifth Wheel here.
Learn about Pintle Hitch here.
Learn basics about Semi Trailers here.

1. Dry Van Trailers

Also known as box trailers, dry vans are enclosed trailers mainly used for transporting non-perishable goods. These trailers protect the cargo from weather conditions, making them suitable for items like clothing, electronics, and furniture. However, dry vans do not offer temperature control.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.2 feet
Standard Height: 8.2 feet
Click here to learn more about Dry Van Trailers.

2. Flatbed Trailers

Flatbed trailers are arguably the most common and versatile types of trailers. They consist of a level bed with no sides or roof, allowing for quick loading and unloading of goods. Flatbeds are typically used to transport large, heavy, or irregularly shaped loads such as machinery, lumber, and building materials. The open nature of these trailers, however, means that the cargo needs to be weather-resistant or appropriately covered to protect against the elements.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Standard Height: 5 feet (floor to top, with no vertical constraints for cargo due to lack of a roof)
Click here to learn more about Flatbed Trailers.

3. Refrigerated Trailers (Reefers)

Refrigerated trailers, colloquially known as ‘reefers’, are temperature-controlled units designed to transport perishable goods. They are essentially insulated dry vans equipped with a cooling system, allowing for the transportation of items such as food, pharmaceuticals, and other temperature-sensitive commodities.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 8 feet
Click here to learn more about Reefer Trailers.

4. Tanker Trailers

Tanker trailers are designed to carry liquid or gas loads. They are mainly used for transporting fuel, chemicals, and food-grade liquids like milk. Given the potential hazard associated with their cargo, tanker trailers are often subject to strict safety regulations.

Standard Length: 40 to 52 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 10.5 to 11 feet (This height can vary widely depending on the load and the specific type of tanker.)
Click here to learn more about Tanker Trailers.

5. Lowboy Trailers

Lowboy trailers are uniquely designed with a drop in the middle of their platform, allowing them to carry tall cargo. They are primarily used for hauling heavy equipment such as bulldozers, industrial machinery, and other oversized loads.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Deck Height: 18 to 24 inches
Click here to learn more about Lowboy Trailers.

6. Car Hauler Trailers

Car hauler trailers, as the name suggests, are used to transport vehicles. They come in various sizes, with larger ones capable of carrying multiple vehicles simultaneously. These trailers are commonly used by auto manufacturers and dealerships for vehicle transportation.

Standard Length: 50 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Standard Height: 11.6 feet
Click here to learn more about Car Hauler Trailers.

7. Livestock Trailers

Livestock trailers are designed to transport live animals, with features tailored to the welfare and safety of the animals during transit. They typically have ventilation systems and separations inside to keep animals secure and comfortable.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 8 feet
Click here to learn more about Livestock Trailers.

8. Dump Trailers

Designed with a hydraulic lift system, dump trailers can tilt to unload their cargo. They are used to transport construction materials such as sand, gravel, or waste for disposal.

Standard Length: 10 to 32 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 8 feet (The trailer box)
Click here to learn more about Dump Trailers.

9. Intermodal Trailers

Intermodal trailers are designed to transport intermodal containers and are a crucial component of global freight transportation. They facilitate a smooth transition of cargo from ship, to rail, to truck without having to unload the container.

Standard Length: 40 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 9.5 feet
Click here to learn more about Intermodal Trailers.

10. Side Curtain Trailers

Also known as curtain-siders, these trailers offer the benefits of a flatbed with the protection of an enclosed trailer. The side curtains are retractable, providing easy access to the cargo.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Standard Height: 8.5 feet
Click here to learn more about Side Curtain Trailers.

11. Step Deck Trailers

Step Deck or Drop Deck trailers are similar to flatbeds but have a ‘step’ in their design that allows them to carry taller loads. They are ideal for transporting equipment that’s too tall for flatbed trailers.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Upper Deck Height: 5 feet, Lower Deck Height: 10 feet
Click here to learn more about Step Deck Trailers.

12. Double Drop Trailers

Double drop trailers have a lower deck, well, and rear deck. They are designed for carrying oversized or tall freight. The ‘well’ typically sits quite low to the ground for easy loading.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Deck Height: Ranges widely depending on specific design
Click here to learn more about Double Drop Trailers.

13. Extendable Trailers

Extendable trailers, also known as stretch trailers, are designed to haul long loads that won’t fit on a standard trailer. They can be extended and retracted as needed.

Standard Length: Variable, can be extended up to 80 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Deck Height: Depends on the base design, flatbed or drop deck
Click here to learn more about Extendable Trailers.

14. Dry Bulk Trailers

Dry bulk trailers, often called “pneumatic trailers,” are used to transport dry bulk commodities such as sand, cement, plastics, and food products.

Standard Length: 40 to 42 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 12.5 feet
Click here to learn more about Dry Bulk Trailers.

15. Hopper-Bottom Trailers

Hopper-bottom trailers are commonly used in agriculture for transporting grain and other commodity crops. They have a quick discharge system making unloading efficient.

Standard Length: 40 to 42 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 10 feet
Click here to learn more about Hopper-Bottom Trailers.

16. Liftgate Trailers

Liftgate trailers are equipped with a hydraulic or electric lift at the rear, allowing for easier loading and unloading of goods.

Dimensions vary widely depending on the type of trailer base, such as a dry van or reefer
Click here to learn more about Liftgate Trailers.

17. Gooseneck Trailers

Gooseneck trailers attach to the truck via an adjustable arm (“gooseneck”). They’re useful for heavy or uneven loads.

Dimensions vary widely depending on specific design and intended use
Click here to learn more about Gooseneck Trailers.

18. Conestoga Trailers

A Conestoga trailer is essentially a flatbed with a flexible retractable tarping system that provides full coverage of the cargo, similar to a van trailer.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8 feet
Standard Height: 8 feet
Click here to learn more about Conestoga Trailers.

19. Side Kit Trailers

Side kit trailers are flatbeds with removable wooden sides and a tarp cover, ideal for carrying loads that need protection from the elements.

Standard Length: 48 to 53 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Standard Height: 8 feet
Click here to learn more about Side Kit Trailers.

20. Bus Trailers

Bus trailers are specialized trailers used for transporting buses. They are designed to accommodate the unique dimensions and weight of a bus.

Standard Length: 45 to 50 feet
Standard Width: 8.5 feet
Standard Height: Varies depending on the size of the bus
Click here to learn more about Bus Trailers.

Each of these trailers offers unique capabilities, addressing the diverse needs of the trucking industry. They play a significant role in our economy, supporting a range of sectors from food service and retail to construction and manufacturing. Understanding these different types of trailers is not just useful knowledge for those in the trucking profession but also offers valuable insight into the logistics behind our everyday commodities.
Learn about Power-Only Trucking here.

Visit Big Tex Trailers to learn more about Gooseneck trailers.