5 types of semi-trailers and their uses
Semi-trailers are large vehicles designed to transport cargo. You’ll often see them on motorways as they’re used by businesses to transport goods across long distances.
There are several different types of semi-trailers, each with unique functions and benefits. We’ve discussed the most common semi-trailer types below.
Enclosed trailers
Enclosed trailers are sometimes called box trailers or van semi-trailers because they comprise a vehicle with a large rectangular enclosed compartment (usually made from steel) that carries the cargo.
This type of semi-trailer has doors at the back, where the driver can load and unload goods. Some also have side doors for easy access. This kind of trailer may be used for junk removal services or manufacturing transportation.
Enclosed trailers prevent goods from damage by forming a closed, protective layer around them. They prevent damage from extreme weather conditions or road debris and are effective at preventing theft.
Tank trailers
Tank semi-trailers are often referred to as tankers, and they are specifically designed to transport large volumes of liquids or gases. Due to their unique ability to transport cargo in bulk, they are often used by businesses in the construction, manufacturing, processing, food, and agriculture industries.
Tank semi-trailers are often cylindrical in shape and made using highly durable materials, such as carbon steel or stainless steel. They are designed to withstand high amounts of pressure and weight to ensure the safe transportation of liquids and gases and to reduce the risk of leakages or contamination.
They may have a single large compartment or several smaller compartments that allow for the transportation of different materials within the same journey. Tankers have several mechanisms for loading and unloading cargo, including top, loading hatches and bottom loading discharge systems.
Specialty semi-trailers
Speciality semi-trailers are custom designed to meet a specific transportation need. For example, they may have specific compartments for certain types of cargo to ensure space efficiency, safety, and reliability. They may be designed to accommodate cargo with a unique shape, perishable goods, or hazardous substances.
A specialty semi-trailer may include a danced technologies for tracking purposes or enhanced safety. They may include hydraulic systems for loading and unloading cargo or temperature-controlled compartments and refrigerators for the delivery of perishable goods.
Livestock trailers
Livestock trailers are a type of specialised semi-trailer that is used to transport live animals, such as cattle, pigs, sheep, poultry, and horses. They have impaired features that ensure the safety and comfort of the animals being transported.
This type of semi-trailer is available in a range of different sizes to accommodate the relevant type of livestock, although they are all built with efficiency in mind and will house several animals at once. They are made using durable materials like steel or aluminium and often have temperature-controlled interiors with good ventilation systems to keep the livestock comfortable and healthy during transportation.
Curtain side trailers
A semi-trailer with curtains or tarpaulins instead of solid walls is aptly named a curtain side trailer. They offer more flexibility with loading and unloading goods than an enclosed steel container, making them great for transporting cargo on pallets.
