Many sectors employ freight truck to convey their products, but different types of goods necessitate distinct modes of transportation. Would you like to learn about the various types of freight vehicles and their purposes?
Many sectors employ freight trucks to convey their products, but different types of goods necessitate distinct modes of transportation. Trucks are classified in numerous ways to satisfy the needs of various industries when moving goods throughout the country.
Semi-trailers, flatbeds, step decks, dry vans, reefers, box trucks, and tankers are just a few of the several types of freight trucks. Do you have an interest in learning about the various types of freight vehicles and their purposes? Continue reading!
What is a freight truck?
The freight truck is a huge piece of equipment that transports items from one area to another. There are two parts to every freight truck: the truck tractor in the front, which has the engine and cab, and the trailer in the back, which holds the goods.
If the towed vehicle weighs more than 10,000 pounds, truck drivers must obtain a Commercial Driver’s License (CDL). Some types of freight, however, require further training and endorsements for the driver.
7 Common Types of Freight Truck and What They Haul
Semi-trailers, flatbeds, step decks, dry vans, reefers, box trucks, and tankers are the seven main categories of freight vehicles according to the goods they transport.
Semi-Trailer
The semi-trailer is probably the most prevalent type of freight transport.
Semi-Trailer
Several names refer to semi-trailers, including semi-trucks, 18-wheelers, tractor-trailers, and big rigs. They are some of the most visible freight trucks on the road.
The trailer itself lacks a front axle and wheels, instead relying on a hitch or fifth-wheel connector. They can also tow one or two additional trailers to carry more freight.
Semi-trucks may deliver both consumer items and raw commodities. Their versatility makes them ideal for delivering cargo over long distances, especially since a single semi-truck may tow several trailers.
Flatbed Trucks
A flatbed truck is a vehicle that transports goods using an open, flat trailer rather than a closed trailer. These trucks are extremely useful for transporting big goods.
These vehicles can handle enormous amounts of material while also being easier to load and unload than other types of freight trucks. People commonly use straps to secure items on flatbed trailers.
Flatbed trucks are suitable for delivering building materials, cars, large machinery, huge freight, and even houses due to their high load-bearing capacity and varied cargo area. Revolution Trucking ships many of its shipments, including hotshot truck loads, via flatbed.
Step Deck
Similar to a flatbed truck, a step deck is an open trailer designed to carry taller cargo, as it is constructed specifically for that purpose.
Step decks, often called drop decks or lowboy trailers, have two levels. The bottom level is intended to provide more clearance for tall or bulky items. Consequently, they are easier to load and unload.
A step deck trailer allows you to move huge and tall products without the need for additional permissions, and you can also fit more stuff on the other deck.
Dry Van
A dry van is a type of semi-truck with no temperature control on its trailer. A roof and four walls completely enclose a dry van to shield products from the elements.
Many dry van trailers are 53 feet long and can hold a variety of freight. New truck drivers frequently drive dry van trucks because they are common and just require a Class A CDL.
Due to the frequent delivery of boxed cargo and pallets, dry van trucks previously delivered almost everything you own, including furniture, non-perishable food, and clothing. On the other hand, a reefer, or refrigerated truck, is specifically employed for shipping groceries.
Reefer
Reefers, often known as refrigerated trucks, are freight vehicles that keep perishable commodities at a controlled temperature. These trucks often convey food to supermarkets and warehouses.
The driver must constantly monitor the temperature of the refrigeration unit, which is either at the front of the trailer or above the truck’s cab. By doing so, they can prevent food from spoiling.
Reefer trucks transport products that must be kept chilled, such as food, medical supplies, chemicals, and hazardous materials. These commodities can spoil quickly if not kept at the right temperature, making reefer trucks one of the most time-sensitive modes of freight transportation.
At Revolution Trucking, we specialize in life sciences, pharmaceuticals, and consumer goods, many of which require refrigerated shipping. Learn more about how Revolution can help you deliver on time, every time.
Box Truck
Box trucks stand out thanks to their tiny freight truck sizes and box-shaped cargo compartments. The cargo box of a box truck rests directly on the frame.
The truck’s box is normally kept separate from the driver’s area. These trucks are ideal for local deliveries because they can easily handle small streets and tight corners.
People commonly use box trucks for short-distance freight transportation, including home appliance and furniture delivery, last-mile deliveries, restaurant delivery, and even relocation. A box truck could be beneficial while relocating to a new residence.
Tanker
Tanker trucks come in two varieties: dry bulk tankers and liquid tankers. Dry bulk transportation handles loose, dry products like wheat or sand, while liquid tankers deliver liquids and gases. Unlike boxy trailers, tankers have a circular tank attached to the back of a semi-truck.
They can be tricky to operate because drivers must avoid causing the liquid inside to swirl around excessively.
The tanks contain sections to help prevent sloshing and carry numerous loads. If necessary, pressurize, insulate, or chill the tank based on the cargo requirements.
Dry bulk tankers transport materials like construction materials (sand, powders) and bulk foods (sugar, grain) that cannot be conveyed in other ways. Liquid tankers convey a wide range of liquids, including beverages such as milk or wine and chemicals such as gasoline.
How to Choose the Right Freight Truck for Your Needs
While several factors come into play when selecting a truck to move your freight, the most important consideration is the type of cargo you’ll be transporting. Other considerations include the weight and size of your cargo, the distance you’ll go, and your budget.
General trucking FAQs
What do LTL and FTL mean?
A full truckload (FTL) shipment weighs more than 10,000 pounds or fills the entire truck area. FTL Service transports your shipment from Point A to Point B without the need for any intermediate transfers.
LTL merely indicates that your package weighs less than a truckload.
What exactly does “flatbed tarping” mean?
Flatbed tarping is the technique of placing a big tarp over freight on a flatbed truck to protect it from the elements or damage.
What is the freight class?
Goods are classified into 18 freight classes, considering factors like their value, weight, density, length, height, and other variables affecting handling and liability. This provides consumers with more precise pricing for LTL shipments.
Don’t you know your freight class? Do you need assistance getting the best pricing for your freight? Contact Revolution immediately to have our specialists identify the most efficient and cost-effective option for you.
It is best to know your freight class before sending.
Freight trucks come in many shapes and sizes, and depending on the type, they may haul a wide range of cargo. Each freight truck has unique advantages and disadvantages that influence what it can haul. Understanding these distinctions is critical for shippers who want to get their goods from Point A to Point B as quickly as possible.
