Description of trailers, semi-trailers and other special cargo vehicles

Why does this matter?

Let’s be honest—“trailer” is one of those catch-all words people toss around like “truck” or “van.” But when you're actually moving freight (especially the weird, oversized, or “please don’t tilt me” kind), the details matter. You don’t want to show up with a curtain-sider when what the client really needed was a low-bed with extendable ramps. Awkward. Expensive. Sometimes, a deal-breaker. So here’s a breakdown of the main types—what they’re for, where they shine, and when you probably don’t want to use them.

1. Standard Curtain-Sider (a.k.a. Tautliner)

Think: the classic, the default, the Toyota Corolla of trailers.

• Side-accessible via curtains (which slide, hence the name)
• Great for palletized freight, general cargo, and anything needing quick loading
• Usually 13.6m long, around 2.5m wide and 2.7m high
• Capacity? ~90 m³ or ~24–26 pallets

When it works: pretty much every day, for pretty much everything that isn't fragile, too tall, or shaped like a giraffe.
When it doesn't: oversized machinery, super-sensitive cargo, or heavy point loads (think steel coils or transformers).

2. Box Trailer (Dry Van)

The sealed deal.

• Fully enclosed, rigid walls—no side access
• Ideal for high-value goods or anything needing protection from weather/thieves
• Same basic size as curtain-sider, just... no curtains

Use it for: electronics, clothing, pharmaceuticals — anything you’d rather not expose to wind and curious hands.
But skip it if: you need loading from the side or top (like with a crane). Not happening here.

3. Reefer (Refrigerated Trailer)

Cold? Controlled.

• Insulated and equipped with a refrigeration unit
• Keeps cargo at specific temps, often between -25°C and +25°C
• Internal height is usually a bit lower due to insulation

Use this for: fresh food, medicine, flowers, frozen squid—whatever needs a chill (or heat) to survive the journey.
Heads-up: They burn fuel, cost more to run, and can’t usually be overloaded without upsetting the airflow and temp balance.

4. Flatbed / Platform Trailer

The no-nonsense workhorse.

• No sides. No roof. Just a flat platform.
• Load it from anywhere: sides, top, back—you name it
• Perfect for machinery, pipes, oversized stuff or construction materials

Why it’s great: ultimate flexibility.
Why it’s tricky: everything has to be strapped, chained, tarped—or all three. Not fun in the rain. Or wind.

5. Lowbed / Lowboy

For when your load is basically a small building.

• Ultra-low deck, sometimes just inches off the ground
• Made for heavy, tall, or long cargo that can’t legally ride on a standard trailer
• Often comes with ramps and may be extendable

Think: excavators, turbines, tanks. If it has tracks and weighs as much as a house, this is your ride.
Just know: you’ll probably need permits, escorts, and a good relationship with the police.

6. Mega Trailer

It’s not just a trailer. It’s a taller trailer.

• Similar to curtain-sider but with increased internal height (~3m)
• Designed to carry voluminous, lightweight cargo—think plastic bottles, furniture, insulation rolls
• Drops down in height (thanks to smaller wheels) to make room

Use it when cube space matters more than weight. Avoid it if your cargo is dense or heavy—it maxes out on volume way before weight.

7. Jumbo Trailer (Road Train style)

A strange but lovable hybrid.

• Step-deck inside to give more height without violating limits
• More space than a standard semi, often used in high-volume routes (like parcel logistics)
• A bit niche outside certain parts of Europe

Cool, but… not every dock can handle it. And some drivers really don’t like reversing them.

8. Tippers / Dump Trailers

Load, lift, drop, repeat.

• For bulk materials like sand, gravel, scrap metal
• Hydraulic lift tips the bed to unload
• Can be rear or side tipping, depending on the setup

Not fancy. But efficient. Just don’t put pallets in them (yes, someone has tried).

9. Tankers

Liquids, gases, powders—pick your poison.

• Specialized tanks for milk, fuel, chemicals, even flour
• Built for hygiene, safety, and easy cleaning
• Each one is different—some are pressurized, some insulated, some baffled

If it flows or sloshes, there's a tank for it. Warning: you really need to know what you're doing. Hazmat regulations, cleaning protocols, temperature control—it’s not a rookie job.

So… which one do you need?

That depends on:

• What you’re hauling (size, weight, fragility, shape)
• Where it’s going (cities? mines? docks?)
• How it needs to be loaded (forklift, crane, by hand?)
• Any special handling requirements (temp control, shock absorption, military escort?)

And hey—sometimes the client says, “just send a standard trailer.” Dig deeper. “Standard” for them might be a refrigerated mega with side doors.

Final thoughts

Trailers aren’t one-size-fits-all. They’re more like tools in a toolbox. Pick the wrong one, and your job gets harder (or downright impossible). Pick the right one, and the whole operation just flows smoother. And if you're ever unsure? Ask a planner, a driver, or the cranky warehouse guy. Chances are, someone has already made that mistake. No need to repeat it. Safe roads. And may your loads always fit on the first try.