

The most popular trailer is a box trailer or also called a dry van trailer.
Tractor trailer driver#
The trailer has its own wheels that have the ability to be repositioned if the driver needs to even out the load.ĭepending on the freight, there are different kinds of trailers. The tractor is where the driver will sit and drive, and that is the cab of the tractor. In the trucking industry a tractor is usually just referred to as a ‘tractor’. The trailer does not have an engine.Ī tractor is referred to with many different names, which include tractor-trailer, big rig, semi-truck, and an 18-wheeler. The trailer is attached to the tractor and is where the freight is placed. The tractor contains an engine and can operate without being attached to a trailer. These trailers have no sides, so they are easy to load and work well for moving freight that doesn't fit the dimensions of a standard van trailer.What is the difference between a tractor and a trailer? A tractor refers to the truck that has the engine. Flatbedsįlatbed trailers are the simplest type of trailer, consisting of a single deck with several wheels and axles.

Tractors and light-duty commercial vehicles may also be carried on car carriers. Much of the time these vehicles are new, but used vehicles may also be hauled on these trailers. This may be from the manufacturer to the dealership or from one dealership to another. Car CarriersĬar carrier trailers are used to transport multiple vehicles from one location to another. Sometimes the freight is kept at a temperature above freezing, while other times the cargo must be frozen. This unit is designed to keep the freight at a certain temperature. Reefer trailers are very similar in size and shape to van trailers, except that they have at least one cooling unit attached to the top of the trailer. The difference is that the sides of the trailer consist of soft curtains that can be moved out of the way for loading and unloading cargo. Curtain vans are similar to van trailers. It is common for van trailers to be seen backed up to loading docks because forklifts are often used to load these trailers with different types of freight.

These trailers look like a long box and are used to haul a wide variety of products from one place to another. Van trailers are one of the most common types. Here are descriptions of a few common types of trailers: Vans and Curtain Vans Some trailer types are easier to find in some areas of the country than others. Dump trailers are often seen on construction sites, and hopper trailers are more common in agricultural areas.

These trailers are generally used to haul cargo long distances from the manufacturer to the distributor. Some types of semi tractor trailers are commonly seen on the freeways, such as flatbeds, tankers, containers, car haulers and vans. Setting your preferences for trailer type, price range, make, model and year of manufacture will narrow down to options and make it easier for you to choose trailers that meet your needs. One option is to use the search function to set your perimeters so that you only see trailers that meet your hauling needs. You can browse the entire trailer inventory, but the amount of trailers for sale may be overwhelming. You may also consider purchasing several trailers of different types so that you can easily haul irregularly-shaped loads, freight on pallets, frozen foods, and other types of goods. It may be beneficial to purchase flatbed trailers if you will be hauling a wide variety of cargo items because they are very versatile. Knowing what cargo you are likely to be hauling is the first step to finding the right trailer.
