Types of Truckload Equipment

by

Daryn Duff

Truckload carriers are fleets that haul freight by the truckload, with the entire load supplied by one shipper. This compares with less-than-truckload fleets (LTL) that haul shipments from more than one customer at a time. Truckload fleets offer a variety of hauling services requiring a like variety of equipment. Some specialize in one type of equipment, such as refrigerated transport, while others offer a broad range of equipment and hauling services

Dry Van The most typical equipment used for most long-haul cross-country freight shipments is the tractor-trailer. The most used tractor-trailer combination is a conventional cab equipped with a sleeper pulling a 53-foot-long, 102-inch-wide dry van trailer. A conventional tractor powers the combination tractor and trailer. It is the “tractor.” Conventional tractors have the engine in front, as opposed to cabovers where the engine is located under the driver compartment to shorten vehicle length. Conventional tractors are often equipped with sleeper compartments behind the driver and passenger seats, which contain a bed for the driver to use when off-duty. Regional Haulers For regional and local hauls, carriers sometimes use cabover tractors. The cabover has the engine under the driver compartment in order to shorten the length of the cab. This is helpful when negotiating narrow city streets and other areas where it is difficult to maneuver larger rigs. In a straight truck, the power unit is permanently connected to the trailer or “box” where freight is contained. Straight trucks come in a huge variety of sizes. Reefers For temperature-sensitive freight, dry van trailers can be equipped with refrigeration units (reefers) attached to the front of the trailer. Refrigeration units are also used on straight trucks used to haul perishable freight such as meat, dairy, produce, medicine and plants. Even sensitive electronic equipment may need to be hauled in a temperature-controlled vehicle. Flatbeds Flatbed trailers are used to haul shipments of large, heavy and over-sized loads, such as steel and lumber. The most typical flatbed equipment on the market includes 48- and 53-foot flatbeds; doubles (two smaller trailers attached together hauled by one power unit); and drop decks, where the top of the trailer, which runs over the fifth wheel attaching the trailer to the power unit, rides higher than the “deck” where the freight will be loaded. This is often required for heavy loads to better distribute the load over the axles. Bulk Hauling For bulk truckload shipments, the most typical equipment used is a tractor-tanker combination. Tankers are trailers designed to haul liquid shipments. Other styles of bulk trailers are designed to haul grain, gravel and other dry, loose loads. Expedited Freight To haul expedited, time-sensitive freight, tractors are often equipped with large, custom sleeper compartments designed to accommodate two drivers. Expedited freight necessitates using two drivers to haul the load so that one can drive while the other takes federally mandated rest breaks. Custom cabs often include double bunks for sleep, work areas, refrigerators, showers, sinks and portable toilets—much like the typical recreational vehicle. Intermodal For intermodal service, truckload carriers utilize containers picked up at shipping ports and loaded onto a trailer chassis for over-the-road hauling. Containers are also used to transport freight by train or barge.

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Types of Truckload Equipment