What is a semi-trailer?
Semi-trailer, how to define it well? It is a non-self-propelled road vehicle that is used to transport various types of items. A semi-trailer can be used to transport any kind of goods - including loose and liquid materials. Construction of a semi-trailer is based on cooperation with a motor vehicle, i.e. truck tractor. Its part together with goods is placed on this vehicle and it is pulled during the journey. It is worth mentioning that Poland belongs to one of the leading producers of semi-trailers. Polish logos can be found in a large part of cargo transports, especially on the European continent. Hitching a semi-trailer to a tractor-trailer requires several procedures. First, you lower the suspension and slowly drive up to the semi-trailer. Then you need to connect the electrical wires that are responsible for the electrical, pneumatic, and brake systems. Before moving off, remember to raise the tractor's suspension and stow the legs in the trailer itself.
What types of trailers are there?
What types of semi-trailers are currently used in road transport? Contrary to appearances, it is not a small number, and you will find many specialized constructions adapted even to one type of goods. Based on their characteristics and equipment, shippers plan the entire transport and manage the entire supply chain. A semi-trailer is one of the important elements in logistics, which affects the time and type of shipping procedures used. A good choice of semi-trailers will not only allow you to get your cargo to the designated place faster, but also allow you to combine with different types of transport or use return transport. The simple design of semi-trailers allows it to take a large number of goods and fill every centimeter of its space.
Types of semi-trailers - which ones will we meet on the market? There are many types of construction, which depend especially on the type of goods transported. These can be:
- curtain semi-trailers,
- Tarpaulin-top semi-trailers,
- Mega-trailers,
- box semi-trailers,
- refrigerated trailers,
- isothermal semi-trailers
- semi-trailers with movable floor,
- semi-trailers for the transport of animals,
- tippers,
- silo trailers,
- tankers,
- low loaders,
- platforms,
- semi-trailers,
This is a cursory overview of the designs and a good shipper will know what type of trailer to use at any given time. Their large cross-section of different designs allows you to transport any cargo large or small. A semi-trailer also means you can mix the different types of transportation and packaging used to transport your goods.
Why are semi-trailers so popular?
Why are semi-trailers massively used in the transportation market? Because it is a flexible design that allows for universal use. However, if someone needs to transport oversized or perishable goods, there are many types of different designs on the market. Flexibility is a basic principle of goods transport, and appropriate standardization is also important. In the case of semi-trailers, versatility in design and the possibility of attaching to various types of tractor units or even to a railroad platform have also been considered. The use of semi-trailers opens up a whole host of possibilities for road transport, as well as considerable cost savings - money is always an important consideration in logistics.
Are tractor-trailers cost-effective? The shipper must consider not only the flexibility of the freight chain - the question of profitability and possible profits is also important. Well-planned semi-trailer traffic in the transport chain leads to significantly optimized costs, which translates into even greater profitability. A semi-trailer can be left at one place to pick up other goods. A semi-trailer that has been left behind can be picked up by another truck on its way back empty. Everything depends on the right transport planning and combining several routes into one. This is often a time-consuming process, but one that has only positive effects.
What are the advantages of a multi-purpose trailer?
What is a semi-trailer? It is a very simple and versatile construction, designed for both long and short routes. Using this type of semi-trailer will allow you to significantly reduce costs, as well as flexibility in developing the route of transport - remember that this applies to goods adapted for carriage in universal design. On the market, there are usually two types of construction - curtain or tarpaulin. They are characterized by much faster unloading, which often does not require assistance. Universal semi-trailer design is suitable not only for full truckload transport but also for general cargo services. It fits many types of tractors and can be freely managed throughout the logistics chain.
Which universal semi-trailers are the most commonly chosen? There are two types on the market with a characteristic box structure. The curtain model is covered on the sides with a tarpaulin that looks like a curtain - during unloading, it opens like a curtain or curtain in the theater on the side and rear. The tarpaulin version is a bit poorer and only allows you to lift the tarpaulin. The latter version only allows the goods to be unloaded from the rear of the vehicle, which can be a significant inconvenience when carrying full truckloads or large cargo. In each universal semi-trailer, you can safely transport possessions on pallets, boxes, or other types of packaging adapted for professional road transport.
What kind of trailers are used for unusual goods?
Are there special trailers for bulk materials, liquids, or perishable foods? Of course, the market abhors a vacuum and nowadays you can deliver any type of cargo over any distance. We are constantly developing new trailer designs that are 100% suitable for the safe transport of special cargo. All of them are equipped with necessary safety features that protect against damage, spillage, unsealing, and spoilage. You can easily transport perishable goods that will be kept at the right temperature in a refrigerated container. They have universal connections, which makes transportation planning much easier and faster.
What special types of transport trailers are available from carriers? These can be refrigerated and isotherms equipped with modern generators responsible for maintaining the right temperature. There is also a semi-trailer with a movable floor, which does not require human involvement during unloading - especially popular in transporting bags, pallets, and loose materials. A silo-type semi-trailer is also well suited for loose materials. Liquid materials such as liquid fuels, gases, chemicals, and foodstuffs can be placed in tank-type vehicles. The multitude of designs allows you to do a lot in the field of transportation. Before ordering a carrier, it is always a good idea to find out if they have vehicles in their fleet that are suitable for transporting the type of cargo.
Do types of semi-trailers influence transport?
Semi-trailers for tractor units - does a large selection of designs make sense? From a logistics point of view, convenience, time and cost are of paramount importance. Bulky, liquid, or perishable materials cannot be transported in general cargo. The same would be true for transporting an excavator, which requires a trailer. However, other palletized goods can be freely combined with other customers' orders - this significantly reduces costs and allows you to combine several transshipment stops along the route. A well-chosen semi-trailer also allows the use of combinations with so-called return loads. There are many factors involved in logistics that should influence the right choice of forwarding manager. The sheer multitude of solutions available on the market allows for a lot of interesting choices that are also very cost-effective.