Different types of trailers

NEW AND WANNABE DRIVERS (INTERACTIVE)
1

So I was just wondering what all the different types of trailers are and how they are different. I have herd names like: torque liner? swan neck? reefer? and others. I herd something about having to lookout for different things when pulling them. Is there some sort of guide to look at or do you just find out what they are when you hook em up?

Sorry if i am missing something silly.

Thanks

2

Reefer = Refrigerated
Swan neck = trailer with a step in the chassis so that the floor of the trailer at the front is higher (so that it sits on top of the fifth wheel correctly) but the floor in the rest of the trailer is lower (to provide more space for load).

Oh, and I think you misheard “torque liner” - it’s “Tautliner”. Trailer where the side “walls” are actually just fabric curtains held taut (hence the name) by integrated straps. I believe that “Tautliner” is a registered trademark of one particular trailer maker, so everyone else calls them “curtainsiders”

3

For a more comprehensive reply…

There are many different types of trailer. These are the main ones I can remember at the moment.

  • Skeleton - for carrying shipping containers. Basically, just a trailer chassis, with a few mounting points fitted with “twistlocks” that hold the container down. Sometimes the chassis can be lengthened and shortened to carry different lengths of containers, in which case it would be called a “trombone”.
  • Flatbed - like it says. Just a flat bed. No walls or roof.
  • Low loader - a flatbed, but with a particularly low floor. Usually has a loading ramp, since they’re most commonly used for transporting vehicles and plant.
  • Box - Like it says. A hard-walled box. Usually fibreglass, sometimes wood.
  • Reefer/Fridge - a box that has insulated walls and a heating/chilling unit to control the temperature.
  • Curtainsider - Sort of like a box, but with curtains on the side instead of hard walls. Makes it easy to load pallets with a forklift.
  • Tilt - a flatbed with a frame built on top, and then covered over with a fabric sheet and then “sewn” together using a cord passing through eyes in the sheet and hoops on the frame and body.
  • Euroliner - like a curtainsider, but with (normally 2) vertical roof pillars on the sides,and horizontal bars between the pillars to keep the load in the trailer (therefore attracts less attention from the authorities on load security). Sort of a cross between a curtainsider and a tilt.
  • Walking Floor - Either a box or a curtainside body, with a metal floor split into strips that move in a particular sequence to push the load out the back. Used for carrying bulk loads like wood chips.
  • Tankers - either liquids or powders.
  • Tipper - basically like a big metal bathtub. Normally used for carrying earth or loose aggregates. Also has a hydraulic ram which lifts up the front of the body, allowing the load to slide out through the tailgate, which is hinged to swing up.
  • Others I’ve forgotten or are particularly specialist.

The good news is that, assuming they’re artic semi-trailers, they’re all pretty much the same in terms of connecting up - just follow the way you’ve been trained for the LGV test, and you’ll be OK. Any questions about your specific trailer, ask someone.

4

MrFlibble:
Reefer = Refridgerated
Swan neck = trailer with a step in the chassis so that the floor of the trailer at the front is higher (so that it sits on top of the fifth wheel correctly) but the floor in the rest of the trailer is lower (to provide more space for load).

Oh, and I think you misheard “torque liner” - it’s “Tautliner”. Trailer where the side “walls” are actually just fabric curtains held taut (hence the name) by integrated straps. I believe that “Tautliner” is a registered trademark of one particular trailer maker, so everyone else calls them “curtainsiders”

Thanks for the list, that has cleared it up, fell a bit dumb about the Reefer now :smiley: :blush:

5

I caught a quick glimpse at the back of a trailer which seemed to have a built in conveyor belt slightly protruding from the back - what was that? Was it just me seeing things?

6

Must admit, I’ve been meaning to ask what a “Tilt” is for ages, but felt too stupid to ask.

But now I know, I’m intrigued as to why they are so called. I suppose half of me actually expected them to tilt, for some reason, lol.

7

MickyB666:
I caught a quick glimpse at the back of a trailer which seemed to have a built in conveyor belt slightly protruding from the back - what was that? Was it just me seeing things?

Is that for potatoes etc?

8

PaulNowak:
Must admit, I’ve been meaning to ask what a “Tilt” is for ages, but felt too stupid to ask.

But now I know, I’m intrigued as to why they are so called. I suppose half of me actually expected them to tilt, for some reason, lol.

According to someone on Yahoo! Answers:

The word (in this context) has it’s origins from the 15th century Old English word “teld”, meaning ‘tent’ and the Danish “telt”, which was small canopy or awning extended over the sternsheets of a boat.

9

Some more on Tilts vs Curtainsiders:
viewtopic.php?p=272154

Tilts are much more common across Eastern Europe than here.

10

PaulNowak:

MickyB666:
I caught a quick glimpse at the back of a trailer which seemed to have a built in conveyor belt slightly protruding from the back - what was that? Was it just me seeing things?

Is that for potatoes etc?

Yes,conveyer takes power off the engine to run it.

11

Double decker is another term sometimes used, referring to a higher than normal trailer. Some curtain sided double deckers are simply two decks that the forklift can load separately. Double decker box trailers have a powered floor inside which can be loaded and then raised up to make more load space underneath.

It is worth noting that doube deckers can have a higher centre of gravity, and can be rather top heavy so need more care on corners, particularly if badly loaded.

Curtainsiders can differ between those with load bearing curtains and those without. The rules for securing loads are different for each, and more strapping will be necessary if driving with non-load bearing curtains.

Refrigerators have their own diesel supply so need refuelling separately to the drive unit. They are allowed to run on red diesel if you can get it.

12

MickyB666:
I caught a quick glimpse at the back of a trailer which seemed to have a built in conveyor belt slightly protruding from the back - what was that? Was it just me seeing things?

Self unloading bulkers used for transporting veg , potatoes onions etc. It generally has an electric hook up at factories to drive the belt to unload.

13

midlifetrucker:

MickyB666:
I caught a quick glimpse at the back of a trailer which seemed to have a built in conveyor belt slightly protruding from the back - what was that? Was it just me seeing things?

Self unloading bulkers used for transporting veg , potatoes onions etc. It generally has an electric hook up at factories to drive the belt to unload.

Cheers :smiley: