Semi trailers are essential in freight and logistics. From hauling lumber and heavy machinery to frozen food and fuel, there’s a trailer built for every job. Choosing the right one starts with understanding your options.
This guide covers the most common semi trailer types, what they’re used for, and how to pick the best match for your business.
What Are Semi Trailers Used For?
Semi trailers carry cargo over long distances, often as part of regional or nationwide supply chains. They’re used in construction, agriculture, retail, disaster relief, and more. Whether you’re transporting equipment, goods, or raw materials, the type of trailer you use affects efficiency, cost, and safety.
Common Semi Trailer Types
Each trailer design fits a different kind of cargo. Here’s a breakdown of the most common types used across industries.
Flatbed Trailers
Flatbeds are open platforms with no sides or roof. They’re ideal for large, heavy, or oddly shaped items like steel beams, pallets, and construction equipment. Because they can be loaded from any side, they’re one of the most flexible semi trailer types on the road.
Learn how to properly load a flatbed trailer →
Dry Van Trailers
Dry vans are enclosed trailers used for general freight. They protect goods from weather and theft, making them a go-to for everything from packaged products to retail inventory. They’re the most common trailer type in the U.S.
Refrigerated Trailers (Reefers)
Reefers are insulated and temperature-controlled. They’re used to haul food, pharmaceuticals, and other perishable items that need to stay cold or frozen in transit.
Lowboy Trailers
Lowboys sit low to the ground and are designed to carry tall or oversized equipment that wouldn’t fit on a standard trailer. Construction crews and heavy haulers often rely on this type.
Explore our heavy equipment trailer rental options →
Tanker Trailers
Tankers are built to move liquids and gases like fuel, milk, chemicals, or water. They’re specialized for safety and often require licensed operators. See FMCSA guidelines for liquid cargo transport →
Drop Deck Trailers
Also known as step decks, these trailers have two levels. The lower deck allows taller cargo to stay within legal height limits without needing special permits.
Extendable Trailers
These trailers stretch to handle extra-long items like bridge components or large piping. They often include sliding axles to accommodate different weight loads and lengths.
Side Curtain Trailers
Side curtains open along the sides for fast loading and unloading. They offer the protection of a dry van with the flexibility of a flatbed, often used in manufacturing and logistics.
Specialty Trailers
Specialty trailers include everything from car haulers and logging trailers to dump bodies and live-bottom trailers. These are built for specific tasks and typically used in niche industries.
Compare semi trailer types in this breakdown by TruckScience →
How to Choose the Right Trailer for Your Hauling Needs
Selecting the right trailer comes down to what you’re hauling, how you plan to load it, and where it’s going. Here are a few questions to guide the decision:
- Is the cargo oversized, palletized, or fragile?
- Will you need forklift access, crane loading, or side access?
- Are you traveling under bridges or through tight areas with height restrictions?
- Does the load require temperature control or hazardous material handling?
Your answers will help narrow down which semi trailer type makes the most sense.
Frequently Asked Questions About Semi Trailer Types
What is the most common type of semi trailer?
Dry van trailers are the most widely used. They’re enclosed, versatile, and ideal for general freight.
Which trailer is best for hauling heavy equipment?
Lowboy trailers are built for transporting oversized and heavy machinery. Their low height allows for safer, more stable hauling.
What’s the difference between a flatbed and a drop deck trailer?
Flatbeds have a single flat surface. Drop decks have two levels, which allow taller cargo to stay under height limits.
Conclusion
Understanding the different semi trailer types is key to making safe, efficient, and cost-effective transportation choices. Whether you’re moving perishable goods, oversized equipment, or bulk freight, there’s a trailer designed for the job.
Need help figuring out which trailer works best for your business? Contact Eagle Leasing today to speak with a specialist.
⚠️ Disclaimer:
Specifications such as length, width, and weight capacity may vary by trailer manufacturer, model, and load configuration. Always confirm with your provider and ensure compliance with DOT regulations before transporting any types of liquid products ranging from milk to gasoline. Specially manufactured tank trailers may also be used to haul industrial gases.
