The cargo truck serves as an integral player in modern manufacturing. It provides an efficient and safe means of transportation for all types of goods, from construction materials to frozen food. And different trucks are designed differently. This, however, depends on their specific needs in different industries. So it is extremely necessary to understand the diversity of these trucks and the scenarios in which they are applicable. This can help you choose the right model. At the same time, it can improve transportation efficiency and reduce costs. Here, HOWO Special Truck Ltd looks at the various types of cargo trucks and their key role in the logistics industry.
Table of Contents
What is a cargo truck?
A truck is a large piece of equipment. It is specifically designed to carry out the transportation of various goods and is widely used in the logistics and transportation industry. All trucks are made up of two parts. The front part is the front end, which provides power. The rear part is the compartment part, which is used to carry the cargo. According to the type of cargo and transportation needs, freight trucks are divided into various types. These include: flatbed trucks, refrigerated trucks and tanker trucks. Their main role is to transport goods from one location to another efficiently and safely.
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Main Freight Truck Types and Applicable Scenarios
Each truck is optimized for specific transportation needs. And understanding the features of these models and the applicable scenarios. We believe we can better help you choose the right type of truck for your transportation needs.
Semi-trailer
Semi-trailer is a common type of trailer. It requires an additional tractor to drive it and is connected by a “fifth wheel”. This design allows the semi-trailer to be more flexible and have a larger capacity, making it ideal for long-distance transportation. Common types of semi-trailers include container semi-trailers, barn semi-trailers and flatbed semi-trailers. These types of semi-trailers are widely used for the transportation of bulk cargoes such as building materials, machinery and equipment, and agricultural products. According to different cargo transportation needs, the unique combined design of these semi-trailers can also be adjusted to different carriage configurations according to the needs, which is very suitable for the transportation of durable goods as well as fast moving consumer goods of many types of goods.
Flatbed
The flatbed is an open cargo truck with no side panels or top. This design is ideal for the transportation of large, extra-long or extra-wide cargoes such as steel, lumber, construction equipment, etc. Not only is it very easy to load, it is also perfect for unloading operations. A mere strap is required to secure it during transportation.
Step trucks
A step truck (also known as a low-flatbed truck) is an open freight truck, just like a flatbed truck. However, it has a loading platform that is lower than the front so that it can be adapted for the transportation of taller or specially shaped cargo. At the same time, its tiered structure lowers the center of gravity, which ensures cargo stability and safety during transportation. This type of truck is now widely used to carry out the transportation of equipment for engineering, mining and machinery manufacturing.
Dry Van
The dry van is an enclosed cargo truck that is used to transport regular cargo that is not easily affected by the environment. The enclosed design of this truck can effectively prevent the interference of dust, rain and other weather factors. This design provides protection from dust, rain and other weather elements, ensuring the integrity and safety of goods during transportation. Dry vans are ideally suited for urban distribution as well as long distance transportation in the retail, manufacturing and FMCG industries. The HOWO Cargo Truck is the perfect vehicle for customers who need value for money .
Reefer Truck
The Reefer Truck is a vehicle designed to transport goods that require temperature control. It is often used to transport fresh agricultural products, frozen food, medicine and pharmaceutical products. Equipped with a thermostatic control system that can be tried from the cab. This effectively ensures that the temperature of the goods is stable throughout the transportation process. Depending on the transportation requirements, the temperature range of the refrigerated trucks varies from freezing to deep-freezing. Therefore, they are particularly suitable for the transportation of time-sensitive goods.
Box trucks
The fully enclosed compartment of the box truck provides additional security and privacy. Its enclosed design not only protects the cargo from the elements, but also prevents it from being lost or damaged during transportation. Box vans are widely used in the transportation of electronics, medical and high-end goods, as well as for small-volume, multi-frequency urban distribution tasks.
Tanker trucks
Tanker trucks are specially designed for liquid transportation and are suitable for transporting a variety of liquids, such as gasoline, diesel, liquefied gas, chemicals and other industrial liquids. The special tank structure of this model can effectively prevent liquid leakage or accidental evaporation. It is also equipped with multiple protection devices to ensure transportation safety. For example, HOWO tanker is a representative model of safety as well as high efficiency.HOWO tanker is widely used in petrochemical and manufacturing industries, which is the main tool for liquid logistics. According to different needs, HOWO tanker trucks can also meet the customization needs. For example, compartment customization.
Double (Tandem) Trailer
A double trailer (also known as a tandem trailer) is a special cargo configuration that contains a tractor trailer and two connected trailer sections. This design allows for a large amount of cargo to be carried in a single shipment and is a common choice for logistics centers, ports, and remote high-volume shipments. Suitable for long-haul and inter-regional transportation, the double trailer effectively reduces the cost per shipment and increases transportation efficiency. Due to its long body and large load capacity, the use of a double trailer requires high driver skill and is usually used to operate on designated routes such as highways.
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How to Choose the Right Freight Truck for Your Needs
Choosing the right freight truck can be an effective way to improve transportation efficiency and thus reduce costs. Here is our compilation of key factors to consider when choosing a freight truck:
Choose the right model according to the type of cargo
Large or Heavy Cargo: For extra-long, extra-wide or extra-heavy cargo, choosing a flatbed or step truck is most appropriate. This is because the open platforms of both models allow for easy loading and unloading and provide greater stability.
Cargo with perishable or temperature-controlled needs: Reefer trucks ensure that the temperature of perishable food and pharmaceutical products remains constant during transportation. This model is the best choice for fresh and frozen foods, pharmaceuticals and other goods that require temperature control.
High Value or Fragile Items: For valuable items that require extra protection, choosing a box truck or dry van with an enclosed structure is the best choice. Commonly transported items include electronics, instruments, and artwork.
Consider Transportation Distance
Short Distance Transportation: For short distance transportation, small to medium sized trucks are usually chosen. This is because it can maneuver around city roads or narrow areas, such as dry vans or small box vans.
Long Distance Transportation: For long distance transportation, efficient and high-capacity vehicles are usually required, such as semi-trailers and double trailers. This is because such vehicles are suitable for many types of bulk cargo and can effectively reduce the cost of a single transportation.
Choosing a truck type according to the weight of the load
Determine the total weight of the cargo and choose a vehicle that can carry that weight. This will avoid mechanical wear and tear due to excessive loads. For example, semi-trailers and double trailers are suitable for large-volume cargo. Tanker trucks and refrigerated trucks, on the other hand, should be selected based on the weight criteria of a specific liquid or temperature-controlled cargo.
Transportation Cost Control
Fuel Consumption: Smaller trucks usually have lower fuel consumption and are suitable for short and medium distance transportation, reducing fuel expenses. For long-distance and large-volume transportation needs, larger trucks are the more suitable choice, as their efficient transportation capacity can spread the cost.
Maintenance costs: Choose well-known brands and good quality trucks such as HOWO, which can reduce long-term repair and maintenance costs, especially for heavy-duty or frequent use scenarios.
Cargo protection needs
Safety: If the cargo has a high demand for protection (e.g. fragile or high-value items), choose an enclosed box truck. This can effectively avoid damage caused by environmental factors.
Special needs: Choose tanker trucks for liquid cargo, and specially designed trucks such as refrigerated trucks for cargo that requires constant temperature.
Road conditions and environment
City Roads: In cities and narrow roads, smaller, flexible cargo vehicles such as small dry vans or vans are more suitable.
Highways: In long-distance, high-speed road conditions, semi-trailers, double trailers and other large capacity vehicles can effectively improve transportation efficiency.
Adverse weather and terrain: in the more adverse weather or terrain conditions, the use of higher chassis and durable tires models, such as flatbed trucks or step trucks, to ensure transport safety.
Conclusion
Different types of cargo trucks have different roles in logistics and transportation. And it is the wisest choice to choose the right truck according to the characteristics of the goods and the transportation needs, because this can effectively improve the transportation efficiency, ensure the safety of goods and optimize the cost. Because this can effectively improve the transportation efficiency, ensure the safety of goods, and optimize the cost.HOWO Special Truck Ltd as a professional HOWO truck seller. We offer a full range of truck options, whether you need a HOWO cargo truck or other models. We can customize it to meet your needs. The reason for this is that we have an extensive supply chain and can provide you with a wide range of freight solutions quickly.
FAQ
What kind of trucks are suitable for long-distance transportation?
Semi-trailers and double trailers are very suitable for long-distance transportation. This is because of its large capacity, high fuel efficiency and stability over long distances. For different cargo needs, you can choose closed or open semi-trailers according to the specific conditions.
Which truck is recommended if transporting perishable goods?
Reefer trucks are the best choice for transporting perishable goods. Refrigerated trucks are equipped with temperature control system, which can maintain a stable temperature of the goods during transportation. This is ideal for transporting fresh food, pharmaceutical products and other temperature sensitive items.
What factors should I pay attention to when choosing a cargo truck?
When choosing a cargo truck, you should consider the type of cargo, distance to be transported, load capacity, transportation costs, cargo protection needs and road conditions.
