Have you ever been curious about how much the various types of semi-trailers can carry? It could decide what type of loads you choose to haul, and which style of semi-trailer is best suited for you. Here are some facts about the amount of weight you can load the various types of semi-trailers with.
The most widely used semi-trailer is the Dry Van. It is used for general freight transportation. While they come in various lengths, such as 48’ and 53’, the most popular size is the 53’. These trailers are 53’ x 102”. They are used to haul all types of goods, like:
- palletized cargo
- wrapped cargo
- boxed goods
The maximum weight these trailers can hold is up to 45,000 pounds of cargo. If the cargo is palletized, roughly 52 stackable pallets can fit inside or 26 non-stackable pallets. The number of pallets depends on the weight of each of them.
Flatbed trailers also come in 48’ and 53’ options with either a tandem or spread axle subframe. Flatbeds are used to haul various goods, such as:
- oversized materials
- building materials
- heavy machinery
Generally, they can carry items of odd sizes that are not suitable for a dry van. Loads on flatbeds can be covered by tarps and always strapped down. A flatbed can be loaded with up to 48,000 pounds.
A Reefer trailer is a refrigerated trailer used to haul goods that need to stay cold. They look like a dry van, only they have a refrigerator unit on the nose of the trailer. This keeps the inside of the trailer cool. The most common length of these trailers is also 53’ x 102”. They are narrower inside compared to a dry van, due to the thickness of the side panels, which help to keep the goods cold. They can carry up to 44,000 pounds.
Contact us today if you have questions or are in need of a rental trailer.
