The Kinds Of Specialized Trucking

The trucking business is very profitable for trucking companies with the capacity to offer a wide variety of options to its clients. Because clients have different needs, it’s important to have specialised trucks. Tankers are ideal for liquids and gases, flatbeds are best suited for overhanging loads that cannot be confined to tight spaces -like timber- and then of course, reefer trucks are primed for perishable loads that have to be stored at certain temperatures. Insurance companies are therefore constantly urging clients to use trucks that are ideal for the types of loads they intend to transport, as they can’t be making payouts for losses that could have been avoided if the necessary care was exercised.

* Reefer Specialised Trailers

With an inbuilt air conditioner on the trailer itself, these are the kinds of trucks that are used to haul perishable goods like vegetables, meat and, in some instances, flowers. As for temperature regulation, monitoring and is the responsibility of the driver, who is supposed to see to it that preset temperatures are maintained throughout the journey and that the condition of the goods is closely monitored.

* Low Boy

These unusual looking trucks give the impression that extremely dangerous components are being transported, and that’s usually the case. Also known as a heavy load hauler, a standout feature is how they’re low in the middle, hence the name, Low Boy. The low elevation makes them suited for over-sized goods like cranes and industrial equipment, so it’s not unusual to see such trucks travelling under escort.

Flatbed

As the name suggests, this truck is for hauling goods that wouldn’t ordinarily fit on a Low Boy or in Bull hauler. You probably have an idea of what this one looks like if you’re observant when trucks drive past you on the highway. It’s flat from the front to the back and usually has restraints on the sides and in the front for added security. In the latter case, trucking companies bear the overall burden of securing goods as their very nature makes them vulnerable to theft and looting.

* Tankers

You may not be familiar with the type of goods transported by tankers, but neither do you need an IQ of 180 to know what a tanker looks like. Cylindrical in shape and made from steel, tankers are some of the most sought-after haulage vehicles on the planet because of the constant demand for fuel. However familiar, mastering it as a driver is arguably one of the most difficult challenges in the trucking business because the center of gravity of tankers is constantly changing. Used for transporting liquids ranging from gasoline, gas to milk, specialised skills are required to ensure the accidents don’t occur as the losses can be irretrievable.

* Container Hauler

If you’ve been at a port then this isn’t something new. Rectangular in shape and closed on all ends, these are used to ferry imported goods coming in by ship. So they’re very popular in port cities and sea terminals from which goods are transported to the rest of the country. Used for transporting a range of goods, it shouldn’t come as surprise that they’re used to haul perishable goods, like fish, for example.

* Bull Hauler

As the name denotes, they’re especially designed to haul live animals. Seeing that these are custom built for livestock transportation, they need to be airy and closely regulated because of the likelihood of animal diseases spreading from one area to another. So this business comes with extra responsibility and requires more than the typical trucking expertise.

* Car Transportation Trucks

As misplaced as this may sound, auto haulers are designed to transport vehicles. With layered sections, these require extra expertise and training. Moreover, they’re more expensive to operate or hire because of the great deal of mechanics and auto engineering that goes into car arrangement and security.

Hot Shot

Also known as Less Than Trucking (LTL), this is considerably smaller than your ordinary trailers and semi-trucks. Its size makes it ideal for pick and drops consignments between short distances.

* Hopper

In other jurisdictions, this is referred to as a tipper. It’s designed to dump its contents by making use of onboard mechanics and gravity. This trailer/truck is ideal for dry bulk loads, like rice and corn.

When all is said and done, your choice ultimately depends on the kind of load you’re ferrying. However so, other considerations -like the cost of insurance- play a part in the decision-making process. Because let’s face it, you want to be paying for insurance, but not too much. That said, reefers, bull haulers, flatbeds, and tankers are the most profitable from a business standpoint.So when you have to describe the kinds of specialized trucking you have to potential clients, be sure to emphasize the need for specialization as that determines whether goods get to their destination in one piece.