Types and sizes of freight vehicles

Cargo road transport plays a key role in international logistics. It not only provides mobility and flexibility in the delivery of goods, but also acts as a link between different types of transport, such as maritime, rail, and air. The importance of trucks is enhanced by their ability to overcome geographical and infrastructural barriers, delivering cargo directly to the final destination. Their use varies from international deliveries over long distances to the last mile in the supply chain, making them an integral part of the global economy.

Classification of Freight Vehicles and Trailers by Body Type

Let's consider the various categories of transport and modules specializing in specific tasks in the field of transportation and logistics. From tarpaulin-covered and all-metal to specialized refrigerators and vans. Understanding the characteristics of each type will assist in choosing the optimal vehicle for specific logistical needs.

Tarpaulin-covered Vehicles

Tarpaulin-covered vehicles are a type of truck that has an open body with a frame covered by a tarp. The tarp protects the cargo from weather conditions while maintaining convenient access to the load as it can be easily removed or opened. Also, the lightweight design allows for carrying heavier loads compared to metal vans.

This is the most popular type of truck for international cargo transportation. Several main types of tarpaulin-covered vehicles can be identified:

European tarpaulin truck, 22 tons:

• Load capacity: 22 tons, Volume: 82 - 92 m³.
• Dimensions: length 13.6 m, width 2.45 m, height from 2.45 to 2.80 m.

Mega tarpaulin truck (MEGA), 22 tons:

• Load capacity: 22 tons, Volume: 100 - 105 m³.
• Dimensions: length 13.6 m, width 2.45 m, height from 2.60 to 3.00 m.
• Suitable for high cargo.

Truck Trailer and MEGA/HITCH Trailer, 20 tons:

• Load capacity: 20 tons, Volume: 110 - 120 * 2 m³.
• Dimensions: van length 7.1 - 8.0 m, width 2.45 m, height 2.95 - 3.00 m.
• Recommended for transporting large volumes of cargo over long distances.

Tarpaulin-covered vehicles are often used for transporting building materials, industrial goods, food products, and other cargoes that do not require a hermetic body but are protected from external conditions: dust, precipitation, direct sunlight.

Insulated Vans

Insulated vans are a type of van that has increased thermal insulation. There are several types of insulated vans: with passive insulation, refrigerated van, hot insulated van, multi-chamber separation, with active cooling, with thermal containers.

Technical characteristics of vans with passive thermal insulation, used for international and intercity cargo transportation:

• Load capacity: 20-22 tons
• Volume: from 82 to 92 m³
• Dimensions: length 13.6 m, width 2.45 m, height from 2.60 to 2.80 m

Insulated vans are often used for transporting food products, medicines, flowers, and other temperature-sensitive goods. Such vans often do not require an additional power source.

Refrigerated Vans

Refrigerators are insulated vans equipped with specialized refrigeration equipment. This allows for maintaining a constant temperature inside the van, necessary for transporting food, medicines, and other temperature-sensitive cargoes.

General characteristics:

• Load capacity: 20 tons, Volume: 86 m³
• Dimensions: length 13.6 m, width 2.45 m, height 2.60 m

Types of refrigerators by classes:

• Class A (from +12 to 0°C): Suitable for fresh products.
• Class B (from -10 to +12°C): Ideal for a wide range of products.
• Class C (from -20 to +12°C): Suitable for cargoes requiring deep freezing.
• Class D (from +2°C and below): For temperature-sensitive medical preparations.
• Class E (from -10°C and below): Especially suitable for cargoes requiring the maintenance of low temperatures.
• Class E (from -20°C and below): Used for cargoes requiring particularly low temperatures.

Refrigerated vans are often used for transporting food products, medicines, flowers, and other cargoes that require strict temperature control.

"Jumbo"

In logistics, this term refers to a vehicle equipped with a tarpaulin semi-trailer with a curved frame, distinguishing it from standard tarpaulin-covered vehicles. The Jumbo stands out with its impressive size and load capacity, making it ideal for transporting bulky cargoes.

• Load capacity: 22 tons, Volume: 96 - 100 m³
• Dimensions: length 13.8 m, width 2.45 m, height from 2.45 to 3.00 m

These parameters make the "Jumbo" an optimal choice for transporting large volumes of cargo while maintaining flexibility and mobility in logistics operations.

Commercial Vans

Commercial vans are designed for transporting dry goods. They usually have a closed body that protects the goods from external influences such as weather, dirt, and dust.

Commercial vehicles are often used for transporting food products, consumer goods, building materials, and other dry cargoes.

All-metal Vans

All-metal vans have a body made entirely of metal. This provides additional security and protection of the cargo from external factors, including weather conditions and unauthorized access.

Used for transporting valuable cargoes requiring special protection.

Flatbed Trucks

Flatbed trucks are versatile open-type trucks that can transport a wide range of cargoes, including building materials, food products, furniture, and others. They are characterized by the presence of drop sides, which facilitate access to the cargo area.

Flatbed trucks are often used in urban settings as they are maneuverable and easy to operate.

Low-bed Vehicles

Low-bed vehicles or trailers are designed for transporting heavy and oversized cargoes. They are distinguished by the low position of the platform, which provides ease of loading and stability during transportation.

Low-bed trailers are often used for transporting building materials, industrial equipment, and other large-sized cargoes.

Special Vehicles and Other Trucks

Special vehicles and other trucks are a category of vehicles that are designed for specific operations. These include:

• Crane trucks - used for lifting and moving heavy cargoes.
• Garbage trucks - used for collecting and transporting waste.
• Concrete mixers - used for preparing and transporting concrete.
• Tankers - used for transporting liquids, such as fuel, water, and chemicals.
• Other specialized machinery.

Specialized Vehicles

Specialized vehicles are designed for unique tasks, such as transporting hazardous substances. These include:

• Tankers for transporting hazardous substances
• Container carriers
• Tankers for transporting liquefied gas
• Tankers for transporting radioactive materials

Cargo-passenger Vehicles

Buses and minibuses for cargo-passenger transportation are a type of transport intended for simultaneous transportation of small cargoes and passengers. They have a body divided into two parts: passenger and cargo.

Cargo-passenger vehicles are often used for transporting small cargoes and work crews.

Container Carriers

Container carriers are designed for transporting standard cargo containers. Containers have standard sizes and design, which allows convenient loading and unloading, as well as transportation by various means of transport.

Technical characteristics:

• Load capacity: from 20 to 40 tons
• Volume: from 30 to 60 m³
• Dimensions: length from 12 to 16 m, width from 2.45 to 2.5 m, height from 2.5 to 2.9 m

Container carriers are often used for international cargo transportation.

Car Carriers

Car carriers are specially designed for transporting vehicles. They have platforms or ramps on which cars are secured with belts or chains. Transport from 2 to 10 cars.

Car carriers are often used for delivering vehicles from showrooms to customers, as well as for transporting vehicles over long distances.

Timber Trucks

Timber trucks are used for transporting timber. They are equipped with special devices for holding timber materials, such as winches, racks, and chains. Load capacity from 10 to 50 tons.

Timber trucks are frequently used for transporting timber to sawmills and other facilities.

Tankers

Tankers are designed for transporting liquid or bulk materials, such as fuel, water, chemicals, and grain. They have a hermetic body that prevents cargo leakage.

Tankers are often used for transporting fuel, water, grain, and chemical substances.

Flatbeds and Low-bed Trailers

Flatbeds and low-bed trailers are types of trailers that have an open platform, on which machinery is secured with belts or chains.

This type of trailer is used for transporting construction equipment, agricultural machinery, and other large-sized cargoes, various types of containers, and tankers.

Solo Vehicles

Solo vehicles are a type of freight vehicle that consists of a single tractor and one semi-trailer. They are used for standard cargo transportation over medium and long distances.

Saddle and Trailer Road Trains

A saddle road train consists of a tractor and one semi-trailer. The tractor has a saddle coupling device, which allows the semi-trailer to connect with it and move as a single unit.

A trailer road train is a type of freight vehicle that consists of a tractor and one or more trailers. The trailers are connected to the tractor with a coupling device.

Advantages of a saddle road train:

• More maneuverable than a trailer road train
• Easier to turn around on narrow roads
• Can carry longer cargoes

Advantages of a trailer road train:

• Can carry heavier cargoes
• More economical in operation

The choice of road train type depends on the specific tasks and conditions of transportation.

Classification by Load Capacity

Small (0.5-2 t)

Ideal for urban deliveries and working in confined spaces. Often used for courier and express deliveries.

Medium (2-5 t)

Suitable for a wider range of tasks, including delivery to stores and construction sites. They have a good combination of size and load capacity.

Large (5-16 t)

Designed for heavy cargoes and long-distance transport. Used in construction, agriculture, and for transporting heavy equipment.

Special (over 16 t)

Include heavy-duty vehicles, such as specialized and heavy trucks. Used in special conditions, such as large-scale construction projects or transporting super-heavy cargoes.

Choosing Transport by Type of Cargo

When choosing a vehicle, it is important to consider the characteristics of the cargo:

Bulky and heavy cargoes: suitable for low-bed trailers and flatbed vehicles.

Fragile and valuable cargoes: better to use all-metal or insulated vehicles for additional protection.

Food products, medicines, and chemicals: require refrigerated or insulated vans to maintain the temperature regime.

Light and bulky cargoes: "Jumbo" trucks or tarpaulin-covered vehicles are the optimal choice.

Specialized cargoes: for example, car carriers are required for transporting vehicles, and timber trucks for timber materials.

Choosing the right vehicle ensures not only the safety of the cargo but also the efficiency of delivery.

Cargo Vehicles for International Transportation

Cargo vehicles used for international transportation must meet the following requirements:

Cargo road transport must comply with international norms and standards set by organizations such as the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UNECE) and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). These standards define the dimensions, weight, and technical characteristics of vehicles, as well as requirements for safety and environmental protection.

Cargo vehicles must be reliable and efficient for long trips and various road conditions. This means they must be equipped with powerful engines, reliable transmissions and suspensions, and have a sturdy construction. It is also important that cargo vehicles are economical in operation.

For international transport, it is necessary to consider the requirements for documentation and customs clearance in different countries.

Safety and cargo security: Special attention is given to security systems and cargo safety during international transport. Cargo vehicles must be equipped with systems to protect against theft, damage, and spoilage of cargo.

Conclusion

In our review, we examined various aspects of choosing cargo road transport, key to successful international transportation. From the classification of vehicles by body type and load capacity to their compliance with international standards and safety requirements - all these factors play a decisive role in the efficiency and reliability of transport operations. Understanding these features will enable logistics professionals and emerging experts to optimally approach the tasks of international delivery, ensuring efficient and safe movement of goods around the world.