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Trailers and Containers: what to choose?
14 January, 2025
When it comes to moving goods from one place to another, both trailers and containers play crucial roles as cargo carriers. However, their designs, uses, and transport methods are quite different. Let's compare both, and see how they work for different types of logistics needs.
What is a trailer?
A trailer is a non-motorized vehicle that attaches to a truck's cab, making it a key component of road transportation. Unlike containers, trailers rely on the power of a truck or tractor to move goods overland and are used mainly for local or regional transportations.
Trailers come in various forms, each designed to accommodate different types of cargo:
What is a trailer?
A trailer is a non-motorized vehicle that attaches to a truck's cab, making it a key component of road transportation. Unlike containers, trailers rely on the power of a truck or tractor to move goods overland and are used mainly for local or regional transportations.
Trailers come in various forms, each designed to accommodate different types of cargo:
- 1Dry vans which are enclosed trailers that protect goods from different weather conditions, often used for consumer goods, electronics, or clothing.
- 2Flatbeds or flatbed trailers are open trailers that allow easy loading and unloading of goods from the top or sides. These are typically used for large, bulky items like construction materials or machinery.
- 3Refrigerated trailers, also known as reefer trailers, are equipped with cooling units to transport perishable goods like food, pharmaceuticals, or flowers.
For example, a dry van trailer will be a good choice to deliver a shipment of electronics from a warehouse to a retail store. Similarly, a flatbed trailer could be used to haul heavy steel beams from a factory to a construction site.
And what is a container?
A container is a large, standardized cargo unit primarily used for international, overseas, long-distance shipping.
These steel units are designed for maximum flexibility and are easily transferred between different modes of transport—whether it's by sea, rail, or road.
Containers come in standard sizes of 20-foot and 40-foot lengths, making them universally compatible with all ships, trains, and trucks.
They are made of durable steel to withstand harsh weather and handling while stacking securely on top of one another during transit.
A container is a large, standardized cargo unit primarily used for international, overseas, long-distance shipping.
These steel units are designed for maximum flexibility and are easily transferred between different modes of transport—whether it's by sea, rail, or road.
Containers come in standard sizes of 20-foot and 40-foot lengths, making them universally compatible with all ships, trains, and trucks.
They are made of durable steel to withstand harsh weather and handling while stacking securely on top of one another during transit.
A 40-foot container, for example, might be used to ship medical equipment from a manufacturer in China to a hospital in Germany.
The container would first be loaded onto a cargo train, then transferred onto a truck for delivery. The entire process is streamlined without needing to unload and reload the products each time.
Summary:
So, in a nutshell, trailers are best suited for local transportation of goods across land, with different types available, designed for various cargo needs like dry goods, heavy equipment, or perishable items. They are versatile, of course, but are generally confined to regional transport.
Containers, on the other hand, are the best choice for global logistics. Their standardized design allows them to easily move goods across oceans, railways, and highways, making them perfect for international trade and intermodal shipping.
Our team will find the most suitable vehicle for your cargo and your business needs.
The container would first be loaded onto a cargo train, then transferred onto a truck for delivery. The entire process is streamlined without needing to unload and reload the products each time.
Summary:
So, in a nutshell, trailers are best suited for local transportation of goods across land, with different types available, designed for various cargo needs like dry goods, heavy equipment, or perishable items. They are versatile, of course, but are generally confined to regional transport.
Containers, on the other hand, are the best choice for global logistics. Their standardized design allows them to easily move goods across oceans, railways, and highways, making them perfect for international trade and intermodal shipping.
Our team will find the most suitable vehicle for your cargo and your business needs.
Do you need reliable logistics for the transportation of oversized equipment or other goods?
AF TRANS is your ideal partner. We are ready to offer customized solutions and guarantee the safety of your goods at all stages of transportation.
AF TRANS is your ideal partner. We are ready to offer customized solutions and guarantee the safety of your goods at all stages of transportation.
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