Open Truck vs. Container Truck vs. Trailer Truck: Understanding Your Options

By | Published Date : September 09,

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When it comes to transporting goods, choosing the right type of truck is crucial. Each type of truck like an open truck, container truck, and trailer truck serves different needs and comes with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here, we will explore the key differences between these trucks, helping you understand which one might be the best fit for your needs.

Open Truck vs. Container Truck vs. Trailer Truck: Which One is Right for You?

Choosing the right type of truck depends on your needs. Open trucks are best for transporting large, sturdy items like construction materials. They are affordable and easy to load but offer no protection from weather or theft. Container trucks provide better protection and security, making them ideal for valuable or sensitive goods. They are more expensive and can be harder to load and unload. Trailer trucks offer high capacity and flexibility, suitable for long-distance transport and various types of cargo. They can be complex to operate and costly. Consider what you are transporting, the distance, and your budget to decide which truck is best for you.

1. Open Trucks

What is an Open Truck?

An open truck is a type of vehicle with a flatbed or open cargo area. Unlike enclosed trucks, open trucks do not have walls or a roof to protect the cargo from weather conditions.

Advantages of Open Trucks

Easy Loading and Unloading: Open trucks provide easy access to the cargo area. You can load and unload goods quickly and efficiently from any side.
Cost-Effective: Generally, open trucks are less expensive than container trucks or trailer trucks. They are a good option if you're working with a tight budget.
Versatility: They can carry a wide range of goods, from construction materials to large machinery. Their open design accommodates items that might not fit in enclosed spaces.

Disadvantages of Open Trucks

1. Exposure to Weather: Since the cargo area is not enclosed, goods are exposed to rain, snow, and sun. This can lead to damage, especially for items sensitive to weather conditions.
2. Limited Security: Open trucks offer less protection against theft compared to enclosed trucks. Securing cargo can be a challenge.
3. Limited Protection: If the goods need to be kept dry or secure, an open truck might not be the best choice.

Best For:

Open trucks are ideal for transporting large, sturdy items like construction materials, machinery, and other goods that are less affected by weather conditions.

2. Container Trucks

What is a Container Truck?

Container trucks are equipped with a large, enclosed container that sits on the truck’s chassis. These containers can be easily detached and moved to other transport methods, such as ships or trains.

Advantages of Container Trucks

1. Weather Protection: The enclosed container shields cargo from weather conditions, which is essential for sensitive or perishable items.
2. Security: Containers can be locked, providing better protection against theft and tampering.
3. Versatility: Containers can be loaded onto different types of transport, making them versatile for multi-modal logistics. This is especially useful for long-distance transport.

Disadvantages of Container Trucks

1. Higher Cost: Container trucks are generally more expensive to operate and maintain compared to open trucks.
2. Loading and Unloading: Loading and unloading can be more complex, especially if the container is not designed for easy access.
3. Size Limitations: The size of the container can limit the types of goods that can be transported. Large or unusually shaped items might not fit well.

Best For:

Container trucks are excellent for shipping goods that require protection from the elements or are high-value items that require extra security. They are also beneficial for intermodal transport, where the container is transferred between different transport methods.

3. Trailer Trucks

What is a Trailer Truck?

Trailer trucks consist of a tractor unit and one or more trailers attached to it. The tractor unit is the engine part, while the trailer carries the cargo. Trailer trucks come in various configurations, including flatbed, enclosed, and refrigerated trailers.

Advantages of Trailer Trucks

1. High Capacity: Trailer trucks offer a large cargo space, making them suitable for transporting large quantities of goods.
2. Versatility: Different types of trailers can be used based on the type of cargo, such as flatbeds for open loads, enclosed trailers for protection, or refrigerated trailers for perishable goods.
3. Flexibility: The tractor unit can detach from the trailer, allowing for easier drop-offs and pick-ups. This can be useful for operations requiring frequent stops.

Disadvantages of Trailer Trucks

1. Complexity: Operating a trailer truck can be more complex due to the need to manage both the tractor and the trailer.
2. Cost: The initial cost and maintenance of trailer trucks can be higher than other types of trucks.
3. Size Limitations: Maneuvering trailer trucks can be challenging, especially in tight spaces or urban areas.

Best For:

Trailer trucks are ideal for long-haul transport, bulk shipments, and when flexibility is needed. They are suitable for a wide range of cargo, including both large quantities and specialized loads.

Choosing the Right Truck for Your Needs

When deciding between an open truck, container truck, or trailer truck, consider the following factors:

• Type of Cargo: Determine what you are transporting. If you need to protect goods from weather and theft, a container or enclosed trailer truck might be better. For large, robust items, an open truck could be sufficient.
• Distance: Trailer and container trucks offer more protection and versatility for long-distance shipping. Open trucks are generally more suited for shorter hauls.
• Budget: Open trucks are usually more affordable, while container and trailer trucks can be more expensive but offer additional benefits like protection and higher capacity.

Top Companies for Open Trucks, Container Trucks, and Trailer Trucks: Tata, BharatBenz, Ashok Leyland, Eicher, and Mahindra

Several companies are known for manufacturing high-quality open trucks, container trucks, and trailer trucks.

1. Open Trucks: Ashok Leyland is well-regarded for its open trucks. The Ashok Leyland is a popular model, known for its durability and performance in carrying heavy loads and construction materials.
2. Container Trucks: Tata excels at producing container trucks. The Tata LPT  truck is a reliable choice for secure and efficient transport of goods. It offers strong build quality and excellent protection for cargo, making it suitable for various shipping needs.
3. Trailer Trucks: BharatBenz stands out for its trailer trucks. The BharatBenz T tractor-trailer is a powerful and efficient model, ideal for long-distance transport. It features advanced technology and high comfort, making it a top choice for heavy-duty operations.
4. Eicher and Mahindra: Eicher Truck and Mahindra trucks also offer competitive options. Eicher’s Pro series provides solid performance and reliability, while Mahindra’s Blazo series is known for its fuel efficiency and robustness.
5. Each of these brands provides excellent trucks tailored to specific needs, ensuring quality and reliability across open, container, and trailer trucks.

Conclusion

Understanding the differences between open trucks, container trucks, and trailer trucks can help you make an informed decision based on your specific needs. Open trucks are great for straightforward, budget-friendly transport, while container trucks offer better protection and security. Trailer trucks provide flexibility and high capacity, making them suitable for more extensive and varied transport requirements.

By evaluating your cargo, distance, and budget, you can select the truck that best meets your needs and ensures that your goods arrive safely and efficiently.
 

Read Also:

Top 5 Ashok Leyland Trucks in India - Boosting Your Logistics Business

Top 5 Tata 10 Wheeler Trucks & Tippers in India

Choosing the right cargo space is not only crucial for the safe and efficient transportation of your goods but also a key factor in determining how cost-effective your shipping will be. Read on to learn about the different types of cargo spaces available and which ones are best suited for specific types of goods.

Source: www.canva.com

Below you will find a table of common cargo spaces and the types of cargo they are most suitable for:

Type of Cargo Space Suitable Cargo Standard shipping containers Consumer goods (clothing, electronics, toys, household items, food products, etc.) Open top containers Oversized or bulky items, machinery, and goods with unusual shapes Side opening containers Oversized or bulky items, machinery, and goods requiring easy side access Flat rack containers Construction machinery, large metal structures, and other oversized goods Reefer containers Anything that requires temperature-controlled transportation (frozen foods, fresh products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals) Box truck Consumer goods (furniture, electronics, textiles, etc.) Flatbed truck Construction supplies, large machinery, and other weather-resistant cargo. Reefer truck Goods that require temperature-controlled transportation (frozen foods, fresh products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals) Tanker truck Liquid materials such as fuel, chemicals, and others Lowboy truck Heavy and tall items like construction machinery or cranes Flatbed trailer/semitrailer Construction materials, large machinery, long items like pipes or beams, oversized cargo that doesn’t need to be enclosed Reefer trailer/semitrailer Goods that require temperature-controlled transportation (frozen foods, fresh products, pharmaceuticals, chemicals) Tanker trailer/semitrailer Liquids like fuel, water, chemicals, food-grade liquids, or industrial liquids Lowboy trailer/semitrailer Heavy and tall items like construction machinery, cranes, or large industrial equipment Car carrier trailer/semitrailer Multiple vehicles

Source: www.canva.com

1. Containers: The Backbone of Freight Transport

Did you know that about 65 million shipping containers are in use worldwide? Although container transport is predominantly associated with maritime shipping—more than 60% of the world’s consumer goods are transported via shipping containers—containers are also used in other types of transportation.

According to the statistics, in , the share of container transport in total rail transport performance in the EU was estimated at 22.2%. In road transport, container transport accounted for approximately 5.8% (europa.eu, ).

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Types of Shipping Containers

When using containers, you can transport many types of goods. You just need to choose the right type of container and the right container size for your cargo.

• Standard shipping containers: These containers are closed, with solid walls, a floor, and a ceiling. They are designed for the transportation of most types of goods, such as clothing, electronics, toys, household items, food products, and others.
  • High cube container vs. Standard container—a high cube container is a standard container with the only difference being that it is taller than a regular one (about 30 cm (1 ft.) taller). This makes it more suitable for transporting bulky or taller items.
• Open-top containers: These containers have a removable roof which allows for easier loading and unloading of goods from the top. They are suitable for cargo that cannot be loaded in the usual way such as overly large or bulky items, machinery, and other goods with unusual shapes.
• Side opening containers: This type of container is similar to the open-top container with the only difference being that these containers can be opened from the sides. They are suitable for items that require easy access from the sides for loading and unloading such as machinery like CNC milling machines, lathes, and others.
• Flat rack containers: These containers have walls and a roof made of tarpaulin. They only have a solid floor and side edges. They are designed for transporting oversized goods that do not require an enclosed space such as construction machinery, large metal structures, and others.
• Reefer containers: These containers maintain a low temperature throughout the transportation process. Therefore, they are used for transporting frozen goods such as food, medicines, or chemicals. The temperature can be set to a wide range of temperatures, typically from -25°C (-13°F) to 25°C (77°F), depending on the cargo’s needs.

There are other types of containers as well, but these are among the most commonly used.

Source: www.canva.com

Shipping Container Sizes

Below is a table of some of the most common container sizes that are commonly used for transportation.

Container size Inner length Inner width Inner height Weight Capacity of the shipping container Container 20′ 18′ 10.7″ 7′ 8.6″ 7′ 9.9″ 28,200 kg (62,170 lbs) Container 20′ HC* 18′ 10.7″ 7′ 8.6″ 8′ 9.7″ 29,200 kg (64,375 lbs) Container 40′ 39′ 5.7″ 7′ 8.6″ 7′ 9.9″ 26,600 kg (58,643 lbs) Container 40′ HC* 39′ 9″ 7′ 10″ 8′ 10.1″ 29,600 kg (65,257 lbs) Container 45′ HC* 44′ 6.7″ 7′ 8.4″ 8′ 9.9″ 28,390 kg (62,589 lbs)

*HC = high cube

Note: You can find all of these container sizes in the EasyCargo app.

Source: www.canva.com

2. Trucks: The Leader in Road Freight Transport

In , the truck market is expected to reach 7.08 million vehicle units in sales. In , the global truck market reached a total of 6.60 million vehicle units in sales (statista.com). And this is not the only statistic that will show you that trucks are widely used for freight transportation.

• Truck drivers deliver almost 11.5 billion tons of freight each year.
• Truck drivers deliver goods worth over $1.2 trillion (contimod.com, ).

Types of Trucks

Similar to containers, there are also different types of trucks that are suitable for various types of cargo. Here is an overview of the most commonly used trucks.

• Box truck: A closed cargo truck with solid walls, a floor, and a roof. Thanks to its solid and covered structure, it protects the goods from weather conditions, making it suitable for consumer goods such as furniture, electronics, textiles, and more.
• Flatbed truck: A truck that only has a solid floor without side walls or a roof. It is suitable for transporting materials such as construction supplies, large machinery, and other cargo that is resistant to weather conditions.
• Reefer truck: A closed cargo truck equipped with cooling systems that maintain a low temperature inside. Suitable for transporting frozen foods, fresh products, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals.
• Tanker truck: A truck designed to transport liquid materials in a tank, such as fuel, water, or chemicals.
• Lowboy truck: A low-profile cargo truck that allows for the transport of heavy and tall items, such as construction machinery or cranes.

Tip: Read about the advantages and disadvantages of road transport.

Source: www.canva.com

3. Trailers and Semitrailers: Enhancing Cargo Capacity

Neither a trailer nor a semitrailer has its own engine and must be towed by another vehicle. They are used to increase the cargo capacity that a motor vehicle can carry.

What’s the difference? A trailer has its own chassis, meaning its weight is supported only by its own wheels. A semitrailer, on the other hand, distributes its weight between its own wheels and the wheels of the towing vehicle.

Types of Trailers and Semitrailers

The primary types of trailers and semitrailers are the same as those of trucks, such as flatbeds, reefers, tankers, and others.

A special type of trailer is the car carrier trailer. These trailers are used for transporting multiple vehicles, typically in a stacked configuration, either with a ramp system or hydraulic lifts for easy loading and unloading.

Tip: Do you want to read in detail about all of the different kinds of trailers? Check out our article to learn which types of cargo each trailer is best suited for.

Cargo Spaces Can Be Tricky

The problem is that most cargo spaces do not have standardized dimensions or weight limits in different countries. For example, containers may have slightly different measurements in some regions due to varying transport regulations or infrastructure.

The same applies to names. What is known as a lorry in the UK is referred to as a truck in the USA. Therefore, when planning international transport, it is important to consider local specifications and regulations to ensure the correct selection of cargo space and avoid issues during loading, unloading, or meeting legal requirements.

How to Choose the Right Cargo Space for You

Thanks to the information above, you now know which type of cargo space is most suitable for different types of cargo. But what about the dimensions, cargo placement, weight limits, and other restrictions that come with freight transport? If you don’t want to get overwhelmed by all of the requirements, use the EasyCargo app for load planning. Are you wondering why? We have several reasons for you:

• The app includes 45 predefined cargo spaces. If you don’t find what you need, you can easily create your own custom cargo space.

Source: www.canva.com

• When load planning items, you can choose from various options, such as “Do not tilt this cargo item” or “Do not stack on this cargo item.”
• As you plan, you can immediately see how much space and weight is available before reaching the maximum weight and space limit.

Source: www.canva.com

• And many more.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the cargo capacity of a truck?

Each truck has different dimensions. Without more detailed information about the dimensions, it is not possible to provide a definitive answer. However, if you want to calculate the truckload capacity of your truck, take a look at our article where we have a detailed guide on how to do it.

2. What is the most commonly used shipping container?

The most commonly used type of container is the standard container, also known as a dry container. This container is best suited to transport a wide range of goods, from electronics and clothing to packaged food. It is designed to be weather-resistant and secure, making it ideal for long-distance shipping across different climates.

3. What is the biggest shipping container you can get?

The largest container is the 53-foot-high cube container, which is primarily used in North America.

Its dimensions are:

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• Length: 53 feet (16.2 m)
• Width: 8 feet (2.4 m)
• Height: 9.5 feet (2.9 m)

Choose the Right Cargo Space