A dry van is a type of trailer commonly used in the transportation industry to haul goods over the road. It's typically a fully enclosed rectangular box-like structure with no refrigeration or temperature control features. Dry vans are designed to protect cargo from weather elements like rain and snow and are used for transporting a wide range of dry goods, including packaged foods, consumer goods, electronics, and more. They are among the most common types of trailers used for freight shipping due to their versatility and ease of loading and unloading.

"Reefer" is a term commonly used in the transportation industry to describe a refrigerated trailer or container designed for transporting temperature-sensitive goods. These specialized units are equipped with a built-in refrigeration system that allows precise control of temperature and humidity levels inside the container. Reefers are widely used for transporting perishable items such as fruits, vegetables, dairy products, meat, seafood, pharmaceuticals, and other goods requiring specific temperature conditions to maintain quality and freshness during transit.

A flatbed is a type of trailer used in the transportation industry for hauling goods. Unlike enclosed trailers like dry vans or reefers, a flatbed trailer has an open, flat cargo area without any sides or roof. This design allows for easy loading and unloading of oversized or irregularly shaped cargo that cannot be accommodated in enclosed trailers. Flatbed trailers are commonly used for transporting construction materials, machinery, equipment, vehicles, lumber, steel, and other large or bulky items. They are versatile and can be loaded from the sides or from above using cranes or forklifts.

In the transportation industry, "hotshot" typically refers to a type of expedited freight service provided by smaller trucks or specialized vehicles. Hotshot carriers usually operate with smaller trucks, often pickups with trailers or medium-duty trucks, rather than the large tractor-trailers seen in traditional freight transportation.

These hotshot trucks are commonly used for urgent or time-sensitive deliveries that don't require the full capacity of a standard semi-trailer. Hotshot services are often utilized for smaller loads, urgent deliveries, or shipments to remote locations where larger trucks may have difficulty accessing. This type of service offers quicker delivery times and more flexibility compared to traditional freight transportation methods.

A live bottom refers to a type of trailer commonly used in the transportation of bulk materials such as gravel, sand, or asphalt. Unlike traditional dump trailers that rely on hydraulic lifting mechanisms to unload cargo, a live bottom trailer features a conveyor belt system installed in the floor of the trailer. This conveyor belt can move forward or backward, allowing for the controlled and continuous discharge of material from the trailer without the need for tipping or raising the bed. Live bottom trailers are preferred for their efficiency, versatility, and ability to unload in areas with overhead obstacles or limited clearance. They are commonly used in construction, landscaping, and agriculture industries for transporting and distributing bulk materials.

LTL stands for Less Than Truckload, a shipping method used in the transportation industry for transporting relatively small freight shipments that don't require the use of an entire trailer. With LTL shipping, multiple smaller shipments from different customers are consolidated onto a single truck. This consolidation allows for more efficient use of transportation space and helps to reduce costs for both the carrier and the customer. LTL shipments are typically handled by specialized carriers that have the infrastructure and expertise to manage smaller loads and multiple pickups and deliveries along a route.

Lowboys are specialized trailers renowned for their low deck height, making them ideal for transporting heavy and oversized loads that exceed standard height limits. These trailers often feature a detachable gooseneck or removable ramps at the front, facilitating the easy loading and unloading of tall and hefty cargo such as industrial equipment, machinery, and construction vehicles. Their reinforced construction ensures stability and balance on the road, making them indispensable in industries like construction, mining, and energy, where the transportation of large, heavy equipment is a frequent requirement.

RGN stands for Removable Gooseneck, a specialized trailer used in the transportation industry for hauling heavy and oversized loads. Featuring a detachable front section, the gooseneck, RGN trailers allow for easy loading and unloading of tall or oversized cargo by creating a ramp. This design facilitates the transportation of construction equipment, industrial machinery, and large vehicles that cannot be accommodated by standard trailers due to their size or weight. RGN trailers are highly versatile, providing flexibility in handling various types of cargo, and are essential in industries such as construction, mining, and energy.

A step deck, also known as a drop deck or low-profile trailer, is a specialized type of flatbed trailer used in the transportation industry for hauling freight. Unlike traditional flatbed trailers with a single level, step deck trailers feature a lower deck section at the front and a higher deck section at the rear, creating a "step" or level change between the two sections. This design allows for the transportation of taller cargo while still maintaining the ability to haul standard-height loads on the upper deck. Step deck trailers are commonly used for transporting tall or oversized items such as machinery, vehicles, construction materials, and other freight that require additional clearance height. They offer versatility and flexibility in accommodating various types of cargo, especially those that may not fit on standard flatbed trailers due to height restrictions.

A straight van, also known simply as a van or box truck, refers to a type of enclosed cargo vehicle commonly used in the transportation industry for hauling goods. Unlike trailers, which are towed by a tractor, straight vans are standalone vehicles with the cargo compartment integrated into the chassis. Their rectangular box-like shape characterizes them and typically have a single rear cargo door for loading and unloading. Straight vans come in various sizes, ranging from small delivery vans to larger trucks with significant cargo capacity. They are versatile and suitable for transporting a wide range of goods, including packaged foods, consumer goods, electronics, and other items that require protection from weather and theft during transit.