It is much easier and more efficient to deliver large consignments over long distances by road transport. In this case, there is no need to install intermediate stages. Usually 20-ton trucks are used, which are optimal for freight transport. Products are delivered literally from warehouse to warehouse. By the way, using rail or water transport will not give the same high results in time.
Let's consider in the article what is the peculiarity of cargo transportation of 20 tons by trucks. What can be transported in them and what types of trucks exist.
What is a Eurotruck?
This is the name given to a semi-trailer together with a tractor that has certain characteristics or parameters close to them. It is used for transporting large-sized cargo weighing up to 25 tons with a volume of up to 120 cubic meters.
The main advantage of these trucks is their versatility and flexibility in operation. One type of trailer or another can help you transport most different goods.
This is what loading a tilt Euro truck looks like:
The most common and used type is the tractor-trailer . However, the cargo compartment can also be insulated, refrigerated or open.
Type of semi-trailer
The classification of a truck directly depends on the semi-trailer used. The hitch indicates the load being transported. What types of universal trucks are there:
- Onboard. Platform without a roof. The sides are of a folding or removable type. Thanks to the crane, cargo is loaded and unloaded from the truck. This type of tractor is used to transport cargo for which there are no special requirements. These can be building materials, metal structures, etc. If necessary, an awning is attached to the sides.
- With awning (Eurotrucks). Platform with a steel frame with a thick PVC or tarpaulin awning. If necessary, the awning can be removed, installed or moved.
- Curtains. Type of tilt semi-trailers. The awning has 3 parts: 2 side and ceiling. Thanks to this solution, loading and unloading cargo is greatly simplified. Portal gates are also provided.
- Curtain-sided. They combine the structural elements of curtain-side and side-type semi-trailers. The awning can be fixed either at the base or at the outer parts of the side.
Average parameters
Different types of bodies have their own unique characteristics, such as internal length and width, cubic capacity, and loading area. Each of them is best suited for an individual task.
Below is a summary table with parameter ranges for various trailers:
| Parameter | From | Before |
| Inner length | 8 m | 13.8 m |
| Width | 2.4 m | 2.45 m |
| Height | 2.3 m | 3m |
| Load capacity | 12 t | 25 t |
| Useful volume | 50 m3 | 120 m3 |
How to order a truck from a transport company?
With all the intensity of air, sea and rail cargo transportation, road transport remains the most in demand. Wholesale carriers value door-to-door delivery not only for the lowest cost t/km, but also for maximum accuracy. Modern logistics makes it possible not only to control the movement of cargo in real time, but also to flexibly change the route due to worsening weather conditions, traffic flow and other factors that can delay cargo en route.
Selecting the optimal transport solution
You can order a truck from a transport company in various designs. As a rule, a transport company specializing in wholesale cargo transportation has semi-trailers for both oversized and perishable goods. Therefore, when ordering, you just need to indicate the parameters you are interested in. The contract can be concluded for one-time transportation or for systematic service - it all depends on your preferences.
The services of professional transport companies are always more profitable for many reasons:
- An extensive vehicle fleet allows you to choose a vehicle that best suits the task at hand - with the necessary carrying capacity and additional options.
- Our own logistics service quickly finds the nearest available vehicle to eliminate long waits for a truck.
- Delivery time and cost are usually calculated at the time the contract is concluded and do not change significantly until it is completed. An exception may be a sudden change in the traffic situation, but even in this case, logisticians will try to find a way out.
- If the volume of cargo is larger than a truck, but less than two, then the manager will offer you two trucks, but the second with a smaller cubic capacity - this is just as reliable, but cheaper than driving 2 trucks a third empty.
- Transportation by pallets. Many transport companies are ready to transport goods on pallets. The cargo is packed on a special wooden platform - a pallet, and is accepted in this form - in the same form and quantity it will be delivered to the point of interest. Ready cargo on pallets significantly speeds up the loading and unloading process.
- For large wholesale deliveries, a road train is formed. In this case, as in the case of one truck, the peculiarities of the cargo and the requirements for the transportation mode are taken into account.
Thus, if you have a commercial enterprise engaged in the wholesale supply of something, the best choice in solving the transport issue is to contact companies specializing in large-tonnage cargo transportation. Then professionals will decide all the details.
Dimensional characteristics of the eurotruck
The dimensions of a Eurotruck depend on the tasks it solves, and therefore for each cargo, as well as for any logistics problem, there is a suitable and optimal solution. Options such as a tilt or flatbed truck will provide greater flexibility during loading and the ability to transport long items.
Refrigerated and isothermal trucks will help you deliver products that require special temperature conditions without loss. And when transporting large volumes of cargo – “Jumbo” or road train – it’s a matter of preference and your choice. The appearance of each type of truck is different.
Tent
The peculiarity of awning trucks is that it is possible to adapt them to operational needs by removing the top or side part of the awning, and, if necessary, the entire frame, leaving only the platform. Thus, loading is possible from any side, and also using a variety of equipment, for example, a crane or truck. And to ensure comfortable transportation of long cargo, the option of removable sides or awning frame struts is provided.
Internal characteristics:
- length – 13.6 m;
- width – 2.45 m;
- height – 2.45 m;
- cargo compartment capacity: 82 m3;
- transported weight – up to 22 tons;
- capacity – up to 33 euro pallets.
Tilt Euro truck
Currently, for transporting most goods, a Euro awning is the most convenient option , because its carrying capacity is sufficient for the vast majority of requests, and the canopy only adds alternative transportation options.
Important! The dimensions of the Eurotruck vary, as there are many modifications, for example, with a changed volume (86 m3, 92 m3, 96 m3, (Mega) 100 m3). At the same time, variations in the width of the Eurotruck are not so significant. As a rule, a change in capacity is achieved by increasing height and length.
Onboard
An open-type flatbed semi-trailer, or as it is called - a scow or a long length, is most often used for undemanding conditions for storage and transportation of goods that are indifferent to bad weather or temperature changes.
Options:
- length –13.6 m;
- side height – 50–80 cm;
- transported weight – up to 24 tons.
Iveco tractor with flatbed semi-trailer
On a note! For comfortable transportation of elongated cargo, you can equip this semi-trailer with bunks. It has the advantage of being loaded from above.
Refrigerator
The refrigeration unit with which this truck is equipped maintains the set temperature from -25 to +12 degrees during the entire transportation, regardless of external climatic conditions. In accordance with European standards, the installation must provide a stable temperature without requiring additional maintenance, unless the operating time is 12 hours without interruption.
Peculiarities:
- length – 13.6 m;
- height – 2.6 m;
- cargo compartment capacity – 60–92 m3;
- weight of transported cargo – 12–22 tons.
DAF tractor with refrigerated semi-trailer
Refrigerators are divided into several types according to the target temperature range:
| Refrigeration unit class | Temperature Range |
| Category A | From +12 °C to 0 °C |
| Category B | From +12 °С to -10 °С |
| Category C | From +12 °C to -20 °C |
| Category D | From +2 °C and less |
| Category E | From -10 °C and less |
| Category F | From -20 °C and less |
It is important to know! Refrigerated trucks, being technically complex mechanisms, are 5–25% more expensive in price compared to other types of vehicles. They are also more demanding to use, as they require additional maintenance and high-quality logistics.
"Thermos"
A truck with walls covered with heat-insulating materials is called isothermal . It is designed to maintain the original temperature of the delivered product for a certain amount of time. Gradually, the internal climate is synchronized with the external one. Depending on the thickness of the installed thermal insulation, the dimensions of the cargo space may vary.
Internal dimensions:
- length – 13.6 m;
- height – 2.60 m;
- transported weight – up to 22 tons;
- cargo compartment capacity – 86 m3.
Iveco tractor with isothermal semi-trailer
On a note! As a rule, isothermal trailers are preferred over refrigerated ones, because the former are much easier to use and do not require additional maintenance.
"Jumbo"
A good way to carry more is a Jumbo truck. Among the alternative options, it is distinguished by its unusual structure : an L-shaped floor and a reduced wheelset. Because of these features, the cargo space is divided into two zones with different interior heights, and the overall capacity of the body is increased.
Internal characteristics:
- length – 13.8 m;
- front height – 2.45 m;
- rear height – 3 m;
- weight of transported cargo up to 24 tons;
- cargo compartment capacity: 96 m3.
Jumbo semi-trailer
Important! Due to the broken frame of the trailer, it is completely unsuitable for transporting long cargo, but it is excellent when you need to increase the amount of transported resource.
Road train
The coupling of a car with a body on one frame and a trailer provides the largest transported volume, which can reach 120 m3 , and the height of such a Eurotruck is 3 meters inside the entire cargo part. A nice addition is the quick unloading, made possible thanks to the convenient body design.
Internal dimensions:
- front segment: 7.1–8 m;
- back section: 8 m;
- width: 2.45 m;
- height: 3 m;
- transported weight: up to 25 tons;
- cargo compartment capacity: 110–120 m3.
120cc hitch
Important! Unfortunately, transportation of long cargo by road train is not possible.
Limitations and liability
It is prohibited to drive vehicles weighing more than 24 tons and an axle load of more than 7 tons on public roads during the daytime at an air temperature of +28 degrees. Exceptions are the transportation of dangerous, perishable items and animals.
If you hire a car to transport your cargo, then all responsibility for its safety lies with the company that provides this service.
Thus, semi-trailers of different sizes are convenient for transporting any cargo: from candy to wood.
Internal dimensions of a 20-ton truck
Internal average dimensions of a 20-ton Euro truck:
- width (meters) – 2.45;
- truck height (meters) – 2.45;
- length (meters) – 13.6;
- eurotruck volume in m3 – 82;
- cargo compartment area in m2 – 33.
Average load capacity and weight:
- transported weight – 20 tons;
- empty – 8.5 tons;
- full - 28.5 tons;
- loading area – 24–33 europallets.
This is what Eurotrucks look like heading for loading:
As you have already seen, no matter what kind of cargo needs to be delivered, Euro trucks will most likely be able to cope with it perfectly. This is the combination of versatility, convenience and reliability in the transportation industry.
Weight
The type of tractor and semi-trailer affects the total weight of the truck. A standard semi-trailer with an awning weighs 6-7 tons. The refrigerator weighs approximately 9 tons and you need to add the weight of the tractor about 7 tons.
It is imperative to take into account the weight of the truck, since the maximum load depends on this parameter. The less a semi-trailer weighs, the more cargo it can load.
Rules for correct loading
Another important point is compliance with the rules for loading certain cargo. Moreover, for different types of such there are certain distinctive points. It is better to familiarize yourself with all of them in advance.
Since not only the total weight of the entire trailer is checked at special traffic police posts. But also load distribution between the individual axles.
This is strictly regulated both by law in the country and by the manufacturer of trucks and tractors themselves.
Impaired load distribution can lead to uneven tire wear, brake failure and more serious technical consequences right on the road.
As a result, there will be a violation of delivery deadlines, as well as other difficult issues. What will affect profits? Therefore, compliance with the rules for loading a truck without overloading is the basic rule of any forwarder, logistician and tractor driver.
Axial load refers to the force that a car exerts on one of its own axles through the contact of the rubber surface with the road. The axial load is calculated using a fairly simple formula.
It looks like this:
Ma = Npo + Nzo,
Where
| NGO | front axle load |
| Nzo | rear axle load |
In this case, the calculation process for a three-axle multi-ton machine will look somewhat different. But the only difference is the data that will need to be substituted into a special formula.
The structure itself looks standard and is the product of two factors:
Ma = Npo + Nzt,
Where
| Ma | total weight of the entire vehicle |
| NGO | front axle load |
| NZT | rear bogie load |
The easiest way to understand this calculation process is with a simple example. For example, if there is a KAMAZ truck, which is equipped with a front axle and also a rear bogie, then the calculation algorithm will look like this:
19,650 kg = 4,420 kg + 1,523 kg
Having examined the formula indicated above, you will notice a certain pattern - on the front axle, as a rule, the load will be significantly less than on the rear.
It is important to take this point into account specifically for transport companies, as well as other persons who are directly related to loading the car. The best solution is to carry out a preliminary calculation of the load on each axis.
