Equipment guide

Know what moves your product.

A practical reference to common trailer types, their capabilities, and the details that influence equipment selection.

A useful starting point

The right equipment begins with the product.

Commodity characteristics, loading method, temperature, weight, wash requirements, unloading equipment, and receiving-facility limitations all matter. This guide explains the basics; FGX confirms the shipment-specific details before matching capacity.

Polished stainless steel liquid bulk tanker at an industrial facilityLiquid bulk

Stainless Steel Tanker

Commonly used for

Food-Grade and Kosher-capable products, chemicals, oils, ingredients, and other specialty liquids.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Corrosion-resistant stainless construction
  • Smooth interior supports effective washout
  • Common choice where product purity matters
Important: Product history, wash documentation, and compatibility still determine whether a particular trailer is appropriate.
Food-Grade and Kosher-capable stainless tanker with an onboard sanitary pumpLiquid bulk

Food-Grade & Kosher-Capable Tanker

Commonly used for

Edible oils, sweeteners, food ingredients, and other products requiring sanitary handling, approved prior-product history, and documented wash procedures.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Sanitary stainless product-contact surfaces
  • Kosher-capable service requires appropriate documentation and compliance—not a different tank shape
  • Onboard sanitary pumps can support facilities without their own unloading pump
  • Food-Grade hoses, fittings, seals, and capped connections support Kosher requirements and protect product integrity
Important: Food-Grade, Kosher, and pump requirements must be requested before dispatch. The tank, previous loads, wash certificate, pump, hoses, and fittings all need to meet the customer’s product-specific standards.
Insulated stainless steel liquid tanker at an industrial facilityLiquid bulk

Insulated & Heated Tanker

Commonly used for

Liquids that must retain heat, remain pumpable, or avoid rapid temperature change in transit.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Insulation slows temperature loss
  • In-transit heat may maintain product temperature
  • Steam coils may support unloading at the destination
Important: Heating equipment maintains heat; it is not always designed to raise a cold product to its required temperature.
Multi-compartment stainless steel tanker trailerLiquid bulk

Compartment Tanker

Commonly used for

Separated quantities, multi-stop deliveries, or compatible products that cannot be combined in one tank.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Internal bulkheads divide the tank
  • Multiple manways identify separate compartments
  • Can reduce the need for separate shipments
Important: Weight distribution and product compatibility must be evaluated for every compartment configuration.
Pneumatic dry bulk trailer at an industrial facilityDry bulk

Pneumatic Dry Bulk

Commonly used for

Powders and fine granular products such as cement, flour, plastic resin, lime, and compatible dry materials.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Pressurized air moves product through hoses
  • Cone-shaped hoppers direct material to outlets
  • Requires compatible receiving equipment and venting
Important: Unloading speed depends on product density, hose length, air supply, and the receiving facility.
Aluminum hopper-bottom trailer at a grain facilityDry bulk

Hopper Bottom

Commonly used for

Free-flowing agricultural and industrial commodities such as grain, feed ingredients, fertilizer, and pellets.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Gravity discharge through bottom gates
  • Fast loading through open top hatches
  • Lightweight aluminum designs improve payload
Important: The receiving location needs suitable clearance, pits, augers, or conveyors for bottom discharge.
Enclosed dry van trailer at a shipping facilityGeneral freight

Dry Van

Commonly used for

Palletized freight, packaged ingredients, manufactured products, and goods needing enclosed protection.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Fully enclosed from weather and road debris
  • Loaded from rear doors or some dock systems
  • Common 53-foot configuration
Important: Dry vans do not provide temperature control unless specialized equipment is added.
Flatbed trailer carrying secured industrial freightGeneral freight

Flatbed

Commonly used for

Oversized, side-loaded, crane-loaded, construction, machinery, and industrial freight.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Open deck permits top and side loading
  • Tarps can provide limited weather protection
  • Securement is specific to cargo size and weight
Important: Dimensions, weight, permits, tarping, and securement requirements should be confirmed before dispatch.
Refrigerated trailer at a food distribution facilityGeneral freight

Refrigerated Trailer

Commonly used for

Temperature-sensitive packaged products requiring controlled conditions throughout transportation.

Key capabilities & properties

  • Integrated refrigeration unit controls temperature
  • Insulated walls reduce heat transfer
  • Continuous or cycle operation depends on the product
Important: A reefer maintains temperature; it should not be assumed to rapidly cool product loaded above specification.

Liquid unloading capabilities

Pump, air, gravity, and facility requirements.

The trailer type is only part of the decision. Liquid shipments may need an onboard pump, air pressure, gravity unloading, customer-provided equipment, specific hoses, fittings, or steam capability. Those details should be confirmed before the load is scheduled.

Pump offload

An onboard pump mechanically moves compatible products and can provide controlled unloading.

Air offload

Air pressure moves compatible liquids or dry bulk material, subject to product and tank limitations.

Hoses & fittings

Diameter, length, connection type, product compatibility, and whether the carrier or facility supplies them all matter.

Shipment-specific guidance

You don’t need to choose alone.

Tell FGX about the product and facilities. We’ll help identify the appropriate equipment and unloading approach.

Find Your Solution→