The Complete Guide to Commercial Trailer Types (And How to Pick the Right One)

Choosing the right commercial trailer is one of the most important decisions for any owner-operator, carrier, or hotshot driver. The trailer you choose determines what loads you haul, what lanes you qualify for, and ultimately — how profitable your business can be.

At Truecore Capital, we help business owners finance all types of commercial trailers, from flatbeds to reefers to lowboys. Below is a completed breakdown of the most common trailer types, how each one is used, and which may be the best fit for your operation.

1. 1. Flatbed Trailers

Best for: Construction materials, lumber, steel, machinery, oversized freight

Flatbeds are the most versatile trailers in the industry. With their open-deck design, operators can haul everything from building materials to industrial machinery.

• Why choose a flatbed?
• – Extremely flexible freight options
• – Fast loading/unloading
• – Strong demand across short-haul, construction, and industrial sectors

1. 2. Dry Van Trailers

Best for: General freight, consumer goods, palletized shipments

Dry vans are the most common trailers on the road today. They protect freight from weather and theft, making them ideal for contracted freight, regional routes, and last-mile distribution.

• Why choose a dry van?
• – Most widely accepted trailer class for new operators
• – Consistent year-round freight
• – Ideal for businesses looking for predictable revenue

1. 3. Refrigerated Trailers (Reefers)

Best for: Food, beverages, pharmaceuticals, temperature-sensitive cargo

Reefers include built-in cooling units that allow operators to haul perishable freight. Although they cost more upfront, they typically command higher freight rates. According to the American Trucking Associations (ATA), refrigerated demand continues to grow due to rising consumer demand for fresh and frozen foods.

1. 4. Lowboy Trailers

Best for: Heavy machinery, construction equipment, industrial loads

Lowboys sit extremely close to the ground, allowing you to transport oversized, tall, or heavy equipment without special permits in many cases. They’re common for construction, roadwork, and heavy-equipment contractors.

• Why choose a lowboy?
• – Perfect for oversized or overweight equipment
• – High demand in construction and infrastructure
• – Higher-paying loads due to load complexity

Why Lowboy Trailers Can Be Harder to Get Approved

Lowboys have become more common among new hotshot and heavy-haul operators — which lenders view as higher-risk industries. Because these operations face higher insurance requirements, more liability exposure, and higher early-failure rates, lenders often require stronger credit, more time in business, or proven hauling experience for lowboy trailer financing.

1. 5. End Dump & Belly Dump Trailers

Best for: Aggregates, asphalt, dirt, gravel, demolition debris, farming, agriculture

Dump trailers are essential in aggregate, mining, infrastructure work, and farming. Belly dumps are especially useful for roadbuilding because they distribute material evenly.

1. 6. Car-Hauler Trailers (Wedges & Multi-Car Haulers)

Best for: Dealership transport, body shops, hotshot auto hauling

Car haulers have become extremely popular with new operators — especially hotshot drivers — but underwriting has tightened in recent years.

• Why Car-Hauler Trailers are Harder to Get Approved
• – Higher accident and insurance-claim frequency
• – Many new operators enter without experience
• – High cargo value = higher risk
• – Insurance is more strict and expensive

This means lenders often require stronger credit, more experience, or higher down payments.

1. 7. Step Deck (Drop Deck) Trailers

Best for: Tall freight that exceeds flatbed height limits

Step decks allow operators to haul taller loads without oversize permits. They’re popular for industrial equipment, building materials, and machinery.

• Why choose a step deck?
• – More versatility than a standard flatbed
• – Ideal for tall or oddly shaped freight
• – Attractive for long-haul and regional operations

1. 8. Tanker Trailers

Best for: Fuel, chemicals, food-grade liquids

Tanker hauling requires additional CDL endorsements, but operators often earn higher pay due to specialized freight.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports continued demand in liquid-bulk trucking, especially in fuel and chemical transport sectors.

1. 9. Gooseneck Flatbed Trailers (Hotshot Trailers)

Best for: Heavy, long, or irregular freight for hotshot trucking

Gooseneck flatbeds (typically 30-40ft) are the backbone of hotshot trucking, offering stability, high weight capacity, and load versatility.

Why Gooseneck Trailers Are Harder to Get Approved

Because goosenecks are overwhelmingly purchased by hotshot startups, lenders consider them higher risk. High insurance premiums, limited hauling experience, and high early-failure rates make lenders more cautious — often requiring better credit, stronger cash flow, or prior industry experience.

How to Choose the Right Trailer for Your Operation

Before financing a trailer, consider:

• 1. What freight will you specialize in?
• Different trailers unlock different niches — and different earning potential

• 2. What’s your experience level?
• Higher-risk trailers (car-haulers, goosenecks, lowboys, tankers) may require stronger credit and time in business.

• 3. What matches your revenue goals?
• Dry vans & flatbeds = versatility
• Reefers & tankers = higher margins
• Lowboys = heavy-construction demand

Financing Your Trailer With Truecore Capital

No matter which trailer you need — flatbed, reefer, car hauler, gooseneck, or lowboy — Truecore helps operators secure fast, flexible financing tailored to their cash flow.

• We offer:
• – 🚚 Soft-pull prequal terms (no impact to credit)
• – 💼 Programs for new + established businesses
• – ⚡ Fast approvals and same-day funding options
• – 🔧 $10K to $500K+ financing
• – 🧾 Competitive terms built around your operation

Ready to explore your options? Give us a call at (805) 422-7342 or submit a quick contact form below and one of our specialists will reach out to you shortly.

• Sources:
• – American Trucking Associations (ATA), “ATA Releases Latest Edition of American Trucking Trends,” [https://www.trucking.org/news-insights/ata-releases-latest-edition-american-trucking-trends-0].
• – U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, “Industries at a Glance,” [https://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag484.htm].