• The likely goods to be carried should be one of the first considerations when selecting a vehicle.
• The load type determines body design, capacity and any specialist loading/unloading equipment required.

bulk liquids

• Specialist tanker bodies are required.
• Food liquids generally require stainless-steel tanks for hygiene, contamination prevention and ease of cleaning.
• Some chemicals can react with steel and require specially lined tanks.
• Tank compartments reduce liquid surge; large fuel tankers may carry about 40,000 litres in 6 compartments.
• Bottom loading is common for petroleum tankers because it reduces the need for drivers to climb onto the tanker and reduces splash-loading/static-electricity risks.
• Discharge is commonly by pumping the product into the customer's storage tank using on-board pumps.

bulk powders

• Tank specification depends on the product and loading/discharge method.
• Unlike liquids, powders do not present the same surge problem, so a single non-compartmented tank may be suitable.
• Consider whether top loading and gravity/tipping are sufficient or whether on-board pumps are required.
• Pumps may have their own engine or be powered through a power take-off (PTO) from the vehicle engine.

other bulk products

• Dry bulk products are commonly carried in tipper rigids or artics.
• Dense products such as stone and tarmac often favour rigid tippers because a smaller vehicle can carry the available payload economically.
• Side tippers can be useful for roadside work; most tippers discharge rearwards.
• Hydraulic rams raise the body using power transferred from the vehicle engine through a PTO.

controlled temperature goods

• Frozen and chilled goods require equipment capable of maintaining specified temperatures.
• Options include refrigerated vehicles/trailers with their own refrigeration systems or insulated bodies where appropriate.
• Quality-sensitive goods may require temperature-controlled transport and storage even when they are not obviously perishable.

vehicle transport

• Car, van and truck transport requires specialist equipment.
• Specialised car transport trailers maximise the number of vehicles carried safely and economically.
• The source notes a move from artics towards rigid/drawbar combinations where the extra length allows additional vehicles to be carried.

abnormal loads and plant

• Specialist heavy hauliers may carry items weighing hundreds of tonnes.
• Large plant such as dump trucks and diggers commonly requires low-loader semi-trailers.
• Low-loaders provide a lower loading height than standard semi-trailers, making plant easier to load and unload.

freight containers

• International freight is widely moved in ISO containers.
• Common ISO dimensions stated are 8 ft wide × 8 ft high, with 20, 30 or 40 ft lengths.
• Containers are normally carried on skeletal trailers using twistlocks; twistlocks can also be fitted to flat-bed semi-trailers.

furniture removals

• Removal vehicles must be large enough for household contents.
• A tailboard/tail lift lowered to ground level helps goods to be wheeled or carried aboard.
• The body should allow furniture and other items to be secured against movement and damage.
• Because household loads are relatively light, available space is more important than payload weight.
• The traditional vehicle is a long-wheelbase 2-axle rigid with a high body and 'Luton' loadspace over the cab.

general goods

• Flat-bed vehicles: loads are commonly protected with tarpaulins and secured with ropes or straps.
• Box bodies: suitable for weather-sensitive goods; normally rear-loaded, although side doors may be specified.
• Curtain-sided vehicles: curtains can be opened along the full side for rapid forklift loading/unloading; built-in straps and curtain tensioning provide efficient load restraint.
• Tilts: flat-bed trailers with removable sides and steel frames supporting a one-piece tarpaulin; can be loaded from the side or by crane from above and provide weather protection.