• The three basic configurations are rigid vehicles, articulated vehicles and rigid vehicle/drawbar trailer combinations.

rigid vehicles

• Usually preferred for smaller loads because of their size, manoeuvrability and ease of access to loading/unloading points.
• A typical 2-axle rigid operating at 18 tonnes GVW can carry about 10–12 tonnes payload depending on body type.
• Maximum overall length stated: 12 metres.
• A 12 m rigid may have about 9 m of loadspace after allowing for the cab.
• Around 10 m overall length may be a useful compromise where manoeuvrability and practical payload are more important than maximum loadspace.
• Multi-axle rigid tippers are popular for dense, heavy products.
• A 4-axle rigid tipper plated at 32 tonnes may carry around 22 tonnes payload.
• Rigids generally suit shorter journeys than artics and drawbar combinations.

articulated vehicles

• May operate in the UK and Europe at up to 16.5 m overall length, according to the source.
• Semi-trailers can provide up to 13.6 m of single loadspace.
• Useful where volume rather than weight is the limiting factor.
• Semi-trailers can be exchanged quickly, allowing a tractor unit to drop an empty trailer and immediately collect a loaded one.
• Projecting loads can allow specified length limits to be exceeded where legally permitted.
• A 6-axle articulated combination at 44 tonnes GVW in the UK can achieve payloads up to about 30 tonnes, depending on body type.
• In many EU states, 6-axle artics are treated like 5-axle vehicles, with a 40-tonne maximum gross weight and payload around 25 tonnes.

rigid vehicle/drawbar trailer combinations

• Maximum overall length stated: 18.75 m.
• Offers the greatest potential load volume of the three basic configurations.
• Particularly useful for light, bulky goods such as breakfast cereals where volume is more important than weight.
• Less useful for dense, heavy products such as bulk sand because available load volume cannot be fully exploited before weight limits are reached.
• A 4-axle rigid/drawbar combination may have a maximum gross weight of 36,000 kg.
• Combined kerbside weight may be around 11–12 tonnes, leaving a maximum payload of about 24 tonnes.