Trailer Equipment
Selector
Not sure what trailer type you need? Enter your shipment details and get a recommendation with alternatives.
Shipment Details
Temperature Requirement
Special Requirements
Trailer Equipment Quick Reference
Dry Van — 53 ft
Up to 26 pallets / 45,000 lbs
Enclosed, weatherproof trailer. The most common and cost-effective option for general freight.
Refrigerated (Reefer) — 53 ft
Up to 26 pallets / 43,000 lbs
Temperature-controlled trailer with integrated refrigeration. Maintains precise temps from +4°C down to −25°C.
Flat Deck — 48/53 ft
Up to 48,000 lbs / oversized freight
Open platform deck with no walls or roof. Loaded from the sides or top with straps and chains for securement.
Step Deck
Up to 42,000 lbs / taller freight
Lower deck height (drop-deck design) allows taller cargo that wouldn't fit under a standard bridge clearance.
Lowbed / RGN
Up to 80,000 lbs / heavy haul
Lowest possible deck height for super-heavy or oversize loads. Often requires pilot cars and permits.
Straight Truck / Cube Van
Up to 6 pallets / 10,000 lbs
Smaller enclosed truck — ideal for local and regional deliveries that don't need a full 53 ft trailer.
Sprinter / Cargo Van
Up to 2 pallets / 2,500 lbs
Fast and nimble cargo van. Ideal for urgent small shipments where a full truck isn't justified.
LTL (Less-Than-Truckload)
Share space — any size under a full truck
Your freight ships with other companies' freight on the same trailer. Most cost-effective for 1–10 pallets.
Moving freight on a flat deck or open deck trailer?
OTR Logistics Solutions brokers flat deck and step deck freight across Canada and the US -- machinery, steel coils, lumber, and metal products on open-deck equipment.
About this tool
What it calculates
Recommends the most suitable trailer type for your shipment based on weight, dimensions, temperature requirements, and commodity characteristics, and shows alternative equipment options.
Who it's for
Shippers unfamiliar with trailer types or shipping a commodity that may require specialized equipment.
What you'll need
Freight weight, dimensions or pallet count, temperature requirements (ambient, chilled, frozen), and any oversize or high-value flags.
How to use the result
Use the recommendation when requesting a quote — specify the trailer type to avoid mismatches at pickup. The tool also shows alternatives if your primary option is unavailable.
Key assumptions
Recommendations reflect standard North American trailer availability. Specialized equipment (tanker, container, double drop, RGN) is not modelled and requires a separate assessment.
When to confirm with a specialist
For oversized, overweight, or permit-required loads, contact OTR Logistics Solutions' specialized freight team for an equipment and routing assessment.
Need help with this shipment?
OTR Logistics Solutions specialists available 24/7 — no account required.