Dry Van Transportation:

Function: Hauls non-perishable, dry goods like electronics, furniture, and clothing. 

Cost: Generally, dry van rates are lower than reefer rates

Common Use: Widely used for long-distance hauling of various dry goods. 

Security: Enclosed structure provides security for shipments. 

Reefer Transportation:

Function: Hauls temperature-sensitive goods like produce, pharmaceuticals, and frozen items. 

Temperature Control: Equipped with refrigeration units to maintain specific temperature ranges. 

Temperature Range: Can maintain temperatures from -20°F to 80°F

Cost: Reefer rates are typically higher than dry van rates. 

Versatility: Reefers can also transport dry goods if needed.

Common Use: Transporting perishable goods that require temperature control

Flatbed Trailers:

Open Design:

Flatbeds have a flat, open platform without walls or a roof, allowing for easy loading and unloading of various shapes and sizes of cargo using forklifts, cranes, or other equipment. 

Versatility:

They are ideal for transporting oversized or irregularly shaped items, construction materials, machinery, and other loads that can't be accommodated in enclosed trailers. 

Loading Flexibility:

Flatbeds allow for loading from the sides, top, or rear, offering flexibility in how cargo is handled. 

Tarping Requirement:

Flatbed loads typically need to be covered with tarps for protection from the elements, which can be time-consuming and potentially cause damage. 

Conestoga Trailers:

Retractable Tarping System:

Conestoga’s combine the open design of a flatbed with a retractable tarping system that provides weather protection and security. 

Weather Protection:

The rolling tarp system shields cargo from rain, snow, wind, and road debris, making them suitable for sensitive or valuable items. 

Reduced Risk of Damage:

The protective tarping system minimizes the risk of damage to cargo during transit compared to traditional flatbed tarping. 

Easier Loading and Unloading:

The retractable tarp system allows for easier side and top loading, streamlining the loading process and reducing the time and effort required compared to tarping a flatbed. 

Versatility:

Conestoga’s can handle a wide range of cargo, including oversized and irregularly shaped items, but may have a slightly lower weight capacity compared to flatbeds due to the added structure of the tarping system. 

Cost:

Conestoga trailers tend to be more expensive to operate due to their specialized nature and potentially lower weight capacity

Drayage involves the transportation of goods, especially containers, over relatively short distances. 

It's a specialized type of logistics service that often acts as the "first mile" or "last mile" in a longer shipping journey. 

Historically, drayage was done with horse-drawn carts, but today, it's primarily handled by trucks. 

Drayage is essential for moving containers between different transportation hubs, such as ports, rail yards, and warehouses.