Glossary

Swap Trailers

Definition

Swap trailers, also known as swap bodies, are standardized, interchangeable freight containers commonly used in Europe for road and rail transportation. They are designed specifically for these modes of transport, featuring reinforced frames, legs, and locking systems to facilitate efficient loading, unloading, and transfer between different transportation methods. Unlike shipping containers, they are not suitable for stacking due to their structural design.

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FAQ

Swap trailers offer several advantages in logistics, including faster loading and unloading times, reduced cargo handling, and increased efficiency in multimodal transport. They facilitate quick transfers between different transport modes, minimizing downtime and optimizing operations.
Swap trailers have reinforced frames and locking systems designed for road and rail transport, whereas shipping containers are built to endure ocean conditions with features meant for global shipping and stacking. Shipping containers have standardized sizes not always suited for road and rail.
Common lengths of swap trailers are 7.15 meters, 7.45 meters, and 7.82 meters, with typical widths and heights being 2.55 meters and 2.6 meters, respectively.
No, swap trailers cannot be stacked like shipping containers due to their design. They have folding legs for standing independently when detached but lack structural strength for safe stacking.
They can transport a wide range of goods, from palletized cargo and bulk materials to liquids and perishable items. Specialized types, such as refrigerated swap bodies and tank swap bodies, are available for specific cargo types.
Example or usage in road freight logistics

A logistics company uses swap trailers to transport goods from a manufacturing facility to a distribution center. The loaded swap body is quickly transferred from the truck to a train at an intermodal terminal, then back onto a truck at the destination terminal, providing a seamless and efficient transport solution that reduces cargo handling and transit times.

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