Os Tipos de Carretas

Types of Trailers and Their Characteristics

Overview of Mechanical Horse and Trailer Combinations

• The combination of mechanical horse and trailer is widely used for cargo transport globally, featuring various configurations tailored to different types of loads.

Definition and Classification of Trailers

• A trailer, known as an implement in Brazilian traffic code, is the part towed by the mechanical horse. It can be classified as a type of load vehicle, either a tow or semi-tow. There are numerous existing implements designed to meet diverse cargo needs.

Types of Trailers

Box Trailer (Baú)

• The box trailer resembles a large metal box, also referred to as "zinco barracão" on the road. It is ideal for transporting fragile goods like food and electronics due to its protective features against weather effects and external damage. Loading typically requires a forklift.

Refrigerated Trailer (Câmara Fria)

• This type has its own cooling system, often called "geladeira deitada." It can maintain temperatures down to -20°C for frozen products or around 0°C for perishable items like dairy or medications. Special designs exist for transporting meat with elevated centers of gravity requiring careful handling during turns.

Sider Trailer

• The sider trailer features lateral openings covered with tarpaulin for easier loading and unloading, making it suitable for beverages among other products that require quick access during transport.

Low Bed Trailer (Grade Baixa)

• Commonly used for dry cargo such as boxed goods or construction materials, this versatile trailer can adapt to specific loads like containers or ornamental rocks while ensuring compliance with height regulations not exceeding 4.4 meters.

Container Transporter (Porta Container)

• Designed specifically for securing containers during transport; it includes adaptations such as grooves for locking bobbins in place, enhancing stability during transit. Additionally, there are specialized models developed specifically for wire bobbins transportation combining features from both container trailers and sidings.

Advanced Configurations

Multi-Axle Trailers

• Each trailer may have two or three axles; configurations include "carreta LS," "wanderléia," or "canguru" which optimize weight distribution based on axle spacing requirements. These setups enhance load capacity efficiency across various terrains and conditions.

Flatbed Trailer (Prancha)

• Known as “carrega tudo,” this flatbed is perfect for indivisible loads like heavy machinery or vehicles needing special handling due to their size—often equipped with three or four axles depending on standard dimensions required by law while transporting oversized weights efficiently using additional support systems like dollies when necessary.

Specialized Cargo Trailers

Grain Trailer (Graneleira)

• Characterized by high sides suitable for transporting grains such as corn, rice, soybeans along with fertilizers; it also serves versatile functions similar to low bed trailers accommodating boxed goods effectively under certain conditions without compromising safety standards during transit operations.

Dump Truck Trailer (Basculante)

• Often referred to colloquially as “chapéu virado,” these trailers are primarily used in construction material transport but come in various axle configurations allowing increased load capacities through multiple bucket arrangements enhancing operational flexibility within industry standards.

Complex Combinations

Bitrem & Rodotrem Configurations

• When two trailers are connected behind a mechanical horse each having two axles they form what’s known as bitrem; if they possess three axles then it's termed bitrenzão while rodotrem utilizes dolly connections differing from previous setups allowing up-to nine axle combinations maximizing overall hauling capabilities across extensive distances safely adhering regulatory frameworks governing freight movement logistics.

Overview of Road Transport Configurations

Rare Road Configuration: The Train

• The train configuration consists of three trailers connected by a fifth wheel, which is uncommon in road transport.

• Off-road sets can have more trailers; for instance, bi-trailers often feature a front trailer with a tipping system for unloading.

Specialized Trailers and Their Functions

• Tanker trailers are designed to transport various liquids and can come in different axle configurations, such as bitrem or rodotrem.

• Tankers may have multiple compartments for transporting different non-hazardous liquids like milk and water; stainless steel insulated tanks are used specifically for milk preservation.

Loading Considerations for Liquid Transport

• Special care is required when loading tankers; they must be filled to at least 80% capacity to maintain stability during transport.

• Silo-type trailers are also utilized for solid bulk materials like grains and construction materials, featuring pressurization systems for unloading.

Car Carrier Trailers: Cegonha

• The "cegonha" (car carrier trailer) typically has two levels with ramps for efficient loading and unloading of vehicles, accommodating 10 to 11 cars on average.

• In 2018, regulations increased the maximum length of car carriers from 22.4 meters to 23 meters due to larger vehicle sizes.

Heavy-Duty Trailers for Specific Cargo Types

• Wood transport trailers are lightweight yet robust enough to handle heavy loads off-road; configurations can include up to four trailers in specific settings.

• Coal transportation often requires specialized high-sided metal trailers or dedicated coal trucks with horizontal loading systems.

Unique Implementations in Transporting Various Goods

• Sugarcane trailers can form large combinations within sugar mills and often feature lateral tipping mechanisms operated by external cranes.