Do you know your freight?

Consider that nearly 70% of all freight shipped in the United States is hauled on a truck. The fact is this: Truckers haul our lives. But even though you see them everywhere, do you know what each trucker is hauling?

In this new blog series, we’ll introduce you to the different types of freight that you see rolling across your city’s streets and highways. That way, next time you’re on the open road, you too can identify the type of freight traveling the road with you.

Dry Freight. These are the most common types of tractor-trailers on the roads today. These guys and gals are usually hauling dry or non-perishable goods in a 53-foot trailer. These are generally considered the entry-level trucking jobs, since they require less training.

Flatbed Freight. If you see a rig riding by with an airplane or manufactured home on it, it’s considered flatbed freight. Flatbed setups are delicate work because the loads must be carefully secured and sometimes tarped in high winds or bad weather.

Refrigerated Freight. These configurations, ‘reefer haulers,’ as they are called, can be easily picked out by the large air conditioning unit that sits to the front of the trailer. These truckers are responsible for freight that usually needs to be kept at or below freezing.

Tankers. These are the trucks you see hauling the big cylindrical liquid tankers. Tanker trucks could be hauling anything, from hot asphalt oil to liquid nitrogen and other chemicals. Special training is usually required for tanker truckers, as many of the liquids they haul can be highly explosive.

These four trucking jobs are the most common. All represent excellent options for those seeking a new and rewarding career. At Double D Distribution, we handle all four, so if one sounds appealing to you, maybe it’s time to fill out one of our driver application forms.