Trucks are considered the most important vehicles for transporting goods. They can ride any motorable road and carry several items with them.
For instance, trucks are often used to deliver rations to mountainous areas, which are not easily accessible. As a result, road freight transport dominates the Australian market, and trucks are at the forefront.
Not everyone is using a brand-new truck. There are a lot of used trucks for sale that attract drivers.
But why is trucking still as relevant as ever?
Why is road transport preferred?
Road freight transport is well above the water, rail, and air transport competition. There are quite a few reasons for that:
- Cost: Deliveries sent through roads cost much less than air, water, or even rail. Even though it is not as fast as air transport, it can cover many distances and justify the price point.
- Location: Ships transport goods to the nearby port. Similarly, airports transport goods to the nearby airport. On the other hand, trucks are flexible and can deliver the parcel wherever required.
- Flexibility: The routes and the timing of the deliveries can be adjusted according to convenience. Even if there’s an urgent delivery, it can be changed and mapped accordingly.
- Less prone to damage: The goods are loaded at the warehouse and only unloaded when they reach the destination. As a result, damage in transit is avoided.
The Transport
Different types of trucks are used to transport various goods. It depends on the distance, volume and nature of the materials. A few common types of transport are:
Container carriers
As the name suggests, container carriers consist of a flat deck. This deck is used to load up the container filled with the goods transported.
These carriers are loaded either from the side or the back.
Flatbed trailers
At times, the freight might be larger than the expected size. As a result, the load would not fit in a standard container. Such oversized containers are loaded onto flatbed trailers and then transported.
They are generally loaded from the side of the top.
Tankers
Tankers can be recognised from a distance. They are cylindrical shaped and specialise in transporting liquids, gases or powders in bulk.
The commodities are poured from the top, and then the tanker is sealed shut. Unloading can be done similarly. Depending on the product’s nature, you can either remove the products from the top or drain your products.
Automobile carriers
These trailers are partly enclosed and are used to carry light road vehicles. One unique feature they offer is an adjustable deck to accommodate the vehicle.
The loading of the vehicles is done at the departure point, where they are driven into the carrier. Then, they are secured during transit. Finally, they are unloaded off the truck with the help of ramps.
Conclusion
Have you ever wondered that the average age of a truck driver in Australia is 50? Road freight transport is a booming industry but severely short of candidates. Even with the ever-increasing used trucks for sale, this industry does not attract a lot of young professionals.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, trucks transported more than 75% of the total road freight goods in 2017.
A boom in the freight industry is already underway. Make sure you catch the last train – or rather truck to the destination!
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