Delivery equipment
tag trailer
A tag trailer, or tag-along, is a trailer that hitches behind a truck on a drawbar or pintle hitch instead of a fifth wheel. Many tag trailers have decks that tilt so equipment can drive on without ramps. Capacity ranges widely, from light to heavy duty.
Why it matters
A tag trailer is a lighter, simpler tow rig than a tractor-trailer. Some portable storage operators use tilt tag trailers to place small units or move equipment. The word covers a wide range, from small consumer trailers to large commercial decks. A common mistake is to ignore the legal side. The trailer weight, the tow truck rating and any license rules can change with size. Check GVWR and GCWR, brakes, hitch ratings and the licensing rules. Ask the dealer for the exact capacity. Do not rely on the word tag trailer alone. Check state and local rules before you tow for hire.
Read: Container delivery equipment: Tilt-bed, roll-off, side-loader, and crane trucks
Definition source: westerntruck.com
Related terms
tilt-bed truck
A tilt-bed truck has a bed that tilts down toward the ground. A winch pulls a container onto or off the bed. It places a 20 ft or 40 ft container on the ground without a crane or forklift. It is the most common delivery truck in portable storage.
drop deck trailer
A drop deck trailer, often called a step deck, is a flatbed trailer with a lower rear deck. The lower deck allows taller loads to stay within legal height limits. It is used for tall or heavy freight. Some carriers call it a step-deck trailer.
GVWR
GVWR is gross vehicle weight rating. It is the maximum loaded weight of a single motor vehicle, as set by the manufacturer. It includes the vehicle, fuel, driver, cargo and equipment. It is printed on the vehicle's certification label and set by the maker.
GCWR
GCWR is gross combination weight rating. It is the greater of the manufacturer's value for the power unit or the sum of the GVWRs of the power unit and towed units. It is used for tractor-trailers and trucks that tow.
flatbed truck
A flatbed truck has a flat, level bed with no sides or roof. It can be a rigid truck or a tractor with a trailer. A flatbed can haul a container but needs a crane or forklift at the drop site to unload it.
chassis
A chassis is a skeletal semi-trailer built to carry a container. It has twistlocks at the corners that lock into the container's corner castings. Chassis are used with tractors to move containers on roads between ports, rail yards and depots.
For the industry
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