Vehicle types
Small goods vehicles up to a maximum permissible gross weight of 2.8 tonnes
These vehicles are classified as category N but can be driven with a B/B1 license.
Light commercial vehicles up to a maximum permissible gross weight of 3.5 tons
These vehicles are classified as category N1, but can also be driven in international traffic with a B/B1 category license and a 102 health code.
Trucks up to 7.5 tons gross vehicle weight
These vehicles are classified as category N2 under the Highway Code and may only be driven with a category C1 license and health code 102, both domestically and internationally. This is a simplified category. Certain freight restrictions do not apply to this category. However, the requirements for drivers and the driving and working time regulations are the same as for the higher categories. Their speed is reduced.
12T maximum permissible gross vehicle weight
These vehicles are classified as category N2 in the Highway Code and can only be driven with a category C license and health code 102, both domestically and internationally.
All regulations and requirements apply to this category and all higher categories.
– Their design is basically the same as that of 7.5-ton trucks. Motorized chassis (with
one steered axle and one or two rear axles) and superstructure.
– The internal usable width of the cargo space is 240 cm, in accordance with European standards (and traffic regulations).
(New types of superstructures may be a few centimeters wider.)
– The superstructure can be almost anything (tarpaulin, box, refrigerated, etc.).
– They can be used for freight transport as solo trucks or as trailers.
– A common category in both international and domestic freight transport.
– Standard cargo space dimensions: 240 cm wide, 240 cm high, 720 cm long.
IMPORTANT: their height and length may vary significantly from the industry standard.
Raised or extended (or possibly extended and raised) superstructures are common.
Vehicles with a maximum permissible gross weight of 40 tons
These vehicles are classified as category N3 in the Highway Code and can usually be driven with a C+E category license
and health code 102 both domestically and internationally.
They can be used for freight transport as single trucks or as tractor-trailer combinations.
They can take the form of a traditional truck (tractor + semi-trailer) or a TGK + trailer.
Superstructure types
The most common basic (traditional) superstructures
Flatbed trucks without closed superstructure elements (open flatbed or walled flatbed)
– These superstructures are most commonly used for transporting larger or heavier
cargo units that are not sensitive to damage.
–
They are used in both domestic and international transport, but are not common superstructures.
– They are often fitted to lower category vehicles with a tiltable platform.
– Almost all vehicles equipped with a self-loading crane (KCR) have this type of walled platform.
A.)
Natural floor The cargo area is not covered by any kind of boundary element.
The cargo area is completely bare, with only fixing points.
More common in the larger categories.
B.)
Walled floor The cargo area is not covered by anything, but is enclosed by walls that can be folded down.
Depending on the height and type of the walls, they may be suitable for transporting agricultural produce or other
goods.
Mainly common in the smaller categories, in many cases
as tipper platforms.
Advantages:
The cargo area can be loaded freely from all sides.
Most suitable for loading with a crane.
The superstructure is lightweight.
Easy to repair (only the floor is very resistant).
Disadvantages:
The cargo is exposed to the weather.
Cannot be sealed with customs seals.
High risk of theft and pilferage during transport.
CANVAS-COVERED STRUCTURE (i.e. canvas)
– The frame structure surrounding the cargo area is covered with a tarpaulin, which is secured with some kind of lacing
and cord solution.
– This is common in all categories, and most freight vehicles have this type of cargo area cover.
– Roof roll structures are also suitable for loading with a crane.
Advantages:
– Durable.
– Lightweight.
– Easy to repair.
– Easy to secure with a customs seal (lead seal).
– The vehicle can be loaded from at least 3 sides.
Disadvantages:
– Can be easily cut with a simple knife.
– Does not maintain temperature, hot in summer and cold in winter.
– The tarpaulin material ages (approx. 20 years) and cracks, splitting easily.
CLOSED COVER STRUCTURE (i.e. boxed)
– The frame structure surrounding the cargo area is covered with sheet metal. The cargo area is closed by a door at the rear of the vehicle
that can be opened in two directions.
– In classic vans, there is also a door on the side of the cargo area, which is usually
lower and narrower than the rear door.
– This type of structure is common in all categories and is very often encountered.
Advantages:
– Durable.
– Secure, difficult to break into (machinery is required to break it open).
– Relatively easy to repair.
– Easy to lock with a customs seal (lead seal).
Disadvantages:
– The structure is heavier.
– Corrodible.
– The vehicle can only be loaded from the rear.
– Does not maintain temperature, hot in summer, cold in winter.
TEMPERATURE-CONTROLLED CLOSED COVERED STRUCTURE (i.e. cooler)
– The frame structure surrounding the cargo area is covered with sheet metal. There is at least one layer of thermal insulation material under the outer covering. The cargo area is closed by an insulated door at the rear of the vehicle that can be opened in two directions.
– This type of structure is common in all categories and is often encountered.
> Smooth insulated superstructure (no cooling unit on the superstructure)
– Used for transporting less heat-sensitive cargo. The temperature of the cargo during transport approaches the external environment temperature more slowly than in conventional transport vehicles, but it adapts continuously to the external environment temperature.
– The insulation of the superstructure takes up only a small amount of the usable space in the cargo compartment, making it easier to load than double-walled insulated superstructures.
Advantages:
– Lighter and larger cargo space.
– Easy to secure with customs seals.
– Secure, difficult to break into.
Disadvantages:
– The temperature of the goods cannot be controlled during transport.
> Insulated superstructure with cooling unit
– The superstructure has an independently operated cooling unit.
– Superstructures are classified into 3 groups according to the capacity of the cooling unit and the temperature that can be maintained.
Advantages:
– Ensures the required temperature for the cargo during transport.
– Easy to secure with customs seals.
– Secure, difficult to break into.
Disadvantages:
– Smaller storage capacity.
– Smaller payload due to the cooling unit.
– Cooling increases costs during transport.
– Corrosion.
SELF-LOADING / Walking Floor – WF
– The bottom of the cargo area does not consist of contiguous “panels,” but rather a system of slats that can move the goods placed on them toward or away from the interior of the cargo area. It is particularly suitable for transporting bulk goods (wood chips, sawdust), but is also perfectly adequate for transporting goods placed on pallets.
– This type is only common in the 40-ton category.
Design:
– They have closed side walls (plates) on both sides, but are only covered with tarpaulin on top, so they can also be loaded with a crane.
– According to manufacturing standards, these semi-trailers are basically manufactured in three lengths: 10.6 m / 12 m / 13.6 m. Of these, the 13.6 m version is the most common in international traffic.
Advantages:
– Convenient loading.
– Secure, difficult to break into.
– Easy to lock with a customs seal (lead seal).
– Can be loaded with a crane.
Disadvantages:
– Can only be loaded from above or from the rear.
– The floor is more sensitive than on normal trailers.
The most common purpose-specific superstructures
SOLID MATERIAL TRANSPORTATION STRUCTURES
– Machine transporters / heavy machine transporters, trailers and semi-trailers
– Vehicle transporters
– Glass transporters (flat glass)
– Log transporters with racks
– Tilting trailers (tipper)
– Silo superstructures (grain, flour, cement transporters)
– Container transporters (20 and 40 feet) – semi-swap body
FLUID MATERIAL TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
– Tank superstructures
– Silo superstructures
AIR TRANSPORT MATERIAL TRANSPORT STRUCTURES
– Tank superstructures