About Semi-Trailers
Semi-trailers are a key part of South Africa’s transport and logistics industry, linking tractor units with cargo of all types and sizes. They are used extensively in mining, agriculture, infrastructure development, and long-haul freight across the country.

2017 Cartwright Refrigerated Semi-Trailer
Configurations vary widely, from flatbeds and skeletal trailers to refrigerated and livestock trailers, enabling transporters to match equipment to specific loads. Designed for versatility and efficiency, semi-trailers remain an essential tool in supporting international, national, and regional supply chains.
Alternative Names
- articulated trailers
- interlink trailers
- articulated lorries
- truck trailers
- freight trailers
Semi-Trailer Benefits
- Versatile configurations for a wide range of cargo
- Improves efficiency in bulk transport
- Supports long-distance freight and cross-border haulage
- Enhances fleet productivity and uptime
Semi-Trailer Applications
- Bulk commodity transport for mining and agriculture
- Long-haul freight along N routes and regional corridors
- Port and warehouse logistics
- Livestock and perishable goods movement
Semi-Trailer Subcategories
- Box trailers are enclosed trailers for general freight, protecting loads from weather and theft.
- Car transporter trailers are designed for moving multiple vehicles securely.
- Concrete trailers are made to transport ready-mix or precast concrete.
- Crane trailers are equipped with lifting systems for loading and unloading heavy items.
- Curtainside trailers feature sliding curtains for quick side access to cargo.
- Double-deck trailers offer greater hauling capacity by offering two load levels.
- Drawbar trailers are towable units with flexible loading and high manoeuvrability.
- Ejector trailers use hydraulic ejection for safe unloading of bulk goods.
- Exhibition trailers are adaptable for events, displays, or use as mobile offices.
- Extendable trailers extend to accommodate oversized or irregular cargo.
- Flatbed trailers have open platforms suitable for machinery, timber, or containers.
- Heavy-haulage trailers are engineered to move oversized loads such as construction or mining equipment.
- Horse trailers are built to transport horses safely over short or long distances.
- Livestock trailers provide secure, ventilated transport for cattle, sheep, and other livestock.
- Low loader trailers feature lowered decks for moving heavy machinery.
- Military trailers are specialist units for defence logistics and off-road supply.
- Moving floor trailers use conveyor floors to unload bulk goods quickly.
- Refrigerated trailers maintain a steady temperature for perishable goods transport.
- Skeletal trailers have lightweight frames for containerised cargo.
- Tanker trailers are designed for liquid or gas transport, including fuel and chemicals.
- Timber trailers are built to move logs and forestry products.
- Tipper trailers have tipping beds for bulk materials like sand, gravel, or coal.
New Developments
- Wider use of telematics and fleet-tracking tools for efficiency
- Safety features such as stability control and driver-assistance systems
- Designs focused on lighter weight and improved fuel efficiency
Top Semi-Trailer Manufacturers
Explore Faymonville, Kelberg, Kögel, Krone, Montracon, Schmitz, Schmitz Cargobull, SDC, and other manufacturers on MarketBook South Africa.