In Mexico, trucking is the main mode of transportation. It distributes 56% of the national cargo, while maritime transport only moves 31.6% and rail transport 12.8%, according to data from the Basic Statistics Report of Federal Motor Transport of the Ministry of Communications and Transportation.
The motor transport sector mobilizes around 83% of the land cargo in the country, so it contributes 3.96% of the GDP and generates 2.73% of employment at the national level, according to the publication Autotransporte de carga en México of the Economic Analysis Magazine of the Autonomous Metropolitan University.
Ground cargo is mobilized in different ways. We'll tell you which ones exist, as well as their specifications.
According to its structure
Rigid
It is a truck made up of a cab (where the driver goes) and a trailer. Both parts are united, so they form a single indivisible structure. Generally, this type of transport has a total length of 12 meters and a load capacity or MMA (maximum authorized mass) of 32 tons.
They are the cargo transport vehicles with the smallest dimensions, which is why they are widely used in small logistics chain operations. For example, by delivery and distribution companies within urban areas.
Articulated
These are trucks in which the cab and trailer are not part of the same structure. In other words, the tractor and the box are independent units that companies can use together or separately depending on their needs. They are characterized by the ability to transport one or more trailers. As a result, its load capacity is wide and variable.
There are two main types of articulated trucks:
- Trailer: This is the most common articulated cargo transport unit. It consists of a tractor-trailer (cab) and a semi-trailer (flatbed), where the goods are stored.
- Road train: It is a truck that pulls more than one semi-trailer, so it is used for bulky loads. They are large in size, so they are uncommon. In addition, they must travel on specific roads, such as straight or poorly traveled roads.
In terms of their dimensions, it is important to bear in mind that the cargo transport units (and in general all the vehicles that travel on the different roads) must have a maximum width of 2.60 m.
This does not include accessories such as rear-view mirrors, attachment points, and others to secure cargo during transport. However, the standard states that these elements cannot protrude more than 20 cm from the sides of the vehicle.
Regarding the height of articulated vehicles, this must not exceed 4.25 meters, and the permitted length is a maximum of 12.9 meters for each of the semi-trailers, with a tolerance of an additional 50 centimeters.
Depending on the type of cargo they can carry
Open Platform
They are trucks, rigid or articulated, that do not have a box or container, but an open platform on which the cargo is placed. The lack of coverage on the semi-trailer makes it ideal for transporting goods in packages, boxes or pallets. They are also used for heavy construction-related materials because they allow for quick loading and unloading.
Closed Truck (Dry Box)
Also known as dry boxes, they are common cargo transport units that are completely enclosed. As a result, it can only be charged through its doors, located at the rear of the vehicle.
They can have different sizes:
- Rabón: it is a single-axle truck, measuring 6.50 x 2.50 x 2.40 m and with a capacity of 8 tons. It is used for moving, parcel services, and dry cargo.
- Torton: it is a 2-axle vehicle, measuring 6.50 x 2.50 x 2.40 m and with a capacity of approximately 17 tons.
- 53' Box: This is a 53-foot (16.1-meter-long) container with an approximate width and height of 2.50 x 2.50 m. It can offer up to 110 cubic meters of capacity, with a total of between 22 and 25 tons.
- 48' box: it is a 48 ft container, i.e. 14.63 m long, with an approximate width and height of x 2.50 x 2.50 m. It can also support between 22 and 25 tons of cargo.
- Full/Double Semi-Trailer: This is a truck that, as the name implies, has two trailers. It is used to transport containerized and loose cargo. Its maximum capacity is 50 tons. With special permission, it is possible to add 1.5 tons to each axle.
Refrigerated box
They are cargo transport units, whose semi-trailer incorporates a motor to regulate the temperature inside the box and hermetic seal doors. It measures 6.50 x 2.50 x 2.40 m and has a capacity of 15 tons. They are used to transport perishable or temperature-sensitive products.
Canvas Truck (or Tauliner)
It is a truck whose bed is not made of the same material, but is covered with a highly resistant removable tarpaulin. This can be placed on the sides of the vehicle or on the door. They are ideal for loading and unloading goods with ease.
Special Loads
There are many other cargo transport units, which vary depending on what is being moved. For this reason, there are tank or tanker trucks, which are used to transport chemical, liquid or gaseous goods; cage trucks to move live animals; or car carriers for transporting other vehicles; etc.
Motor carriers can also be classified according to their weight. Those with a GVW of less than 3.5 tonnes are called N1 trucks. Those with a GVW of up to 12 tonnes are N2 trucks and those with a GVW of more than 12 tonnes are called N3s.
Sources
- Economic Analysis (2020). Freight forwarding in Mexico. Retrieved from http://www.analisiseconomico.azc.uam.mx/index.php/rae/article/view/585
- FOG (2017). OFFICIAL Mexican STANDARD NOM-012-SCT-2-2017, On the maximum weight and dimensions with which motor transport vehicles that travel on general roads of federal jurisdiction can circulate. Retrieved from https://www.dof.gob.mx/nota_detalle.php?codigo=5508944&fecha=26/12/2017&print=true
- Ministry of Communications and Transport (n.d.). Basic Statistics of Federal Motor Transport. Retrieved from http://www.sct.gob.mx/transporte-y-medicina-preventiva/autotransporte-federal/estadistica/
- Locate it (n.d.). Cargo Transport Trucks: 10 Most Common Types. Retrieved from https://www.ubicalo.com.mx/blog/tipos-de-transporte-de-camiones-de-carga-terrestre/
