Belt vs Walking Floor Trailer: 5 Questions to Help Choose the Right One
When you know you want a live floor trailer to help you make the most of your hauls, you then have to consider the pros and cons of a belt vs a walking floor trailer. Both use electronic mechanisms to unload their materials without tipping up the bed. But, that’s where the similarities end.
When you are trying to decide between these two trailers, there are five questions you need to ask. We’ve broken these down below and shared our answers. If you have follow-up questions and want to speak to someone with commercial trailer expertise, reach out to our team at Pinnacle Trailers today!
1. How Are the Unloading Mechanisms Different on Each Trailer?
The unloading mechanisms of the belt vs walking floor trailers are pretty self-explanatory.
The belt trailers use a long conveyor belt that runs the length of the truck bed. It works exactly like a conveyor belt in a store or factory. It is heavy-duty and fast.
A walking floor trailer is a little more unusual but just as effective. It uses a series of interconnected panels, or “steps,” that move in a walking motion to unload materials. Sometimes they are paired with a tarp that follows behind to ensure nothing falls in the cracks or is stuck at the back of the trailer. They are versatile and have distinct advantages.
2. What are the Pros/Cons of Belt Trailers?
The main pro to consider when looking into a belt vs walking trailer is how fast belt trailers can unload. Belt trailers can deliver their entire load in five minutes or less! This makes them a great choice for a hauler who wants to move bulk loads as fast as possible.
However, there are a few important cons when it comes to belt trailers. These cons have more to do with versatility than performance. Because of how the unloading mechanism works, belt trailers have less capacity than walking trailers. They are only able to haul loose, bulk loads. They also only unload, they cannot reload materials. That has to be done by hand. In some cases, they may be a bigger pain to repair because you have to remove the belt to access the chains that run it.
3. What are the Pros/Cons of Walking Floor Trailers?
Walking trailers are a unique option in the moving floor trailer space. They are able to handle a large variety of loads. They can both load and unload materials on their own by walking the loads either out of the trailer or back into it. This walking mechanism extends to the very back of the trailer, maximizing how much the trailer can haul.
But, walking floor trailers are not as fast as belt trailers. They can also be harder to have repaired when something goes wrong.
4. What Kind of Loads Can Be Unloaded Using a Belt vs Walking Floor Trailer?
A belt trailer is only able to unload bulk loads. But, they can still haul materials across different industries. They can haul bulk agricultural materials, like mulch or grain. They can haul heavy construction materials like gravel. They can also handle recycling or waste materials. This is an especially good use for live floor trailers, as they make it easier to unload toxic materials with as little human contact as possible.
Walking floor trailers can unload bulk materials across various industries. They can also unload pallets. This can make them a better choice for hauling loads for the food and entertainment industries than belt trailers.
5. Which Type of Moving Floor Trailer Will Help Me Be a More Successful Hauler?
When it’s time to decide between a belt vs walking floor trailer, you have two good options in front of you. The biggest deciding factor should be your own goals for hauling.
Belt trailers help you move big loads quickly. If you are a hauler looking to specialize in certain types of loads or focus only on bulk commodities, a belt trailer can help you make the most out of your hauling time. Walking floor trailers are more versatile. So, if your goal is to accept more loads or to serve industries that ship pallets rather than loose, bulk loads, a walking floor trailer is going to set you up for success.
Ready to Buy or Rent a Live Floor Trailer? Check Out Our Inventory and Experience the Pinnacle Difference
Sometimes the best way to decide between a belt vs walking floor trailer is to check some out in person. At Pinnacle Trailers, we strive to keep a variety of moving floor trailers in stock so you can have the options you need.
With options to buy, rent, or lease and experienced team members ready to help you decide, we are the best place to shop for your hauling trailer. Check out our current live trailer inventory here for a preview of what types of trailers we sell. We hope to see you on the lot soon!
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Source:
American Trucking Associations “Economics and Industry Data,” https://www.trucking.org/economics-and-industry-data
