Think of any developing or developed economy. Transport is the lifeline of such an economy, next only to the basic needs of food, clothing, housing and healthcare. Transport is integral to the fulfillment of the needs and wants of any civilized population. And cost is an important criterion while deciding on the most efficient way to transport goods, people and services. Infrastructural amenities like roads and highways are available for all of us to use and hence that affords a level playing field of us in terms of cost. The primary element of cost involved in transportation for citizens and corporations is undoubtedly fuel. So it makes eminent economic sense to derive maximum returns per gallon of fuel invested, that is, to transport more goods per trip. This size of load consequently heralds economies of scale contributing, in no mean measure to the profitability of the enterprise. It is for this reason that trailers have become a familiar sight on most statewide and interstate highways. The first category of goods that are transported via trailers is fuel and related products. These include petroleum and gas tankers and these trailers are literally the wheels on which the economy moves. Trailers are crucial to the supply to and from the farm sector. Fertilizers, insecticides and other supplies to this sector are supplied by trailers, while agricultural produce is carted away by trailers, either to the markets for consumption or to other food processing units. The transport of sugarcane from the fields to the mills is a case in point. Perishable materials like agricultural and horticultural produce are easily transported by the use of reefers or refrigerated trailers to preserve temperature sensitive goods in an optimal ambience. Dairy and related industries are other beneficiaries of transport by reefer trailers and tankers. Transportation by trailers is hugely important to the growth and sustenance of industry. It is the availability of such transport vehicles that has driven the expansion of industry and infrastructure all over the country. Besides fuel, tanker trailers also carry gas, chemicals and solvents for industrial use. The development of tanker trailers has been invaluable in the transport of such hazardous materials with relative ease. Finished goods from industries like cars and construction materials like wood, steel and cement are easily transported through trailers. The issues involved in the transport of heavy earth moving machinery and pipes for the development of infrastructure are adequately addressed by trailers. Transport of missiles and machinery used in power plants is also the sole preserve of trailers. Trailer use is dominated by, but by no means limited to large, heavy loads or big business alone. Smaller semi trailers which are towed cargo trailers with more rear axles and no front axle, work well for smaller loads, especially palletized items and goods. The use of trailers in the transport of boats, as recreational vehicles and as alternative homes is exemplified by the teeming numbers of vehicles at our trailer parks. The use of trailers for the transport of horses and other forms of livestock is widespread. The current and future applications for trailers will surely break new ground in the years to come.
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