Open Top Trailers Upcoming Auctions

About Open-Top Semitrailers

---

Peerless CTS-45 Open-Top Semitrailer

Open-top trailers are similar in design to chipper and other semi-enclosed trailers, with reinforced steel sides to support the transport of concrete, asphalt, heavy metal, and other commercial waste. For this reason, open-top trailers are sometimes called “scrap hauler trailers.” You might also see an open-top trailer called a “gondola trailer,” which is a reference to the open-top railroad car style. They are also sometimes referred to as “chip trailers,” as they are a popular choice for transporting wood chips and other varieties of biomass, although in this regard they overlap somewhat with chipper trailers and another trailer type (more on this in a moment). Whatever you call them, construction companies often use open-top trailers when moving bulk solids.

Characteristics & Features

Depending on the job type they’re meant for, you’ll find open-top semitrailers with sides ranging in height from around 4 to 8 feet (1.2 to 2.4 meters), often constructed of robust steel such as Hardox 450. Unlike live-floor trailers, which are often constructed of aluminum and offload their cargo using a conveyor built into the floor to push material out to the rear, many open-top trailers are equipped with a tipper design similar to that of a dump truck. They use hydraulic cylinders built into the chassis to raise the front of the trailer, causing their contents to slide out the trailer’s rear door(s) where they are needed.

Open-top trailers range in length from around 40 to 53 ft (12 to 16 m) and may be configured with tandem or tridem axles. They are often rated for tare weights up to around 22,000 pounds (10,000 kilograms). Common options include such equipment as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), LED light kits, manual or electric roll tarps, air ride suspensions, aluminum wheels, and custom paint.

Find The Right Open-Top Trailer

TruckPaper.com includes listings for a wide variety of new and used open-top trailers for sale, including units from brands such as Demco, Dorsey, Peerless, Titan, and others. There are even a number of custom-built open-top semitrailers listed on the site.