Abstract: The invention is a new method and apparatus for alternatively utilizing an enclosed trailer for vehicular and non-vehicular cargo. A pair of tracks located on opposite sides of the center line of the vehicle are independently mounted on a series of full range hydraulic actuators, and lowered and raised to effect the loading of a series of vehicles on the tracks and then raising that series of vehicles to a height above the floor of the trailer to allow the loading of a second layer of vehicles on the floor of the trailer. The tracks can be articulated to a position defined by the full range of travel of the hydraulic actuators, thereby stowing the tracks in a position immediately adjacent to the floor or ceiling of the enclosure, freeing the largest possible portion of the interior for conventional cargo. In an alternative configuration, a movable platform roughly of the dimensions of the trailer floor is used in place of the tracks to provide elevated storage areas for vehicular and non-vehicular cargo.

Abstract: The invention is a trailer for carrying assembled automobiles, designed to be towed on the highway by a conventional motorized truck-tractor unit. The trailer is equipped with hoisting points to facilitate lifting and transporting the trailer unit from above by cargo container handling cranes, such as those found at shipyards and railyards. In addition, the trailer is equipped with hydraulic valves and hydraulic cylinders which serve to control the position of numerous tracks within the body of the trailer. These tracks accommodate the tires of the automobile cargo carried within the trailer. By adjustment of the hydraulic cylinders supporting the multiple tracks, the internal storage configuration of the trailer can be varied, to accommodate a wide variety of makes, models and numbers of automobiles, and to ensure that said automobiles are carried in a suitable position for safe transport.