Afrit Trailers in South Africa: Features, Pricing Guide & Top Competitors

Afrit Trailers are widely recognised across South Africa as heavy-duty, reliable trailer solutions for commercial transport, construction, mining, agriculture, and logistics. Built to handle local operating conditions — from long highway hauls to rough rural terrain — Afrit trailers cater to a broad range of transport needs.

This guide breaks down Afrit trailer types, a realistic South African pricing guide, other trailer brands in the SA market, and how to choose the right setup for your business.


Popular Afrit Trailer Types & Use Cases

Afrit’s product range includes a wide variety of commercial trailers — customisable to suit specific industry requirements.

1. Side Tipper Trailers – Ideal for transporting bulk materials like aggregates, coal, maize, and construction waste.
2. Stepdeck / Lowbed Trailers – For transporting heavy machinery and oversized load cargo.=
3. Flatdeck Semi-Trailers – General freight, machinery, and intermodal transport.
4. End Tipplers & Drop Side Trailers – Versatile for construction, agriculture, and bulk material transport.
5. Sliding Curtain / Tautliner Trailers – For palletised and dry freight with easy side access.

All models can be tailored in length, payload rating, axle configuration (tandem, tridem), and options like reinforced floors or hydraulic features — all designed for South African freight conditions.


South African Afrit Trailer Pricing Guide (Approximate)

Trailer prices can vary widely based on model, specification, new vs used, and whether you buy through a dealer or private sale. Below are representative price ranges in South Africa (used + new) based on recent market listings:

Side Tipper / Bulk Trailers

  • Smaller/older side-tippers — R140,000 + VAT (used)
  • Mid-range interlink side tippers — R330,000 – R445,000 + VAT
  • Larger/newer side tippers — R495,000 – R695,000 + VAT

Stepdeck / Lowbed & Flatdeck Trailers

  • Stepdeck (used) — R330,000 – R395,000 + VAT
  • Flatdeck/Superlink — R265,000 – R405,000 + VAT
  • Larger/branded heavy-duty flat decks — up to R850,000 + VAT (for high-spec models)

Curtain / Tautliner Trailers

  • Older/launched tautliners — R75,000 – R145,000 + VAT
  • Higher quality tautliners — R245,000 – R850,000 + VAT (e.g., Coca-Cola branded units)

Note: These are indicative resale and used prices — new trailers from official dealers or custom builds can be significantly higher depending on payload capacity and specifications.


Other Major Trailer Brands in the South African Market

South Africa imports and assembles various commercial trailer brands — giving operators multiple options beyond Afrit.

Schmitz Cargobull

A major European trailer manufacturer now accessible in SA through partnerships with local builders (e.g., GRW), especially for reefer units, dry freight box bodies, and premium chassis solutions.(cargobull.com)

  • Typical sales listings show Schmitz refrigerated trailers and other semis often from around R299,000 + VAT and up for quality used stock.

CIMC Vehicles SA

CIMC is an international trailer manufacturer with local operations in South Africa, producing tippers, flatdecks, tautliners, and tankers.

  • Used listings for CIMC side tippers and trailers often range roughly R425,000 – R770,000 + VAT depending on age and spec.

Others Found in the SA Market

Various independent and smaller manufacturers also compete, including:

  • Henred Fruehauf – local trailers
  • SATRA / Top Trailer / Trailord – common at dealer yards
  • SA Truck Bodies – known for bodies and custom trailers
  • Paramount / Trailmax / Motor Trailer brands
    These brands offer options from entry-level to mid-range commercial trailers.

Tips for Buying an Afrit or Competitor Trailer in SA

1. Decide Your Use Case First:
Heavier bulk haulers need side tippers; general freight may be better with flatdeck or curtained trailers.

2. New vs Used:
Used Afrit trailers can be highly cost-effective if they’re well maintained — but confirm service history and structural condition.

3. Payload & Axle Configuration:
Choosing the right tare weight vs payload mix affects profitability under South African GVM/GCM limits.

4. After-Sales Service & Parts:
Brands with local dealer support (like Afrit, CIMC) often provide faster spares and servicing — crucial for uptime.

5. Finance & Warranty Options:
Some manufacturers and dealers offer in-house finance and warranty plans — compare these with bank and leasing deals.


Final Thoughts

Afrit trailers remain a leading choice in South Africa, combining durability, versatility, and strong local support for a wide range of commercial operations. With competitive pricing on both new and used units, they compare favourably with other brands like Schmitz Cargobull and CIMC, as well as local manufacturers.

Whether you’re hauling construction materials, general freight, or operating a logistics fleet, understanding trailer types, pricing expectations, and brand strengths will help you make a smarter investment.


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