Semi-trailer truck

250px|right| UK type cab-over-engine  semi-tractor
A semi-trailer truck is a vehicle with a towing tractor and a semi-trailer carrying the freight using diesel fuel.

Layout

300px|right| US conventional type
300px|right
300px|right| UK Cab-Over-Engine type

A semi-tractor has no body and does not carry any cargo on it. The front of a semi-trailer is put on it. Only the rear of the trailers have wheels, so the tractor pulls the trailer and carries the front part of the trailer's weight.

The tractor and driver cost as much as a truck, but the trailers don't cost very much. You can have more trailers than tractors and the tractors can change trailers easily. The tractor and driver do not have to wait to be loaded or unloaded, they can change trailers. They can also pull different kinds of trailers, any type that is needed at the time.

Country differences 

All countries have different laws for semi-trucks. The biggest difference between the EU, UK, and US is the length of the semi-truck. Most weigh about the same (US trucks weigh a little less than EU and UK trucks). Most are about the same width and height. In large countries truck s can be longer. They can have a larger cargo space. Longer semi-tractors drive better at faster speeds. Most US trucks are "convential" (bonneted in UK) with the engine under a hood in front of the cab. In the US shorter trucks weigh less. The weight has to be spread out over a long length. This is important on bridges. With long semi-trucks not as many trucks fit on the bridge and the weight of the axles are far apart. This length is important in the US.

In the UK and EU roads are smaller and turn more. Trucks have to be shorter. Most are cab-over-engine models (COE). The driver sits over the engine and the front of the cab is flat. Shorter trucks can weigh more. Trailers can have three axles under the load, and short semi-tractors with two axles. These have the same weight and number of axles as a long semi-truck. They take up less space and can turn better.

Different countries drive on different sides of the road. This is named for the side the driver sits on.  The UK is the main right-hand drive (RHD) country. Most countries that were British colonies are RHD. The EU and most other countries are LHD. The US was British but is LHD. Canada (next to the US) is LHD. When you are building a truck LHD or RHD is not important. Australia builds US type Mack and International trucks with RHD.

Truck Engine Controversy

In 1999, there was a controversy against the A2-76 engines in the trucks. A class action lawsuit was held, causing an unknown amount in settlement funds. This is the reason they have big wheels, as well as a mandatory "dog part".

Types

Semi-trailers can be the same types as trucks. Because they don't cost as much as a truck they can also be special types. Shipping containers are large and heavy. In some countries special laws cover them. Skeleton frame trailers are built to carry them. Long semi-trailers are used for logs. In the UK and EU some logs are smaller. The trailers are 2 or 3 logs long. They have a crane to load them. In the US "lowboys" (the load is just above the road) carry large construction machines. Special trailers can be built for very big loads. Australia "road-trains" can pull 4 trailers.

See also

 Air brake (road vehicle)
 Articulated lorries
 Articulated vehicle
 Brake
 Bus
 Cab over
 Containerization
 DAT Solutions (a.k.a. Dial-a-truck)
 Dolly (trailer)
 Drayage
 Dump truck
 Gladhand connector
 Hybrid vehicle
 Jackknifing
 List of trucks
 Loader crane
 Loading dock
 Lockrod
 Logging truck
 Long combination vehicle
 Oversize load
 Progressive shifting
 Refrigerator truck ("reefer")
 Road train
 Roll trailer
 Semi-trailer
 Terminal tractor
 Tank truck
 Tractor unit
 Trailer (vehicle)
 Trailer bus
 Train
 Truck
 Truck driver
 Truck sleeper


 Notes 

References

Category:Trucks