Semi-trailer trucks are widely used to transport heavy products. Transporters prefer them because of their strength and versatility.
Semi-trucks also provide job opportunities to many drivers. You must have seen them many times on the road hauling heavy loads.
Have you ever thought about how these trucks operate? You probably do not know much about them unless if one of your friends is a truck driver.
If you are reading this, it means you are interested in learning more about them. The good news is that you came to the right place. Here are some interesting facts about semi-trailer trucks that most people do not know.
1.The engine can go for 1 million miles
How many miles can the engine of your car cover before you replace it? A semi trailer truck is designed with long distances in mind. It has an engine that is six times larger than that of normal cars.
A standard car has an engine that can cover 150,000 to 200,000 miles. You have to rebuild it after that to continue using it. For a semi-truck, the engine can go for 1 million miles before you can even think of replacing it.
Before this mileage is covered, the truck has served you for a long time. That is one reason why you see so many of them on the road. Carriers know that they will go for a long time before they develop mechanical problems.
2.The origin of the term “semi”
Why do people refer to these trucks as semi-trailer trucks or semi-trucks? Here is the reason. The trailers are not assembled with the front part.
They do not come with the front wheels for steering. The trailers can only function when they are connected to a tractor. Most semi-trailer trucks are about 53 feet long.
Trailers have their own automatic brake system. If the trailer is disconnected from the tractor or truck, these brakes are applied automatically. The moment the trailer is connected to the truck, the air pump in the truck releases pressure.
This pressure in turn releases the brakes on the trailer for its wheels to start moving.
3.Semi-trucks require special driving skills
No matter how excited you are about these trailers, you cannot drive with the normal driving skills. You must go through specialized training to drive a semi-trailer truck.
Truck drivers are required to drive for short distances first before they go for long distances. They require a lot of practice on the road before you can become a qualified driver.
Many drivers cause accidents because they do not understand the braking system. It takes an experienced driver to steer the trucks over sharp bends without rolling over.
4.High towing capacity
If you find a commercial truck and trailer on sale at a high price, it is probably because of the towing capacity. Semi-trucks are popular because of their capacity to transport heavy loads.
A standard semi-truck is at least 30 times heavier that a standard car. A semi-trailer with a truck can weigh up to 80, 000 pounds. Think of the amount of load that such a truck can carry.
The trucks have a high towing capacity, which simplifies moving heavy materials. You might also find the semi-trucks moving a fleet of other small cars from one place to another.
5.Semi-trailer trucks are widely used in the U.S
The U.S is a leading user of semi-trucks. The trucks are used to transport over 68% of all the goods in America. This means that truck drivers spend hours and hours on the road.
It is estimated that the drivers in the US cover more than 140 billion miles with semi-trucks every year. Think about that distance.
It would not be possible for all those miles if semi-trucks were not strong and versatile. It also shows the trucks are reliable because the US economy depends on them.
6.Semi-trucks are fuel guzzlers
If you want to buy or use a tractor semi trailer, you need to be aware their
gas mileage. The truth is that all the versatility of semi-trucks comes at a high cost of fuel.
A standard semi-truck consumes 5.5 to 6.5 gallons of fuel per mile. The powerful engine required enough energy to keep running especially with heavy loads.
Manufacturers have been trying to introduce new models of semi-trucks that consume less fuel. However, at the moment most of the models in the market are fuel guzzlers.
7.The trucks have up to 18 gears
Do you get tired of shifting gears in your car? Think about this. Semi-trucks have up to 18 gears. Most of them have two reverse gears and ten forward gears.
Do you now see why special driving skills are required? Some trucks have up to 18 forward gears. Shifting those gears requires skills. Remember that the full truck weighs 80,000 pounds.
You cannot steer such a heavy truck with all those gears with normal driving skills.
8.Built for transporting vehicles
Who came up with the idea of semi-trailer trucks? Semis were built to help in transporting vehicles. Alexander Winton, a car manufacturer had a problem of transporting his vehicles after assembly.
He was manufacturing horseless carriages in 1898 and he did not have a way of distributing them in the country. He was a pioneer manufacturer in Cleveland.
In 1899, he created the first truck with a trailer. He would place the car on the trailer and use the truck to pull the trailer. Nothing much has changed with how semi-trailers are used today to move cars.
9.Featuring on the big screen
Several movies and songs have been produced featuring semi-trucks.
The movie, Convoy produced by Sam Peckinpah is one the top movies featuring semi-trucks.
Its revenue in 1978 was estimated at $15 million. The movie was based on a top song under the same title. Convoy was competing with another movie named Animal House. Its revenue was $141 million in 1978.
Another top movie featuring semi-truck is Smokey and the Bandit that fetched $100 million in 1977. Other truck movies include Breaker! Breaker! and White Line Fever.
10.Semi-trucks are mostly used for long distance
Whether you are talking about a lowbed trailer or a standard semi-truck, these trucks are meant for long distances. One semi-truck can go for 45,000 miles every year.
However, long distance semi-trucks cover about 100,000 miles every year in the US. The trucks travel for 15% of all the miles covered by commercial trucks.
The statistics indicate that most companies use semi-trucks for long distances. They are used to transport all types of goods. However, most of the goods transported over long distances are agricultural produce and construction materials.
Conclusion
There you have it! All the top things you did not know about semi-trailer trucks. From transporting other cars in the 1890s, the trucks have been here for a while.
The facts outlined above are important if you considering buying a semi-trailer truck. You need to know how they operate. The facts are also important if you are interested in becoming a truck driver.
As indicated, you need special driving skills to drive semi-trucks without causing accidents. New models of semi-trucks are likely to be introduced in the future with greater capabilities.