Semi Trailers VS Full Trailers
What Are The Definitions for Semi Trailer & Full Pulling Trailer?
There are, broadly speaking, two types of trailers: full trailers & semi trailers.
You know, a full trailer has both front & rear axles, as well as a drawbar firmly attaching it to the hauling unit. These commercial freight trailers are usually 40 ft long, and can move vertically in relation to the hauling unit, which controls the direction of the front axle. Semi-trailers don’t transmit any great load to the towing vehicle & are often used with farm tractors. These trailers are permanently attached to their towing vehicles & can’t be detached easily.
A full trailer, as you may already have guessed? it has all its weight supported by the trailer’s own axles.
That’s the back of a tractor positioned just ahead of a trailer, ready to hook up to it. The trailer sits on top of the fifth wheel, which both mechanically connects to the trailer kingpin and supports the front of the trailer.
Semi-trailers, what you normally see behind commercial trucks, it have only about half their weight supported by their own axles. The other half is supported by the back of the truck tractor.
A typical semi-trailer. Notice it’s only got trailer axles on the back.
You know, a semi trailer doesn’t have front axle & large portion of its weight is handled by a road tractor unit. It usually has (landing gear) legs, which are lowered to keep trailer upright, when it’s uncoupled from the unit. This detachable trailer’s brakes are engaged automatically, when it’s unattached; only the truck’s air pump releases the brakes to make trailer move. The length of this trailer cannot exceed 58 ft on interstate highways, unless you get a special permit. If you’ve linked two smaller semi trailers together, you shouldn’t exceed the length of 64 ft.
What are the different types of trailer for semi trucks?
Normally, full trailers are used by businesses, which have to make deliveries to multiple locations, where only a portion of the cargo is unloaded. They are mostly used for shorter distance transportation to warehouses, factories, terminals & sea ports. In comparison, semi trailers are often used to transport an entire load to one given final destination. This also means that: they are used to transport heavier & larger loads than full trailers.
It’s easier to move semi-trailers around loading & docking areas with the help of tugs, yard dogs and shunts, which are easier & cheaper to handle than full tractor units. Their detachable nature also makes them easier & faster to use during loading or when trunked between loading depots. Because they’re detachable, so semi-trailers are easier to replace in case of a mishap, unlike full trailers which involve a lengthy delay as you know.
We DTG Group hope this guide helps you decide which trailer you exactly need! If you have any doubts or questions, come to Trailers of factory in China to talk to one of our expert technicians. We are proud to serve all of our different countries clients in the whole world, Africa, Middle East, etc.
Both semi-trailers & full trailers can be attached to other semi-trailers for additional hauling capacity, referred to as doubles or triples. Semi-trailers can generally carry larger loads and provide a better load ratio between tare & laden weight. Their longer cargo beds make them perfect for carrying longer materials.
When it comes to navigating, the semi-trailer has a smaller turning circle than the full trailer, which makes it more manageable. Having a single turning point also makes reversing easier for a semi-trailer. But, they have a higher center of gravity, making them more likely to tip over than full trailers, which have a more rigid construction. Because semi-trailer are detachable, they are not fixed tightly to the tow vehicle. This makes them prone to jackknifing, when not driven carefully. For this reason, anti-lock brakes (ABS) have been mandatory for semi-trailers since 1996, reducing the number of jackknife crashes.
If you are going to be driving on snowy roads, the semi trailer will provide better traction due to the weight on the drive axles of the tractor unit. Since full trailers have a cab, they have got their own commercial cargo capacity, while a semi truck needs a road tractor to become a cargo vehicle you know.
Semi-trucks are a vital part of the China economy & worldwide. Without semi-trailers / trucks hauling freight, produce & goods around the clock our economy would suffer.
