What Is the Difference Between a Semi Truck and a Tractor Trailer?

Semi trucks and tractor trailers are both large vehicles used to transport goods over long distances. However, there are several key differences between the two.

Size – Semi trucks are much smaller than tractor trailers, typically measuring around 20-30 feet in length. Tractor trailers, on the other hand, can be as long as 53 feet.

Cargo – Semi trucks are mainly used to transport large boxes or containers of goods from one location to another. Tractor trailers, meanwhile, can carry a variety of different types of cargo including livestock, building materials, and even cars.

Weight – Semi trucks have a maximum weight capacity of 80,000 pounds while tractor trailers can carry up to 100,000 pounds or more. This makes them ideal for transporting heavier loads over greater distances.

Driver – In most cases, semi trucks require a single driver while tractor trailers require two drivers due to their larger size and heavier cargo capacity.

Overall, the main difference between a semi truck and a tractor trailer is size and weight capacity. Semi trucks are smaller and lighter than tractor trailers and are mainly used for transporting boxes or containers of goods from one location to another. Tractor trailers can carry heavier loads over greater distances due to their increased size and weight capacity, but require two drivers instead of one.

In conclusion, the key difference between semi trucks and tractor trailers is size, weight capacity, type of cargo transported and driver requirements.

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Karen Watkins