Tractor trailer and semi truck are two terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are some key differences between them. A tractor trailer is a combination of two separate vehicles: a tractor, which is the power unit, and a trailer, which is the cargo-carrying unit.
The tractor pulls the trailer and provides power to move it. The semi truck, on the other hand, is a single vehicle with an attached cargo-carrying unit. It typically has a single cab and an engine that provides power to both the cab and the cargo-carrying unit.
The Tractor
The most important component of a tractor trailer is the tractor itself. It’s typically made up of a long hood, which houses the engine and other components such as fuel tanks, air intakes, and brakes.
The hood also houses headlights, turn signals, windshield wipers, and mirrors for visibility. The tractor also has several axles for carrying heavy loads; these axles can be either single or dual wheeled depending on the size of the load being carried.
The Trailer
The second component of a tractor trailer is the trailer itself. This component carries all of the cargo that needs to be transported from one location to another.
Trailers come in various sizes and shapes, depending on what needs to be transported. Common types include flatbeds for hauling large items such as construction equipment or livestock; refrigerated trailers for carrying perishables; tanker trailers for carrying liquids such as fuel or chemicals; and box trailers for carrying general merchandise.
The Semi Truck
In contrast to a tractor trailer, a semi truck consists of only one vehicle – an engine cab with an attached cargo-carrying unit called a “box.” Unlike tractors which come in various sizes and shapes depending on what needs to be transported, semi trucks typically have one size box and can only carry one kind of load at any given time. They also don’t have multiple axles like tractors do; instead they feature dual rear wheels for added stability when hauling heavier loads over long distances.
Conclusion
In summary, there are key differences between a tractor trailer and a semi truck: A tractor trailer consists of two separate vehicles – a tractor (the power unit) pulling a trailer (the cargo-carrying unit); while a semi truck is just one vehicle with an attached box that carries all of its cargo at once. Both vehicles are used in commercial transportation applications but they serve different purposes depending on what needs to be transported from one place to another.
