What’s the Difference Between Truck Tractor and Semi-Trailer?

Truck tractors and semi-trailers are two very different pieces of equipment used in the transportation industry. A truck tractor is a vehicle that has an engine, transmission, and axles, while a semi-trailer is a large trailer that is pulled by a truck tractor.

While both are commonly used to haul cargo, they serve very different purposes.

Truck Tractor:

A truck tractor is the front part of the combination that pulls the trailer. It consists of an engine, transmission, and axles.

The engine provides power to move the vehicle forward and backward, while the transmission allows for shifting between different gears. The axles are responsible for transferring power from the engine to the wheels. Truck tractors can be equipped with various features such as sleeping compartments, air conditioning systems, and refrigeration units.

Semi-Trailer:

A semi-trailer is a large trailer that is pulled by a truck tractor. It typically consists of two or more axles and can be up to 53 feet long.

Semi-trailers are designed to carry large amounts of cargo such as heavy machinery or automobiles. They come in a variety of sizes and styles depending on their intended use.

Difference between Truck Tractor and Semi-Trailer:

The key difference between truck tractors and semi-trailers is their purpose; truck tractors are designed to pull semi-trailers while semi-trailers are designed to carry cargo. In addition, truck tractors have engines, transmissions, and axles while semi-trailers have two or more axles but no engine or transmission.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, truck tractors and semi-trailers serve very different purposes in the transportation industry; while truck tractors are used to pull trailers, semi-trailers are used to carry cargo. The key difference between them lies in their design; truck tractors have engines, transmissions, and axles while semi-trailers only have two or more axles but no engine or transmission.

Photo of author

Stephen Dunn