The tractor is a truck that has been carefully designed to pull a trailer that is attached to the truck with the fifth wheel that is located on the rear axle. There are several differences between a tractor and a trailer. This is a picture of a Bobtail because there is no trailer attached to it: Bobtail: No Trailer Attached To Tractor What is the Difference Between a Tractor and a Trailer?
#TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVERS#
Truck drivers who have left the loaded trailer at its destination, then they have to head to another location to pick up another trailer usually call this running bobtail. The United States Department of Energy calls the straight truck hauling propane a bobtail, because the tank is much shorter than the average petroleum trailers. Some straight trucks that are hauling propane are also referred to as bobtails. A semi tractor that isn’t hauling a trailer is often called bobtail or bobtailing. What is a Bobtail Truck?Ī truck without a trailer attached to it is referred to as a Bobtail.īobtail is the description of a cat that has very short tails. The average length of a typical trailer is fifty-three feet in length. The trailer only has wheels that is located at the rear of the trailer, so the trailer is unable to move anywhere by itself.Ī forward axle is connected to the towing engine, and this allows the trailer to carry the half of the weight of the load safely. The trailer is hooked to a fifth wheel, which looks similar to a horseshoe, and the fifth wheel has a quick release that allows the trailer to be attached and unattached easily. Dry Bulk Trailer – This trailer looks like a tanker, but this type of trailer hauls flour, sand, cement, and other dry powder items.This type of trailer is usually used for beverage hauling. Side Bay Trailer – This trailer has panel doors on each side of the trailer, and when the door is opened it will has separate compartments.Tanker Trailer – This trailer is used for hauling gasoline and other liquids.This trailer is usually used for meats, frozen food, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Refrigeration Trailers – The refrigeration trailers are a box trailer, but they have a reefer (Heating and Cooling Unit) attached to the front of trailer.Livestock Trailers – This type of trailer can have two levels and it is used for hauling sheep, pigs, etc.Flatbed Trailers – Can haul a variety of freight that can be strapped to the floor of the trailer.Curtainsiders – Resembles the box trailer, but the sides of the trailer have movable curtains.Car Carrier Trailer – Usually used for transporting new cars from the manufacturer.An example of one is the image at the top of this article. A Box Trailer (dry van) – Most popular trailer.There are different types of trailers depending on what freight is being transported include: When the tractor is connected to the trailer it is called a tractor trailer or semi-trailer.
Many tractor trailers have wheels that are attached to the trailer, and the wheels can be repositioned or removed to even out the load that is on the trailer.
The trailer does not have an engine and or drive axles. The landing gear on the trailer will support the weight that is in the trailer when it isn’t connected to the tractor or semi. The trailer will usually have a landing gear or legs that can be lowered. The Trailer: the trailer is where the freight being transported is placed. The tractor has the engine and is what drives the tractor trailer.
#TRACTOR TRAILER DRIVER#
It is the part that the driver sits in (cab). In the picture below I have identified what is the tractor and which is the trailer. A tractor trailer is often called a semi-truck or 18 wheeler. This combination is referred to as a tractor trailer. What is a tractor trailer? A tractor trailer in the trucking transportation industry is referred to as a tractor (truck) that has a trailer attached to it.