From coast to coast in the United States, and even all over the world, millions of pounds of produce, goods and necessities are being trucked to places that distribute them. Without the semi trailer and its operator, many areas would find themselves in a severe shortage of the necessities of life. Though they go by many names and are found in most countries, many people are truly in the dark when it comes to understanding the unique and rich part the semi trailer plays in history.
It may have started off small but it has grown into a huge commercial business. And though you may see them on the interstates and roads every day, you may have some questions about what semi trailers truly are and what they are used for. This article can help answer some of those questions.
What is semi trailers used for?
Semi trailers in many forms are designed with one purpose, to move freight. Most road borne cargo transported today, whether palletized, liquid or in bulk, travels on or in a semi trailer of some form.
The detachable nature allows filled containers to be taken to their destination and dropped off, allowing the tractor truck to transport another load without waiting for the container to be unloaded. This ability to run multiple trailers with a single tractor allows transportation companies to utilize a single tractor to effectively make two runs.
What type of freight is often found in semi trailers?
Semi trailers come in a number of configurations to suit a variety of tasks. As such, there are a wide variety of trailers to match the different types of cargo transported. The most common trailer found is the enclosed box trailer, often used to carry palletized items and goods.
A reefer, or refrigerated trailer, is selected when transporting perishable produce or temperature sensitive goods. A tanker trailer is utilized for liquid loads, such as oil, gasoline, water or milk. A flatbed trailer consists of a flat load bed which can haul practically anything that can be strapped down. Other trailers are available for transport specialized loads.
What is the weight and size limit of semi trailers in the United States?
The Surface Transportation Act of 1982 establishes limitations on the length and width of semi-trailers when operated upon the United States National Network of highways. Maximum width of a commercial vehicle has been set at 102 inches, or 8 feet.
Maximum length of the combined tractor and semi-trailer has been established at 65 feet. Weight limitations for tractor trailer combinations have been set at 80,000 pounds. For loads exceeding these regulations, each state has the ability to issue oversize or overweight permits to vehicles operating with their boundaries.
Are there separate laws that govern the pulling and transporting of semi trailers?
While commercial vehicles often seem to operate under rules of their own, they are required to follow additional laws in addition to those followed by private motorists. The United States Department of Transportation provides regulations governing drivers, vehicles and cargo transportation to insure safe operation on National highways.
Vehicle and cargo documentation and weight limitations are routinely monitored by means of on highway inspection or weigh stations. Driver's logs are inspected to insure that drivers do not spend more than the allotted amount of time behind the wheel each day.