What is a semi-trailer? Types of semi-trailers used in road freight transport Tilt, semi-trailer Tilt semi-trailers can be divided into two types

Hitch mechanism

To couple the semi-trailer with the tractor, there is a support platform with a kingpin in the front part of the semi-trailer. The tractor, in turn, has a saddle into which the king pin fits and on which the semi-trailer's support platform rests. In this way, the semi-trailer transfers part of its weight to the tractor. Today, as a rule, backlash-free seats are used, which eliminate knocks and impacts when a road train passes uneven surfaces.

Types of semi-trailers

By purpose and design

Depending on the nature of operation and body design, semi-trailers are divided into

onboard,
tent,
curtains,
curtain side,
all metal vans,
isothermal,
refrigerators,
container ships,
dump trucks,
heavy trucks (trawls).

By region of production and operation

Currently, semi-trailers can be divided into two large groups: European type and American. Let's look at the main differences:

European-type semi-trailers usually have three and, with rare exceptions, four axles with single tires and disc brakes; some of the bridges may be drawbridges. American ones have two (less often three) axles with double tires and drum brakes; All bridges are involved in traffic and are not lifting.
European-type semi-trailers, including Russian ones, almost always have a “palette box” (popularly called “belly”), it is used for storing spare wheels or other equipment. American semi-trailers, as a rule, have nothing of the kind, which makes them much more dangerous for cars and motorcyclists.
Some refrigerated and isothermal semi-trailers American type to increase volume they are made low-frame. This does not occur in Europeans.
Also, tent semi-trailers of the American and European types differ in the method and structure of the tent.

Main types of trucks

According to the basic criteria that determine design features and the purpose of the vehicle, trucks are divided into three groups:

General purpose onboard vehicles.
Specialized equipment - refrigerators, truck tractors connected by a coupling device to semi-trailers, dump trucks, container carriers and others.
Car tanks.

The composition of vehicles is:

single;
road train with a trailer or semi-trailer.

Types of Truck Trailers

Trailers are classified as vehicles, but are not equipped with an engine. They are used as part of a road train. According to their purpose they are distinguished: isothermal, dump, onboard, tilt, etc.

Van types trucks

Vans are vehicles with a closed body made of metal or awning. The cargo in such a car is protected from precipitation and dust, which allows you to transport a wide range of goods. There are vans: tilt, isothermal, refrigerated, “Butterfly” - a special body design with rising side parts allows you to organize unloading in limited space.

Types of semi-trailers for trucks

Semi-trailers are a subtype of trailers; they rest on the tractor and are connected to it by a fifth-wheel coupling mechanism. In the event of a tractor breakdown, they allow you to quickly replace the vehicle and avoid overloading. They have a high load capacity and the ability to transport long loads. By design they are divided into flatbed trucks, dump trucks, platforms, tilt trucks, refrigerators and specialized models.

Types of truck bodies


Eurotent	Refrigerator	Isotherm
Load capacity: up to 25 tons	Load capacity: up to 22 tons	Load capacity: up to 25 tons
Volume: up to 90 cubic meters	Volume: up to 90 cubic meters	Volume: up to 90 cubic meters
Dimensions: 13.6x2.45x2.6m	Dimensions: 13.6x2.45x2.6m	Dimensions: 13.6x2.45x2.6m


Jumbo	Road train	Van
Load capacity: up to 20 tons	Load capacity: up to 25 tons	Load capacity: up to 10 tons
Volume: up to 125 cubic meters	Volume: up to 120 cubic meters	Volume: up to 40 cubic meters
Dimensions: 13.8x2.45x3m	Dimensions: 8x2.45x3m (two)	Dimensions: 6.2x2.45x2.4m


Oversized platform	Container ship	Tank truck
Load capacity: up to 40 tons	Load capacity: up to 25 tons	Volume: up to 40 cubic meters

Classification of trucks by body type includes the following types:

Curtainsider semi-trailer (euro tent, eurotruck) - a common body option used for most transportation. It has special spacers and a canvas awning with lacing. This design protects the cargo from weather conditions and ensures safe transportation. When fully extended, side and top loading can be performed. This type of body is often used for cargo transportation from Europe, CIS countries and some Asian countries.
Automatic coupler- a car connected to a trailer. This type allows you to transport a significant volume of cargo up to 120 m3 and load/unload it in a short time. Disadvantage - not intended for long loads.
Refrigerator - a metal van, protected by thermal insulation and equipped with climate control equipment. The refrigeration compartment maintains a constant temperature within the specified range from +25º to -25º C. Its purpose is to transport perishable goods or goods that require special conditions. Depending on the temperature range, there are 6 classes of refrigerators.
Isothermal body - all-metal structure that maintains temperature due to the laying of thermal insulation materials. Conditions inside the van are favorable for goods that are sensitive to temperature fluctuations.
"Jumbo"- a semi-trailer with increased capacity, having a special “L”-shaped floor and a reduced wheel size. These features allow for additional cargo space.
Container ship - a trailer with a platform on which containers of standardized dimensions are installed. This type of trailer is indispensable for multimodal transportation, for example, when delivering cargo from China in containers through European ports.
Tankers- used for transportation of liquid cargo. Made from steel or aluminum, the latter material has better corrosion resistance and does not require special coating. Tanks come with one or more sections and can be equipped with pumps or a steam chamber to heat the cargo.
Dump truck- an open side body with a hydraulic device that allows automatic unloading of bulk cargo. Its side is hinged and opens when tilted.
Open platform - designed for transporting cargo that is not affected by weather conditions. The absence of limiters allows it to be used for oversized cargo.
Flatbed body- a platform limited by sides, used for cargo insensitive to external conditions.
Platform for oversized and heavy cargo up to 200 tons. Low-bed trawls transport cars and other equipment.

It is a type of trailer. The fundamental difference is the method of attachment to the towing device. So, if the trailer rests only on its own axles when towing, the tractor serves as support for the entire front part of the semi-trailer.

For coupling, the rear of the tractor is equipped with a special saddle. This is where the name of such tractors comes from - saddle tractors. The semi-trailer has a kingpin, which is inserted into the saddle and part of the semi-trailer's load is transferred to the tractor.

Semi-trailers vary in body design and purpose. The following types of semi-trailers are distinguished:

Onboard
Isothermal
Container ships
Refrigerators
Dump trucks
Awning
Heavy trucks or trawls
All metal
Curtains
Curtain side

The most popular are universal semi-trailers, which can be used to transport a wide variety of cargo. But there are also “narrow-profile” semi-trailers, used where station wagons are powerless. They are used for transportation:

Heavy special equipment. This is with a ramp for the entry of equipment. The carrying capacity of such platforms can reach up to 100 tons.
Bulk and powder materials (cement trucks, flour trucks, grain trucks, etc.). The tank of such a semi-trailer has a volume of up to 40 m³ and is equipped with a pressure unloading system.
Cattle. Such vans are equipped with life support systems for the animals being transported. These are air conditioners, showers, feeding systems, drinking bowls. The vans are equipped with ladders along which the animals are brought inside.
Cars. Such semi-trailers come in both open and closed types and can accommodate up to 12 cars.
Gasoline and other flammable liquids. They are a stainless steel tank with a volume of up to 40 m³.
Concrete mixture.

Semi-trailers are also divided into two groups, representing European and American types.

European trailers are equipped with three axles and have drum brakes - for countries with poor roads and difficult climatic conditions; or disc brakes - for those countries where the climate is moderate and the roads are good. Often, when driving empty, one or two axles may be raised.
European semi-trailers are often equipped with the so-called. "pallet box" on the frame. Truckers store spare tires and equipment here.
The European one has bump stops on the sides.
American semi-trailers have two or three axles, drum brakes and their axles are not lifting.

Due to the lack of fenders on the sides, American semi-trailers are more often hit by passenger cars.

The frames of American refrigerators are quite low. This is done to increase the volume of the van itself.

Semi-trailers also differ in the way they are covered.

To transport various goods, manufacturers and transport companies often use a type of vehicle such as a semi-trailer. This type of equipment differs from a conventional trailer in that the front part of its body is attached to the fifth wheel of the tractor, thereby transferring part of the weight of the cargo to the tractor. This design allows you to increase the weight of the cargo and reduce the number of flights. The following are important for a semi-trailer: technical specifications: its weight, carrying capacity, number of axles, length of the loading area and the materials from which it is made.

Semi-trailers are used in various areas of cargo transportation. There are different types of semi-trailers for each type of cargo.

Flatbed semi-trailers do not have a roof and are used to deliver unpretentious, in terms of weather conditions, building materials(bricks, boards, fittings, pipes, etc.). It is convenient because its load capacity reaches 29 tons, and it is also equipped with folding sides, which makes loading/unloading from the sides and top easier.

Tilt semi-trailers are the most common (60% of all semi-trailers used in Russia). They transport equipment, pallets, and furniture. The awning protects the cargo from the effects of weather conditions. Also, this type of semi-trailer can additionally be equipped with a removable frame and a sliding roof.

Curtain semi-trailers are a type of tilt semi-trailers. Distinctive feature Such semi-trailers have a steel frame and a sliding awning. It is also equipped with a fully or partially removable roof. Such characteristics allow you to load the semi-trailer from any convenient side. This type of transport is suitable for transporting large indivisible cargo.

Isothermal semi-trailers and refrigerated semi-trailers. This type of transport is designed for transporting goods that require a certain temperature regime. Isothermal semi-trailers, due to their technical characteristics, are designed for transporting fruits, vegetables, chilled meat, fish, that is, for those products that do not require freezing. Walls made of special isothermal materials are able to maintain the temperature at the required level, but the temperature cannot be increased or decreased. Refrigerated trucks are equipped with refrigeration equipment and are designed for transporting frozen food and flowers. Both semi-trailers are capable of maintaining the required temperature inside the body, provided outside temperature from -30 to +30 degrees.

Container semi-trailers are designed for storage and handling, transportation, loading/unloading of containers. They are equipped with a low frame and pneumatic retractable platforms. Low-bed semi-trailers, depending on technical characteristics, transport one or two twenty-foot containers or one forty-foot container. The load capacity can reach 34 tons. There are also container semi-trailers with a standard frame, their load capacity is up to 31 tons.

Semi-trailers-car carriers transport passenger cars (double-deck) and trucks (single-deck). To insure against minor damage, they are equipped with sides, an awning, but can also be open. Loading capacity - up to 25 tons. Car transporters are capable of moving up to 8 cars at a time.

Heavy-duty semi-trailers (otherwise known as trawls) are designed for transporting heavy, large equipment. Most often they are equipped with three or four axles, some of which are rotary (to reduce the load).

Tipper semi-trailers are popular in agriculture. They can withstand weights of up to 40 tons, and are also possible various types unloading (one-, two- and three-way).

Modern semi-trailers can be divided into two types: American and European. Each type has its own distinctive technical characteristics. American semi-trailers are equipped with two (less often three) axles with double tires. Brakes - drum. While driving, all bridges are operational and are not liftable. European semi-trailers are most often equipped with three, very rarely four axles with single tires. Brakes - disc. Some bridges may be subject to traffic. The European version also has a tray for storing spare tires, which is rare in the American versions. Curtain semi-trailers different types differ in the method and design of the tarpaulin, and some isothermal and refrigerated semi-trailers in the American version become low-bed, which increases their volume.

Semi-trailers can be used in many areas of activity. With the invention of new materials and improvement of technologies, the model ranges of this type of trailer transport are constantly being replenished.

For people who are far from contact with trucks, the concepts of a trailer and a semi-trailer are not much different from each other. Many people think that a semi-trailer is just a small trailer. In fact, these two types of equipment intended for transporting goods have fundamental differences.

A trailer is an independent vehicle, not equipped with an engine, but capable of moving independently when subject to mechanical force. Appearance trailer is shown below:

A semi-trailer can be called a type of trailer that can only move when supported by a tractor. This is what a classic semi-trailer looks like:

The operational properties of a trailer and a semi-trailer are also different. The trailer can be attached to any vehicle equipped with a towbar; to transport a semi-trailer you need a special tractor equipped with a so-called “saddle” (such tractors are also called truck tractors). When driving a car with a trailer, you must be extremely careful, since a trailer that does not have a rigid hitch may behave unpredictably on the road. A vehicle with a semi-trailer has greater maneuverability and is easier to drive.

What is a semi-trailer. Types of semi-trailers used in road freight transport. Tilt, semi-trailer. Tilt semi-trailers can be divided into two types