Answer: No matter where you go on the road, a huge truck will eventually roll past you with a clap of thunder. Whether it’s hauling electronics bound for the big box store, a fuel for the next truck stop, or vegetables enroute to a large distribution center, these rigs are some of the most important cogs in the industrial machine. Trains and planes may handle the most urgent shipping, but heavy trucks perform the daily grunt work and take the final step in a complex distribution network.
So, how did 18 wheels become a standard for semi trucks? One word: containerization.
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Decades before 18 wheelers were blowing by on their way to Walmart, cargo was shipped around the world as break bulk. Instead of everything placed within a single container, break bulk shipping meant cargo would be loaded onto a boat or truck individually. The shipping method was tedious and labor intensive, and each time a ship would stop on its route, every item would be moved around to accommodate more cargo. Finally, offloaded cargo would be stored in a warehouse before trucks came to bring those goods to their final destination. It was not the most efficient means by any measure.
Inklings of a different method containerization appeared as early as the late 18th century in the form of coal-ferrying English box boats and wagon trains. Essentially, shipping companies designed big boxes that can be filled, stacked on a big oceangoing ship, and then off loaded. From there, the boxes can be placed directly onto the back of a truck and driven to its final destination.
The International Organization for Standardization came up with containerization standards between 1968 and 1970, that regulated the size, weight, and the standard focusing on container lengths. Five were chosen, and of those, most containers are either 20 feet or 40 feet long, with the average 40-foot container capable of carrying up to 60,000 pounds of cargo inside.
However, carrying heavy loads is taxing on pavement. The U.S. Department of Transportation generally restricts weight limits to 80,000 lbs for gross weight, 12,000 lbs for the steering axle, 20,000 lbs per single axle, and 34,000 lbs per tandem unit. To be able to move those containers to and fro over land, more wheels and axles are needed in order to comply with the regulations. That meant 60,000-pound trailers needed at least three axles and 12 tires. Heavier trucks required a third axle on the back for the trailer, and trailers gained a second axle of four wheels. All told, there are four axles with four wheels on each axle, and one axle—the steering axle—with two wheels on it, for a total of 18 wheels.
A coalition of trucking and shipping firms have pressed Congress to let states raise the weight limit for trucks to 91,000 lbs. on six axles, from 80,000 on five today, as a way to reduce costs and move more freight. Trucking firms contend as long as the extra weight is spread out, it will cause no additional road damage—and make 22 wheels, rather than 18, the new standard.
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Axles help distribute the weight load throughout the entire tractor and trailer. Semitrailers attach to the tractor by means of a hitch. The trailers usually have two axles, which may have four tires each. That's why people think of semi trucks and trailers as 18-wheelers.
The trailer normally has many axles and wheels, with a total of 18 wheels on average. This arrangement improves stability during transit and enables effective weight distribution. To transfer goods on a big scale, semi-trucks, and trailers are crucial elements of the logistics sector.
Trucks have weight limits, not only in total but per axle. While loaded they'll need all axles to distribute the weight, but when they're empty they don't. Since the more wheels that are down and spinning while the truck is moving the more fuel is used, it's beneficial to get un-needed tires off the ground.
The combination of eight tires on the trailer and ten tires on the tractor is what led to the moniker eighteen wheeler, although this term is considered by some truckers to be a misnomer (the term "eighteen-wheeler" is a nickname for a five-axle over-the-road combination).
Because 18-inch tires have a larger sidewall, they are typically more flexible than ones with a smaller sidewall. Your tires act as shock absorbers and can provide a greater cushion when going over bumps and potholes.
The term 18 wheeler arises from the combination of ten tractor wheels and eight trailer wheels. Sixteen wheeler trucks are less common. As indicated by the name, 16 wheeler trucks have 16 wheels as opposed to 18. Tractor trailer engines can be as high as six times as large as the size and weight of a car engine.
– It's a means of determining whether a vehicle is road worthy and dates to the early days of trucking. With so many tires on one axle, a tire could look inflated but be flat because the other tires were holding it up. So you kicked all the tires to determine whether you had a flat.
In sum, the spikes on semi wheels may be used to: Encourage other drivers to give the truck more room and avoid blind spots. Protect wheel bolts from becoming damaged or corroded. Provide a better shield from ice, dirt, grime, and dust build-up.
The spikes are designed to protect the lug nut from normal wear-and-tear and weathering damage, such as rust from heavy rain. The spike design helps flick moisture away while the wheel is spinning, too. Warning: Truck tire spikes are immediately noticeable, and that is intentional.
Most likely, if you're from the United States, you call these vehicles semi-trucks or semis, but if you live in Louisiana, you might be more likely to call it an “18-wheeler.” You'll probably say “Tractor-Trailers” if you're from New England.” In Britain, they're known as “articulated lorries” or “artics” for short.
You will have to discuss the rider policy with your trucking company before you can bring your children on the road. There are no provincial and federal laws that prohibit babies, toddlers, or children from riding in a semi-truck.
First off, the abbreviation “semi” comes from “semi-oscillating turntable hitch.” A turntable hitch is commonly known as a “5th wheel” or “5th wheel coupling.” A semi hitch connects to and sits on a greased turntable-like structure on top of the truck's rear axle and adds more than one axle to the truck.
The average semi-truck engine produces between 400 and 700 horsepower. The semi-truck has long been known for its colossal size and capabilities, but few know about the power contained within its chassis.
How many gears does an 18 wheeler have? Most of today's 18 wheelers have ten forward and two reverse drive gears, but this will vary widely depending on the manufacturer of the truck. Semi tractors will range from as low as nine gears and as high as eighteen gears.
For semi trucks, the most common tire sizes are 295/75R22.5, 275/70R22.5, and 225/70R19.5—but these vary from year to year, and it's important to choose a tire that will fit your vehicle perfectly.
Why do some large trucks and semis have double tires in the back? Weight distribution. The more tires the more weight you can carry because the weight is more evenly spread out between all the tires.
Trucks are heavier than cars, and it takes more torque to turn the front wheels. The larger steering wheel gives the driver more leverage to operate the steering.
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