Semi trucks are a vehicle we see almost every day. Many young kids are fascinated by the “big cars.” But the average person likely doesn’t know a lot about semi trucks. For example, you might call them tractor-trailers, 18-wheelers or just trucks. In this blog, we’ll answer all your basic questions about semi trucks.
What is a semi truck?
A semi is a heavy-duty truck used for hauling large loads. Technically, they’re Class 7 or Class 8 vehicles. For comparison, the big pickups you see pulling camping trailers are usually Class 2b or Class 3 vehicles, sometimes Class 4.
Why do they call it a semi truck?
It’s actually a bit of a mistake to call the truck a semi. The term originally referred to the trailers. Because the trailers don’t have a front set of wheels, they aren’t technically trailers. So they were called semi-trailers. Over time, people started referring to the truck-trailer combo as a semi, then just the truck.
There are tons of other common names for them as well. 18-Wheeler is one of the most popular and refers to the 18 wheels that a semi typically has when pulling a trailer. Tractor-trailer is also another term you may hear a lot. All of these names refer to the combo of the truck and trailer, though are most commonly associated with just the truck portion.
What kinds of semis are there?
You can divide trucks into two categories: sleeper and day cab. A sleeper is used for long-haul trucking because it has a bedroom compartment in the back of the truck. Sleepers can be pretty basic with just a single bed and some storage. Or they can get pretty fancy with two beds, a minifridge and microwave, TV and surround sound, and more! That may sound like a lot for a truck, but drivers can spend a week or more living in their truck, getting out only for bathroom breaks and to fill up the tank.
A day cab is just a big truck without the sleeping area. These trucks are used for shorter distances where the driver gets to go home at the end of his shift. You often see day cabs at distribution centers, ports, and even airports. Wherever there is a high volume of things shipped, you’ll often see day cabs around.
The Different Categories of Sleepers
You can have high-roof, mid-roof or flat roof trucks. High-roof trucks have the tallest roof possible, giving the driver plenty of room to stand up. High-roof trucks can be over 8 feet high inside. Mid-roof trucks are usually around 6 ft 9 inches inside. Flat-roof trucks are around 5 feet tall inside. These features determine how comfortable the driver will be while living in the truck, but also impact what you can pull with that truck and where you can go. Low bridges, tunnels and other road features mean tall vehicles can’t take some roads.
How much does a semi weigh?
That answer varies a lot depending on the make and model of the truck as well as the engine in the truck. Day cabs (the ones without beds) generally weigh around 15-16,000 pounds, around the same as two adult Asian elephants. Small sleepers (the flat roof ones) are about 1,000 pounds more. That’s like putting a polar bear on those elephants. Large sleepers can weigh over 18,000 pounds.
Do they use a tow hitch?
Nope! The trailer attaches to the truck with a large pin, called a king pin, that’s usually 2-3 inches thick sticking out of the underside of the trailer. Imagine a water bottle-sized solid steel pipe. The king pin goes through the fifth wheel, a big horseshoe-shaped piece of metal on the back of the truck, and clamps lock it in place. Tow hitches just wouldn’t be strong enough to pull a full trailer. Fifth wheels also bring the weight of the front half of the trailer right over the back wheels, making it easier to pull tall, heavy trailers.
How much does a semi cost?
As with weight, the price changes depending on the kind of truck, the engine and other features. New semis generally start above $100,000, but with more features on larger trucks, the price can get close to $200,000. Used trucks can be a great way to get a good truck at a lower price. Those are generally priced lower around $40,000-70,000. But prices can go lower or higher depending on the mileage, condition, age, make and model, and features of the used truck. Some can be as low as $10,000 for older or high mileage trucks.
Curious to learn more about what buying process looks like? Check out our buying guide for used semi trucks.
How tall are they?
Semi trucks are between 6.5 and 10 feet. The height depends on whether the truck has a higher roof on the sleeper, or a roof cap. The roof cap is a curved piece coming over the roof of the truck to make it more aerodynamic. Many day cabs have tall roof caps, allowing air to flow smoothly up the front of the truck and across the top of the trailer.
How much weight can a semi truck pull?
They pull anything over 26,000 pounds. But the maximum for many trucks is actually road weight limits. In every state, 80,000 pounds is the limit for all vehicles. That’s the equivalent of 26 Prius cars! The weight also depends on the type of trailer.
What kind of trailers can they pull?
Dry van trailers are the typical rectangular box you see on the road. They are used for shipping lots of consumer goods like clothes, toys, electronics, books and more.
Refrigerated vans, or reefers, look like dry vans, but they have a big cooler attached to the front of the trailer. They are used to transport food that needs to stay cold like meat, cheese and ice cream.
Then, there are flatbed trailers which can be just a flat base, or a big step, called a drop deck or step deck. These are used to transport big things that don’t need to be protected from rain or wind, or things that don’t fit in a van.
Another type of trailer is a tanker. There are lots of kinds of tankers. Some empty from the back, some from the bottom, some from the top. They can carry all kinds of liquid like milk or oil, but they are also used to haul things like wheat and beans.
The last common type of trailer is a car hauler. There are open and enclosed car haulers. Open car haulers are more common and used to move cars from a port or factory to a distribution point or dealership. Enclosed car haulers protect the car from any damage on the road, so they’re used more for very expensive cars or custom cars, like racecars.
What’s the best truck brand?
Well, that’s hard to say. As an authorized Mack and Volvo dealer, we think they are some of the best performing semis on the market today. But the “best” truck is often based on opinion and the exact application.
So, those are the basics! You’re always able to browse our large inventory of new and used semi trucks for sale. We always welcome questions, so find us on social media!
