Semi-trucks, as the name describes, are components of trucks that have an engine, a cab for the driver, and wheels. If you are planning to buy or sell semi-trucks, you must know the following things about semi-trucks.
1) Difference Between Commercial Trucks and Semi-trucks
Commercial trucks are any kind of trucks that have a powerful engine, carrier, and permanently attached rear. The rear part of commercial trucks may have attached trailers, special utility mechanisms such as a concrete mixture, or a truck-mounted crane, or a simple box carrier.
The semi-trucks are the combination of semi-trailers or only trailers and the engine part of the truck that drags the trailer. These components can be detached and replaced with other attachments as per the need. Although semi-trucks are referred to the engine part only, today the combination of a semi-trailer and the engine is known as a semi-truck. The original semi-trucks have powerful engines and are capable of running on their own, unlike the semi-trailers.
2) Uses and Applications
Semi-trucks are generally used for transportation purposes. The other applications of semi-trucks may differ depending on the type of trailer or carrier attached to it. Some common types of semi-trailers or carriers attached to these trucks include the flatbed trailer, dry van, reefer trailer, water carrier, concrete mixer, crane, and other mechanical attachments.
3) Efficiency of the Engines
Semi-truck engines size-wise and weight-wise are up to 6x larger than car engines. These trucks have engines that last longer than any other types of heavy duty trucks and vehicles. These engines have a life expectancy of around one million kilometers and can range up to 1000 horsepower.
Although there is no specific name for the fear of trucks, the name has derived from ‘ochophobia’ which means the fear of vehicles. Hence, ‘semi-ochophobia’ means the fear of semi-trucks. People, especially car drivers often experience this fear and anxiety when they see semi-trucks on roads. They tend to panic and try to get away from semi-trucks as soon as possible. Several accidents have been reported in Edmonton because of semi-ochophobia.
5) Blind Spots
The driver of a semi-truck cannot see the areas in the front, behind, and on both sides of the truck’s rig or body. These areas are known as the blind spots. The smaller the vehicle, the harder it is to see for the truck driver. This is one reason why a lot of accidents take place between the semi-trucks and cars or other smaller vehicles around them.