Why Do Semi Trucks Have 18 Wheels?

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 delivery, but large trucks perform the daily grunt function and consider the final part of a complicated distribution network.

Therefore, how did 18 wheels turn into a standard for semi trucks? One phrase: containerization.

Decades before 18 ­wheelers were blowing by on the method to Walmart, cargo was shipped all over the world seeing that break bulk. Rather than everything positioned within an individual container, break mass shipping intended cargo will be loaded onto a boat or truck separately. The shipping technique was tiresome and labor­ intensive, and whenever a ship would prevent on its path, every item will be shifted around to support even more cargo. Finally, off­loaded cargo will be kept in a warehouse before trucks found bring those items to their last destination. It had been not really the most effective means by any measure.

Inklings of a different technique ­­containerization ­­appeared as soon as the late 18th hundred years in the kind of coal-­ferrying English container boats and wagon trains. Essentially, shipping and delivery businesses designed big boxes which can be stuffed, stacked on a huge ocean­ heading ship, and off loaded. From there, the boxes could be put straight onto the trunk of a vehicle and driven to its last destination.

The International Firm for Standardization developed containerization standards between 1968 and 1970, that regulated the size, weight, and the typical concentrating on container lengths. Five had been 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 usually 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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How to Improve Your Semi-Truck Fuel Efficiency

 

A penny saved is a penny earned. And while that may not sound like big savings, it starts to add up when you’re saving a penny per mile across thousands of miles! Semi-truck fuel efficiency is a major concern for independent operators or companies looking to reduce costs. Fortunately, learning how to improve your truck’s fuel economy isn’t as challenging as it may sound.

Read on to learn some ideas to improve your semi-truck fuel efficiency, to save money and stay on the road longer between stops.

Small Maintenance Adds Up to Big Savings

Peak performance includes getting the most out of your gas. If you don’t take your vehicle maintenance seriously, you’ll by no means achieve the best potential for semi-truck fuel performance. Skipping primary maintenance makes your rig function harder, burning even more fuel. Stick to top of:

Tire Pressure

Tires will eventually lose pressure as time passes. Furthermore to leading to extra use and increasing generating dangers, running on somewhat deflated wheels will heavily influence your gasoline mileage. Verify them each time you can. Don’t ignore that it’s a matter of safety, as well!

It takes merely about a ten percent reduction in tire pressure to trigger irregular wear, gasoline economy reduction and increased likelihood of damage. Although it may appear tedious to continuously check your vehicle’s wheels, it’s absolutely worthy of the effort!

Oil + Fluids

Driving any automobile needs you to monitor its liquids. In the event that you don’t match regular oil adjustments, the essential oil in your automobile ceases to operate properly. Thermal breakdown reduces your oil’s capability to lubricate the internals of the engine, increasing wear.

However , with regards to semi-truck fuel performance, old oil prospects to higher levels of heat and sludge build-up. As the engine suffers additional wear from sludge build-up, the excessive heat will also cause it to run less efficiently. All of these problems combine to a big headache for you - and needing to pump more gas to get to your destination.

Filter Changes

Vehicles are full of filters that help maintain clean and efficient operation. While cabin filters don’t do much for how well your semi- truck uses gas, the other filters do. Oil filters, fuel filters, and engine air flow filters are all core components of your truck. They make reduce wear, maintain fluid quality and generally help your truck avoid issues associated with poor combustion or poor exhaust.

Unexpected Issues

It’s by no means fun to hear a strange sound when you’re on the road. It costs time and money to quit and have your vehicle looked at - but it’s almost always worth it.

At best, those little issues are annoyances that will bother you for days or weeks to come, potentially turning into bigger issues on their own. At worst, however, your vehicle could be at risk for catastrophic failure. That’s never worth the gamble!

In any case, a problem with your rig almost certainly means it won’t be operating at peak performance. That means your rig will need more gas to run.

Drive Smart, Cut Costs

Maintenance isn’t the only way you can increase your semi-truck gas efficiency! Your driving plays a big role too. Don’t be tempted to floor it just because you would like to get done with the job earlier. When you decrease your speeds, you increase fuel economy.

While it’s true that fuel usage only increases very slightly as you increase your velocity, it adds up. One mile per hour faster of travel increases your fuel use by just a fraction of a mile per gallon. But how many miles do you drive per week? A five mile per hour increase in average velocity, across thousands of miles, can cause your semi- truck to need a hundred extra gallons or more!

That’s hundreds of dollars in additional diesel costs. If you want to save on fuel, taking it slower can make a big difference in the long-haul.

Load Cargo Properly

Every driver knows that cargo adds excess weight, and weight increases gas use. But it’s not that black-and-white! The way you load and secure cargo will change how it impacts your gas economy too.

For flatbeds, wind resistance is a major issue. Also if your cargo is normally secure, the bigger it’s stacked, the more level of resistance you’ll knowledge trying to visit. This implies your truck must function harder to maintain quickness, costing you extra gasoline.

But various other semi-trucks have very similar issues. If you load your cargo without acquiring care to equally distribute the fat, your automobile will come across issues attempting to accelerate or end. The stopping problems are generally basic safety, but acceleration issues because of uneven cargo will have an effect on your gasoline efficiency.

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