Types of Semi Trucks & How to Buy the Right One for Your Business
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At Transwest, we know how difficult it can be to determine which trucks are best for your fleet. With a quality inventory of semi-trucks and trailers, we are here to ensure that your purchasing process is efficient and that you find the right truck for your needs.
Before you begin researching and prior to making a final choice, it's important to understand what options are available. From the cab type to the trailer being towed, there's a lot to know.
The following guide will help you learn more about the types of semi-trucks available on the market, as well as information on how to buy the right one for your business. By the end, you should feel confident in your ability to choose the right vehicles for your business&#; fleet.
Before exploring the types of semi-trucks available, it is important to establish an understanding of what the term &#;semi-truck&#; encompasses. A semi-truck is a combination of two components.
First, there's the tractor unit that provides the power. The tractor is also where the truck&#;s cab is located.
The second component of a semi-truck is one or more trailers attached to the tractor. These trailers can be used to haul everything from heavy equipment to refrigerated goods, depending on the style of the unit.
To begin, the following will walk you through common types of semi-trucks:
A day cab is a basic semi-truck that contains an area for a driver and a passenger to sit and is often equipped with rear windows. These rear windows make backing up and navigating the day cab easier than cabs with sleeping quarters.
Day cabs are often used for shorter trips that do not require the driver to be gone overnight. With their shorter body, they are easier to drive in tight areas and are ideal for simple navigation. Almost any trailer style can be attached to a day cab, making this a versatile tractor type.
For those who do over the road hauling, a sleeper truck is a great choice. These semi-trucks are designed with built-in sleeping quarters and additional amenities. Similar to a day cab, the front of the tractor contains the driver and passenger seats. However, in a sleeper truck, the rest of the cabin is dedicated to living quarters.
Sleeper tractors are available in a wide array of sizes and styles. You can opt for a simple version with a basic sleeping area or a much more elaborate style with a full RV set up. Sleeper trucks can be hooked up to a variety of trailer styles, most often utilized in conjunction with long hauling.
For those who need a specialized tractor, a custom hauler is a great choice. Custom haulers are versatile trucks that are customized to meet the needs of your business. You can purchase a hauler with varying towing capabilities, as well as with any extras you desire. If you want to add sleeping quarters to a custom hauler, you can.
The benefit of a custom hauler is that it is equipped with some of the most powerful engines on the market. These haulers can reliably transport goods across long distances and are often chosen for oversize loads.
Attached to the semi-tractor is one or more trailers. These trailers come in numerous sizes and styles, with a variety of specialized trailers available for hauling distinct goods. The following is a list of common semi-trailer types and their uses:
These are only a few of the numerous semi-trailer options available on the market today. Pairing the right trailer with the right tractor makes hauling almost any cargo possible.
Additionally, when shopping for a semi-truck, you will need to choose between a few standard manufacturers. The following are all popular semi-truck brands:
With the slogan &#;Trucks that mean business&#;, Freightliner is a trucking industry staple. Freightliner is highly esteemed for its quality trucks offering extreme durability, efficiency, and excellent fuel economy.
Western Star is another clear industry leader. Starting in , Western Star has been esteemed for its heavy-duty trucks capable of holding up in the roughest environments. From the logging industry to the coal mines, Western Star has earned a premium reputation in the trucking industry.
Autocar designs a line of specialized semi-trucks, with a focus on leading innovation and technology. Autocar has been in business since and has become a trusted staple of the trucking industry.
When choosing the right truck for your business, it comes down to a few key questions. What type of cab do you need? What do you need to haul? And, do you have a preferred manufacturer?
At Transwest, we can assist you in answering all these questions and more. We will work with you to locate the ideal semi-truck from our quality inventory. Whether you need to purchase a single day cab or a fleet of semi-truck and trailer combinations, we're here to help.
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Are you looking to become an owner-operator of a semi-truck or add a semi to a growing business? Owning your own truck gives you the freedom to drive as an independent contractor, choosing your routes and your loads. One of the things you can choose is whether to drive a day truck or a sleeper truck. Day trucks are great for short distances but if you plan to take interstate and cross-country routes, then a sleeper has some invaluable qualities. Even with a basic bunk model, you can save a ton on motels just by having a safe and comfortable place to sleep.
Sleeper models tend to have more heat and sound insulation, and some have tiny RV compartments including a mini-kitchen and a shower/toilet. For semi-truck drivers looking for the perfect truck to buy, a sleeper gives you great range and is worth the investment. When deciding which truck to buy and where to get your truck loan, keep the following five things in mind:
The size of the cabin makes a big difference for your trucking experience. Your cabin size determines two things, the space in your &#;living quarters&#; and the mass of your rig. Naturally, the more space you have indoors, the longer your cabin will need to be and the more it will weigh. This will impact your cargo-hauling capacity and how you drive the total longer vehicle. Weigh the features inside the cab and your personal comfort with the size of the cabin.
The weight of your tractor is also an important factor. Some manufacturers work with lighter materials than others, so size is not always the final determiner of weight. Consider the truck body and the interior sleeper features when calculating for weight. If your sleeper has a kitchenette or bathroom, don&#;t forget to calculate for the water tanks. A freshwater tank and gray/black water tanks can add an impressive amount of weight. Many RV experts suggest keeping your water tanks only partially filled unless you&#;re parked with hookups.
Your comfort as the driver and occupant is a major decision-maker. Sleeper trucks also tend to be more spacious and comfortable up-front compared to day trucks. This is because it&#;s assumed you&#;ll be spending more of your day in the driver&#;s seat on long-hauls than with daytime delivery routes. You want to consider your comfort in the driver&#;s seat as well as your comfort sleeping and living in the back cabin. Test out the bed, go through the motions of making food, and stand in the shower/toilet to see how it feels. Choose the cabin design that you&#;ll be most comfortable living in for long hauls on the road, especially if you&#;re skipping motel stops.
One of the great things about sleeper cabs is that they are better insulated. Sleeper semi-trucks tend to retain heat (or cool) more efficiently and they are built to block sound so you can get a good night&#;s sleep inside. This also means less blasting AC and less road noise when you&#;re driving. Spend a little time in the cabin and find out the quality of the insulation. You might discover that a particular model or brand has superior insulation that can really improve your long-distance trucking experience.
Finally, consider the ports. The water tank refill valve, tank drains, and gas tank access should all be easy for you to work with and to hook up to the appropriate appliances. You need to be able to maintain your living quarters on the road without extra hassle. Test how you will get around the entire truck. Walk through the cab and imagine your future routine. Handle the valves and make sure you can handle them by memory. If the truck feels right when you interact with it, then you&#;ve found a truck that will be more enjoyable to maintain.
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Shopping for a semi-truck involves many different considerations. But while you&#;re thinking about engine power and axles, don&#;t forget to consider the quality of your sleeper cab. With a careful eye for quality, you&#;ll soon find the perfect truck for your owner-operator enterprise. Contact us for more smart small business insights.
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