Trucks and Trucking

You see them everywhere. Trucks of all shapes and sizes are constantly on the move delivering everything from food to gasoline all over the world. A semi truck, 18 wheeler, transport, or articulated lorry is a truck that is used to carry freight. Wherever you are in the world and whatever you call these trucks, they all have one thing in common.

 They deliver to us the things that we need for everyday life. Without the trucking industry we would still be living in the 18th century, growing all our own vegetables, hunting for meat and we would have none of the technology in our homes that many of us enjoy on a daily basis. Without trucks to deliver our televisions, computers, telephones and other gadgets we would simply be relying on our own resources for entertainment. Virtually everything that we have, everything that we eat and everything that we need for daily survival has been delivered to us on a truck.

In Europe there is a noticeable difference between trucks in the United States. Most European models feature a “cab over engine” style, while in the United States, most trucks are conventional and feature normal controls as opposed to forward control. For repairs on European trucks, the cab hinges forward to allow for maintenance access.

There are other differences in trucks, the trucking industry and the regulations that are enforced throughout the world. In Sweden and Finland, the allowed length of measurement for freight trucks is approximately 82 feet. The rules for the trucking industry in these areas was changed in 1997 and now follow the European Economic Area rules, which allows trucks to pull two trailers with the total of 82.8 feet. This is assuming that certain conditions such as anti-lock braking systems, are used on all trucks. In Sweden, the older styles of tractor and trailer are still used more commonly.

However in some areas, particularly for container haulage, these new rules and longer measurements are used.
In the UK, lorries or trucks must have 3 or more axels and the trailers must have 3 or more axels in order to carry the gross weight maximum of 44 tons that is permitted. Some trucks have 8 tyres on the 3 axles of the tractor or truck. These are known as 6 wheelers or 6 leggers. UK regulations also allow for artic trucks to have 6 tyres or tires on 2 axles. These trucks are known as 4 wheelers, where in the United States, 4 wheelers are recreational all-terrain vehicles used for sport. Most of the trailers in the UK measure 45 feet long however, a coupled tractor and trailer unit may have a combined length of up to 55 feet long. As long as specific requirements are met, vehicles of any size or weight are permitted to travel on the roads in the UK. It is customary however, for these larger vehicles to travel by a specific route authorized by the Department of Transport and they move travel under escort.

Australian roads have quite a reputation for using large trucks and road trains. Typically a single truck in Australia will have 22 wheels which is much more than those in other countries. The maximum permitted length, without special permit, in Australia is 175.5 feet, again much longer than those counterparts in other countries. Heavier restrictions apply however to the areas where this type of vehicle is permitted to travel in most states.

Although the trucks, trailers and regulations may differ from country to country, the trucking industry throughout the world is similar in one area. No matter where we are, what country we live in, we rely on trucks and the trucking industry to bring us the things that we use on a day-by-day basis. Without trucks, we would absolutely be living a much different life todays.