I am confused, I always thought they were the same thing but in NY, it's different and am hoping someone can just clarify this for me. Thanks.
What is the difference between a "tractor-trailer" and "truck-trailer"?
Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by NY2001, Jul 22, 2022.
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Check the "Definitions" section of the FMCSR.
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Tractor trailer is a vehicle without a body, just a 5th wheel hitch designed exclusively to haul a semi-trailer using a kingpin/5th wheel coupler.
Truck trailer combination is any truck and trailer combination that does not meet that definition such as a truck with a pickup body, hauler body or even a dump truck or similiar vehicle pulling a trailer. Truck trailer combinations can have a 5th wheel, gooseneck or ball type hitch.
The truck title and registration will have a "brand mark" such as TK or TT to distinguish how the state identifies the vehicle.
The distinction is important for obtaining an unrestricted class A CDL, use the truck trailer instead of a tractor trailer and you will have a restricted license. It is also important for allowable overall length, a tractor trailer has no overall length restriction just the trailer length is limited while a truck trailer is limited to 65' overall length from front of truck to rear of trailer.Val_Caldera, Grumppy, God prefers Diesels and 5 others Thank this. -
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Some tractors don't have a fifth wheel. Instead they have either a box or a flatbed deck or a tank mounted behind the cab. Then they have a trailer, 20 to 28 ft long and up towed behind attached by a pintle hitch. These were called a truck and trailer when I worked loading trucks when I lived in California.
Val_Caldera, okiedokie and Flat Earth Trucker Thank this. -
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Tractor has fifth wheel job. It's useless on it's own, yet powerful freight machine when coupled with trailer.
The truck has steer tires and cargo on same frame.kylefitzy Thanks this. -
NOTHING!
they are interchangeable terms.
there is a further distinction between the types of trucks/tractors, like day cabs or sleeper cabs. -
Easiest way is think of a dump truck also pulling a dump trailer.
Fuel truck also pulling a fuel trailer.
Both are ‘truck/trailer’
Tractor with semi trailer sitting on fifth wheel, is ‘tractor/trailer.
Truck/trailer, and Tractor/trailer, no need for doubles endorsement. -
look up semi-trailer VRS full trailer.
a truck and full trailer would be a truck with a freight body pulling a full trailer, all class 8 equipment
a tractor and semi trailer uses a fifth wheel to support the semi trailer but a full trailer could stand alone...
Then you can look to Canada for Aaaah train VRS B train too
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