If you want to buy a trailer to pull a lot of cargo, at the beginning you usually have two choices, full trailer and semi-trailer, we will introduce the difference between full trailer and semi-trailer in this article to help you choose the most suitable type of trailer for you.
Different structures
A semi-trailer does not have a front axle and most of its weight is handled by an over-the-road tractor unit. It usually has landing gears that are lowered to stay upright when it is removed from the unit. The brakes on this detachable trailer engage automatically when not attached; only the truck’s air pump releases the brakes to move it. Unless you have special permission, this trailer cannot exceed 57 feet in length on the interstate highway. If you connect two smaller semitrailers together, the length should not exceed 63 feet.
A full trailer is an unpowered trailer with a body equipped with front and rear axles that can carry its own load independently. The complete trailer is connected to the tractor (heavy-duty tractor) by a simple hitch. The tractor/truck does not need to carry the trailer load, but only needs to provide dynamic tension to help the trailer overcome the frictional resistance of the road.
Different uses
Full trailers are used by companies that must transport goods to multiple places where only a portion of the goods are unloaded. They are mainly used for short distances to factories, warehouses, ports and terminals .
Semi-trailers are typically used to transport an entire load to a given destination. But they can transport heavier and larger loads than full trailers.