If you are starting a trucking company or looking to expand your fleet to take better hauls, you must learn how to pick the perfect truck for your business. Selecting the best options requires understanding the freight market, your needs, and the type of loads you are used to transporting.
Picking the perfect truck is a crucial step for your trucking business. Here we show you what vehicles are out there and what is your best option for equipping your fleet.
Semi-Trailer and 18-Wheeler
A semi-trailer is a commercial trucking trailer that has wheels on the back. The trailer must be supported by a vehicle that can pull it. This is a towing vehicle, commonly called an 18-wheeler, because there is a combined total of 18 wheels with the truck and the trailer.
The 18-wheeler may operate without a semi-trailer, which is called bobtailing. A used semi-trailer and 18-wheeler cost $100,000, whereas brand-new semi-trailer trucks cost $250,000 or more.
How to Drive a Semi-Trailer or 18-Wheeler
To drive a semi-trailer truck, aka an 18-wheeler, you must have a commercial driver’s license or CDL. This license comes from the Department of Transportation (DOT), and all states have local Department of Driver’s License (DDL) offices that distribute CDLs.
To earn a CDL, drivers must pass a CDL exam and receive entry-level driver training as determined by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). In addition, new drivers must have a postsecondary nondegree award, such as a diploma or certificate, to apply for a CDL.
