Semi-trucks, also known as container trucks or semi-trailer trucks, are the lifeblood of modern freight transportation. With their ability to transport large volumes of goods over long distances, semi-trucks are the preferred choice for many logistics businesses. One of the crucial factors determining the efficiency and transportation capacity of a semi-truck is its semi-truck payload.
This article from My Dinh Truck, a leading website for trucks, will provide you with a comprehensive and in-depth look at semi-truck payload. We will explore important aspects such as structure, weight, registered payload, maximum speed, fuel consumption, and other technical information related to semi-trucks, with a particular focus on semi-truck payload, so you can understand and make optimal decisions for your transportation needs.
Semi-Truck Structure: The Foundation of Load Capacity
To fully understand semi-truck payload, it’s essential to grasp the basic structure of this type of vehicle. A typical semi-truck consists of two main parts:
- Tractor (Cabin): This is the control and operating unit of the truck, housing the engine, steering system, drive system, and cabin for the driver. The tractor is designed to be powerful to ensure the ability to pull and control the semi-trailer behind it.
- Semi-trailer: This is the towed trailer, with a diverse structure depending on the type of goods being transported (closed van, open top, tank, flatbed, etc.). The semi-trailer connects to the tractor via a fifth wheel coupling and kingpin system, forming a flexible and high load-bearing vehicle combination.
The combination of a powerful tractor and a versatile semi-trailer creates the superior transportation capability of semi-trucks. This design helps distribute the semi-truck payload reasonably, ensuring stability and safety during operation, especially when carrying heavy loads on long and complex routes.
Semi-truck structure includes two main parts: the tractor and the semi-trailer.
Semi-Truck Weight: A Factor Affecting Payload
Semi-truck weight (or curb weight) is the total weight of the truck when it is empty of cargo and includes the semi-trailer. This is a crucial parameter because it directly affects the semi-truck payload and cargo carrying capacity. Curb weight is not fixed and depends on many technical and design factors:
- Number of Axles: The more axles (wheel axles) a truck has, the greater its weight. 2-axle semi-trucks are usually lighter than 3-axle or 4-axle trucks. Axles play a role in bearing weight and distributing pulling force; the number of axles increases to meet the need for a larger semi-truck payload.
- Cabin Type: Standard cabins are compact and lightweight. Spacious cabins, sleeper cabins, or premium cabins with many amenities will be heavier.
- Manufacturing Materials: The materials used to manufacture the chassis, engine, gearbox, and other parts of the truck also affect the weight. Lightweight materials like aluminum alloys help reduce curb weight, thereby increasing the useful semi-truck payload.
- Equipment and Accessories: Optional equipment such as large fuel tanks, hydraulic lift systems, cranes, or other specialized equipment will add to the truck’s weight.
Understanding the factors affecting truck weight helps businesses choose a vehicle configuration that suits their transportation needs, optimizes semi-truck payload, and saves fuel.
Semi-truck curb weight depends on the number of axles, cabin type, materials, and equipment.
Registered Semi-Truck Payload: An Important Legal Figure
The semi-truck payload recorded on the vehicle registration certificate is the maximum weight of goods that the truck is allowed to carry when participating in traffic. This is an important legal figure, ensuring traffic safety and protecting road infrastructure.
Semi-truck payload is calculated using a simple formula:
Payload = Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) – Curb Weight (CW)
Where:
- Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW): This is the maximum permissible weight of the vehicle when fully loaded, as specified by the manufacturer and registration authority. GVW is a fixed and unchangeable value.
- Curb Weight (CW): As analyzed above, curb weight can vary depending on the configuration and equipment.
Thus, it can be seen that semi-truck payload is inversely proportional to curb weight. The lighter the curb weight of the truck, the greater the semi-truck payload, and vice versa. The table below illustrates this relationship through some popular semi-truck models in Vietnam:
| Product | Curb Weight (Tons) | Payload (Tons) | Gross Vehicle Weight (Tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| JAC A5 480 semi-truck, leaf spring axle, 12R22.5 tires | 8.8 | 15.2 | 24 |
| JAC A5 480 semi-truck, leaf spring axle, 12.00R20 tires | 9.2 | 14.8 | 24 |
| JAC Q7 420 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 9 | 15 | 24 |
| JAC Q7 385 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 8.3 | 15.7 | 24 |
| HOWO TH7 SE 460 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 8.7 | 15.3 | 24 |
| HOWO NX 440 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 8.6 | 15.4 | 24 |
| HOWO T7H 440 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 9 | 15 | 24 |
| HOWO T7H 440 semi-truck, hub reduction axle | 9.8 | 14.2 | 24 |
| HOWO G7 440 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 8.9 | 15.1 | 24 |
| HOWO G7 540 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 8.7 | 15.3 | 24 |
| HOWO G7 540 semi-truck, hub reduction axle | 10.1 | 13.9 | 24 |
| HOWO A7 380 semi-truck, hub reduction axle | 9.3 | 14.3 | 24 |
| HOWO A7 420 semi-truck, hub reduction axle | 9.8 | 14.2 | 24 |
| HOWO V7X 440 Semi-Truck, Hub Reduction Axle | 10.6 | 13.4 | 24 |
| HOWO V7X 440 semi-truck, leaf spring axle | 9.4 | 14.6 | 24 |
Table comparing curb weight and payload of popular semi-truck models.
Important Note: Carrying goods exceeding the registered semi-truck payload is a violation of the law, endangering traffic safety, reducing vehicle lifespan, and may result in administrative penalties. Businesses and drivers must strictly comply with regulations on semi-truck payload to ensure safety and transportation efficiency.
Semi-Truck Speed: Safety is the Top Priority
The maximum designed semi-truck speed can range from 90km/h to 110km/h. However, in actual operation, this speed is often limited by many factors:
- Legal Regulations: Vietnamese road traffic law clearly stipulates the maximum speed for semi-trucks and other types of trucks, depending on the area (populated area, outside urban areas) and road type (dual carriageway, one-way road, two-way road).
- Road and Weather Conditions: Poor roads, mountain passes, rain, fog, etc., require drivers to reduce speed to ensure safety.
- Cargo Load: Heavily loaded trucks need to move slower to ensure safe vehicle control and braking.
- Technical Factors of the Truck: Engine, braking system, steering system, and tire condition also affect safe speed.
According to current traffic laws, the maximum speed for semi-trucks is regulated as follows:
- In Densely Populated Areas:
- Dual carriageways, one-way roads with 2 or more lanes for motorized vehicles: 60km/h
- Two-way roads, one-way roads with 1 lane for motorized vehicles: 50km/h
- Outside Densely Populated Areas:
- Dual carriageways, one-way roads with 2 or more lanes for motorized vehicles: 70km/h
- Two-way roads, one-way roads with 1 lane for motorized vehicles: 60km/h
Traffic laws regulate the maximum speed for semi-trucks to ensure safety.
Adhering to speed regulations is crucial for ensuring the safety of people and goods, while also avoiding traffic violations and penalties.
Semi-Truck Oil Change: Engine Maintenance, Performance Preservation
For semi-trucks to operate reliably and efficiently, regular maintenance is extremely important, especially changing engine oil. Engine oil plays a role in lubricating, cooling, cleaning, and protecting engine components from wear and damage.
The amount of oil to change for a semi-truck depends on the engine type, engine capacity, and manufacturer’s recommendations. Generally, semi-trucks with larger engines will require more oil than smaller trucks.
The regular oil change interval for semi-trucks typically ranges from 15,000km to 30,000km or by time (e.g., 6 months or 1 year), depending on the type of oil used and operating conditions. If the truck operates in harsh conditions (poor roads, heavy loads, hot weather), the oil change cycle should be shortened to better protect the engine.
Choosing quality engine oil suitable for semi-truck engines is also very important. It is recommended to use genuine engine oils from reputable brands and follow the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendations.
Semi-Truck Length: Size to Consider
Semi-truck length is an important factor to consider, especially when moving in urban areas or on routes with size restrictions.
The length of the tractor typically ranges from 6m to 7m. However, the total length of the combined semi-truck and semi-trailer (including both tractor and trailer) is limited by legal regulations.
According to National Technical Regulation QCVN 11:2015/BGTVT, the maximum length of a combined semi-truck and semi-trailer must not exceed 20m. This regulation aims to ensure traffic safety, reduce congestion, and be compatible with the existing transportation infrastructure.
Conclusion
The above article from My Dinh Truck has provided an overview and detailed information about semi-trucks, focusing on semi-truck payload as well as other important technical parameters. Understanding semi-truck payload, truck weight, speed, size, and maintenance factors will help you operate your truck efficiently, safely, and optimize transportation operations.
If you would like to learn more about semi-trucks or need advice on choosing a truck suitable for your transportation needs, please contact My Dinh Truck via Hotline: 081 680 8899 for dedicated and professional support. We are always ready to accompany you on every road.
