An articulated lorry in UK
A semi-trailer truck, also known as tractor-trailer or (in the United Kingdom and Ireland) articulated lorry, is an articulated truck or lorry consisting of a towing engine (tractor in the United States, prime mover in Australia, and truck in the UK, Canada and New Zealand), and a semi-trailer that carries the freight.
In the US, tractor units tend to have the engine forward of the cab, while in Europe, most tractor units have the engine under the cab (the entire cab hinges forward for engine access), which allows for better maneuverability. Some tractor units have a small bedroom with a cot, so that the driver can sleep in the cab when on long journeys.
Common trailer types are a metal box, a flat bed, a frame covered with tarpaulin, a tank for liquid, or a refrigerated, temperature-controlled unit. Very few are still in use, though some trailers are used for storage or as makeshift shelters. Refrigerated trailers are more useful for shelter, since even without the temperature control working, they are insulated.
2nd Edition Stats[]
| Tractor Unit | Trailer | Tank Trailer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price: | $50,000 (C/C) | $20,000 (C/C) | $25,000 (C/C) |
| Travel Move: | 120/20 | - | - |
| Combat Move: | 40/10 | - | - |
| Fuel Capacity: | 300 | - | - |
| Fuel Consumption: | 40-60 (depends on load) | - | - |
| Fuel Type: | D, A | - | - |
| Load: | 6 tons | 40-60 tons | 40,000-60,000 litres |
| Vehicle Weight: | 8.3 tons | ? | ? |
| Crew: | 1 + 2 | - | - |
| Maintenance: | 6 | 2 | 2 |
| Night Vision: | Headlights | - | - |
2nd Edition Combat Stats[]
| Tractor Unit | Trailer | Tank Trailer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration: | Standard | Standard | |
| Suspension: | Wheeled (2) | Wheeled (2) | Standard |
| HF: | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HS: | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| HR: | 1 | 1 | 1 |