I counted the tires on those big trucks time after time again and I never count 18 wheels (not unless they are including the spares), so why are they called 18 Wheelers?
2007-06-02 12:08:08 · 19 answers · asked by asia391 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
then your not counting all the tires---main trailer has two axles with 4 tires per axle. that gives you 8 tires. The Tractor--or the truck has two rear axles the same as the trailer--another 8 tires--the the 2 on the front of the truck/tractor . SO it's 8+8+2=18
2007-06-02 12:16:45 · answer #1 · answered by redrepair 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Were you counting tires on pickup trucks? Then you are right, they have only 4 wheels.
But 18-wheelers are the trucks with 18 wheels. Count wheels on those.
2007-06-02 12:36:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
18 wheelers might be a generic term for what we call a "big" truck, but that's the most common layout on a tractor trailer. 10 on the tractor, 8 on the trailer. On non specialized equipment you can go from a total of 10 to 22, heavy haul up to 40-60, depends on the load!
2007-06-02 12:21:28 · answer #3 · answered by gone 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Eighteen Wheelers
2016-11-12 05:34:26 · answer #4 · answered by gehring 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Let me answer this question for you. They call them 18 wheelers not because they have 18 wheels. If they had 18 wheels all of the TIRES would be on seperate rims and axels. The number 18 refers to "18 Tires". This is why thet are called 18 wheelers.
2007-06-02 12:34:15 · answer #5 · answered by Bob J 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
It's a sort of Truck Driver Slang... Actually DOT Slang. The Truck is actually called TRACTOR,,, It's the Trailer part that's called " SEMI " The term originates way back when Tractor~Trailer rigs were first invented. The Drivers Usually did not know what the actual Load Contents were---because they just hooked up to a loaded trailer and took it to the destination specified. They're DRIVERS,,not Freight Agents. The DOT Inspectors out on the road would pull over the rigs and ask the drivers what they were hauling. The Drivers would answer, " Good Morning,Officer.Very Nice to See You. I am happy that You have chosen Me this morning to inspect. I do not know Sir, what is in my trailer" I suppose because of the Road Noise and Passing traffic,etc, The DOT guys never heard the First part of the greeting.,,,only the very last part of the Driver's response. Which from a Truck Driver to a DOT Inspector,,,,,,, "......is in my trailer".... sounds like ".... 's in (N
2016-04-01 12:16:32
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answer #6
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answered by Anonymous
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most semi's have 18 wheels, 2 front tires 8 rear wheels behind cab (4 ea side) and 8 wheels on the trailers (4 ea side) equaling 18. 19 counting the spare.
2007-06-02 12:39:41 · answer #7 · answered by jeff 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Some trucks do use one big tire (super singles) where they used to use two but most still have 18 wheels.
2007-06-02 12:14:37 · answer #8 · answered by DialM4Speed 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you counted wrong. 2 wheels on the front axle, 4 wheels on on the next 4 axles = 18 wheels. i drive one
2007-06-02 12:13:04 · answer #9 · answered by norton_king 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
So that's how you spend your time. Counting the number of wheels on passing big rigs
2007-06-02 12:15:58 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋