What's the difference between trailer and semi-trailer?

The terms "trailer" and "semi-trailer" both refer to types of vehicles used for transporting goods, but they differ in their design and functionality:

Trailer:

- A trailer is a non-powered vehicle that is towed by a powered vehicle, such as a truck or a car. It consists of a chassis or frame with wheels and can be attached to the towing vehicle via a hitch or coupling mechanism.

- Trailers do not have their own front axle and are entirely reliant on the vehicle towing them for propulsion and steering.

- They come in various types, such as utility trailers, flatbed trailers, enclosed trailers, and more, each designed for specific purposes like carrying equipment, furniture, cargo, or other items.

Semi-trailer:

- A semi-trailer is a type of trailer that is specifically designed to be attached to a tractor unit or semi-truck.

- Unlike a conventional trailer, a semi-trailer lacks a front axle and depends on the tractor unit for support at the front. The rear part of the semi-trailer is supported by its own set of axles.

- Semi-trailers are commonly used in the transportation industry for hauling freight over long distances. They come in various configurations, such as flatbeds, refrigerated trailers, dry vans, tankers, and specialized trailers for different cargo types.

In summary, the key distinction lies in the design and how they're connected to the towing vehicle. A trailer is a general term for a non-powered vehicle towed by another vehicle, while a semi-trailer is a specific type of trailer designed to be coupled with a tractor unit in a semi-truck configuration for transportation purposes.