GlossaryEN1 min readUpdated: Jun 18, 2026
Tandem Truck
A tandem truck — more precisely called an articulated truck or semi-trailer combination — consists of a tractor unit coupled to one or more semi-trailers via a fifth-wheel (kingpin) coupling.
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A tandem truck — more precisely called an articulated truck or semi-trailer combination — consists of a tractor unit coupled to one or more semi-trailers via a fifth-wheel (kingpin) coupling. This configuration forms the backbone of European long-haul freight, permitting gross vehicle weights of up to 40 tonnes on public roads, with higher limits possible in certain countries under special permits. The key distinction from a drawbar train: the semi-trailer has no front axle of its own and rests its forward section on the tractor's fifth wheel. Articulated trucks offer operational flexibility because trailers can be swapped quickly at loading docks, reducing tractor idle time.
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