There are several different types of semi-trucks that people may spot in traffic. A standard 18-wheeler has a tractor or cab attached to a single trailer that it hauls long distances. People may sometimes spot long combination vehicles (LCVs) that have abnormally large trailers or multiple trailers attached to a single tractor.
Drivers may also encounter deadheading semi-trucks. Some deadheading semi-trucks are obvious because there is no trailer attached to a truck’s tractor. Other times, people in traffic may not know that a commercial driver is deadheading because they have an empty trailer attached to their cab. Although people sometimes assume that deadheading semi-trucks are safer than those hauling heavy loads, the opposite is actually true.
What makes deadheading semi-trucks dangerous?
Those who handle logistics at commercial transportation companies try to avoid deadheading as much as possible. They arrange for drivers to pick up new loads as soon as they drop one off. Unfortunately, sometimes transporting an empty trailer or traveling without a trailer is necessary.
When that happens, the driver needs to be particularly careful in traffic. People might assume that deadheading vehicles are safer because they are lighter. After all, the incredible weight of a semi-truck is part of what makes it a hazard in traffic.
Contrary to what seems logical, an empty trailer or the absence of a trailer is actually more dangerous than a fully-loaded trailer. The braking systems in semi-trucks rely on the weight of the vehicle to operate at maximum efficiency.
Tractors without a load may have a hard time slowing down in an emergency. Drivers who have become acclimated to handling heavy loads may also struggle to maneuver effectively without a trailer attached or when transporting an empty trailer.
Empty trailers can also be particularly dangerous during times of inclement weather or when rounding sharp curves. Without a load in the trailer, the possibility of a rollover occurring is higher. Heavy winds can also potentially tip over an empty trailer with disastrous results.
Giving semi-trucks without a loaded trailer attached extra space is one way for other drivers to reduce their risk of a commercial vehicle crash. Deadheading trucks are one of numerous hazards that can increase the risk of a major wreck.