Whether you’re a construction contractor or just an avid DIY-er, hiring a truck is not something you can rush. When hiring an 18-wheel behemoth that weighs more than 40 tons, you certainly want to make sure you can handle the beast, so it’s important to know what to check or look for when going through the process.
First, some background. A semi-truck is a combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer attaches to the tractor with a fifth-wheel coupling as known as a hitch, with much of its weight borne by the tractor. The result is that both the tractor and semi-trailer will have a design distinctly different from that of a rigid truck and trailer.
Semi Trucks come in many different forms, and it’s important to choose the one that is most suited to your needs. The handy guide below will give you an overview of the types of semis you can expect to find in Casey Crane’s yard, and what each one is good for.
Flat Roof Sleeper
A sleeper cab or truck sleeper is a semi-truck that has a compartment attached to the cabin for the truck driver(s) to rest and sleep. Typically has a bunk and side storage compartments. The flat roof sleeper has a flat roof and less head space.
Mid Roof Sleeper
A 76-inch mid-roof sleeper is a semi-truck that has a compartment attached to the cabin for the truck driver(s) to rest and sleep. Typically has a bed, TV and storage compartments. The mid-roof sleeper has a slightly higher and rounded roof for more headroom and space.
Raised Roof Sleeper
A raiser-roof sleeper is a semi-tractor with a compartment attached to the cabin for the truck driver(s) to rest and sleep. Some sleeper offers a premium sound system, flat-screen tv, and side storage tower. The raised-roof sleeper has the highest roof for more space and better driver comfort.
Day Cab
The day cab semi-trucks a tractor that is designed for day trips. It does not include the on-the-road overnight sleeping compartment. The purpose of the day cab is to hook up and haul large loads on short trips within the same day.
While you can drive a semi-truck without a trailer, you’re not going to moving a lot of freight that way. We have a variety of different semi-trailers that you can choose from, including flatbeds, lowboys, extendable double drops and more. If this sounds like Greek to you, don’t worry. Speak to one of our experts today and they will give you all the information you need.
Important Things to Know About Hiring a Truck
When it comes time to pick-up your hired truck, it’s important that you ensure that you have all of the documentation needed. When hiring with us, Casey Cranes require that you produce a valid driving license from anyone that will be operating the truck, a valid credit card for the person renting the truck, and your proof of insurance.
After you are done using the truck, please make sure you bring it back in the same condition as you got it to avoid paying extra fees. This includes returning it without any dents, chips, scratches or broken equipment. If you are planning on dropping the truck off during odd hours, please make sure to inform us of this in advance and stick to any agreements made. Try not to drop the truck off late at night, because it may incur additional charges.
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. The team at Casey Cranes are always willing to help.