Semi-trailer length: finally understanding what really counts

In Africa, the best semi-trailer length is not the one indicated on the paper,
but the one that withstands roads, real loads and local conditions.

If you choose only according to official figures,
you risk paying for the mistake every dayon each route.

Why the length of a semi-trailer causes more problems in Africa

Unlike Europe, in Africa :

• Roads are not always continuous
• Access to sites is often improvised
• Expenses are sometimes above nominal
• Frequent U-turns and manoeuvres

👉 A semi-trailer that is too long quickly becomes a handicapnot an advantage.

The lengths most used in Africa (what really works)

On the ground, we can mainly observe :

12.40 m - 13.00 m

Very popular for :

• Mines
• Building sites
• Secondary roads

👉 More manoeuvrable, more error-tolerant, less stressful for the driver.

13,60 m

Used for :

• Long distances
• Main axes
• Standardised transport

👉 Good compromise, provided that the routes are known and stable.

Over 13.60 m

Possible, but only if :

• Your route is 100 % mastered
• Loading points are adapted
• The driver is experienced

If not, loss of time cancels out gain in volume.

What the technical tables never show

On paper, a long semi-trailer promises more capacity.
In Africa, it can provoke :

• Stuck on unpaved roads
• Difficulties in the villages
• Premature wear of the chassis
• Frequent tyre failures

It's like a bus on a runway:
Progress is being made, but at what cost?

Length and overload: a subject nobody knows about

Let's be realistic:
overload exists.

👉 A longer semi-trailer is no longer subject to structural constraints when the load is not perfectly distributed.

Result:

• Chassis cracks
• Deformation
• High maintenance costs

A reasonable length is more forgiving.

Why many African customers choose "pragmatic" lengths

Experienced carriers in Africa prefer :

• Robustness
• Simplicity
• Easy to repair
• Compatibility with several missions

They know that :👉 an immobilised truck earns nothingeven if it is "theoretically optimal".

How to choose the right length in Africa (field method)

Ask yourself these simple questions:

1. How many kilometres off tarmac?
2. Are there any villages on your route?
3. Are the sites designed for heavy goods vehicles?
4. Will the same truck be used for several types of mission?

👉 If you can't decide between two lengths, choose the shorter one.

The key point often forgotten: the driver

A longer semi-trailer requires :

• More anticipation
• More experience
• More fatigue

In difficult conditions,
simplicity becomes strength.

Summary (to keep as a favourite)

• In Africa, the road decides more than regulations
• The ideal length is the one that goes everywhere
• Too long = more risks, more hidden costs
• Pragmatism always beats theory

If you understand that,
you avoid costly mistakes.

FAQ - Africa

What is the safest semi-trailer length in Africa?

Between 12.40 m and 13.60 mdepending on actual road conditions.

Does a longer semi-trailer always carry more?

Not necessarily. Lost time, breakdowns and detours often reduce real output.

Can we use the same lengths as in Europe?

Yes, on certain modern routes, no on most secondary roads.

Why do many fleets avoid configurations that are too long?

Because they are less tolerant of unforeseen events and more costly to maintain.