From the nostalgic days of the horse-drawn buggy, we've journeyed through a remarkable evolution in hauling vehicles, culminating in the modern 18-wheelers.

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A two-mule-driven wagon can carry about 1,700 pounds. It can pull about five times its weight, or 8,000 pounds for short halls. That was all that was available,

Fast forward a century, and we witness a remarkable leap in technology and innovation. Today, we have 18-wheelers that can haul a staggering 80,000 pounds. This significant increase in weight-carrying capacity has revolutionized the trucking industry, allowing for more efficient and cost-effective transportation of goods. To put this into perspective, the truck and trailer, without any cargo, weigh about 35,000 pounds, leaving a whopping 45,000 pounds for cargo weight.

For Instance:

     Take the 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine, for instance. In the 2024 model year, it can churn out an impressive 400 horsepower and a massive 1,000 lb-ft of torque, a true testament to the incredible power of modern diesel engines.

•      The 2021 6.7-liter Cummins Turbo Diesel engine offers even more power. It has a high-output (HO) rating exclusively for the RAM 3500 equipped with the Aisin transmission and boasts 420 horsepower and 1,075 lb-ft of torque.
•      The 95-liter 16-cylinder QSK95 is Cummins's most powerful high-speed diesel engine, exceeding 4,000 horsepower. This engine, designed for extreme power and performance, is often used in hauling vehicles that require maximum towing capacity and acceleration.
• Major manufacturers of diesel engines include Caterpillar, Cummins, MTU-Rolls-Royce, and Volvo.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Diesel_engine_manufacturers

I have always been captivated by diesel engine technology, especially that of Cummins, Detroit, and International Harvester. The sheer power of their horsepower and torque is a marvel to behold.

Fun Songs about the 18-Wheeler Lifestyle:

Six Days On The Road, By Dave Dudley, 1963

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHbGhEfnh2E

East Bound and Down, by Jerry Reed, 1977

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9G0ro0ySwOo

Convoy, C.W. McCall, 1975

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sd5ZLJWQmss

18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses, Kathy Mattea

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ElCpHuiWkA