<P> Ubiquitous in Europe, but less common in North America since the 1990s, is the cabover engine configuration, where the driver sits next to, or over the engine . With changes in the US to the maximum length of the combined vehicle, the cabover was largely phased out of North American over-the - road (long - haul) service by 2007 . Cabovers were difficult to service; for a long time the cab could not be lifted on its hinges to a full 90 - degree forward tilt, severely limiting access to the front part of the engine . </P> <P> As of 2016, a truck can cost $100,000, while the diesel fuel cost can be $70,000 per year . Trucks average from 4 to 8 miles per US gallon (59 to 29 L / 100 km), with fuel economy standards requiring better than 7 miles per US gallon (34 L / 100 km) efficiency by 2014 . Power requirements in standard conditions are 170 hp at 55 mph (89 km / h) or 280 hp at 70 mph (113 km / h), and somewhat different power usage in other conditions . </P> <P> The cargo trailer usually has tandem axles at the rear, each of which has dual wheels, or eight tires on the trailer, four per axle . In the US it is common to refer to the number of wheel hubs, rather than the number of tires; an axle can have either single or dual tires with no legal difference . The combination of eight tires on the trailer and ten tires on the tractor is what led to the moniker eighteen wheeler, although this term is considered by some truckers to be a misnomer (the term "eighteen - wheeler" is a nickname for a five - axle over-the - road combination). Many trailers are equipped with movable tandem axles to allow adjusting the weight distribution . </P> <P> To connect the second of a set of doubles to the first trailer, and to support the front half of the second trailer, a converter gear known as a "dolly" is used . This has one or two axles, a fifth - wheel coupling for the rear trailer, and a tongue with a ring - hitch coupling for the forward trailer . Individual states may further allow longer vehicles, known as "longer combination vehicles" (or LCVs), and may allow them to operate on roads other than Interstates . </P>

How many tires does a 18 wheeler have