täysperävaunut

Täysperävaunu, plural täysperävaunut, is a Finnish term used in road freight transport referring to a type of trailer that has its own axles and is coupled to a towing vehicle by a drawbar, rather than a semi-trailer that is supported by a tractor. The concept is historical in Finnish and wider Nordic practice, and today täysperävaunut are less common in general freight operations, having largely been superseded by semi-trailers in most fleets. They are still found in certain specialized applications and older vehicle units.

Characteristics and variants

Täysperävaunut are typically built with two or three axles and are designed to carry standard freight loads within regular road transport dimensions. They rely on a conventional coupling to the towing vehicle and use standard braking systems. The design emphasizes the trailer’s own wheelset and structural integrity, which can be advantageous for certain heavy or bulky cargos and for maintenance considerations in older fleets.

Regulation and use

Finnish road transport follows national regulations aligned with broader European standards regarding gross vehicle weight, axle loads, and dimensions. Täysperävaunut must comply with these rules, including braking and lighting requirements, weight distribution, and safety equipment. In practice, the use of full trailers has declined in favor of articulated systems, but they may still appear in fleets handling legacy equipment or specific load requirements.

See also

Semi-trailer, drawbar trailer, road freight transport, Finnish rail and road vehicle terminology.