JJ Keller Entry Level Driver Training for CDL (Commercial Driver’s License) Practice Test

The term "power unit" in a combination vehicle refers specifically to the tractor. The tractor is the primary component that provides the towing power and the driving force, enabling the combination vehicle to operate. It is equipped with the engine, transmission, and other essential systems needed for propulsion. In a typical setup, the tractor connects to one or more trailers, thus creating a combination vehicle used for transporting cargo.

The trailer, on the other hand, is designed to carry the load but does not have any driving capability on its own. The vehicle cab is part of the tractor where the driver sits and controls the vehicle but is not a distinct entity when referring to the power unit. The load compartment is the area within the trailer that holds the cargo. It is essential to understand that the distinction lies in the functionality of each component; the power unit is specifically the component that generates the movement, which is the tractor.