A period semi truck would be able to handle a trailer, however a lightly loaded semi with stock suspension will give a lot of shock loading to the trailer hitch. Ed
Having driven a lightly loaded or bobtail tractor for a lot of miles, another factor to be considered is the shock loading to the driver's spinal column. Better include an air ride seat if you go that route! The old joke used to be that a boil on a trucker's butt is a "Brain Tumor"!
Jerry