A specialized set of jargon describe the tools, equipment, and employment sectors used in the trucking industry in the United States. Some terms may be used within other English-speaking countries, or within the freight industry in general (air, rail, ship, and manufacturing). For example, shore power is a term borrowed from shipping terminology, in which electrical power is transferred from shore to ship, instead of the ship relying upon idling its engines. Drawing power from land lines is more efficient than engine idling and eliminates localized air pollution.[1][2] Another borrowed term is "landing gear" (from the aviation industry), which refers to the legs which support the front end of a semi-trailer when it is not connected to a semi-truck. Some nicknames are obvious wordplay, such as "portable parking lot", in reference to a truck that carries automobiles.
A paper document between a shipper and a carrier acknowledging the receipt of goods for transport. Usually describes the nature of the cargo; hazardous materials classification (if any); amount of cargo by weight, size, and/or number of pallets, boxes, barrels, etc; and the origin and destination of the cargo.[3][4]
Bobtailing
Operating a tractor unit with no trailer attached.
Broker
A person or company that arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, using for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation.[5]
CB radio equipment is found in the vast majority of 18-wheelers and is used by truckers for various purposes, including talking to other truckers on the highway, discussing road and weather conditions, coordinating activity at distribution centers and truckstops and various other purposes, including emergency communications. In the United States, many truckers monitor CB channel 19 (27.185 MHz), commonly known as the "highway channel" or "trucker's channel".
An agreement between a consignee and a consignor in which the goods are taken responsibility for and transported by a third party, the carrier. May also simply refer to the consigned goods (i.e., the cargo).[6]
Explosive, flammable, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo. Large amounts or especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under haz-mat regulations.[12]
A method of inventory control in which warehousing is either nonexistent or kept to a minimum. The freight arrives "just in time", and only when it is needed.[10]
A unit of cargo that is larger than the legally defined limits for width, length, height, and/or weight; it cannot be broken down into smaller units.[15]
A wooden (or sometimes plastic) platform on which boxes or cargo are stacked and sometimes shrink-wrapped. Usually refers to the entire palletized stack of boxes, although it can refer to the platform itself.[16][17]
Receiver
Consignee, importer, or buyer (who may or may not be the same) named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for receiving a shipment.[18]
A plastic pallet
Shipper
A consignor, exporter, or seller (who may or may not be the same) named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for initiating a shipment.[19]
Terminal
A dock or hub where freight originates, terminates, or is handled in the transportation process; or a location where motor carriers maintain operating facilities.[10]
A semi-truck (powered unit) used to pull a load or semi-trailer (unpowered unit) by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle(s) in a semi-truck/semi-trailer combination.[8]
The capability to connect a truck to a land-based electric power supply ("Shore power") at a truck stop. Eliminates the need for engine idling while parked, and in the case of IdleAire, also supplies land-based climate control within the truck cab, as well as Internet and TV access.[20]
A for-hire carrier that is obligated to serve the general public.[21]
Company driver
Employee of a carrier who is assigned to drive company-owned trucks.[22]
Contract carrier
A for-hire carrier contracted to one particular shipper. A contract carrier enters into a contract whose terms are negotiated between a specific carrier and specific customer.[5]
Dedicated route
A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular, prescribed routes. Regular route drivers usually are at home on regular intervals, given the scheduled nature of their routes.[23][24][25]
For-hire carrier
A licensed carrier that holds itself out to hire under either a public tariff for the general public (for-hire common carrier) or under a contract filed with a specific shipper (contract carrier). For-hire carriers must apply for operating authority with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.[5]
A driver or carrier who specializes in, or a load composed of many different types of cargo, each typically weighing less than 10,000 pounds (4,500 kg), with many different destinations. Generally involves the use of terminal facilities to break and consolidate shipments. A LTL driver normally has a dedicated or regional route.[10][25][26]
A person or company providing transportation of property or passengers using commercial motor vehicles.[5]
Over-the-road (OTR)
A driver or carrier who transports cargo to any place at any time, without prescribed schedules or routes. Long-Haul OTR involves being away for weeks, or months at a time, often cross-country or international (Canada and Mexico), given the unscheduled nature of their routes.[27]
A not-for-hire carrier contracted to or owned by a shipper that does not offer services to the general public, and operates primarily to transport its own goods. Private carriers are not required to obtain operating authority by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).[5][28]
Regional route
A driver or carrier who transports cargo in a limited geographical area, usually within a certain radius of one's own home or company terminal, and may or may not maintain a schedule.[29]
A team of two or more drivers who ride together and drive the same truck in shifts, essentially allowing the truck to remain in motion almost constantly. Primarily used for time-sensitive freight.[8]
A short, box-shaped tractor with no hood (UK: bonnet), and a steep vertical front. The "cab" rides "over" the engine and front steering axle. Used when a shorter wheelbase is needed.[3]
Combination vehicle
A vehicle composed of two or more separate units, a tractor (powered unit, semi-truck) and a trailer (unpowered unit, semi-trailer).[3]
A truck with a bucket-like cargo area which the front can be raised, hinging on the rear, allowing the load to slide ("dump") out of the cargo area. Often a straight truck, semi-trailers are also common. Flatbeds and refuse container trucks can often "dump", but are rarely called that.[3]
Eighteen-wheeler
This term is derived from the number of tires that the typical OTR tractor-trailer configuration has. See also semi-truck.
An articulated (jointed) combination vehicle, often composed of a 10-wheeled (three axle) tractor and a 4-wheeled (two axle) trailer. There are also two axle tractors, single axle trailers, and occasionally combinations with extra lift axles. In some applications a semi can pull additional full trailers (doubles and triples) with the use of a single axle or tandem axle converter dolly.[10] The use of the term "semi" in the name comes from the semi-trailer, a vehicle whose load is carried partly by its own axles and partly by the pulling vehicle, which is commonly included in tractor-trailer rigs.
Straight truck
A single vehicle, with no articulation. Normally 2 or 3 axles, sometimes with lift axles.
A partition or separator within a liquid tank, used to inhibit the flow of fluids within the tank. During acceleration, turning, and braking, a large liquid-filled tank may produce unexpected forces on the vehicle due to the inertia of liquids.[3]
Bulkhead
A strong wall-like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front-end collision. May also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer (also called a baffle for liquid trailers) used to partition the load.[3]See also: headache rack.
A pair of tire and wheel assemblies mounted side-by-side on a single axle hub. In some applications it is replaced by a super single. On pickup trucks it is sometimes called a dually. The assembly has a greater load carrying ability as compared to a single wheel. It also provides redundancy so if one of the two tires fail the second will maintain support preventing loss of vehicle control and allowing the vehicle to travel to a repair facility.[32]
A braking system that utilizes the back pressure from the engine's pistons to slow down the vehicle. Commonly used to prevent heavy trucks from accelerating out of control while driving on steep downhill grades.[8]
A pivoting platform on the rear of a truck tractor, used to support the front end of the trailer being towed that contains locking jaws that engage the trailer kingpin.[8]
Float
A popular name for a wide tire used on the steer (front) axle (originally known as a Super Single). Floats distribute the weight on the front axle over a wider area, preventing the tire sinking into softer ground. Commonly used on dump trucks, cement mixers, etc.
Interlocking connectors attached to air hoses that supply air from the tractor to the trailer for air brakes.[10]
Headache rack
A sturdy aluminum wall or steel mesh structure affixed to the tractor between the cab and the fifth wheel to protect the tractor occupants from the load on the trailer. See also: #Bulkhead
A large pin, underneath the front of a trailer, which interlocks with the fifth wheel.[8]
Landing gear
A set of retractable, crank-up legs that support the front of a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor.[8]
A dump truck with a raised lift axle
Lift axle
An air-powered axle that may be raised or lowered to the ground to provide greater load-carrying capacity,[3] or to comply with axle weight requirements (see also Federal Gross Weight Bridge Formula).
A device used to assist braking that does not use friction. such as engine braking or axle-mounted electromagnetic retarders.[8] See also engine brake.
The portion of the truck's interior designated for sleeping, legally must contain a bed.[34]
Super single
A popular name for a single, larger wheel and tire, (properly called a "wide-base tire"), substituted for "Dual wheels" (see above), an adjacent pair assembly. The main benefit of a super single is a reduction in weight; combined with lower rolling resistance the super single promises better fuel economy. It also prevents rocks from being stuck in between, damaging tyres or other vehicles (fling out). The disadvantage is the lack of tire redundancy from which Dual Wheels benefit, as tire failure can disable the vehicle[32][35] and increased highway wear, through the high point loading and scrubbing of road surfaces when making tight turns.[36]
Tandem axle
A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT.[37]
Trailersedit
Auto transport
A specialized trailer or truck/trailer combination used for transporting passenger vehicles.[38][39]
A trailer between 26 feet (7.9 m) and 29 feet (8.8 m) used primarily for the transport of beverages. Colloquially known as a sidebanger, sideloader, or route trailer.
Bottom dump
A dump with a funnel-shaped floor for unloading through the bottom.[40]
A skeletal trailer composed of a simple chassis for the mounting of an intermodal container.[38]
Covered wagon
A flatbed with specially fitted side plates and curved ribs supporting a tarp covering, commonly referred to as a "side kit". Named for the resemblance to horse-drawn covered wagons.[41][42]
Curtainside
Can be either a dry box with tarp sides, or a flatbed with a movable frame of squared ribs supporting a tarp.[43]
A double dropdeck flatbed trailer
Deep-drop van
A specialized dry van that maximizes interior space, with a lowered floor and higher roof. Normally used to transport bulky, relatively light cargo, such as furniture and electronics.[38]
Double decker
A specialized trailer with 2 floors to allow for more cargo space.[44]
Twin pup trailers
Doubles trailer
A trailer between 26 feet (7.9 m) and 29 feet (8.8 m) long that can be used singularly as a delivery trailer in congested areas or in combination with another trailer for over the road.[10][45]
A standard dry van trailer
Dropdeck
A flatbed with a lowered deck, featuring a raised step at the front, where the trailer attaches to the fifth wheel.[38]
Dry bulk
A variation of the liquid tank trailer, with a funnel-shaped bottom, used for hauling bulk quantities of dry powder (sometimes called bulk pneumatic). Sometimes referred to as a 'Teat Truck' or 'Teater' due to its appearance. Usually loaded through holes in the top, unloaded through the bottom or through pneumatic force.[10][46]
Dry van
A simple, enclosed non-climate controlled rectangular trailer that carries general cargo, including food and other products that do not require refrigeration. Usually loaded/unloaded through the rear doors, requiring elevated access for forklifts to enter the trailer.[38]
Dump
A bucket-like trailer with an open top for loading, commonly used for hauling bulk quantities of dirt, rock, gravel, etc. See dump truck.[47][48]
Flatbed
A flat trailer with no enclosure or doors. Can be loaded/unloaded from the sides or above, and does not require elevated access for forklifts.[38][41]
A rectangular enclosure with sides featuring numerous ventilation holes, an interior with multiple levels, and usually a ramp in the rear for loading/unloading. Used for hauling cows, pigs, sheep, etc.[38]
Live-bottom
A dry van with solid or openable roof with a moveable mechanized floor for unloading.
A trailer between 26 feet (7.9 m) and 29 feet (8.8 m) long that can be used singularly as a delivery trailer in congested areas or in combination with another trailer for over the road.[10][45]
Rear dump
A dump with a rear pivot point allowing the front of the cargo area to be raised vertically for unloading through the rear.[51]
A specialized trailer, used for transporting logs, consisting of a basic chassis with vertical stakes along the sides to hold the logs in place.[38] There are several types of timber trailers: Long wood trailers; Usually with four stakes, but can have more, evenly spaced for tree length logs to be carried longwise on the trailer; Short wood trailers, with two separated sets of four of stakes, commonly referred to as a double bunk,[53] and piggyback trailers. These trailers can be self loaded onto the back of a truck[54]
A special set-of-doubles: the second (usually shorter) trailer is hooked directly to the first via a fifth wheel on the rear of the first one (two semis).
A rocky mountain double configuration with two dry bulk trailers
Rocky Mountain Double (occasionally called an 'A' train)
A combination of a standard trailer and a shorter pup trailer. Legal in more than 20 states, use is usually restricted to toll roads, freeways, or by permit.[45]
Standard
A single trailer. Common dimensions range from 45 feet (14 m) to 53 feet (16 m) long, and up to 13.5 feet (4.1 m) tall.[45]
Triple
A combination of three pup trailers. Legal in 17 states, usually restricted to major highways, toll roads, or freeways.[45]
Turnpike Double
A combination of two standard trailers. Legal in 18 states, these unusually long combinations are usually restricted to toll roads or freeways.[45]
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OOIDA Trucking Terms Glossary 2016-08-18 at the Wayback Machine
Univ of Mich Truck and Bus Glossary 2008-04-23 at the Wayback Machine
May 02, 2024
glossary, american, trucking, industry, specialized, jargon, describe, tools, equipment, employment, sectors, used, trucking, industry, united, states, some, terms, used, within, other, english, speaking, countries, within, freight, industry, general, rail, sh. A specialized set of jargon describe the tools equipment and employment sectors used in the trucking industry in the United States Some terms may be used within other English speaking countries or within the freight industry in general air rail ship and manufacturing For example shore power is a term borrowed from shipping terminology in which electrical power is transferred from shore to ship instead of the ship relying upon idling its engines Drawing power from land lines is more efficient than engine idling and eliminates localized air pollution 1 2 Another borrowed term is landing gear from the aviation industry which refers to the legs which support the front end of a semi trailer when it is not connected to a semi truck Some nicknames are obvious wordplay such as portable parking lot in reference to a truck that carries automobiles Index of General Bill of lading Broker Bulk cargo Bulk freight Cargo Consignee Consignment Consignor Deadheading Electronic on board recorder Float shifting Freight Hazardous materials Intermodal Just in time Log book Manifest Operating authority Oversize load Pallet Receiver Shipper Terminal Tractor Truck stop electrification Index of Driversand carriers Common carrier Company driver Contract carrier Dedicated route For hire carrier Irregular route Less than truckload Long haul Motor carrier Over the road Owner operator Private carrier Regional route Regular route Team drivers Index of Vehicles Big rig Big truck Bobtail Bob truck Box truck Cab over Combination vehicle Conventional truck Day cab Dump truck Eighteen wheeler Semi truck Straight truck Tractor trailer Index of Vehicle parts Baffle Bulkhead Bunk Cab Cabin Cheater axle Engine brake Fifth wheel Glad hands Headache rack Jake brake Kingpin Landing gear Lift axle Retarder Sleeper berth Super single Tandem Tandem axle Tandem wheel Index of Trailers Auto transport Belly dump Bottom dump Bull wagon Car hauler Container Container skeletal carrier Covered wagon Curtainside Deep drop van Double decker Dropdeck Dry bulk Dry van Dump Flatbed Gooseneck lowboy Grain Hopper Livestock Logger Lowboy Platform Portable parking lot Pup Rear dump Reefer Refrigerated van Side kit Sideloader Skateboard Stepdeck Tank Tanker Timber Index of Trailerconfigurations Rocky Mountain Double Standard Triple Turnpike Double Contents 1 General 2 Drivers and carriers 3 Vehicles 4 Vehicle parts 5 Trailers 6 Trailer configurations 7 See also 8 References 9 External linksGeneral editBill of lading BOL BL B L Main article Bill of lading A paper document between a shipper and a carrier acknowledging the receipt of goods for transport Usually describes the nature of the cargo hazardous materials classification if any amount of cargo by weight size and or number of pallets boxes barrels etc and the origin and destination of the cargo 3 4 Bobtailing Operating a tractor unit with no trailer attached Broker A person or company that arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others using for hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation 5 Bulk cargo Main article Bulk cargo Large quantities of undivided or unpackaged cargo such as grain or dry powder 3 Bulk freight See bulk cargo Cargo See freight CB See CB radio Citizen s Band Radio CB radio equipment is found in the vast majority of 18 wheelers and is used by truckers for various purposes including talking to other truckers on the highway discussing road and weather conditions coordinating activity at distribution centers and truckstops and various other purposes including emergency communications In the United States many truckers monitor CB channel 19 27 185 MHz commonly known as the highway channel or trucker s channel Consignee Main article Consignee The person or entity transferring legal responsibility or ownership of the cargo or consignment from the carrier 3 Consignment Main article Consignment An agreement between a consignee and a consignor in which the goods are taken responsibility for and transported by a third party the carrier May also simply refer to the consigned goods i e the cargo 6 Consignor Main article Consignor The person or entity transferring legal responsibility or ownership of the cargo or consignment to the carrier 7 Deadheading Main article Dead heading Operating a truck empty 8 Electronic on board recorder EOBR Main article Electronic on board recorder A device hooked into the truck which transmits useful management information such as truck location speed and idle time 9 Float shifting Main article Float shifting Shifting gears without using the clutch pedal 10 Also called slip shifting or dead sticking nbsp A hazardous materials placard Freight Main article Freight The materials or goods being transported 11 Hazardous materials Haz mat Main article Dangerous goods Explosive flammable poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo Large amounts or especially hazardous cargo are required to be placarded under haz mat regulations 12 Intermodal Main article Intermodal freight transport A single trailer or container that encounters multiple forms of transportation along its route such as truck ship rail 3 Just in time Main article Just in time business A method of inventory control in which warehousing is either nonexistent or kept to a minimum The freight arrives just in time and only when it is needed 10 Log book Main article Logbook A form which describes the working duties of truck drivers for each 24 hour period 9 Manifest A document that describes the contents of a shipment in greater detail than a bill of lading Commonly used as a checklist during unloading 13 14 Operating authority Motor carriers for hire must apply for the authority to engage in interstate commerce with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 5 Oversize load Main article Oversize load A unit of cargo that is larger than the legally defined limits for width length height and or weight it cannot be broken down into smaller units 15 nbsp A typical wooden pallet Pallet Main article Pallet A wooden or sometimes plastic platform on which boxes or cargo are stacked and sometimes shrink wrapped Usually refers to the entire palletized stack of boxes although it can refer to the platform itself 16 17 Receiver Consignee importer or buyer who may or may not be the same named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for receiving a shipment 18 nbsp A plastic pallet Shipper A consignor exporter or seller who may or may not be the same named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for initiating a shipment 19 Terminal A dock or hub where freight originates terminates or is handled in the transportation process or a location where motor carriers maintain operating facilities 10 Tractor Main article Tractor unit A semi truck powered unit used to pull a load or semi trailer unpowered unit by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle s in a semi truck semi trailer combination 8 Truck stop electrification TSE Main article Truck stop electrification The capability to connect a truck to a land based electric power supply Shore power at a truck stop Eliminates the need for engine idling while parked and in the case of IdleAire also supplies land based climate control within the truck cab as well as Internet and TV access 20 Weigh station Main article Weigh station A chosen point off the highway where the state highway patrol examines the weight of a vehicle that weigh over 10 000 pounds Drivers and carriers editCommon carrier Main article Common carrier A for hire carrier that is obligated to serve the general public 21 Company driver Employee of a carrier who is assigned to drive company owned trucks 22 Contract carrier A for hire carrier contracted to one particular shipper A contract carrier enters into a contract whose terms are negotiated between a specific carrier and specific customer 5 Dedicated route A driver or carrier who transports cargo between regular prescribed routes Regular route drivers usually are at home on regular intervals given the scheduled nature of their routes 23 24 25 For hire carrier A licensed carrier that holds itself out to hire under either a public tariff for the general public for hire common carrier or under a contract filed with a specific shipper contract carrier For hire carriers must apply for operating authority with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration 5 Irregular route See over the road Less than truckload LTL Main article Less than truckload A driver or carrier who specializes in or a load composed of many different types of cargo each typically weighing less than 10 000 pounds 4 500 kg with many different destinations Generally involves the use of terminal facilities to break and consolidate shipments A LTL driver normally has a dedicated or regional route 10 25 26 Long haul See over the road Motor carrier A person or company providing transportation of property or passengers using commercial motor vehicles 5 Over the road OTR A driver or carrier who transports cargo to any place at any time without prescribed schedules or routes Long Haul OTR involves being away for weeks or months at a time often cross country or international Canada and Mexico given the unscheduled nature of their routes 27 Owner operator O O Main article Owner operator Self employed independent drivers who operate privately owned or leased trucks as opposed to a company driver 8 Private carrier A not for hire carrier contracted to or owned by a shipper that does not offer services to the general public and operates primarily to transport its own goods Private carriers are not required to obtain operating authority by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration FMCSA 5 28 Regional route A driver or carrier who transports cargo in a limited geographical area usually within a certain radius of one s own home or company terminal and may or may not maintain a schedule 29 Regular route See dedicated route Team drivers A team of two or more drivers who ride together and drive the same truck in shifts essentially allowing the truck to remain in motion almost constantly Primarily used for time sensitive freight 8 Vehicles editBig rig See semi truck Big truck See semi truck Bobtail A tractor without a trailer 8 In verb form this also refers to operating a truck without a trailer 30 nbsp A straight truck or box truck Cab over Main article Cab over A short box shaped tractor with no hood UK bonnet and a steep vertical front The cab rides over the engine and front steering axle Used when a shorter wheelbase is needed 3 Combination vehicle A vehicle composed of two or more separate units a tractor powered unit semi truck and a trailer unpowered unit semi trailer 3 Conventional truck Main article Conventional truck A truck or tractor featuring an engine forward of the cab with a conventional hood configuration 10 Day cab A truck cab without a sleeper berth 31 Dump truck Main article Dump truck A truck with a bucket like cargo area which the front can be raised hinging on the rear allowing the load to slide dump out of the cargo area Often a straight truck semi trailers are also common Flatbeds and refuse container trucks can often dump but are rarely called that 3 Eighteen wheeler This term is derived from the number of tires that the typical OTR tractor trailer configuration has See also semi truck Semi truck Main article Semi trailer truck An articulated jointed combination vehicle often composed of a 10 wheeled three axle tractor and a 4 wheeled two axle trailer There are also two axle tractors single axle trailers and occasionally combinations with extra lift axles In some applications a semi can pull additional full trailers doubles and triples with the use of a single axle or tandem axle converter dolly 10 The use of the term semi in the name comes from the semi trailer a vehicle whose load is carried partly by its own axles and partly by the pulling vehicle which is commonly included in tractor trailer rigs Straight truck A single vehicle with no articulation Normally 2 or 3 axles sometimes with lift axles Tractor trailer See semi truck Truck crane A special truck carrier with a permanently mounted crane upper This design allows faster moves from site to site than conventional cranes Vehicle parts editSee also Semi trailer truck Construction for a diagram of truck parts Baffle A partition or separator within a liquid tank used to inhibit the flow of fluids within the tank During acceleration turning and braking a large liquid filled tank may produce unexpected forces on the vehicle due to the inertia of liquids 3 Bulkhead A strong wall like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front end collision May also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer also called a baffle for liquid trailers used to partition the load 3 See also headache rack nbsp The cab of an 18 wheeler Bunk See sleeper berth Cab The interior of a truck where the driver sits to operate the vehicle Cheater axle See lift axle Dual wheels A pair of tire and wheel assemblies mounted side by side on a single axle hub In some applications it is replaced by a super single On pickup trucks it is sometimes called a dually The assembly has a greater load carrying ability as compared to a single wheel It also provides redundancy so if one of the two tires fail the second will maintain support preventing loss of vehicle control and allowing the vehicle to travel to a repair facility 32 Engine brake Main article Engine brake A braking system that utilizes the back pressure from the engine s pistons to slow down the vehicle Commonly used to prevent heavy trucks from accelerating out of control while driving on steep downhill grades 8 nbsp A fifth wheel coupling platform Fifth wheel Main article Fifth wheel A pivoting platform on the rear of a truck tractor used to support the front end of the trailer being towed that contains locking jaws that engage the trailer kingpin 8 Float A popular name for a wide tire used on the steer front axle originally known as a Super Single Floats distribute the weight on the front axle over a wider area preventing the tire sinking into softer ground Commonly used on dump trucks cement mixers etc Glad hands Main article Gladhand connectorInterlocking connectors attached to air hoses that supply air from the tractor to the trailer for air brakes 10 Headache rack A sturdy aluminum wall or steel mesh structure affixed to the tractor between the cab and the fifth wheel to protect the tractor occupants from the load on the trailer See also Bulkhead Jake brake Main article Jake brake A popular brand of engine brake 8 33 See also engine brake Kingpin A large pin underneath the front of a trailer which interlocks with the fifth wheel 8 Landing gear A set of retractable crank up legs that support the front of a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor 8 nbsp A dump truck with a raised lift axle Lift axle An air powered axle that may be raised or lowered to the ground to provide greater load carrying capacity 3 or to comply with axle weight requirements see also Federal Gross Weight Bridge Formula Retarder Main article Retarder mechanical engineering A device used to assist braking that does not use friction such as engine braking or axle mounted electromagnetic retarders 8 See also engine brake Sleeper berth Main article Truck sleeperThe portion of the truck s interior designated for sleeping legally must contain a bed 34 Super single A popular name for a single larger wheel and tire properly called a wide base tire substituted for Dual wheels see above an adjacent pair assembly The main benefit of a super single is a reduction in weight combined with lower rolling resistance the super single promises better fuel economy It also prevents rocks from being stuck in between damaging tyres or other vehicles fling out The disadvantage is the lack of tire redundancy from which Dual Wheels benefit as tire failure can disable the vehicle 32 35 and increased highway wear through the high point loading and scrubbing of road surfaces when making tight turns 36 Tandem axle A set of axles spaced close together legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT 37 Trailers editAuto transport A specialized trailer or truck trailer combination used for transporting passenger vehicles 38 39 Belly dump See bottom dump nbsp A bottom dump trailer Beverage trailer A trailer between 26 feet 7 9 m and 29 feet 8 8 m used primarily for the transport of beverages Colloquially known as a sidebanger sideloader or route trailer Bottom dump A dump with a funnel shaped floor for unloading through the bottom 40 Bull wagon See livestock nbsp An intermodal container trailer Car hauler See auto transport Chip van specially designed bulk dry van with open top for wood byproducts Container Main article Intermodal container A simple enclosed box of standardized sizes used for intermodal transport 10 Container skeletal carrier A skeletal trailer composed of a simple chassis for the mounting of an intermodal container 38 Covered wagon A flatbed with specially fitted side plates and curved ribs supporting a tarp covering commonly referred to as a side kit Named for the resemblance to horse drawn covered wagons 41 42 Curtainside Can be either a dry box with tarp sides or a flatbed with a movable frame of squared ribs supporting a tarp 43 nbsp A double dropdeck flatbed trailer Deep drop van A specialized dry van that maximizes interior space with a lowered floor and higher roof Normally used to transport bulky relatively light cargo such as furniture and electronics 38 Double decker A specialized trailer with 2 floors to allow for more cargo space 44 nbsp Twin pup trailers Doubles trailer A trailer between 26 feet 7 9 m and 29 feet 8 8 m long that can be used singularly as a delivery trailer in congested areas or in combination with another trailer for over the road 10 45 nbsp A standard dry van trailer Dropdeck A flatbed with a lowered deck featuring a raised step at the front where the trailer attaches to the fifth wheel 38 Dry bulk A variation of the liquid tank trailer with a funnel shaped bottom used for hauling bulk quantities of dry powder sometimes called bulk pneumatic Sometimes referred to as a Teat Truck or Teater due to its appearance Usually loaded through holes in the top unloaded through the bottom or through pneumatic force 10 46 Dry van A simple enclosed non climate controlled rectangular trailer that carries general cargo including food and other products that do not require refrigeration Usually loaded unloaded through the rear doors requiring elevated access for forklifts to enter the trailer 38 Dump A bucket like trailer with an open top for loading commonly used for hauling bulk quantities of dirt rock gravel etc See dump truck 47 48 Flatbed A flat trailer with no enclosure or doors Can be loaded unloaded from the sides or above and does not require elevated access for forklifts 38 41 nbsp A gooseneck lowboy trailer with an oversized load Gooseneck lowboy Main article Lowboy trailer A specialized lowered flatbed trailer featuring an arched coupling arm normally used for oversize overweight loads 49 50 Grain or hopper bottom trailer Main article Grain hopper trailer A rectangular enclosure with an open top for bulk loading covered with a tarp and a funnel shaped bottom for unloading grain fertilizer etc 38 Hopper See grain Livestock A rectangular enclosure with sides featuring numerous ventilation holes an interior with multiple levels and usually a ramp in the rear for loading unloading Used for hauling cows pigs sheep etc 38 Live bottom A dry van with solid or openable roof with a moveable mechanized floor for unloading Logger See timber Lowboy See double dropdeck or gooseneck lowboy Platform See flatbed Portable parking lot See auto transport Pup A trailer between 26 feet 7 9 m and 29 feet 8 8 m long that can be used singularly as a delivery trailer in congested areas or in combination with another trailer for over the road 10 45 Rear dump A dump with a rear pivot point allowing the front of the cargo area to be raised vertically for unloading through the rear 51 Reefer See refrigerated van nbsp A rear dump trailer with a daycab tractor Refrigerated van A refrigerated and insulated box trailer 38 Side kit See covered wagon Sideloader aka Sidelifter A specialized container trailer with cranes on the front and rear to allow for on the spot loading and unloading 52 nbsp A tank trailer on Interstate 25 at Interstate 80 in Cheyenne Wyoming Skateboard See flatbed Stepdeck See dropdeck Tank Main article Tank truck An enclosed cylinder shaped tank used for hauling bulk quantities of liquid 38 Tanker See tank Timber A specialized trailer used for transporting logs consisting of a basic chassis with vertical stakes along the sides to hold the logs in place 38 There are several types of timber trailers Long wood trailers Usually with four stakes but can have more evenly spaced for tree length logs to be carried longwise on the trailer Short wood trailers with two separated sets of four of stakes commonly referred to as a double bunk 53 and piggyback trailers These trailers can be self loaded onto the back of a truck 54 Trailer configurations editMain article Long combination vehicle B train Double A special set of doubles the second usually shorter trailer is hooked directly to the first via a fifth wheel on the rear of the first one two semis nbsp A rocky mountain double configuration with two dry bulk trailers Rocky Mountain Double occasionally called an A train A combination of a standard trailer and a shorter pup trailer Legal in more than 20 states use is usually restricted to toll roads freeways or by permit 45 Standard A single trailer Common dimensions range from 45 feet 14 m to 53 feet 16 m long and up to 13 5 feet 4 1 m tall 45 Triple A combination of three pup trailers Legal in 17 states usually restricted to major highways toll roads or freeways 45 Turnpike Double A combination of two standard trailers Legal in 18 states these unusually long combinations are usually restricted to toll roads or freeways 45 See also edit nbsp Transport portalReferences edit Truckers air to benefit from 2 million ARRA state grant Memphis Business Journal 2009 06 29 Retrieved 2009 07 04 Ships may plug in while in port Halifax Herald 2009 06 09 Archived from the original on June 11 2009 Retrieved 2009 07 04 a b c d e f g h i j Truck and Bus Glossary University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute Archived from the original on 2008 04 23 Retrieved 2008 04 20 Philip Obal 2003 Glossary of supply chain terminology Industrial Data amp Information Inc p 141 ISBN 0 9669345 3 9 Retrieved 2009 06 24 a b c d e f Frequently Asked Questions FAQ Registration and Licensing Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Retrieved 2008 03 06 consignment definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 06 12 Retrieved 2009 06 13 consignor definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 04 22 Retrieved 2009 06 11 a b c d e f g h i j k TWNA Glossary Trucking Terms Trucking s Web Resource for Journalists and Communicators Archived from the original on 2006 09 23 Retrieved 2008 03 06 a b ATA Glossary of Trucking Terms PDF American Trucking Associations Retrieved 2009 08 09 a b c d e f g h i j k BTS Dictionary Bureau of Transportation Statistics Retrieved 2009 06 20 cargo definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2018 08 26 Retrieved 2009 06 11 Part 172 Hazardous materials table special provisions hazardous materials communications emergency response information training requirements and security plans Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Retrieved 2009 06 11 permanent dead link manifest definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2013 06 27 Retrieved 2009 06 11 Philip Obal 2003 Glossary of supply chain terminology Industrial Data amp Information Inc p 152 ISBN 0 9669345 3 9 Retrieved 2009 06 24 Oversize and Overweight Load Permit Information Federal Highway Administration 2008 08 11 Retrieved 2009 06 21 pallet definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 04 18 Retrieved 2009 06 11 Philip Obal 2003 Glossary of supply chain terminology Industrial Data amp Information Inc p 117 ISBN 0 9669345 3 9 Retrieved 2009 06 24 Glossary HotFreight com Retrieved 2009 06 11 shipper definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 05 04 Retrieved 2009 06 11 Erica Gies 2009 05 18 Putting U S Trucking on a Diet The New York Times Retrieved 2009 06 07 common carrier definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 04 30 Retrieved 2009 06 13 Laurence Hartley 1995 Fatigue and driving CRC Press p 152 ISBN 0 7484 0262 4 Retrieved 2009 06 21 Alice Adams 2003 Trucking Cengage Learning p 605 ISBN 1 4180 1262 9 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Marjorie Eberts Margaret Gisler 2008 Careers for People on the Move amp Other Road Warriors 2nd ed McGraw Hill Professional p 57 ISBN 978 0 07 149317 8 Retrieved 2009 06 21 a b Understanding Trucking What Is an LTL Job Driver Solutions Archived from the original on 2009 02 21 Retrieved 2009 06 21 Richard Feldman Marilyn Gross 1996 Transportation Expressions Diane Publishing p 101 ISBN 0 7881 7503 3 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Driver retention solutions strategies for for hire truckload TL employee drivers Entrepreneur Media Inc 1996 Retrieved 2009 06 20 private carrier definition BusinessDictionary com Archived from the original on 2009 04 30 Retrieved 2009 06 13 Alice Adams 2003 Trucking Cengage Learning p 75 ISBN 1 4180 1262 9 Retrieved 2009 06 20 David Diamond December 2001 The Trucker amp The Professor Conde Nast Publications Retrieved 2009 06 13 Method of converting a truck sleeper cab to a day cab PatentStorm 2001 01 30 Archived from the original on 2011 03 24 Retrieved 2009 06 13 a b Paul Richards Wide singles Then and now Randall Reilly Archived from the original on 2006 11 18 Retrieved 2009 06 13 Jacobs Vehicle Systems Heavy Duty Engine Brake Jacobs Vehicle Systems Retrieved 2008 04 20 393 76 Sleeper berths Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Retrieved 2009 06 13 Mike Manges 2003 Are super singles really that super Wide base tires may not be ready for line haul applications Modern Tire Dealer Magazine Archived from the original on 2006 12 09 Retrieved 2008 02 28 The Idiots Guide to Highways Maintenance Archived from the original on 2007 02 08 Federal Highway Administration 2006 Freight Management and Operations Bridge Formula Weights U S Department of Transportation Retrieved 2013 05 20 a b c d e f g h i j k Truck Trailers World Trade Press Archived from the original on 2008 03 13 Retrieved 2008 03 06 Jim Park Freight Focus Portable Parking Lots Newcom Business Media Inc Retrieved 2009 06 20 Donald F Wood 2001 Dump Trucks MBI Publishing p 159 ISBN 0 7603 0867 5 Retrieved 2009 06 20 a b Joyce Slayton Mitchell Steven Borns 2005 Tractor trailer trucker Tricycle Press p 24 ISBN 1 58246 010 8 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Aero Industries Side Kits Flatbed Trailer Side Tarp System Aero Industries Inc Archived from the original on 2006 01 03 Retrieved 2009 06 27 John V Pastva 1989 Curtainside truck trailer access system and lock assembly Google Patents Retrieved 2009 06 20 LD 1695 Page 2 120th Legislature First Regular Session Maine gov Archived from the original on July 21 2011 Retrieved 2009 06 20 a b c d e f Large Scale Motor Carriers Atlas 05 Map 2005 ed Rand McNally p A13 ISBN 0 528 90063 3 FR Doc 05 12282 Government Printing Office Retrieved 2009 06 20 David Glover 2005 Trucks Black Rabbit p 11 ISBN 1 58340 702 2 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Donald F Wood 2001 Dump Trucks MBI Publishing p 5 ISBN 0 7603 0867 5 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Michael J Yakubow 1973 Removable Gooseneck Lowboy Trailer Google Patents Retrieved 2009 06 20 George W Green 2003 Special use vehicles McFarland p 226 ISBN 0 7864 1245 3 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Donald F Wood 2001 Dump Trucks MBI Publishing p 128 ISBN 0 7603 0867 5 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Container Handling CDK Mobile Systems Inc Archived from the original on 2006 10 17 Retrieved 2009 06 20 Double bunk log trailer Retrieved 2012 04 06 1 Retrieved 2012 04 06External links editUSDOT Size Regulations USDOT RITA Dictionary ATA Glossary of Trucking Terms OOIDA Trucking Terms Glossary Archived 2016 08 18 at the Wayback Machine Univ of Mich Truck and Bus Glossary Archived 2008 04 23 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Glossary of the American trucking industry amp oldid 1216435604, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
