Glossary of Trucking Terms

 

ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) - Computer, sensors and solenoid valves which together monitor wheel speed and modulate braking force if wheel lockup is sensed during braking. Helps the driver retain control of the vehicle during heavy braking on slippery roads.

Air Ride Suspension - Suspension which supports the load on air-filled rubber bags rather than steel springs. Compressed air is supplied by the same engine-driven air compressor and reservoir tanks which provide air to the air brake system.

Anchor It - Apply brakes for an emergency stop.

Audit - A safety review of a motor carrier's records done by the Department of Transportation (DOT). The audit verifies the carrier is compliant with Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations (FMCSRs).

Authority - Operating authority, or motor carrier authority, is a motor carrier's right to operate as a for-hire entity with a commercial motor vehicle to transport goods via interstate commerce.

Authorized Carrier - A carrier that has been pre-approved by a shipper or broker to haul freight. Auto transport -A specialized trailer or truck/trailer combination used for transporting passenger vehicles.

Axle Rating - The amount of weight permitted on an axle or group of axles.

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).

Backhaul - A load that will return a driver back to their home city or near the company's home terminal.

Base Plate - A license plate issued from the state where the vehicle is registered.

Bear in the Air - When highway speed is being checked via an aircraft (airplane or helicopter).

Beverage trailer -A trailer between 26 feet (7.9 m) and 29 feet (B.B m) used primarily for the transport of beverages. Colloquially known as a side banger, sideloaded, or route trailer.

Bill of Lading - Itemized list of goods contained in a shipment.

Binder - An insurance binder, provided by the insurance company, provides short-term proof of pending coverage until policy paperwork is finalized.

Black Eye - When a truck has a headlight out.

Blind Spot - Areas around a commercial vehicle that are not visible to the driver either through the windshield, side windows or mirrors. Bobtail-Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck.

Bobtailing - Operating a tractor unit with no trailer attached.

Bogie/Bogey - A frame or chassis that attaches a set of wheels to another trailer.

Bottom dump - A dump with a funnel-shaped floor for unloading through the bottom.

Bridge Formula - An equation used by state agencies and DOT to determine the maximum allowable weight of commercial vehicles and how far apart the axles must be to carry that weight.

Broker - Also known as a freight broker or brokerage, brokers act as the middle party between shippers and carriers to facilitate the freight hauling, rates, etc.

Bulk Freight - Freight that is shipped in large volumes without being packaged, like sand, gasoline, steel, etc.

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.

Bunny Hopper - A vehicle that changes lane constantly, creating a possible hazardous scenario for other drivers.

Cab Card - A card that must be kept in the cab of the truck at all times providing evidence of registration in every state a truck is authorized to operate.

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.

Cabover Truck - A truck or tractor designed for the cab to sit over the engine instead of under the hood.

Cargo Insurance - Insurance covering the freight being transported in case of claim, loss, damage, etc. occurring during transit.

Cargo Manifest - A document listing the cargo on a truck, aircraft or ship.

Cargo Weight - Combined weight of all loads, gear and supplies on a vehicle.

Cargo - A common term for freight or a transported commodity.

Carrier Liability - Dictates the maximum amount a carrier may be liable for in the event of damage, loss, or shipping delays. End liability amounts are usually determined by the value of the freight being hauled and can vary between carriers and shippers.

Carrier - A trucking company or owner-operator available for hire to transport freight for shippers either on a spot or regular basis.

Cartage Company - Company that provides local (within a town, city or municipality) pick-up and delivery.

CAT Scales - Private scales typically available at truck stops that drivers can use to weight their vehicle combinations, ensuring their weights are legal.

CB Radio (Citizens Band Radio) - A two-way radio system that doesn't require a license, used by truckers and other drivers for reporting emergency calls, road conditions and other chatter.

COL (Commercial Driver's License) - License which authorizes an individual to operate commercial motor vehicles and buses over 26,000 pounds gross vehicle weight.

Certificate of Insurance (COl) - A formal document issued by insurance companies confirming a policy exists for a specific entity, such as a trucking company.

Chassis - the frame of a commercial vehicle that attaches to the engine, transmission, axles, cargo compartments, cab and fuel tank.

Chip van - specially designed bulk dry van with open top for wood byproducts.

Chocks - Wedges placed in front of and behind wheels to keep the vehicle from rolling forward or backward while parked, loading or unloading.

Claim - A legal demand by a shipper seeking financial compensation for loss or damages on a shipment. A claim can also be made by a trucking company to an insurance company due to a vehicle accident.

Class One Motor Carrier - Carriers with combined annual interstate and intrastate revenues of $10 million+.

Class Three Motor Carrier - Carriers with combined annual interstate and intrastate revenues less than $3 million.

Class Two Motor Carrier - Carriers with combined annual interstate and intrastate revenues between $3 million and $10 million.

Combination vehicle - A vehicle composed of two or more separate units, a tractor (powered unit, semi-truck) and a trailer (unpowered unit, semi-trailer).

Combination - At least one tractor and one trailer.

Combined Gross Vehicle Weight - the total weight of a vehicle including its power unit, equipment, freight, trailers, fuel, etc.

Commercial Carrier - An entity for hire, using commercial vehicles to transport freight between destinations.

Commercial Driver's License (COL) - A license authorizing individuals to drive and operate commercial vehicles over 26,000 pounds.

Common carrier - A for-hire carrier that is obligated to serve the general public.

Company driver - Employee of a carrier who is assigned to drive company-owned trucks.

Compliance Review - The method in which the FMCSA ensure commercial carriers are following local, state and federal safety inspection metrics.

Consignee - The person or entity transferring legal responsibility or ownership of the cargo (or consignment) from the carrier.

Consignee - The person or company responsible for receiving the shipment and providing proof of delivery. Also commonly referred to as the receiver.

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).

Consignor - The person or entity transferring legal responsibility or ownership of the cargo (or consignment) to the carrier.

Consignor - The company or person shipping the product.

Consolidation - The act of combining multiple less-than-truckload (L TL) shipments into a larger shipment to create a full truckload.

Container - A simple, enclosed box of standardized sizes, used for intermodal transport.

Container - Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway.

Container Shipping - The method of rail and sea transportation where freight is packed into shipping containers. The transportation between ports and railheads is done by truck and trailer combinations.

Container skeletal carrier - A skeletal trailer composed of a simple chassis for the mounting of an intermodal container.

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.

Contract Carrier - A carrier that regularly provides transportation for a shipper via terms provided in a contract.

Conventional truck - A truck or tractor featuring an engine forward of the cab, with a conventional hood configuration.

Converter Dolly - Auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel (coupling device), towed by a semitrailer and supporting the front of, and towing, another semitrailer.

Coop - A weigh station or scale house.

Coupling - The act of hooking a tractor to a trailer, or multiple trailers together.

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.

Cubic Capacity - The measurement of interior cargo space inside a truck, trailer or shipping container.

Curtain side - Can be either a dry box with tarp sides, or a flatbed with a movable frame of squared ribs supporting a tarp.

Customs - The authority in charge of monitoring the flow of goods between countries.

DAC Report - Provides companies with driver information like equipment, drug and alcohol test results, truck driving school records, etc.

Day cab - A truck cab without a sleeper berth.

Dead Heading - Traveling without a payload; often involves driving a tractor and empty trailer to pick up a load in order to return to a specified location.

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.

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.

Double decker - A specialized trailer with 2 floors to allow for more cargo space.

Doubles (Twins, Twin Trailers) - Combination of a tractor and two semitrailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly.

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.

Drop deck - A flatbed with a lowered deck, featuring a raised step at the front, where the trailer attaches to the fifth wheel.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Eighteen-wheeler - This term is derived from the number of tires that the typical OTR tractor-trailer configuration has.

Electronic on-board recorder (EOBR) - A device hooked into the truck which transmits useful management information such as truck location, speed, and idle time.

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.

EOBR (Electric On-Board Recorder) - Cab-mounted device which electronically records data such as truck speed, engine rpm, idle time and other information useful to trucking management.

Exempt Carrier - Company which transports commodities exempted from Interstate Commerce Commission economic regulation.

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.

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.

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.\

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.

For-Hire Carrier - Company in the business of transporting freight belonging to others.

Freight - The materials or goods being transported.

Freight Broker - An intermediary that connects businesses needing to ship goods with trucking companies.

Glad hands - Interlocking connectors attached to air hoses that supply air from the tractor to the trailer for air brakes.

Gooseneck lowboy - A specialized lowered flatbed trailer featuring an arched coupling arm, normally used for oversize/overweight loads.

Grain or hopper-bottom 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.

Hazmat - Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

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.

Hours-of-Service - U.S. Department of Transportation safety regulations which govern the hours of service of commercial vehicle drivers engaged in interstate trucking operations.

Intermodal Transportation -The transportation movement involving more than one mode (e.g., rail/motor, motor/air, rail/water).

Jake brake - A popular brand of engine brake.

JIT (Just-In-Time) - Manufacturing system which depends on frequent, small deliveries of parts and supplies to keep on-site inventory to a minimum.

Just-in-time - 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.

Kingpin - A large pin, underneath the front of a trailer, which interlocks with the fifth wheel.

Landing gear - A set of retractable, crank-up legs that support the front of a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor.

Landing Gear - Retractable legs which support the front of a semitrailer when its not coupled to a trailer.

LCV (Long Combination Vehicle) - In general, vehicles longer than a standard doubles rig. Examples of LCVs which are permitted in some U.S. western states and eastern toll roads: Twin 48-foot trailers; triple 28-foot trailers.

Less-than-truckload (LTL) - 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.

Lift axle - An air-powered axle that may be raised or lowered to the ground to provide greater load-carrying capacity, or to comply with axle weight requirements

Line-haul Driver -Truck driver who travels a set route from city to city and typically returns home after each shift. Also known as a regional driver.

Live-bottom - A dry van with solid or openable roof with a moveable mechanized floor for unloading.

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.

Local Driver -Truck driver who picks up and delivers packages along a city route. Drivers typically run the same route everyday, returning home after each shift. Also known as a city or P&D driver.

Logbook - Book carried by truck drivers in which they record their hours of service and duty status for each 24-hour period. Required for interstate commercial trucking by the U.S. Department of Transportation.

LTL (Less-Than-Truckload) - A quantity of freight less than that required for the application of truckload (TL) rate; usually less than 10,000 pounds.

LTL Carrier -Trucking company which consolidates less-than-truckload cargo for multiple destinations on one vehicle.

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.

Motor carrier - A person or company providing transportation of property or passengers using commercial motor vehicles.

Operating authority - Motor carriers for-hire must apply for the authority to engage in interstate commerce with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

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.

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.

Over-the-Road Driver -Truck driver who travels cross-country to deliver freight and usually sleeps within a berth in the truck cab. Typically averages over 100,000 miles per year.

Owner-operator (O/O) - Self-employed independent drivers who operate privately owned or leased trucks, as opposed to a company driver.

Owner-Operator -Truck driver who owns and operates his own truck.

P&D - Pickup and delivery. May also be referred to as a city driver. Payload - Weight of the cargo being hauled.

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.

Peddle Run - Truck route with frequent delivery stops.

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).

Private Carrier - Business which operates trucks primarily for the purpose of transporting its own products and raw materials. The principle business activity of a private carrier is not transportation.

Professional Truck Driver - Different categories of drivers include over-the-road, line-haul and local.

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.

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.

Receiver - Consignee, importer, or buyer (who mayor may not be the same) named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for receiving a shipment.

Reefer - Refrigerated trailer with insulate walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food.

Refrigerated van - A refrigerated and insulated box trailer.

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 mayor may not maintain a schedule.

Retarder - A device used to assist braking that does not use friction. such as engine braking or axle-mounted electromagnetic retarders.

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.

Semitrailer -Truck trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or a dolly.

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. 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.

Shipper - A consignor, exporter, or seller (who mayor may not be the same) named in the bill of lading as the party responsible for initiating a shipment.

Sideloaded - (aka Side lifter) A specialized container trailer with cranes on the front and rear to allow for on-the-spot loading and unloading.

Sleeper - Sleeping compartment mounted behind a truck cab, sometimes attached to the cab or even designed to be an integral part of it.

Sleeper berth - The portion of the truck's interior designated for sleeping, legally must contain a bed.

Sliding Fifth Wheel - Fifth wheel mounted to a mechanism that allows it to be moved back and forth for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight on the tractor's axles.

Straight truck - A single vehicle, with no articulation. Normally 2 or 3 axles, sometimes with lift axles.

Straight Truck - Vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by a vehicle.

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 tires 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 and increased highway wear, through the high point loading and scrubbing of road surfaces when making tight turns.

Tandem axle - A set of axles spaced close together, legally defined as more than 40 and less than 96 inches apart by the USDOT.

Tank - An enclosed cylinder-shaped tank used for hauling bulk quantities of liquid.

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.

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.

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. 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, and piggyback trailers. These trailers can be self loaded onto the back of a truck.

TL (Truckload) - The quantity of freight required to fill a trailer; usually more than 10,000 pounds.

TL Carrier -Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper's cargo, as opposed to an LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier which transports the consolidated cargo of several shippers and makes multiple deliveries.

Tractor Trailer - Tractor and semitrailer combination.

Tractor - Truck designed primarily to pull a semitrailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle.

Tri-Axle - Truck, tractor or trailer with three axles grouped together at the rear.

Trip Leasing - Leasing a company's vehicle to another transportation provider for a single trip.

Truck crane - A special truck (carrier) with a permanently mounted crane (upper). This design allows faster moves from site to site than conventional cranes.

Truck stop electrification (TSE) - 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 Idle Aire, also supplies land-based climate control within the truck cab, as well as Internet and TV access.

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.

 

American Trucking Associations

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) , founded in 1933, is largest national trade association for the trucking industry. ATA represents over 3,700 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States. They have an extensive website.

 

 

Freight Brokers

A freight broker is an intermediary that connects businesses needing to ship goods (shippers) with trucking companies. They don't own trucks or transport freight themselves. Instead, they facilitate the shipping process by finding suitable carriers, negotiating rates and terms, and then managing the shipping process.