List of trucking industry terms in the United States

These are terms used within the U.S. trucking industry. Some of these terms may be used within other English-speaking countries, or within the freight industry in general (air, rail, ship, and manufacturing). The terms are arranged by type, from general terms to specific terms, and sub-types are listed under the main term. The official names are listed in bold, and slang, jargon, or acronym versions are listed in parentheses. Some items are referred to by more than one official name, and alternate versions are separated by a forwardslash "/".

General

Shipper: A person or corporate entity, (a customer), that calls upon a "Trucking" company to "carry" a shipment. The shipper is tendering ((offer)ing /(consign)ing) freight to a carrier.

;Receiver: The person or entity to which a load is destined.

;Consignor: The person or entity which transfers legal responsibility for a load to a carrier.

;Consignee: The person or entity taking legal responsibility for a load from the carrier.

;Freight / Cargo: The materials or goods being transported.

:;Bulk freight / Bulk cargo: Large quantities of undivided or unpackaged cargo, such as a tank trailer filled with gasoline.

;Pallet: A wooden platform upon 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.

;Hazardous materials (Haz-mat): Explosive, poisonous or otherwise potentially dangerous cargo.

;Bill of lading (BOL): 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.cite web |url=http://www.umtri.umich.edu/divisionPage.php?pageID=201 |title=Truck and Bus Glossary |accessdate=2008-04-20 |publisher=University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute ]

;Manifest: A document that describes the contents of a shipment. Often supplements the information contained in a bill of lading.

;Broker: A person or company which arranges for the truck transportation of cargo belonging to others, utilizing for-hire carriers to provide the actual truck transportation.

;Intermodal: A single trailer or container which encounters multiple forms of transportation along its route, such as land/sea/rail.

;Tractor: A truck or (Power unit) used to pull a load or trailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle(s)in a semi-truck/semi-trailer combination.cite web |url=http://www.twna.org/trucking_terms.htm |title=TWNA Glossary - Trucking Terms |accessdate=2008-03-06 |publisher=Trucking's Web Resource for Journalists and Communicators ]

;Truck Stop Electrification (TSE) / Shore power: A land-based electric power supply for trucks. Eliminates the need for engine idling while parked, sometimes supplies external climate control within the truck cab, as well as internet and tv access.

;Dead-heading: Operating an empty truck lacking cargo.

;Linehaul (Chain Haul): A trip that involves more than two destinations; multiple stops running in a line or circle. Linehauls are often short runs for intra-city drivers (i.e. UPS). When the route is both intercity and involves dead-heading, over short portions, it's also know as dump-n-go routes. Often the drivers of linehaul routes will switch trailers a various points, delivering the actually trailer itself, as opposed to merchandise and materials inside. Such hauls are known as drop-n-hook lines. If multiple trailers are involved in any combination of other listed linehaul routes, it's known as a Chain Haul, or less often, chain train. A linehaul is almost always ends at the originating terminal or yard prior to the end of the maximum 14 hour day.

;Over-the-road (OTR): Over-the-road is any trip that involves more than the maximum per-day period of 14 hours without returning to the home location. Regional OTR is one or more deliveries that are within a multi-state region from the originating base location. Long-Haul OTR involves being away for weeks, or months at a time, often cross-country or even intercontinental.

;Terminal: A dock at which freight is sorted. Typically includes an office for managing freight orders, dock workers and drivers.

;Breakbulk terminal: A large terminal or "Hub" where a"Bulk" or "truck load" is off loaded and"Broken up" so it may be sent to multiple destinations.

;Terminal of origin: The first terminal from which freight originates.; typically the domicile or home location for the pickup vehicles

;Destination terminal: The end point terminal where freight is transfered onto the last mile delivery vehicles.

Drivers and carriers

;Motor carrier: A person or company providing transportation of property or passengers using commercial motor vehicles.cite web |url=http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/about/other/faq/faqs.asp |title=Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) - Registration and Licensing |accessdate=2008-03-06 |publisher=Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration ]

:;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).

:;Common carrier: A carrier that is licensed by a regulatory body and obligated to serve the public under the rates and conditions set forth in a public tariff

:;Common carrier obligation: The legal duty of a common carrier to serve the general public without discrimination

:;Contract carrier: A for-hire carrier contracted to one particular shipper. A contract carrier enters into a contract whose terms are negotiated betwwen a specific carrier and specific customer.

:;Private carrier: A carrier contracted to or owned by a shipper that does not hold itself out to the general shipping public.

;Company driver: Employee of a carrier who is assigned to drive company-operated trucks.

;Owner-Operator (O/O): Self-employed independent contractors who drive privately owned or leased trucks.

;Team drivers: A team of two 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 traveling more than convert|250|mi|km.

;Regular route / Dedicated: A driver or carrier whose route is regular. The driver operates from and to a single base, or two or more keeping a regular schedule.

;Regional: 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.

;Irregular route / Over-the-road (OTR): A driver or carrier who transports cargo to any place at any time, without prescribed schedules or routes.

;Truckload (TL): A load of freight composed of mainly one or few types of cargo, with one or few destinations. A TL driver is normally an over-the-road driver.

;Less-than-truckload (LTL): A load of freight composed of many different types of cargo, with many different destinations. A LTL driver normally has a dedicated or regional route.

;Oversize/Overweight load: A unit of cargo which is larger than the legally defined limits for width, length, height, and/or weight; which cannot be broken down into smaller units. Oversize loads are normally hauled on flatbed trailers. Overweight loads typically utilize trailers with extra axles, resulting in a truck with more than the typical 18 wheels. Some carriers and drivers specialize in these types of loads.

Vehicles

;Combination vehicle: A vehicle comprising two separate parts, a tractor (powered unit, semi-truck) and a trailer (unpowered unit, semi-trailer).

;Semi-truck / Tractor-trailer (Big rig, 18-wheeler): An articulated (jointed) combination vehicle, commonly comprising a 10-wheeled tractor and an 8-wheeled trailer.

;Straight truck (Box truck, Bob truck): A smaller single-unit, non-articulated truck, usually having between 6 and 10 wheels.

;Dump truck: Usually refers to a straight truck with a bucket-like cargo area, although can refer to a semi-truck with a dump trailer.

;Day cab: A truck cab without a sleeper berth.

;Bobtail: (n)Refers to either a tractor without a trailer, or a box truck. The terms refers to the way the truck handles without a load. It tens to "bob" or bounce along. It also may be called a "Dead Head" - a non revenue configuration.

;Cab over: A short square tractor with no hood, with a vertical front. The "cab" rides "over" the engine and steering axle. Used when a shorter wheelbase is needed. This is a more fuel efficient than a Conventional truck, but less comfortable for the driver.

;Conventional truck: A tractor designed for semi-truck operation featuring a forward engine and a cab situated in front of the rear axle.

Vehicle parts

;Cab: The interior of a truck where the driver sits.

;Sleeper berth (Bunk): The truck's interior designated for sleeping. Legally it must contain a bed. They can become quite elaborate and they often combines the amenities of a kitchen, living room, bedroom, and a bathroom.

;Tandem: A set of dual wheels (on pickup trucks, known as a dually). A tandem assembly is a redundant backup system, if one tire fails the second will maintain support, allowing the vehicle to keep driving.

;Tandem axle: A pair of axles spaced close together.

;Super single: A single, larger wheel, substituted for a tandem 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. [cite web |url=http://www.moderntiredealer.com/t_inside.cfm?action=art_det&storyID=1125 |title=Are super singles really that super?: Wide-base tires may not be ready for line-haul applications |accessdate=2008-02-28 |publisher=Modern Tire Dealer Magazine ] The disadvantage being a lack of tire redundancy. Tire failure can disable the vehicle.

;Retarder / Engine brake / Jake 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. [cite web |url=http://www.jakebrake.com/products/hd-engine.php |title=Jacobs Vehicle Systems - Heavy Duty Engine Brake |accessdate=2008-04-20 |publisher=Jacobs Vehicle Systems ]

;Fifth wheel: A pivoting platform on the rear of a truck tractor, used to support the front end of the trailer being towed which contains locking jaws which engage the trailer kingpin.

;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 which support the front of a trailer when it is not connected to a tractor.

;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.

;Bulkhead (Headache rack): A strong wall-like structure placed at the front of a flatbed trailer (or on the rear of the tractor) used to protect the driver against shifting cargo during a front-end collision. A bulkhead may also refer to any separator within a dry or liquid trailer (also called a baffle for liquid trailers) used to partition the load.

;Lift axle (Cheater axle): An air-powered axle which may be raised or lowered to the ground to provide greater load-carrying capacity.

Trailers

;Dry van / Dry box: A simple, enclosed non-climate controlled rectangular trailer. Can only be loaded/unloaded through the rear doors, requiring elevated access for forklifts to enter the trailer.cite web |url=http://www.worldtraderef.com/WTR_site/Truck_Trailers/Guide_to_Truck_Trailers.asp |title=Truck Trailers |accessdate=2008-03-06 |publisher=World Trade Press ]

:;Deep drop van: A specialized extra large dry van, with a lowered floor and higher roof. Normally used to transport bulky, relatively light cargo, such as furniture and electronics.

:;Pup / Tandem / Twin: A convert|28|ft|m|sing=on long trailer that can be used singularly as a delivery trailer in congested areas or in combination with another convert|28|ft|m|sing=on, 52-foot, or convert|57|ft|m|sing=on trailer for over the road. "Pup" comes from the Class-B (US) drivers' use of the 28' trailer on large (class 3-class 5) pickup or box-trucks, often seen for landscapers or light-duty construction jobs. Pup trailers are also used for Rocky Mountain Doubles and Mountain Triples in the American West by chaining, respectively, one or two 28' pup trailers on the back of a full size trailer or box truck. In Central America and some southern states, specifically Texas and Arizona, as well as some European countries and Australia an equivalent length (25-32 feet) pup trailers are used in Desert Quads (not to be confused with a road train, using standard or extended length trailers), four-pup-trailer configurations used to cross longer distances directly across deserts and flats rather than on roads. Also used in Alaska and the Northern Territories of Canada in triple and quad formations.

;Refrigerated van (Reefer): A refrigerated and insulated box trailer.

;Platform trailer (Flatbed): A flat trailer with no enclosure or doors. Can be loaded/unloaded from the sides, and does not require elevated access for forklifts.

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

:;Double dropdeck (Lowboy): A flatbed with the lowest deck. Featuring a raised step at the front, where the trailer attaches to the fifth wheel, and at the back, where the wheel wells are located. Normally used for oversize/overheight loads.

:;Gooseneck lowboy: A specialized lowered flatbed trailer, normally used for oversize/overweight loads.

;Covered wagon: A flatbed with specially fitted side plates and curved ribs supporting a tarp covering. Named for the resemblance to horse-drawn Conestoga wagons.

;Curtainside: Can be either a dry box with tarp sides, or a flatbed with a movable frame of squared ribs supporting a tarp.;Dump trailer: A bucket-like trailer with an open top for loading, commonly used for hauling bulk quantities of dirt, rocks, etc.

:;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.

:;Side dump: A dump with front and rear pivot points allowing the cargo area to tilt sideways for unloading.

:;Belly dump: A dump with a funnel-shaped floor for unloading through the bottom.

;Tank trailer (Tanker): An enclosed cylinder-shaped tank used for hauling bulk quantities of liquid.

;Dry bulk trailer: A variation of the liquid tank trailer, with a funnel-shaped bottom, used for hauling bulk quantities of dry powder. Usually loaded through holes in the top, unloaded through the bottom.

;Auto transport trailer (Car hauler, Portable parking lot): A specialized trailer or truck/trailer combination used for transporting passenger vehicles.

;Grain trailer (Hopper): A rectangular enclosure with an open top for loading, covered with a tarp, and a funnel shaped bottom for unloading.

;Livestock trailer (Bull wagon): 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.

;Timber trailer (Logger): A specialized trailer, used for transporting logs, consisting of a basic chassis with vertical stakes along the sides to hold the logs in place.

;Double decker: A specialized dry van or curtainside with 2 or 3 floors to allow for more cargo space.

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

;Container skeletal carrier: A trailer composed of a simple chassis for the mounting of a containerized load.

:;Sideloader: A specialized container trailer with cranes on the front and rear to allow for on-the-spot loading and unloading.

References