The Trucking Industry

The trucking industry is an essential part of the global transportation system, responsible for moving goods and materials across long distances. Trucking companies and drivers use a variety of specialized terms to describe their vehicles, cargo, and operations. Understanding these terms is important for anyone working in the trucking industry, as well as for shippers and receivers of goods. This article provides an overview of some common terms used in the industry, categorized into four main areas: Equipment and Vehicles, Cargo and Transport, Regulations and Documentation, and Safety and Operations.

Equipment and Vehicles

Bobtail

A truck without a trailer.

Dry van

A trailer without refrigeration that is used to transport dry goods.

Dump truck

A truck with a large open bed that is used for hauling and dumping materials such as dirt or gravel.

End dump

A type of dump truck with a hinged bed that tilts to unload its cargo.

Straight truck

A truck with a cab and an attached cargo area, but no trailer.

Tanker

A truck that is used to transport liquids or gases.

Reefer

A refrigerated trailer used to transport perishable goods.

Van trailer

A trailer with walls and a roof that is used to transport goods.

Cargo and Transport

Cargo

The goods or merchandise being transported by a truck.

Carriage

The act of transporting goods or passengers by truck.

FTL

Full truckload, which refers to shipping a large volume of goods that fill an entire trailer.

LTL

Less than truckload, which refers to shipping a smaller volume of goods that does not fill an entire trailer.

Bulkhead

A wall or partition that separates the driver's cab from the cargo area in a trailer.

Pallet

A platform used to transport goods that can be easily moved by a forklift or pallet jack.

Load board

An online platform that connects shippers with carriers to facilitate the movement of goods.

Regulations and Documentation

Bill of lading

A document that lists the cargo being transported and serves as a receipt for the shipper.

CDL

A commercial driver's license, which is required to operate certain types of commercial vehicles.

Change order

A written document that modifies the terms of a freight contract.

Logbook

A record of a truck driver's hours of service, which is used to ensure compliance with regulations.

Manifest

A list of the goods being shipped on a particular truck or trailer.

Trip permit

A document that allows a truck to operate on the road for a specific period of time.

Weight ticket

A document that shows the weight of a vehicle and its cargo.

Clearance

The distance between the top of a load and the ceiling of a trailer or other enclosed space.

Safety and Operations

Blind spot

An area around a vehicle that is not visible to the driver through the mirrors.

Breakdown lane

A lane on a highway reserved for vehicles that are disabled or stopped for an emergency.

Deadhead

A trip made by a truck without any cargo.

Dispatch

The coordination of a truck and its driver for the purpose of transporting goods.

Fuel stop

A place where a truck driver can refuel their vehicle.

Hazmat

Hazardous materials, which are goods that pose a risk to health, safety, or the environment.

Relay

A system in which one driver takes over for another driver in order to comply with hours of service regulations.

Underride

A type of truck accident in which a smaller vehicle becomes wedged under the trailer of a larger vehicle.

Turning radius

The distance required for a vehicle to turn around.

Yard jockey

A truck driver who moves trailers around a shipping yard.

Yard spotter

A truck driver who assists in the movement of trailers in a shipping yard.

The trucking industry plays a vital role in the transportation of goods and materials across long distances. It involves the use of specialized vehicles, such as semi-trailer trucks and tankers, to transport a variety of cargo, including dry goods, perishable items, hazardous materials, and liquids. The industry is regulated by a number of laws and regulations, including requirements for commercial driver's licenses and limits on the hours of service that drivers can work. Logistics and dispatch are important aspects of the trucking industry, as they involve the planning and coordination of the movement of goods from one place to another. Many of the terms used in the trucking industry relate to the physical aspects of transporting goods, such as the types of trailers and cargo, as well as the logistical and regulatory aspects of the industry.