Every trade has its own terms of art, or specialized terminology, that is used by the professionals working in that industry. Trucking is no different in that there are words particular to just this field. Here are just a few of the ABCs of Trucking:
Average Length of Haul– a calculation determined by the number of reported miles driven in a month divided by the number of reported loads.
Bobtailing– driving a tractor without an attached trailer.
CDL– commercial drivers license, or the type of license needed to legally drive a commercial truck.
Deadheading– driving a tractor with an attached trailer that is empty.
Empty call– the communication made from the driver to dispatch informing them that the driver’s trailer is now empty and, typically, is ready for a new load.
Flatbed– type of trailer used to contain freight that is flat and has no walls or ceiling.
Gross Combination Weight– or GCW, the total weight of a tractor, trailer and cargo, calculated to ensure safety and risk damage to the equipment.
Hours of Service- the amount of time drivers are allowed to be on duty, which ensures that drivers stay awake, alert, and drive safely. This information is kept in a log book and includes drive time, as well as the number and length of rest periods.
Intermediary- non-asset third party or broker, who arranges the connection of a shipper with carriers to transport goods.
Just-in-Time Freight (JIT)– when goods or materials are shipped to arrive at a designated time to be utilized right away.
Kingpin– is the component that secures the tractor to the trailer and is located at the front of the trailer.
LTL & FTL– LTL, or less than truckload is when a customer’s product does not fill an entire trailer and is the method used most by small businesses.
A full truckload, or FTL, is when a customer’s product fills an entire trailer and uses the full capacity of the dedicated truck.
Motor Vehicle Record– or MVR, a report that can be accessed by insurance and trucking companies, which includes details such as traffic violations, driving record, and any criminal convictions. Trucking companies may use the MVR to screen applicants or to ensure that current employees are in compliance.
Nose– another name for the front of a trailer.
Owner/ Operator– is a business owner who owns or leases their own truck and generally takes on the expenses for maintenance and expenses of the truck.
Pallets– a method used to prepare goods for transportation that includes using a wooden flatbase that creates a safe, stable way to transfer product.
Reefer– refrigerated trailer.
Shipper (and carrier)– shipper is the company or person who is sending goods to be transported and the carrier is the company or person who is conducting the transportation of goods.
Tractor-trailer– a truck that has an attached trailer behind it.
Upper Coupler– the component at the front of a trailer, which includes the kingpin, and receives/ transfers a load from a trailer to the tractor’s fifth wheel.
VIN– vehicle identification number, a unique number that is assigned to every motor vehicle.
Warehouse– some trucking companies offer warehousing as part of their services, providing a safe place to store goods.
Yard– terminal where trucks are loaded and unloaded.
Questions?
Have any questions about trucking or looking for a new opportunity? Contact us at Bobtail Express about current employment opportunities and to learn more about the industry.