Many industries develop their own codified language to help simplify communication between two parties. For instance, the trucking industry has abbreviations for anything from the routes they drive to the equipment they use. An average person may chuckle when they hear the slang term “rig” as an interchangeable word for “tractor trailer.” Many people refer to this codified language as “trucker talk;” however, freight carriers and other shipping positions have familiarized themselves with this terminology. Truckers use numerous terms to describe everyday activities and objects. “Trucker talks” continues to evolve, literally making it a limitless language. Truckers know that they can travel to any region of the country and meet others who understand the language they speak.
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ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System): A computerized system consisting of sensors, solenoid valves, and a computer that monitors the rotation speed of the wheels and applied braking force. ABS helps drivers maintain control on slippery roads.
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AFV (Alternate Fueled Vehicle): A vehicle that runs off a fuel other than gasoline or diesel.
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Air Ride Suspension: A suspension system that supports the load on inflatable rubber bags, instead of steel springs.
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ATC (Automatic Traction Control): An optional ABS feature that prevents spinning of the drive wheels under power on slippery roads.
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AVI (Automatic Vehicle Identification): An automatic vehicle identification system that combines on-board transponder and receivers to detect stolen vehicles, electronic toll collection, and more.
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Axle (PDF): A supporting component that holds attached wheels, brakes, and suspension parts. There are four types of axles, including front, drive, rear, pusher, and tag subtypes.
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Bill of Lading: An itemized list of deliverable goods packed with each shipment.
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Bobtail: A straight truck operating without a trailer.
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Bogie (PDF): An assembly of one or more axles.
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Bridge Formula: A formula used by federal and state agencies to help regulate the amount of weight allowed on a vehicle’s axles.
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Cabover: A tractor design where the cab sits over the engine on its chassis.
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CDL: The commercial driver’s license authorizes an individual to operate commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) over 26,001 pounds.
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Common Carrier: A freight transportation company, such as a regular or irregular route service, that serves the general public.
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Cube: The interior volume of a truck body measured in cubic feet.
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Drivetrain: All of the mechanical components that transmits the engine’s power to the rear wheels, including the transmission, clutch, driveline and drive axles.
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Fifth Wheel: A coupling device attached to a dolly or tractor, which supports the front-end of a semitrailer.
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Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR): The maximum weight axle rating, including the weight of the axle itself and the distribution of the vehicle weight carried by the axle.
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Gross Combination Weight (GCW): The cumulative weight of a loaded vehicle, such as a tractor-trailer, tractor-semitrailer, or truck.
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Geared Speed: The calculated engine speed based on its overall rotations per minute (RPM) in each transmission gear.
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Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) (PDF): The cumulative weight of a vehicle and its cargo.
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Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR): The cumulative weight of a vehicle rated to carry by the manufacturer, including the vehicle and its cargo.
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Hazmat (HM): Hazardous materials as classified by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
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Jackknife (PDF): Positioning a trailer at an acute angle to the tractor.
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Landing Gear: A set of retractable legs that support the front-end of a semitrailer when uncoupled to a tractor.
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Long Combination Vehicle (LCV): A vehicle no longer than a standard double rig, such as a twin 48-foot trailer, or a triple 28-foot trailer.
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Load Range for Tires: A letter code system that labels the overall weight carrying capacity of truck or tractor tires.
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Pintle Hook: A coupling device used in a double, triple, and truck trailer combinations. A coupling device has a curved towing horn and upper latch that opens to attach a trailer or dolly.
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Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI): A unit of measurement for tire air pressure, air brakes, and turbocharger boost.
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Relay Driving: A practice involving the switching of drivers every 8 to 10 hours, usually employed in the less-than-truckload industry.
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Reefer : A refrigerated trailer used for transporting foods.
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Retarder: A supplementary braking device used to assist the main braking system.
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Sleeper: A sleeping compartment mounted behind the truck cab.
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Tandem Axle: A pair of suspension axles typically located close together.
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Team Drivers: Two drivers committed to alternating between driving shifts.
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Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU) (PDF): A standard unit generally used for measuring container capacity for ships and rail cars.
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Tractors: A truck designed to pull a semitrailer with a fifth wheeler mounted over the rear axle.
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Tractor Trailer: A combination of a tractor and semitrailer.
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Tri-Axle: A truck or tractor equipped with three axles grouped at the rear.
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Walking Beam Suspension: A type of truck rear suspension that consists of two beams located at each side of the chassis.
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Weigh-in-Motion (WIM): A technology that measures the overall weight of a vehicle without it coming to a complete stop.
