Trucking Glossary
Air Ride Van
A trailer that has pneumatic (air) cushioning for suspension rather than conventional spring suspension.
Asset-Based Carrier
A trucking company who enjoys the versatility and cost savings of owning their own trucks.
Bill of Lading
The legal document that shows the details of a shipment. This typically provides details such as consignor, consignee, pieces, weight, product description, collect, prepaid, declared value and any particular service requirements. The bill of lading is signed by the shipper and the driver picking up the freight.
Blanket Wrapping
The practice of using protective blankets to wrap delicate freight to prevent damage during transit.
C.O.D. (Cash on Delivery)
The shipper instructs the carrier to collect cash, certified check or other payment for the invoice value of the goods shipped to the consignee. This is usually done when the consignee does not have credit standing with the shipper.
Collect
Freight charges for a shipment are paid by the receiver or consignee.
Common Carrier
A person or company that transports goods or people for any person or company and that is responsible for any possible loss of the goods during transport.
Curtain Side
A trailer with solid fixed roof and canvas sides that can be pulled back for ease of loading or unloading.
Destination
The place where a shipment is delivered. Also referred to as the receiver or consignee.
Dunnage
Solid wood partitions (usually plywood) placed in between or on top of freight when stacking to prevent damage during transit.
F.O.B. (Freight On Board)
A term indicating that a price quote includes loading a product on a railroad car, truck, aircraft or some other transport vehicle and transporting it to a designated location. Further transportation from the designated location is not included.
Fifth wheel
The device on a truck tractor to which the kingpin on the trailer is inserted to provide a solid yet flexible link between the two pieces of equipment.
Flatbed
A trailer without sides or a roof. A flat bed is used to move larger pieces of freight that must be loaded or unloaded with a crane.
Greige Goods
Raw fabric before undergoing dying or bleaching.
Kingpin
The anchor pin at the underneath center of a trailer which is captured by the locking jaws of a tractor's fifth wheel to attach the tractor (truck) to the trailer.
Kingpin Lock
A sleeve that is placed over a trailer's Kingpin and then secured. Used by truckers and shippers to prevent the theft of a trailer that is parked without a tractor.
Load Bars
Steel bars that snap into cleats on each side of a trailer or van interior. Used to secure freight and prevent movement or tipping while in transit.
Logistics Van
A trailer that is equipped with air-ride suspension and cleats for the installation of load bars and straps.
LTL (Less Than Truckload)
LTL describes the practice of co-loading smaller shipments with other smaller shipments going to the same destination or in the same route. In general and LTL shipment is less than 10,000 lbs.
Lumper
Extra labour hired by a trucking company to assist a driver and/or customer in the unloading or loading a truck.
Origin
The place where a shipment is picked up. Also referred to as the shipper or consignor.
Prepaid
The term referring to the fact that freight charges for a shipment are paid by the shipper or consignor.
Prepaid & Charge
Freight charges for a shipment are paid by the shipper and charged back to the consignee by the shipper.
Sleeper
The living space behind the driver's seat in a tractor where driver's can sleep and relax when off duty.
Speed Limiter
An electronic microchip that has been installed on virtually every new heavy truck engine built since the mid-1990’s and when set, acts as a "speed governor" that restricts the maximum speed of a truck.
Straight Truck
A van and tractor permanently attached together. The van section of the of the straight truck is typically 24 or 26 feet long and may be equipped with a hydraulic lift gate.
Third Party Billed
The freight charges are paid for by a third party rather than by the shipper or consignee.
TL (Truckload)
TL refers to the practice of loading a single, usually large, shipment on a truck.
Tractor
The power unit (truck) used to pull a van, flatbed or other trailer conveyance.
Van
The enclosed 53 foot trailer that is hauled by a tractor.