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			Bobtail - 




fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck.  Bobtail Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Bobtail - straight truck | tractor | trailer | truck | trucking |

Car -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A passenger vehicle or a conveyance that travels on a rail such as a streetcar or railroad car.  Car
Related Terms: Car - conveyance | railroad | railroad car | vehicle |

Carload -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight completely fills a container or railcar. Acronym: CL
Related Terms: Carload - freight | full carload | less than carload | railcar | shipment |

Container (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Containers are transported on public roads atop a container chassis towed by a Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Container (1) - shipping container | trucking |

Container Chassis -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Single-purpose semitrailer designed to carry a shipping container. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Container Chassis - container | shipping container | trucking |

Container On Flat Car -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Method of moving shipping containers which involves transporting them on railroad flat cars. Acronym: COFC Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Container On Flat Car - piggyback | trailer on flat car | trucking |

Converter Dolly -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel (coupling device), towed by a semitrailer and supporting the front of, and towing, another semitrailer. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Converter Dolly - dolly | trucking |

Cube -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Interior volume of a truck body, semitrailer or trailer, measured in cubic feet. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Cube - cubic capacity | trucking |

Cubic Capacity -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Interior volume of a truck body, semitrailer or trailer, measured in cubic feet. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Cubic Capacity - cube | trucking |

Dolly -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Auxiliary axle assembly equipped with a fifth wheel (coupling device), towed by a semitrailer and supporting the front of, and towing, another semitrailer. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Dolly - converter dolly | trucking |

Doubles -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Combination of a tractor and two semitrailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Doubles - converter dolly | pintle hook | trucking | twins | twin trailers |

Drayage -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A service offered by a motor carrier for the cartage of rail or ocean containers from a dock to an intermediate or final destination, or the charge for such cartage.
Related Terms: Drayage - carrier | cartage | container | dock | motor carrier | ocean | port | rail | service |

Electronic Commerce (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
The end-to-end digital exchange of all information needed to conduct business. Examples include EDI transactions, electronic mail, archives, audit trails, and all forms of records, including graphical images. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI), Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) and Continuous Acquisition and Life-cycle Support (CALS). Acronym: EC Reference: ECRC University of Scranton / Defense Logistics Agency
Related Terms: Electronic Commerce (1) - business | commerce | communications | electronic data interchange | exchange | information management | interchange | interface | management | protocol | telecommunications | trade |

Engine -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A system or mechanism that converts one or more forms of energy into another; a motor; or a railroad locomotive.  Engine
Related Terms: Engine - rail | railroad | system | tractor | train |

Fifth Wheel -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Coupling device attached to a tractor or dolly which supports the front of a semitrailer and locks it to the tractor or dolly. The fifth wheel's center is designed to accept a trailer's kingpin, around which the trailer and tractor or dolly pivot in turns.  Fifth Wheel Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Fifth Wheel - sliding fifth wheel | trucking |

Full Carload -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight completely fills a container or railcar. Acronym: FC
Related Terms: Full Carload - carload | freight | less than carload | railcar | shipment |

Full Truck Load -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight completely fills the trailer or container. Acronym: FTL
Related Terms: Full Truck Load - container | freight | less than truckload | trailer | truck | truckload | shipment |

Gross Combination Weight -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Total weight of a loaded combination vehicle, such as a tractor-semitrailer or truck and full trailer(s). Acronym: GCW Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Gross Combination Weight - gross vehicle weight | trucking |

Headache Rack -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Heavy protective barrier mounted behind the tractor's cab. Designed to prevent "headaches" caused by load shifting forward from the trailer and crushing the cab. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Headache Rack - trailer | truck | trucking |

Intelligent Transportation Systems -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Blanket term for a wide array of technologies, including electronic sensors, computer hardware and software and radio communications. The purpose of IVHS is to increase efficiency of use of existing highways, reducing travel time, fuel consumption, air pollution and accidents. There are five functional areas: Advanced Public Transportation Systems Acronym: ITS Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Intelligent Transportation Systems - automatic vehicle identification | automated vehicle location | intelligent vehicle highway systems | trucking | weight-in-motion |

Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Blanket term for a wide array of technologies, including electronic sensors, computer hardware and software and radio communications. The purpose of IVHS is to increase efficiency of use of existing highways, reducing travel time, fuel consumption, air pollution and accidents. There are five functional areas: Advanced Public Transportation Systems Acronym: IVHS Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems - automatic vehicle identification | automated vehicle location | intelligent transportation systems | trucking | weight-in-motion |

Jackknife -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
To place the trailer at a very sharp angle to the tractor. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Jackknife - trailer | truck | trucking |

Kingpin Trailer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Anchor pin at the center of a semitrailer's upper coupler which is captured by the locking jaws of a tractor's fifth wheel to attach the tractor to the semitrailer. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Kingpin Trailer - kingpin axle | trucking |

Landing Gear (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Retracting legs which support the front of a semitrailer when it is not coupled to a tractor.  Landing Gear (1) Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Landing Gear (1) - trailer | trucking |

Less Than Carload -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight does not completely fill the container or railcar; or a particular consignor's freight when combined with others to produce a full carload. Acronym: LTC Reference: less than container load,
Related Terms: Less Than Carload - carload | freight | full carload | railcar | shipment |

Less Than Truckload -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight does not completely fill the trailer or container; or a particular consignor's freight when combined with others to produce a full truckload or full container load. Acronym: LTL Reference: less than container load,
Related Terms: Less Than Truckload - container | freight | full truckload | trailer | truck | truckload | shipment |

Long Combination Vehicle -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
In general, vehicles longer than a standard doubles rig (tractor and two 28-foot semitrailers). Examples of LCVs which are permitted in some U.S. western states and eastern toll roads: Twin 48-foot trailers; triple 28-foot trailers. Acronym: LCV Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Long Combination Vehicle - trailer | trucking |

Lowboy -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Open flat-bed trailer with a deck height very low to the ground, used to haul construction equipment or bulky or heavy loads. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Lowboy - trailer | trucking |

Manifest -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
An itemized list of all passengers and cargo onboard a ship or aircraft; a listing of goods carried by a truck or train; or a listing of railcars in a train. Acronym:  Manifest
Related Terms: Manifest - aircraft | bill of lading | cargo | inventory | invoice | passenger | railcar | ship | train | truck |

Mule -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center, etc. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Mule - trucking | yard mule | yard tractor |

Piggyback -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Semitrailer built with reinforcements to withstand transport by a railroad flatcar. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Piggyback - container on flat car | trailer on flat car | trucking |

Pigtail -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Cable used to transmit electrical power from the tractor to the trailer. So named because it is coiled like a pig's tail. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Pigtail - trailer | truck | trucking |

Pintle Hook -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Coupling device used in double trailer, triple trailer and truck-trailer combinations. It has a curved, fixed towing horn and an upper latch that opens to accept the drawbar eye of a trailer or dolly. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Pintle Hook - doubles | converter dolly | trucking | twins | twin trailers |

Pull Trailer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Short, full trailer (supported by axles front and rear) with an extended tongue. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Pull Trailer - trailer | trucking |

Pup Trailer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Short semitrailer, usually between 26 and 32 feet long, with a single axle. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Pup Trailer - trailer | trucking |

Railroad -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A transportation medium consisting of a track composed of parallel rails and ties for trains and other rail vehicles; or a system of tracks, equipment, facilities, and property for railroad transportation.  Railroad
Related Terms: Railroad - engine | equipment | facility | rail | railcar | rails | railway | transportation | vehicle |

Reefer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Refrigerated trailer with insulated walls and a self-powered refrigeration unit. Most commonly used for transporting food. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Reefer - trailer | trucking |

RoadRailer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Semitrailer specially designed to travel both on highway and on rails. Manufactured by Wabash Corp. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: RoadRailer - highway | rails | semitrailer | trucking |

Semitrailer (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Truck trailer supported at the rear by its own wheels and at the front by a fifth wheel mounted to a tractor or dolly. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Semitrailer (1) - trailer | trucking |

Shipping Container -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Containers are transported on public roads atop a container chassis towed by a Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Shipping Container - container | trucking |

Slider -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Slider - fixed tandem | sliding tandem | trucking |

Sliding Tandem -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Sliding Tandem - fixed tandem | slider | trucking |

Spread Axle -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Tandem axle assembly spaced further apart than the standard spacing of 54 inches. The U.S. federal bridge formula favors trailer axles with an eight or nine foot spread by allowing higher weight than on tandems with standard spacing. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Spread Axle - axle | spread tandem | tandem axle | tandems | trucking |

Spread Tandem -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Tandem axle assembly spaced further apart than the standard spacing of 54 inches. The U.S. federal bridge formula favors trailer axles with an eight or nine foot spread by allowing higher weight than on tandems with standard spacing. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Spread Tandem - axle | spread axle | trucking |

Straight Truck -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by the vehicle. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Straight Truck - bobtail | truck | trucking |

Tanker -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A vehicle for transporting bulk liquid freight; a tanker ship; a tanker truck or trailer; or a tanker aircraft. The equivalent form of rail transport is the tank car.  Tanker
Related Terms: Tanker - aircraft | bulk | car | freight | railroad | ship | trailer | transportation | truck | vehicle |

TL Carrier -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Trucking company which dedicates trailers to a single shipper's cargo, as opposed to an LTL (Less Than Truckload) carrier which transports the consolidated cargo of several shippers and makes multiple deliveries. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: TL Carrier - less than truckload | ltl carrier | trucking | truckload |

Tractor (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Truck designed primarily to pull a semitrailer by means of a fifth wheel mounted over the rear axle(s). Sometimes called a truck tractor or highway tractor to differentiate from it from a farm tractor.  Tractor (1) Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Tractor (1) - truck | trucking |

Tractor Trailer -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Tractor and semitrailer combination.  Tractor Trailer Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Tractor Trailer - tractor | trailer | truck | trucking |

Trailer On Flat Car (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semitrailers on railroad flat cars. Acronym: TOFC Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Trailer On Flat Car (1) - container on flat car | piggyback | trucking |

Tri-Axle -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Truck, tractor or trailer with three axles grouped together at the rear. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Tri-Axle - axle | tridem | trucking |

Tridem -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Group of three axles on a truck, tractor or trailer. Tridems are most common on European semitrailers. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Tridem - axle | tri-axle | trucking |

Truck (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Vehicle which carries cargo in a body mounted to its chassis, rather than on a trailer towed by the vehicle.  Truck (1) Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Truck (1) - straight truck | tractor | trucking |

Truckload -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
A shipment in which the freight completly fills the trailer or container. Acronym: TL
Related Terms: Truckload - container | freight | full truckload | less than truckload | shipment | trailer | truck |

Truckload (1) -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
The quantity of freight required to fill a trailer; usually more than 10,000 pounds. Acronym: TL Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Truckload (1) - less than truckload | trucking |

Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Standardized unit for measuring container capacity on ships, railcars, etc. Acronym: TEU Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Twenty-Foot Equivalent Unit - container | trucking |

Twin Trailers -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Combination of a tractor and two semitrailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Twin Trailers - converter dolly | doubles | pintle hook | trucking | twins |

Twins -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Combination of a tractor and two semitrailers connected in tandem by a converter dolly. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Twins - converter dolly | pintle hook | trucking | twin trailers |

Upper Coupler -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Load bearing surface on the underside of the front of a semitrailer. It rests on the fifth wheel of a tractor or dolly and has a downward-protruding kingpin which is captured by the locking jaws of the fifth wheel. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Upper Coupler - fifth wheel | trucking |

Yard Mule -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center, etc. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Yard Mule - trucking | yard jockey | yard tractor |

Yard Tractor -

fjrigjwwe9r0logisticsglossary:definition
Special tractor used to move trailers around a terminal, warehouse, distribution center, etc. Reference: Truck Writers of North America (TWNA)
Related Terms: Yard Tractor - trucking | yard jockey | yard mule |


Unless otherwise indicated, all entries in the LogisticsWorld Logistics Glossary are copyright 1997, Matthew D. Cox, logistics@logisticsworld.com.

 

WWW Virtual Library of Logistics
Ver 4, Sep, 1999, Matthew D. Cox, logistics@logisticsworld.com
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