Words and Meanings Words & Meanings
me Cafe Loppem

ZZAR BEAN'S WORLD

Home Words & Meanings Dolly Knot Tales of the Road 40 Years Emma

WORDS & MEANINGS


Tautliner Flatbed Artic

A Glossary of Everyday Words
Used in Road Transport


Compiled by Ted Boucher
with a little help from
his friends.

Select a letter below to go directly to entries starting with that letter

A B C D E F G H I K L M N O P Q R S T U V W XYZ

A

A.D.R.
Regulations covering the carriage of Dangerous Goods
A Frame
Towing assembly between vehicle and following trailer (Wagon & Drag)
Articulated Vehicle
(Artic) A tractor & trailer combination where part of the trailer's weight is imposed onto the tractor unit.
Autobahn
German motorway system
Axle Configuration
The number of axles on a vehicle, usually 2, 3, or 4 axles.
The vehicles may also be called 4, 6, or 8 wheelers respectively.
In the UK a set of double wheels are counted as one wheel whereas in the USA each individual wheel is counted. A UK 8 wheeler would be known as a 12 wheeler in America
(2 axles with single wheels + 2 axles with double sets = 12 individual wheels)

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

B

Barn Doors
Rear doors where hinges are fixed to both rear uprights of vehicle body.
Bath Tub
Tipping body. Rounded between walls and floor (no angled corners)
Beaver Tail
A slopping end to a load bed to allow for easier loading of wheeled plant.
Bed
Cargo carrying floor of vehicle.
Belly Tank
Extra fuel tank fitted under chassis of trailer. Mainly used on ultra long journeys i.e Middle east. Frowned on by many European countries.
Bent
Running bent. To exceed or ignore the hours regulations. Severe penalties are incurred if caught.
Bepto (Doing a Bepto)
To make a silly mistake resulting in third party damage; or to suffer from one "I've been Bepto'd" (Thanks to Paul)
Binder (Dog, Dwang, Warwick, Stretcher or maybe Slyvester)
Used to to tighen a chain when securing a load of timber, steel or heavy machinery.(thanks to Simon)
Box
Sea container.
Box Van
An un-refrigerated solid sided cargo unit.
Buckles
Generic term for strap tightening devices on curtains.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

C

Cabotage
Internal or domestic haulage carried out in one country by a vehicle from another country.
Cab Fever
The urge to get away from the truck after spending too many consecutive nights living in it.
Cab Happy
To be addicted to driving lorries, any lorry will do. Someone who prefers to be in the lorry rather than be at home. (Suggested by Spardo)
Cab Rat
Untidy or dirty driver. Someone who doesn't keep their cab clean
Carnet
The transport document that allows goods to travel across borders without have to clear customs in each country the goods pass through. Used mainly for exhibition goods or other items that are under temporary export
C&U regs
Construction and Use Regulations. The rules which govern the dimensions and allowable carried weight of road going vehicles. Also stipulates braking performance and lighting requirements
CB Radio
Citizen Band radio. A free to air radio system useful for keeping in touch with other drivers.
Chain
Used for securing loads of timber, steel or heavy machine
Change Over
Pre arranged meet where two vehicles swap trailers.
Chinese Six
A three axled rigid vehicle with twin steer axles at the front and one drive axle. This combination allows for greater weight tolerances if only part loaded. The name is said to derive from the thought that only the Chinese could come up with such a design.
CMR
Terms and conditions for inter Europe Transport.
CMR Note
Delivery note. Must be used on all inter European deliveries.
Coil Well
Depression in the vehicle floor in which steel coils can sit.
Corridor (The)
Section of Motorway between the Channel Ports in N.East France & Belgium border. Allows trucks to run between the ports and Belgium on Sundays & Holidays when trucks are banned from running on other French Roads.
Note! This exception does not apply to vehicles running under ADR regulations.
Cold Store
Warehouse for refrigerated goods.
Coupling (1)
The act of joining trailer to towing vehicle.
Coupling (2)
A joining device in air or electrical lines.
Cow Bells
The detachable power leads between tractor and trailer which powers up ancillaries such as tailifts or other equipment which requires more electrical power. (Thanks to Steve Laszcz)
Curtain
Flexible load protection from roof to load bed either side of cargo unit.
Curtain Sider
(Tautliner) A cargo carrying unit where the curtains slide to allow easy access to the load space from the side.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

D

Demurrage
Levy charged for waiting time while loading/unloading. More common in container transport than general haulage.
Desk Jockey
Person in traffic office. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Dif
Differential Gear. The lump in the middle of the drive axle.
Digi Card
A credit card sized smart card that is used in digital tachographs these are being phased in from May 2006 (Marylin Rawings)
Digital tachograph
New generation of data recording machines which are replacing the older analouge tachographs.
Dock Leveler
Adjustable steel plate set into loading dock to allow forklift trucks to drive inside containers or any cargo body
Dodgy Night Out
A night spent at home after parking the vehicle away from your depot and claiming night out allowance. A practice more common in the days before sleeper cabs
Dog Clip
Spring Loaded safety clip which prevents fifth wheel release handle jumping out at inoppotune moments.
Dolly (Dolly Hitch)
Knot used for tightening ropes. Easily undone when unloading.
Double Drive
Two axles delivering motive power to the road.
Double Maning
Two drivers asigned to one vehicle. Allows for greater daily distances.
Drive Axle
Axle through which motive power meets the road.
Dundee Cross
A method of roping the rear of a load. Normal pratice would be to have two ropes from top corner to oposite bottom corner of the load. With a D.C. the ropes would be twisted around each other and taken back to the bottom corner on the same side. This enabled the position of where the ropes crossed to be adjusted up or down the load, very useful with high loads. (Thanks to Camel)
Dunnage
Lenghts of timber used to seperate various bundles of cargo, e.g. steel, machinery or timber. Also any packaging used to prevent movement of cargo.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

E

Emissions
The amount of exhaust particals an engine produces.
Exhauster
Secondary braking system using back pressure in the exhaust to slow the vehicle.
Eyelet
A brass ringed hole along the edge of a sheet. May also be found on flaps higher up the sheet to which guy ropes are attached.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

F

Fifth Wheel
The coupling on a tractor unit to which the trailer is conected.
Flat Bed
Cargo carrying platform without sides, can be either on a rigid vehicle or trailer.
Flat-Rack
Container without roof or sides. Just a bed and two ends. Used for transporting awkward sized machinery (Rob Knapp)
Fly Sheet
Extra protection for load. The fly sheet is spread the lenght of the load after it has been sheeted and roped. It's held in place by it's own guy ropes and is designed to billow up to keep water off sheets.
Fold Flat Trailer
Tipping trailer whose sides fold inwards to allow it to be used as a flatbed. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Four-in-Line
A wheel combination for trailers which sited four wheels in a regular spacing across the rear of the trailer
Full Load
A single drop delivery.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

G

Goal Posts
Sit's upside down on vehicle bed. Used when carring round timber or pipes.
G.P.S.
Global Positioning System. Satellite based position location system. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Greasy Spoon
Transport Café of dubious quality
Greedy Boards
Extra panels fixed on top of the sides of tipper bodies to enable more cargo to be carried.
Gross Weight
Total weight of vehicle and cargo.
Groupage
Consolidated load made up of many different consignments.
Guy Rope
Rope attached to sheet

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

H

Hand Ball
Loading or unloading a vehicle by hand.
Half Hitch
Knot used for tying off rope ends. Make a loop in a rope and then with the trailing part push another loop through the first one. Put this second loop over a rope hook and pull tight.
Half Shaft
Transfers motive power from differential gear to wheel hub. Can break with sloppy clutch use.
Head Board
Bulkhead across front of load carrying unit.
Hours
Driver's hours. The rules that govern the number of hours a driver may work. A fuller explanation can be found here (updated for 11th April 2007)
Hub
A central receiving depot in a major distribution network. Often found in overnight parcel or pallet systems. All outlying depots send their cargo to this central hub timed to arrive at the same time where it is sorted and loaded onto it's receiving depot's vehicle for onward shipment



Go back to the Alphabetical Index

I

Intermodular unit
Non ISO swap body. Which can be carried by road or rail
I.R.U.
International Road Transport Union the controlling body of International Road Transport IRU Website
ISO
Body which sets size standards as in sea container sizes

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

J

Jack Knife
Happens when the tractor unit is stopping quicker that it's trailer. Ends with trailer tight against Tractor cab. Not recommended!!
Jake Brake
Engine speed regulator made by the Jacobs Company. Used as a secondary braking system.
J.I.T.
Just In Time. A system where goods are delivered into a factory as and when needed. This puts great pressure onto drivers who could cause a production line to close down if a time slot is missed.
Jo-Loda
Unloading system from the Jo-Loda company comprises of channels in the cargo floor into which roller skids can be fitted.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

K

Kerb Weight
The unladen weight of a vehicle when ready to work. i.e. with full fuel tanks, spare wheel, fifth wheel and all necessary equipment.
King Pin
Stud under front of trailer which couples with the Fifth Wheel on tractor unit.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

L

Lancashire Flat
A demountable flatbed body that predated the ISO twistlock flats of today. These were basicly a strengthened flat body which in some cases was secured to a skellital trailer with screwbolts, but more often sat on a flatbed trailer where they were held down with chains or even rope!!! They were used for Irish traffic where they could be loaded directly onto freight boats for the sea crossing to Ireland. Preston docks being one of the centres for this trade.
Landing Legs
A pair of legs that are wound down to support the front of a trailer when detatched from tractor unit.
Lift Axle
An axle on vehicle or trailer which can be raised up clear of the road when not required.
Lines
Scottish word for delivery note
Loading dock
Raised area that vehicles back onto for loading/unloading
Loading Ramp
Mobile loading devise which can be positioned behind vehicle to allow a forklift truck access into vehicle from floor level
Lorry Park
Overnight off road parking area for lorries. Sadly lorry parks are disappearing at an alarming rate. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Low Loader
Special trailer with low ground clearance used for carrying plant or machinery.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

M

Master Switch
Switch that cuts off all electrical power to vehicle.
Maut
Road tax system for German autobahns. All goods vehicles over 12 tonnes GVW must now pay a mileage based toll to use the autobahns.
Mid-Lift
Axle between steering axle and Drive axle on Tractor Unit.
MSA
Motorway Service Area. Rest area on or adjoining a motorway offering fuel and refreshment 24/7 (Rob Knapp)
Multi-drop
A load which is delivered to many different places.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

N

N.D.C.
National Distribution Centre. A main receiving and consolidation point between manufacturers and retailers. Goods are taken in here before onward shipment.
Nett Weight
Unladen weight of vehicle.
Night Heater
Auxiliary heater for keeping cab warm when vehicle stopped.
Night Out
When a shift ends away from home base and driver is unable to get home.
Notes
Delivery paperwork also know as "Lines" in Scotland

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

O

On the wire
Driving a vehicle with an illegle cut out switch which can isolate the tachograph and so make it seem the vehicle is parked. Severe penalties are incurred if caught.
Open Top
Container with tarpaulin roof. Used for crane loaded cargo. (Rob Knapp)
Operator Licence
Permit required to operate any goods vehicle over 3.5 tonnes Gross weight.
Over Weight
When the gross weight of vehicle or axle exceeds permitted limits.
O.T.R
Over The Road; American term. Equivalent to U.K. "Tramper" or "Roamer"
Out Riggers
Swing out arms along the sides of low loaders to widen the load bed. Also extending legs used for extra stability on vehicle mounted cranes.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

P

Pad or Grid
Designated parking area in container terminals. Where container is lifted off truck. (Rob Knapp)
Pallet
Wooden or plastic base on which goods are transported.
Blues or Cheps. Blue painted pallets owned by a leasing company and interchangable between various users
Euro Pallet, the standard pallet used throughout Europe 120 x 80 cms
Four by Four the UK standard pallet 120 x 100 cms.
Palm Coupling
Air coupling standard in most of Europe but not of course in UK.
Pantechnicon
Large van usually used for furniture removals.
Payload
Maximum weight of cargo allowed to be carried. Gross weight, minus Nett weight=Payload.
P.D.A.
The Professional Drivers Association. The PDA A group of like minded transport professionals who have joined forces to try and improve the lot of the British lorry driver. Run mainly by drivers for drivers.
Péage
French toll road.
Pig's Ear
A method of securing a sheet corner when no eyelet is available. Ruffle up the edge of the sheet until you have a hand sized roll. Using the rope from a nearby eyelet pull the rope tight before putting a half hitch around the ruffle. Again tighten the rope and tie off onto a rope hook. Usually used for tidying up the corners of a load.
Plant
Machinery, wheeled or static used in road making or quarrying.
PoA
Period of Availability. For Working Time Directive purposes a time when a driver is availabe for work but not actually on duty. Does not count towards the 48 working hours allowed each week.
P.O.D.
Proof Of Delivery Signed delivery note with legible name, date and where possible a company stamp.
Pump Truck
Hand operated trolley for moving pallets on trailer or in warehouse (Rob Knapp)

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

Q

Queen Mary
Long Trailer used by the R.A.F. for carrying aircraft.
Queue
The place where many drivers spend much of their time, be it on the road or at a warehouse.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

R

R.D.C.
Regional Distrbution Centre. Central point of delivery for major retail chains. Good place to find a "Queue"
Ram
Hydraulic lifting post on tipping vehicles.
Ramp
To drive a vehicle harshly, using excessive engine revs.
Ratchet Strap
Load restraint comprising of a webbing strap and ratchet devise to tension it. Used more now than ropes or chains.
Rear Steer
Steering rear axle on trailer.
Reefer
A refrigerated vehicle or trailer.
Rigid
Vehicle where cab and cargo section are on same chassis.
Road Train
A multi trailer combination. Usually a motive power tractor pulling two or more trailers. Much used in Australia.
Roller Bed
Vehicle or trailer fitted with four or five sets of rollers arranged in lines front to back. Raised by air they are used mainly in the airfreight industry for loading and unloading aircraft pallets and containers. Lift the rollers and roll the load on, drop them to travel and raise them to unload. Usually accompanied by air suspension to ease operation (sloping the vehicle to help move the load). (Thanks to Gary A Wright)
Rope Hook
Used to attach ropes. Set along underside edges of cargo platform.
R.T.G.
Rubber Tyre Gantry. Enormous mobile gantry type cranes which run on giant wheels. Used at container terminals for loading/unloading trucks and stacking the boxes. These alien looking creatures, often 50 feet high with 4 or 6 long legs, drive over the truck their wheels passing either side. They then lower their spreader frame onto the top of the container lifting it off and taking it away. Also know as Stradlers.(Rob Knapp)

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

S


Sat. Nav.
A route finding system based on G.P.S. An electronic map. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Scammel Hitch
Automatic trailer coupling system once favoured by British Railways for their fleet of delivery lorrys.
Scotch
Wedge (usually of timber) placed behind wheels or reels of paper.
Shackle Hitch
Fasten the rope in the normal way to a shackle and throw the rope over the load, go to the other side of the trailer but do not pull all the rope through the shackle but pull a loop through the shackle about three foot or so, put the loop back to the rope that has come over the load and pull that through the loop what you have made and create a normal hitch ear with the rope go round the ear twice keeping it all tight because you will not be able to put a twist in the hitch because of this method from now on it is self explanatory (he says), when doing this hitch you need plenty of slack which you will find out if you try it but it works. (Thanks to Camel)
Sheet
Canvas or plastic cover spread over load to keep it dry and clean.
Showboat
Originally a fairground attraction powered by a traction engine the word then began to be used to describe any large well turned out vehicle. The 8 wheeled pantechnicons of Fisher and Renwick were a good example as they travelled between London, Manchester and Glasgow during the dark wartime years.They were always clean and well painted and their striking signwriting attracted attention where ever they went. (Suggested by Oliver Manton with thanks to Frank and Jack Spittle)
Showman's Truck
A road train usually comprising of a tug tractor, fitted with a large generator as balast, pulling two trailers and maybe a caravan. These vehicles are outside all C&U regulations are used solely for fairground or circus work. (Ian)
Shunt
1) To move trailers around a yard or short distances between sites. 2) An accident.
Shunter
Either a dedicated vehicle used to move trailers around a depot or for short distances between sites, or the driver of such a vehicle.
Skelly
Skeleton trailer without a floor just cross members at relevent positions. Used to carry sea contaners.
Sleeper
Large piece of timber used as "Dunnage"
Sleeper Cab
Vehicle with bunk and other home comforts if you're lucky.
Sliding Skelly
A skeleton trailer which extends to carry either 20 or 40 foot containers (Rob Knapp)
Slider
A Mechansim that allows the "Fifth Wheel" to be moved along the chassis.
Snow Chain
Fitted around the drive wheels to obtain traction.
Spreader
Framework for lifting containers. Has twistlocks which fit into top lugs of container. (Rob Knapp)
Stacker Truck
Forklift truck. Used for loading /unloading
Steering Axle
Front axle of vehicle.
Steering Wheel Attendant
Derogatory term for ignorant, aggresive, arrogant or discourteous drivers (Ian Bentley)
Step Frame
A two level trailer bed. Normal height over the "Fifth Wheel" then lower for the rest of bed.
Super Singles
Double width tyres. Mainly used as trailer tyres in place of twin wheels. Can also be found on steering axles
Susie (Suzie Suzy)
An air line or electrical cable connected from tractor unit to trailer.
Swan Neck
Front section of Low Loader trailer. Conects the high coupling section to the much lower bed.
Swap Body
Demountable cargo unit.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

T

T Forms
Customs forms used when Duty is payable on cargo.
Tacho
TACHOGRAPH. Instrument for recording vehicle movement, speed and hours worked.
Tachograph Disc
The wax coated disc which records vehicle usage and hours worked. More infomation on how the disc is filled out can be found here.
Tag Axle
Extra axle fitted behind the drive axle of a tractor unit or rigid vehicle. Can usually be lifted clear of the road when not required.
Tail Lift
Powered Loading Platform at rear of vehicle to aid loading/unloading.
Tank Farm
Storage area for liquids usually chemicals or oil products. Huge storage tanks are sited over a wide area to reduce the risk of explosions.
T.H.A.
Temporary Holding Area. A set aside area for trucks waiting to unload at container terminals. Usually involves a long wait. (Rob Knapp)
Tilt
A cargo carrying unit with a removable framework covered by a sheet (or Tilt). Used mainly on cross continental transport.
Tip
- To unload.
Tipper
Vehicle or trailer on which the load bed can be raised at one side or end to enable the load to slide off the opposite side.
T.I.R.
"Transports International Routier." World agreement that allows cargo to cross borders under customs seal. Used for trips outside of the EU or exhibition goods.
T.M.
Transport Manager. The person with the ultimate responsibity of keeping the fleet on the road and earning money. (Suggested by Spardo)
Traction
Pulling another companies trailer on their work.
Tractor Unit
The motive power and cab section of an articulated vehicle.
Trade Plates
Special number plates which allow unlicensed or untaxed vehiles to be driven on public roads.
Traffic Office
The hub of any haulage company where the planning and routing of vehicles and loads takes place. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Tramper (Roamer)
A driver who goes where ever the next load takes them.
Trombone Trailer
A trailer that can be extended to carry long loads.
Trucknet.UK
Trucknet.UK TrucknetUK A UK based website used by drivers to help each other. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Truckstop
A restaurant or café with it's own parking area. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Trunker
A vehicle or driver who runs the same route every shift. Often at night.
Tug
Specialised tractor unit used at ports and container terminals for moving trailers. (Rob Knapp)
Twin Steer
Two sets of steering axles at front of vehicle.
Twist Locks
Used to hold sea container in place on vehicle.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

U

Ullage
Space left in tank or drum to allow for expansion of liquid.
Unaccompanied Trailer
A trailer that is shipped by train or ferry without a tractor unit. The trailer is loaded/unloaded by dock workers and saves the expense of a driver staying with the trailer on a long ferry crossing. The trailers are pulled at either end of their journey by drivers on traction work
Unladen Weight
The weight of the vehicle when empty

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

V

Van
Panel sided vehicle or trailer.
VOR
Vehicle Off Road. i.e. out of service waiting repair.
VOSA
Vehicle and Operator Services Agency. The body which enforces road transport regulations

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

W

Wagon and Drag
A rigid vehicle towing a separate trailer.
Walking Floor
A cargo ejection system where moving slats in the floor carry the load to the rear. (Suggested by Steve Margrave)
Wendy House
Derogatory term for a low roofed sleeper cab especially the FL range from Volvo.
Woods
Timbers to lay under steel etc. Dunnage.
W.T.D.
Working Time Directive. A law designed to bring transport workers into line with other industries by limiting their working hours to an average of 48 per week.

Go back to the Alphabetical Index

X Y Z

Yo Yo
In and around the docks and warehouses of Liverpool the hoist's on the warehouses where known as "YO-YO's". Operating on a counter balance system a bale would be slung one end of the rope and it would come flying down to you stood on the back of the flatbed but on the other end of the rope would be another bale waiting to come down once the first bale had been positioned and released. (Thanks to 'Camel')
Zoll
German customs post
Z Plates
German equivalent of trade plates.




Counter

All text and images © E.A.Boucher 2002-7

If you have any more words, or comments
please E-mail me HERE
With thanks to members of TrucknetUK
and others for their help in compiling this list.
Last updated 2nd November 2007
1