You might be starting your trucking career, overheard someone at a gas station, or maybe you have a friend who’s a trucker. Whatever the case may be, you might not have heard these common trucking terms before.
There are few better teachers than time, and it doesn’t take long to pick up the lingo. However, here’s a brief starter course on some of the most common terms.
Backhaul
This is a return load that will have the driver returning home or close to his company’s terminal.
Bear
This is trucker slang for a police officer! Most often referring to a state trooper or highway patrolman (due to the hat). You might also hear the term “Smokey” thrown around.
Bed Bugger
A slang term for a professional mover, or someone who specializes in household goods.
Belly Dump
Instead of raising its bed like a traditional dump truck, these unload through a hopper in the bottom of the truck.
Bobtail
A truck with no trailer!
CB Radio
Citizens Band radios are a short distance tool that allows communication between two people. They have been in use since the 1970s and are still used today.
Chimney Blocking
A specific loading method often used for pallets between 26 and 28. Pallets are loaded in an alternatively straight and turned 90 degrees.
Chocks
The little triangle wedges that help prevent a truck from rolling while being loaded or unloaded.
Combination
At least one tractor and one trailer is a combination.
Coop
A weigh station or scale house.
Check Out Another Blog: How To Become A Truck Driver: Everything You Need To Know!
Dead Heading
Driving an empty trailer to pick up a load. Companies and owner-operators typically don’t get paid for deadhead miles, though some company drivers may be paid for the mileage.
Dedicated Run
Highly sought after, these are runs that go to the same place, using the same route, with the same schedule. They usually go to the experienced or most senior truckers. You’ve got to earn them!
Double Bottom
Slang for a set of double trailers.
Fingerprinting
This means you must unload the freight yourself.
Gooseneck
A type of light- or medium-duty trailer with a protruding neck.
Hanging Iron
Securing loads using chains or binders.
Hot Load
Urgent freight needs to be loaded and delivered ASAP.
In Bond
Any import or export freight that has not cleared customs.
LTL
Less-than-truckload is freight that consists of shipments from multiple customers who are consolidating their shipments into one truck.
Peddle Run
Most associated with LTL freight, peddle runs are jobs that require multiple pick-ups or drop-offs.
Piggyback
A trailer that can carry its own forklift, allowing it to load and unload on its own. This can also refer to rail-transported semi-trailers.
Slip Seating
Clearing out personal items from a truck so another driver can use it.
A Team
Two drivers working in tandem in the same truck. One drives while the other sleeps.
Yard Jockey
A spotter in the yard who shuttles trailers into and out of loading docks.
These are really just scratching the surface. If you want to learn more common trucking terms, there’s a pretty extensive list here.
