Trucking glossary

The words freight people use, explained plainly.

Bill of lading (BOL): The shipping document that describes the freight and serves as a receipt.
Bobtail: A tractor driving without a trailer attached.
Chain law: Seasonal rules in mountain areas that require traction devices or chains for certain vehicles. Check CDOT for current Colorado requirements.
Deadhead: Driving without freight, usually to reach the next pickup.
Detention: Fees or time lost when a driver is held up at a facility beyond the agreed window.
Drop and hook: Dropping a loaded trailer and hooking an already-prepared one so nobody waits on loading.
Dry van: An enclosed, non-refrigerated trailer.
Fifth wheel: The coupling plate on the tractor that locks onto the trailer kingpin.
Hours of service (HOS): Federal rules limiting how long a driver can drive and work before resting.
Landing gear: The trailer legs that hold it up when it is not attached to a tractor.
Live load / unload: The driver waits with the trailer while it is loaded or unloaded.
MC / Docket number: Identifier tied to a carrier's operating authority.
Power only: A move where the shipper tenders the trailer and the carrier supplies the tractor and driver.
Proof of delivery (POD): Signed evidence that freight was delivered.
Reefer: A refrigerated trailer with its own cooling unit.
Setpoint: The temperature a reefer unit is told to hold.
Tender: To offer a load to a carrier. A tendered trailer is one handed over for the carrier to pull.
Tractor: The power unit of a truck, the part with the engine and cab.
USDOT number: Federal identifier for carriers, used to look up safety records.

Still unsure?

Ask dispatch. We explain things without jargon.