Trailer Glossary
Does trailer terminology have you confused? No problem! The Trailer Technician Trailer Glossary provides the definitions of commonly used terminology from the heavy-duty truck and semi-trailer industry.
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A
B
Brake Force
Brake Stroke
Bridge Formula
Brinell Hardness
Buck Rivet
Bulkhead
Bullet Connector
Butt Connector
C
C-Train
Camber
CAT Scales
Center-of-Gravity
Class 1 Truck
Class 2 Truck
Class 3 Truck
Class 4 Truck
Class 5 Truck
Class 6 Truck
Clevis
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Commercial Motor Vehicles (CMVs)
Commercial Vehicle Safety Plan (CVSP)
Commercial Trailer
Compliance, Safety, Accountability Program (CSA)
Conestoga
Conspicuity Tape (DOT Tape, Reflective Tape)
Continuity Tester
Corner Radius
Crash Plate
Crossmember
Curbside
D
Dead Axle
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Desiccant Cartridge
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
Dielectric Grease
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Disc Brakes
Dock Leveler
Dock Lock
Dock Walk
Dolly Legs
Door Hold Back
Door Seal
Dead Axle
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Desiccant Cartridge
Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC)
Dielectric Grease
Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF)
Disc Brakes
Dock Leveler
Dock Lock
Dock Walk
Dolly Legs
Door Hold Back
Door Seal
Door, Overhead
Door, Swing
Drawbar Eye
Drayage
Driver Vehicle Inspection Report (DVIR)
Drop and Hook
Drop Deck Trailer
Drum Brake
Dust Shield
Duty Cycle
E
Electronic Braking Systems (EBS)
Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
Electronic Stability Control (ESC)
End Play
Extendable Double Drop Trailer
Extendable Flatbed Trailer
F
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
Fiberglass Reinforced Composite (FRC)
Fiberglass Reinforced Plastics (FRP)
Fifth Wheel Height
Fixed Tandem
Flaps
Flash Code
Flat Rate
Flat Spotting
Flatbed Trailer
Float Trailer
Floor, Composite
Floor, Laminated
Floor, Shiplap
Floor, Tongue & Groove
Foundation Brake System
G
Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR)
Gross Combination Weight (GCW)
Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR)
Ground Bearing
H
Harness, Wiring
Heavy Duty Truck
High Base Rail
Hours of Service (HOS)
Hub
I
Inspection on Sticker
Intermodal
ISO Container
J
J-Hook
Jackknife
Jig Fixture
Johnson Bar
Jounce
Junction Box
K
L
Lash Ring
Leaf Spring Suspension
Less-Than-Truckload (LTL)
Lift Axle
Lift Gate
Load Bar
Load Concentration
Load Lock
Logistic Seams
Logistic Track
Long Stroke
Longer Combination Vehicle (LCV)
Lowboy Trailer
Lumen
M
N
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)
Non-Ground Bearing
Nose
Nose Box
Nose Cone
O
Outrigger
Overhang
P
Pallet
Payload Capacity
PDI Inspection
Pick-up and Delivery (P&D)
Piggyback
Pigtail
Pintle Hook
Placard
Platooning
Pounds Per Square Inch (PSI)
Pre-Trip Inspection
Predictive Maintenance (PdM)
Preventive Maintenance (PM)
Pup
Push Rod
Push Rod Length
Q
QR Code
Qualified Inspector
Quarter Fender
Quick Coupler
Quick Release Valve
R
Rebound
Red Tag
Refrigerated Trailer (Reefer)
Relay
Removable Gooseneck Trailer (RNG)
Rigid Fifth Wheel
RoadRailer Trailer
Roadside
Rocky Mountain Doubles
Roll Axis
Roll Center
Rotor
Rub Rail
S
SAE J2228
Safety Measurement System (SMS)
Sand Shoe
Scuff Liner
Semi-Trailer
Service Brake
Sheet & Post
Short Stroke
Side Rail
Slide Track
Sliding Tandem
Sidekit Trailer
Slide Travel
Sliding Fifth Wheel
Sliding Tandem
Smart Trailer
Solid Rivet
Specialty Trailer
Spindle
Spread Axle
Spring Brake Chamber
Standard Repair Time (SRT)
Static Load Radius (SLR)
Stationary Fifth Wheel
Step Deck Trailer
Stretch RGN Trailer
Stretch Single Drop Deck Trailer
Super Single
Suspension
T
Tandem
Tanker
Tare Weight
Tautliner
Telematics
Terminal Tractor
Thermal Event
Threadlocker
Threshold Plate
Tire Inflation System (TIS)
Tire Load Rating
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS)
Tire Rolling Radius
Tone Ring
Top Rail
Torque Balance
Towed Vehicle Weight (TVW)
Track
Tractor Trailer
Trailer Drop
Trailer On Flat Car (TOFC)
Trailer Push
Trailer Walk
Transportation Management System (TMS)
Treadle Valve
Tri-axle
Truckload (TL)
Turnpike Doubles
U
V
Van Trailer
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Vehicle Maintenance Reporting Standards (VMRS)
VIN Tag
Vertical Load Capacity
Volt
W
Watt
Weigh Station
Wheel Base
Wheel End
Wheel Speed Sensor
Wheel Torque
X
X-Brace
X-Dock
XL Rated
Y
Yard Check
Yard Jockey
Yard Management System (YMS)
Yard Tractor
Yoke