A – E

1. Air Ride Suspension
A type of suspension system using compressed air to provide a smoother ride, often found on trailers carrying fragile cargo.

2. Axle Weight
The weight exerted on a single axle or set of axles of a vehicle.

3. Bill of Lading (BOL)
A legal document issued by a carrier to acknowledge receipt of cargo for shipment.

4. Broker
An intermediary who arranges freight transportation between shippers and carriers.

5. Bulk Freight
Cargo transported unpackaged in large quantities, such as grain, coal, or liquids.

6. Cargo Securement
Techniques and equipment used to properly tie down and secure loads during transport.

7. Chassis
The wheeled frame used to support and transport containers or trailers.

8. Consignee
The person or company who is to receive the shipment.

9. Container
A large standardized metal box used to transport goods, especially in intermodal freight transport.

10. Deadhead
Driving a truck empty, without freight.

F – J

11. Freight Bill
An invoice issued by a carrier for the transportation services provided.

12. Flatbed Trailer
An open trailer with no sides or roof, used for oversized or bulky loads.

13. Freight Forwarder
A company or individual that arranges shipments for shippers and handles logistics.

14. Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW)
The total weight of a vehicle, including its cargo, fuel, and passengers.

15. Haul
The distance or route over which goods are transported.

16. Hazmat (Hazardous Materials)
Substances that are flammable, corrosive, toxic, or otherwise dangerous to transport.

17. Intermodal
Transportation involving multiple modes of travel, such as truck, rail, and ship.

18. Jackknife
A dangerous situation where the trailer folds towards the cab during a turn or sudden braking.

19. Jammed Trailer
A trailer loaded beyond its weight or size limits.

K – O

20. Kingpin
The pivot point on the bottom of the trailer that locks into the tractor's fifth wheel.

21. Layover
A scheduled or unscheduled rest period for drivers between loads.

22. Load Tender
An order or instruction to a carrier to pick up a shipment.

23. Logging Truck
A truck designed specifically for hauling logs.

24. Logbook (ELD)
A record book (now often electronic) used by drivers to track hours of service.

25. Lowboy Trailer
A trailer with a low deck height, used for transporting tall or heavy equipment.

26. Manifest
A detailed list of the cargo on a vehicle or ship.

27. Owner-Operator
A truck driver who owns and operates their own truck, usually as an independent contractor.

P – T

28. Payload
The actual weight of cargo carried by a vehicle.

29. Pre-Trip Inspection
A mandatory safety check drivers perform before starting a trip.

30. Reefer Trailer
A refrigerated trailer used for transporting temperature-sensitive goods.

31. Shipper
The person or company that sends the freight.

32. Sleeper Cab
A tractor cab equipped with a sleeping compartment for long-haul drivers.

33. Tandem Axle
A pair of axles spaced closely together, usually at the rear of trucks or trailers.

34. Team Driving
Two drivers operating the same truck in shifts to maximize driving hours.

35. Tractor
The powered vehicle that pulls the semi-trailer.

36. Trailer
The non-powered vehicle that carries the freight, attached to the tractor.

37. Trailer ID Number (TIN)
A unique identifier for each trailer.

38. Truckload (TL)
A shipment that fills an entire trailer.

39. Tarp
A heavy-duty cover used to protect cargo on flatbed trailers.

U – Z

40. Unload
Removing freight from the trailer.

41. Weight Station
A checkpoint where trucks are weighed for compliance with weight regulations.

42. Winch
A mechanical device used to pull or tighten cargo straps.

43. Yard Spotting
Moving trailers around within a freight yard or terminal.

44. Zoning
Rules regulating where trucks may operate, park, or load/unload.