What Did He Just Say?
Here's A List of What BigRigSteve might be heard saying...
In trucking, and while riding along with us on the broadcast, you might hear us say something you are unfamiliar with. This list of terms and words we use might help you.
Play a game and test yourself to see how many you already know. Simply move or click the button to meaning when you want to know the answer.
Word
Meaning
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Bobtail or Bobtail Bob
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The power unit only of a tractor trailer.
Word
Meaning
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Reefer
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It is short for refridgerated trailer, or it could refer to the actual temperature unit on the front of the trailer.
Word
Meaning
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DEF
Diesel Exhaust Fluid
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Diesel exhaust fluid DEF, also referred to as AdBlue, is a crucial substance utilized to minimize the volume of harmful air pollutants released into the atmosphere by diesel engines. This resourceful liquid is specifically designed to reduce the level of toxic nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions by converting it into harmless nitrogen gas and water vapor.
Word
Meaning
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Fifth Wheel
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The fifth-wheel coupling provides the link between a semi-trailer and the towing tractor unit. The coupling consists of a kingpin a two or three inch vertical steel pin protruding from the bottom of the front of the semi-trailer, and a horseshoe-shaped coupling device called a fifth wheel on the rear of the towing vehicle. As the connected truck turns, the downward-facing surface of the semi-trailer (with the kingpin at the center) rotates against the upward-facing surface of the fifth wheel, which does not rotate. To reduce friction, grease is applied to the surface of the fifth wheel.
Word
Meaning
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CalBIT
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If you operate your truck with a GVW rating of 10,000 lbs. or more in California you need your truck inspected every 90 days. This is what typically is referred to as a BIT inspection or 90 day inspection
Word
Meaning
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DeadHead
(Sailboat Fuel)
(Carrying Dispatcher Brains)
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A deadhead truck has a trailer attached but carries no freight. Deadheading means driving a cargo carrying truck (semi-truck) pulling an empty trailer. Deadheading often happens when a trucker returns or backhauls the empty cargo container to the point of origin.
Word
Meaning
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Terminal or Yard
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Trucking terminals actually have two meanings. One, is where company trucks all park, get service, drop or pick up trailers, get maintaince done, etc. At some locations they have regional planning or office personnel.
Another meaning is a big building and yard that has freight dock doors on all sides and trucks back in loaded or empty trailers and freight is dispersed among other trailers as needed to go in different directions or locations.
Word
Meaning
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Bills or Bill of Lading
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A bill of lading is a contract issued by a transport company to a shipper that spells out the quantity, type, and destination of the goods being shipped. It serves as a receipt of the shipment and can help prevent the theft of goods being transported.
Word
Meaning
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SuperSingles (tires)
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Technically, super singles are single tires that offer the capacity to replace the capacity of a dually set. Most commonly the term refers to wide-base tires (their proper name) used to replace dual-wheels on semi-trucks and trailers. This approach turns 18-wheelers into 10-wheelers. You used to see these tires alot, but now not so much. I think they actually failed more than the regular single tires.
Word
Meaning
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Wiggle Wagon
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A truck pulling double or triple trailers.
Word
Meaning
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Skateboard
or Flatbed
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An open trailer used for carrying construction materials and equipment and other objects of unusual size and shape.
Word
Meaning
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Weigh Station
Scalehouse
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Department of Transportation (DOT) weigh stations are essentially checkpoints to ensure there are no overweight vehicles (specifically commercial trucks) on the road. They also ensure that companies in the trucking industry comply with state and federal laws.
Word
Meaning
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BandAid Wagon
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That’s what we call an ambulance in route
Word
Meaning
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Bear or Smokey Bear
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State trooper/State Police Officer
Word
Meaning
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Chicken Coup
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weigh station/inspection point that trucks must go in if not given a bypass
Word
Meaning
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Gators in the road
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Tire tread that has come off a truck and is laying in the road.
Word
Meaning
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Evil Knievel
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Motorcycle Cop
Word
Meaning
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County Mounty
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Sheriff Deputy
Word
Meaning
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Chicken Truck
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Semi truck with many lights on the tractor and trailer
Word
Meaning
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Kojak with a Kodak
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Motorcycle Cop pointing his radar at traffic
Word
Meaning
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Bear in the Air
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law enforcement watching traffic from a helicopter
Got any words you'd like to see listed here?
Send them via email to me at BigRigSteve@bigrigtravels.com!