What does the term bobtail refer to?
In the trucking industry, “bobtail” usually refers to a semi-truck driving without a trailer attached. This term can also be used to refer to a straight truck transporting propane gas. But in the aviation industry, a Bobtail Tractor is a high-speed cargo tractor.
What is the top of a semi-truck called?
3 Answers. It’s most typically called a wind deflector. You can see it listed as such on this website. It can also be called a cab air deflector or even an air foil.
What are the legs of a semi trailer called?
A semi-trailer is normally equipped with landing gear (legs which can be lowered) to support it when it is uncoupled. Many semi-trailers have wheels that are capable of being totally dismounted and are also relocatable (repositionable) to better distribute load to bearing wheel weight factors.
What is the bar under a semi called?
rear underride guards
Those steel bars hanging from the truck’s platform bed are known as a “rear underride guards” or “rear impact guards.” They are designed to prevent vehicles from sliding underneath a trailer during a rear-end collision. Unlike your average car, truck trailers and straight trucks do not have rear bumpers.
What is a bobtail tractor trailer?
What is Bobtailing? A semi-truck is in “bobtail” mode when it does not have a trailer attached. Truck drivers often drive a bobtail truck when they are on their way to pick up their cargo at the beginning of a shift, or after dropping their cargo off at the end.
What is on top of a tractor trailer?
A trailer tail is also called a boat tail and is used to improve fuel economy by making the trailer more aerodynamic. What are the side skirts on semi trailers for?
Why is it called a tractor trailer?
Why are semi trucks called tractors? Because that is the proper name for the power unit. The whole rig is called the tractor trailer unit. A tractor unit (prime mover or traction unit) is a characteristically heavy-duty towing engine that provides motive power for hauling a towed or trailered load.
What is a tractor trailer called?
In North America, the combination vehicles made up of a powered semi-tractor and one or more semitrailers are known as “semis”, “semitrailers”, “tractor-trailers”, “big rigs”, “semi-trucks”, “eighteen-wheelers” or “semi-tractor-trailers”.
What are the parts of a tractor trailer?
The legend for labeled parts of the truck is as follows:
- tractor unit.
- semi-trailer (detachable)
- engine compartment.
- cabin.
- sleeper (not present in all trucks)
- air dam.
- fuel tanks.
- fifth-wheel coupling.
What is the back of a tractor trailer called?
The panels under the body of the truck are called aerodynamic panel skirts, side panels, or side skirts. The panels that hang off the back are often called rear tail fairings, trailer tails, or sometimes boat tails. Whatever you call them, their purpose is to reduce drag and save fuel.
What is a dot bar?
Shortly thereafter, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration made it mandatory for all semi truck trailers to be fitted with under-ride bars, also called DOT bars or “Mansfield bars.” The steel bar hangs from back of the cargo area and is designed to stop a car before it rolls underneath the trailer.