FAQs
A bobtail truck does not have a trailer attached. Bobtailing, by definition, means driving a cargo-carrying truck (semi-truck) without a trailer. Bobtailing often happens when a contracted truck driver is first sent out from dispatch to their pick up site.
What does bobtail mean in trucking? ›
A semi-truck without an attached trailer at a given time is known as a "Bobtail truck" or said to be "Bobtailing.” It's difficult to imagine trucking without Bobtailing. A Bobtail truck does not contain any freight, so it cannot generate revenue for its owner.
What is another name for a bobtail truck? ›
A bobtail truck is a classification of trucks but with a unique appearance. It is known as a semi-truck, with the same front features but without the usual trailer attached at the back. Hence, it's relatively shorter than a normal truck or tractor.
What is the difference between a semi and a bobtail? ›
A bobtail truck is a semi without a trailer. Unlike a semi with a trailer, a bobtail trailer is more dangerous on the road because it's more difficult to stop and harder to maneuver, increasing the risk of an accident that can cause you serious injury and devastating financial losses.
What is the difference between a bobtail and a straight truck? ›
In trucking slang, bobtail, bobtail truck, and bobtailing refers to a semi-truck without an attached trailer. Additionally, the Department of Energy calls a straight truck transporting propane gas a bobtail. Typically, most truck drivers do not like to bobtail.
What is bobtail slang for? ›
Bobtailing, by definition, means driving a cargo-carrying truck (semi-truck) without a trailer. Bobtailing often happens when a contracted truck driver is first sent out from dispatch to their pick up site.
Where did the term bobtail truck come from? ›
While there doesn't appear to be a firm date when the term's use began, it's generally agreed that the bobtail designation owes its origins to the look of a trailer-less semi-truck, which some compare to a bobtail cat - a type of cat breed with a shorter tail.
What does a bobtail look like? ›
American bobtails are known for their wild looking appearance, most notably by their “bobbed” stubby tails and natural hunting gaze. Bobtails are athletic cats with a medium to large sturdy frame, wedge-shaped head, and come in both non-matting short and long-haired varieties of all colors and patterns.
Is a bobtail a box truck? ›
The first form of bobtail truck does not have a trailer attached to it. In these cases, your job usually involves picking up and moving compatible trailers and the cargo within them or transporting a small propane tank. The second type of bobtail truck is a standard box truck that has all the wheels on the same axis.
What is a bobtail used for? ›
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.
In bobtail mode, however, the truck lacks the typical weight over the rear axle, affecting its braking ability. As a result, bobtail trucks take longer to stop, making it challenging for drivers to prevent collisions in emergency situations.
What does deadhead mean in trucking? ›
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.
How many axles does a bobtail truck have? ›
When fully attached to a trailer, a semi-truck technically has five axles. If you're not attached to a trailer, a semi-truck technically has three axles.
What is a bobtail fee in trucking? ›
A bobtail fee is charged by the trucker to drop off an FCL container at the warehouse and pick it up after it has been unloaded, as opposed to a live unload. A bobtail fee is also called a drop fee. A bobtail is a truck (tractor) that's traveling without a trailer.
What is a bobtail driver job description? ›
Role Responsibilities:
Transfer, collect, load and deliver propane, product to and from containers (bulk truck, tanks and/or cylinders) for customers. Initiate and conduct the asset verification process. Collect customer signatures/stamps and payments for deposit if necessary.
Why are bobtail tractors harder to stop? ›
In bobtail mode, however, the truck lacks the typical weight over the rear axle, affecting its braking ability. As a result, bobtail trucks take longer to stop, making it challenging for drivers to prevent collisions in emergency situations.
