Top 100 Dump Truck Terms

Navigating the world of dump trucks can be a complex endeavor, especially with the industry-specific jargon that often pops up in discussions, manuals, and contracts. 

Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just dipping your toes into the field, understanding these terms can greatly enhance your grasp of the industry’s operations. 

To help simplify this, we’ve curated a comprehensive guide: the top 100 dump truck terms you should know. 

This list will not only familiarize you with essential terminology but also provide insight into the intricate workings of dump trucks and their associated processes. 

Dive in and gear up for a deeper dive into the fascinating world of dump trucks!

• Axle: The rod passing through the wheel’s center.
• Bed: The truck’s cargo area.
• Cab: The driver’s compartment.
• Chassis: The vehicle’s base frame.
• Deadhead: Driving without cargo.
• Double Bottom: A truck with two trailers.
• Dump Gate: The bed’s back door.
• End Dump: Unloads from the rear.
• Fifth Wheel: Coupling device connecting tractor and trailer.
• GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight): Total truck weight, including cargo.
• Hydraulic Lift System: Tilts the bed for dumping.
• Jackknifing: Trailer and cab folding into a V shape.
• Jake Brake: An engine brake.
• Kingpin: Pin holding the axle in place.
• Landing Gear: Supports for a trailer’s front when detached.
• Live Bottom: Uses a conveyor for discharging.
• Logbook: Records a driver’s working hours.
• Lowboy: Can carry tall loads.
• Payload: The cargo’s weight.
• PTO (Power Take Off): Transfers power to another part of the vehicle.
• Rig: Another term for a truck or truck-trailer combo.
• Rollover: Accident causing the truck to tip over.
• Side Dump: Unloads from the side.
• Sleeper: Area where the driver can rest.
• Tandem: Two axles together.
• Tailgate: Dump truck’s rear gate.
• Tarp: Covers the load in the bed.
• Transfer Dump Truck: Truck-trailer combo with added payload.
• Tri-Axle: Three axles together.
• Tractor: Semi-trailer truck’s driving part.
• Underbelly Dump Truck: Unloads from the bottom.
• Bobtail: Operating a tractor without a trailer.
• Differential Lock: Locks both axles to turn in unison.
• Backhaul: Return trip of a truck with cargo.
• Belly Dump: Another term for underbelly dump.
• Day Cab: Cab without a sleeper.
• DOT: Oversees transportation.
• Drop Axle: Load-bearing axle for heavy loads.
• Dry Bulk: Unpackaged materials like sand.
• FAWR: Max allowable weight on the front axle.
• Gooseneck: Attaches a trailer to a pickup bed.
• Haul Road: A specific road for trucking routes.
• Hoist: Lifts the dump truck bed.
• Retarder: Slows the truck.
• Spreader: Distributes material evenly.
• Telescopic Cylinder: Hydraulic cylinder in dump trucks.
• Tipper: Another term for dump truck.
• Ton (or Tonne): Weight or volume measure.
• TMT: Communicates the truck’s position.
• Wheelbase: Distance between front and rear axles.
• Air Brakes: Brakes using compressed air.
• Articulated Truck: Truck with a joint, allowing more movement.
• Bogie: Framework holding wheels, attached to a chassis.
• Brake Chamber: Converts air-pressure into mechanical force for brakes.
• Clutch: Connects and disconnects power transmission.
• Drivetrain: Components delivering power to the driving wheels.
• Engine Brake: Slows the engine down.
• Freight Ton: Measurement of cargo.
• Gross Combination Weight: Total weight of vehicle and cargo.
• Headache Rack: Barrier behind the tractor cab for protection.
• Inter-axle Differential: Between the drive axles, allowing them to rotate at different speeds.
• Kerb Weight: Vehicle weight without passengers or cargo.
• Lug: A ridge on a tire to improve traction.
• Mudflap: Protects vehicles from flying debris.
• Outrigger: Provides stability during loading.
• Piggyback: Transport mode where one vehicle is carried on another.
• Quarter Fenders: Protect the truck from road spray.
• Reefer: Refrigerated cargo container.
• Skirt: Reduces aerodynamic drag under the trailer.
• Superdump: A larger version of a dump truck.
• Tag Axle: An extra non-driven axle.
• Tare Weight: The truck’s weight when it’s empty.
• Tractor Trailer: A truck combined with a trailer.
• Transfer Case: Distributes power between axles.
• Transmission: Gears controlling speed and torque.
• Tri-drive: A truck with three drive axles.
• Turbocharger: Increases engine power.
• Twin Steer: Two front steer axles.
• Tandem Drive: Two drive axles.
• U-bolt: U-shaped bolt securing leaf springs.
• Vocational Truck: Designed for a specific job.
• Wet Kit: Hydraulic lifting mechanism.
• Yard Truck: Used to move trailers in a shipping yard.
• Bench Seat: Full-width seat.
• Bulkhead: Vertical barrier at the front of a flatbed trailer.
• Cab-Over: Cab over the engine.
• Dead Axle: Non-drive axle.
• Fuller: A type of manual transmission.
• Hubometer: Measures distance traveled.
• Inline 6: 6-cylinder engine in a row.
• Jake: Another term for Jake Brake.
• Kettle: Liquid asphalt transport.
• Liner: Protects the bed’s interior.
• Manifest: Document listing cargo, passengers, and crew.
• Nose: Front of the trailer or tractor.
• Off-highway Truck: Not meant for road use.
• Power Divider: Splits engine power between axles.
• Quad Axle: Four axles.
• Roll Stability: Prevents rollovers.
• Sleeper Berth: Sleeping compartment in a cab.

Delving into the dump truck industry can be overwhelming due to its unique jargon. Whether you’re an expert or a newcomer, mastering the key terms is essential. 

Our comprehensive guide showcases the top 100 dump truck terms, serving as a valuable resource to deepen your understanding and confidence in the industry.

Equip yourself with this knowledge and navigate the world of dump trucks with ease.

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