Truck Equipment | CTAC Trucking Glossary

TOPIC 02 · Truck Equipment

Recognize Trucks and Equipment

The tractor provides power and the trailer carries freight; equipment choice also depends on loading and temperature requirements. Start with a dispatcher asking you to change trailers, then compare the vehicle parts and equipment involved.

13 topic termsStart with 6 core terms

START IN THE TRUCK YARD

One tractor, different trailers

You are a new driver at a carrier. Your first load is boxed freight at ambient temperature; the next may be temperature-sensitive food. Dispatch asks you to confirm the trailer type before leaving.

IDENTIFY THE PARTS · YOU AND DISPATCH

Changing the trailer does not mean changing the tractor

The cab and engine belong to the Tractor 牵引车; the freight goes in or on the Trailer 挂车. “Truck” may mean the whole combination, while dispatch uses these two words to distinguish its parts.

Tractor 牵引车

The powered front section, where you drive.

Trailer 挂车

The freight-carrying section, selected for the job.

Dispatch tells you

“Keep the same tractor. Take the reefer trailer.”

车头不换，换上冷藏挂车。

First confirm which part is being changed. Driving the tractor without any trailer is called bobtail; pulling an empty trailer is a different condition.

MATCH THE CARGO · THE NAME IS A START

Boxed goods, chilled food, and long steel need different equipment

Dry Van 干货厢

An enclosed trailer. It can carry this example’s ambient-temperature boxed freight; enclosed does not mean refrigerated.

Reefer 冷藏挂车

A trailer with temperature-control equipment. The cargo instructions determine whether it is needed and how to operate it.

Flatbed 平板挂车

An open deck, often used for freight such as steel. Dimensions, weight, loading method, and securement still need to be checked.

The next load calls for a reefer but gives no Set Point 温度设定值. This is the target setting, not the cargo’s measured temperature. Do not reuse the previous setting; obtain this shipment’s written instructions and distinguish °F from °C.

If the instructions are unclear, ask

“What temperature is required, and is that Fahrenheit or Celsius?”

这票货要求多少度？是华氏还是摄氏？

Also confirm any pre-cooling or operating-mode instructions. Recognizing “reefer” is the start; the actual shipment requirements are what you need to check.

AT THE PORT · BOX VERSUS CHASSIS

A container is not a trailer with its own wheels

A Container 集装箱 is the freight box. For a road move it sits on a wheeled Chassis 底盘／拖架. Moving the container involves both pieces of equipment; confirming the box alone does not settle the chassis arrangements.

In a typical tractor-semitrailer combination, the tractor’s Fifth Wheel 第五轮 couples with the trailer’s Kingpin 牵引销. “Fifth wheel” names the coupling device, not a fifth tire.

Air Brakes 气刹 and ABS 防抱死系统 name different things. Air brakes use compressed air for braking; ABS helps prevent wheel lock. ABS does not promise a shorter stop on every surface.

When checking port equipment arrangements, ask

“Where do I pick up the chassis?”

我到哪里提底盘？

This section introduces the names. Coupling, inspection, and operation require the vehicle instructions and practical training.

Reference: California DMV · Commercial Driver Handbook: combination vehicles and coupling

Reference: FDA · Food transport temperature and equipment requirements

Check your understanding

ONE QUICK QUESTION

Dispatch says the load needs a reefer, but gives no temperature instructions. What should you do?

EXPLORE & LOOK UP

Vocabulary for this topic 13

The example introduces 6 core terms. Explore the others by situation; select a term to read its definition.

The two parts of the combination

The tractor provides power; the trailer carries the freight. What does bobtail mean?

Tractor牵引车CORE

The powered front unit that pulls the trailer — engine + cab. Common brands: Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, Volvo, Mack, International.

Full entry & related terms

Trailer挂车CORE

The unpowered cargo unit towed by the tractor. Types include dry van, reefer, flatbed, tanker, etc.

Full entry & related terms

Bobtail空车头

Driving the tractor with no trailer attached. Bobtailing handles differently — braking can actually be worse than with a trailer.

Full entry & related terms

Equipment for different cargo

Enclosed freight, temperature-sensitive freight, and loads needing an open deck.

Dry Van厢车 / 干货车CORE

The most common enclosed trailer — for dry, room-temperature freight (e-commerce, retail, boxed goods).

Full entry & related terms

Reefer冷藏车CORE

A temperature-controlled trailer for freight such as food or pharmaceuticals. Equipment may cool and, on some units, heat. Confirm the setpoint, operating mode, and power arrangements using the shipment instructions and equipment manual.

Full entry & related terms

Flatbed平板挂车CORE

An open flat platform trailer for oversized loads, building materials, steel, etc. Requires strong cargo securement skills.

Full entry & related terms

Temperature Setpoint温控设定值

The target temperature entered into a refrigeration controller. It is not the measured cargo temperature and does not guarantee uniform temperature throughout the trailer. A correct setpoint alone does not establish acceptable cargo temperature.

Full entry & related terms

Containers, coupling, and brakes

Separate the box, chassis, and coupling, then identify air brakes and ABS.

Container集装箱

Standardized steel box — common sizes 20', 40', 40' HC, 45'. The basic unit of ocean + drayage freight.

Full entry & related terms

Chassis底盘 / 拖架CORE

The wheeled frame supporting a container for road transport, separate from the container itself. It may be owned or supplied under another arrangement; confirm its pickup, return, and use requirements.

Full entry & related terms

Fifth Wheel第五轮

The disk-shaped coupling on the tractor that locks onto the trailer's kingpin.

Full entry & related terms

Kingpin牵引销

The metal pin on the front of the trailer that locks into the tractor's fifth wheel.

Full entry & related terms

Air Brakes气刹系统

A braking system that uses compressed air, generally including service brakes for normal stops, parking brakes, and emergency braking functions for a system failure. A CDL “no air brakes” restriction relates to qualification and the test vehicle; it is not a separate air-brake certificate or endorsement.

Full entry & related terms

ABS Antilock Brake System防抱死制动系统

A system that modulates brake pressure during hard braking to help prevent wheel lock and preserve steering control. ABS does not guarantee a shorter stop on every surface, create tire traction, or replace normal braking technique; tractor and trailer systems may have separate warning indicators.

Full entry & related terms