Truck Accident Terms and Definitions

GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight) Total weight of a vehicle and everything aboard, including its load. TOFC (Trailer On Flatcar) Method of moving cargo which involves transporting semitrailers on railroad flat cars. Hazmat Hazardous materials, as classified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Transport of hazardous materials is strictly regulated by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Sliding Tandem (Slider) Mechanism that allows a tandem axle suspension to be moved back and forth at the rear of a semitrailer, for the purpose of adjusting the distribution of weight between the axles and fifth wheel. GAWR (Gross Axle Weight Rating) Maximum weight an axle is rated to carry by the manufacturer. Includes both the weight of the axle and the portion of a vehicle's weight carried by the axle. Cabover (Cab-Over-Engine, COE) Truck or tractor design in which the cab sits over the engine on the chassis. Container (Shipping Container) Standard-sized rectangular box used to transport freight by ship, rail and highway. International shipping containers are 20 or 40 feet long, conform to International Standards Organization (ISO) standards and are designed to fit in ships' holds. Bobtail Tractor Tractor operating without a trailer. Also refers to straight truck. Bogie (also spelled bogey) Assembly of two or more axles, usually a pair in tandem. Brake Horsepower (bhp) Engine horsepower rating as determined by brake dynamometer testing. (see Horsepower) PTO (Power Takeoff) Device used to transmit engine power to auxiliary equipment. Tandem Axle (Tandems) Pair of axles and associated suspension usually located close together.

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	Did You Know?
	Off-Duty Time At A Yard For Oil-Field Equipment Is Not Excluded From The 14-Hour Calculation. Off-duty time at a yard for oil-field equipment is counted toward the calculation of the 14-hour rule. Only waiting time at a natural gas or oil well site may be excluded from on-duty time.