Glossary › H

The rear end of a container chassis may finish flush with the container so to allow easy reversing to loading bays.

This type of tilt body was developed in the Hamburg dock area in the 1930s. It has a slightly sloping roof on 5 longitudinal beams with numerous cross members. This design was the basis for the current standard tilt body that usually has a flat roof. Less common since the advent of modern sliding roof systems.

A hand operated braking system to secure the trailer when at rest. Usually operates on one axle only.

Various hydraulic systems use hand pumps e.g. lightweight tippers and demountable body systems.

Pneumatic valve.

Hand-hydraulic systems have many uses e.g. ramps on low loaders, locking cylinders, etc. In particular the system is used for lightweight tipping bodies.

Animal transporters with multiple load decks may have a cable or chain suspended deck for small animals e.g. piglets, goats, etc which is hung below a main deck.

Animal carcasses are transported hanging from a cargo track under a vehicle roof.

Trailer for roll-on containers from the manufacturer Hüffermann.

Surface finish of garment carrying rails and tipping cylinders.

Used on the eyes of parabolic suspension and removes need for lubrication of wearing components.

Standard containers with removable solid roof for loading from above.

Sheet metal with high Brinell hardness – used for heavy rock transporters.

The hose connection system on tank vehicles e.g. petrol or oil tankers.

A special stainless steel alloy which is used for particularly aggressive products e.g. in tankers.

Maintenance free axle system from Daimler Chrysler/Henrickson.

Term used for wheel head.

Heating may be achieved by hot water or solar power e.g. for tankers carrying temperature sensitive cargo or box bodies for flower transport.

General term used for stronger than standard specification e.g. semi-trailers which are designed for use on poor road surfaces.

Heavy-duty turntables for long material vehicles.

Tandem trailers have height adjustable towing equipment, which allows the trailer to ride horizontally when, coupled to the tractor unit. Height adjustment can be hydraulic or mechanical.

Leading European manufacturer of lighting equipment for trailers.

Construction trailers may be fitted with hinged towing equipment that comprises both a 50mm eye and a 40mm eye which allows the trailer to be universally used with both heavy construction and normal trucks.

Military vehicles have an international trailer coupling which is different from the civilian standard. The military system (also known as a Nato coupling) comprises a hook that engages the trailer towing eye. This coupling system performs better off-road.

The standard height of the hook on lifting hook vehicles. The DIN standard height is 1570mm.

The hook lifting system is used with demountable containers that are pulled on or pushed off the vehicle chassis on rollers.

Telescopic vehicles have a hose pack that allows electric cables and hoses to be extended with the trailer.

Storage equipment (hooks or closed containers) for tanker discharge hoses.

Zinc coating of steel for corrosion prevention. Used extensively for bodybuilding components.

The colours used for a company livery.

Distance recorder for trailers usually fitted in the axle cap. Often found on rental trailers.

Hydraulic steering of one or more axles – usually used on special low loaders and semi-trailers.

The front half of a low-bed trailer’s swing axles is steered mechanically by the draw bar via the front steering yoke; the rear steering yoke is connected to the front steering yoke with double-acting hydraulic cylinders in such a way that the steering angle of the rear half of the swing axles is in the opposing direction (>> also see: Hydromechanical steering).

The front section of a semi-trailer chassis where the main beams are reduced in height. This area has been increasingly important with the growth in popularity of Jumbo and high cube trailers because the depth of the neck has a critical influence in the internal height of the trailer. Improved design and materials have lead to necks which are now as thin as 40 mm – this was considered impossible a few years ago.

Tipper troughs that only discharge to the rear have fixed sides and cannot be tipped to the side.

Component of a lifting mechanism with which a roof tarpaulin can be folded. Scissor lifts move the cross braces up and run in steel rails. They form part of a curtainsider frame.