Glossary › S

The dimension to EG standards from the king pin of a semi-trailer to the front left or right corner of the bodywork. The international standard dimension is 2040 mm so that there is compatibility with tractor units throughout Europe. This is the coupling radius of a semi-trailer.

The fifth wheel on tractor units should be positioned in front of or over the drive axle so that the load can be evenly distributed on the tractor and it’s axles.

Distance from the ground to the top of a fifth wheel. Varies from around 1m to 1.5m depending on semi-trailer type. Mega-trailers require an extremely low fifth wheel in order to maximise internal load height in the bodywork. Semi-trailer tractors with very low fifth wheels are known as low-trucks.

Folding handrails are usually found on waLKWays above tankers.

In accordance with CSC requirements rail approved swap bodies must be tested with a floor load of 5460 kg/m².

Step at the front of a semi-trailer chassis from neck to low load deck. Often used for high volume bodywork.

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.

Semi-trailers have a pair of landing legs behind the king-pin to support the front of the trailer when unhitched. The legs are winched up before travel. Folding legs are also available for semi-trailers used for rail transport.

Term used to describe all goods that are dust like and can be transported in silos e.g. chalk, gypsum, grain, etc.

Special vehicles for moving swap bodies without folding away legs. The low chassis can drive under the body and lift it while standing on legs. Kögel prime mover is called the ‘Wiesel’.

Vehicles which are primarily used internally to be able to mount, transfer and set down demountable bodies as quickly as possible.

Steering system used mostly on semi-trailers where the rear axle(s) are steered from the kingpin area via a system of rods and a turntable. The system operates both forwards and in reverse.

Steel for steel construction with an elongation at fracture of 690 N/mm², thermomechanically rolled with special cold forming capability.

Component used to push brake shoes apart.

Leading German manufacturer of shock absorbers.

Used on the rear flap of a horse trailer.

Found in the front of a well-equipped horse trailer.

Sauer Axle Factory. Leading German axle manufacturer.

Weight saving axles from SAF with integrated brackets for fitting of the chassis frame, air bags, brake cylinders, etc.

Improved version of SAF Intraax.

Safety cable used on car trailers with over-running brakes.

If accidentally uncoupled the coupling automatically applies brakes or cuts oil supply.

From 01.12.1999 the SP test has replaced the intermediate tests (ZU) and special brake tests (BSU). For trailers over 10 tonne overall weight the SP must to be carried out 6 months after every principal test (HU).

Safety device which connects a tipping container to the vehicle chassis and prevents over-tipping of the container.

A cargo control system developed by the German manufacturer Sommer. Cargo control straps can be attached at any position along the length of a special side rave.

Steel components are usually sand blasted (with steel particles) to clean the material surface prior to painting.

Used in refrigerated vehicles to provide a non-slip surface where dampness may be found. The sand is applied to a fresh PVC screed.

Trailers and semi-trailers bodywork for refrigerated, chilled and dry freight transport may be manufactured from sandwich panels. The panels are available in a range of thickness and comprise a foam internal core with grp, plywood or metal lining on both faces.

Early mechanical steering double axle aggregate for trailers and semi-trailers. Friction operated with maximum turning of 12°.

Leading German mechanical spring manufacturer.

Supply Chain Management. Term used for the entire logistic chain and associated software.

Special 13.6m semi-trailers for transporting scrap with open-topped steel body and rear doors. These vehicles have limited use other than for scrap.

Used for hydraulic connections between tractor and trailer.

These are sealing sections with multiple lips that are used on the doors of refrigerated vehicles.

Part of an axle hub that seals in the lubricant.

Standardised latch used as a safety device to secure swap body legs when travelling.

Rubber torsion axles on car trailers are so constructed that swinging of the vehicle is prevented by the self damping properties of the axle.

Electro-hydraulic equipment for lifting secondary decks or tail-lifts on trailers. Control is independent of the tractor unit and is usually powered by batteries on the trailer.

A construction where the body and chassis are integrated rather than two individual components as is traditional. Often used for tank trailers and becoming more common for refrigerated semi-trailers.

Bodies which are so constructed that they do not need support from a chassis e.g. refrigerated semi-trailers and the Setra Bus where Setra is an abbreviation of Selbsttragend.

Vehicle bodies e.g. tankers may be constructed to allow discharge unaided. May be achieved by tipping, automatic walking floors or discharge equipment fitted underneath a tanker body via gravity or compressed air.

Trailer, usually for transporting long goods, which uses turntables and the load to passively steer the trailer behind the tractor.

Term used for semi-trailer.

Trailers with one or more axles at the rear and a king-pin at the front for coupling to the fifth wheel of a tractor unit. Overall allowable length of a semi-trailer road train is 16.5 m.

Universal term for trailers with one or more axles at the rear and a king-pin at the front for coupling to the fifth wheel of a tractor unit. Overall allowable length of a semi-trailer road train is 16.5 m.

Lowering system used on light ball coupled trailers up to 3.5 tonnes. A front mounted hydraulic pump allows the trailer to be lowered to ground level for ease of loading or driving on.

Part of an ABS brake system.

Leading manufacturer of sliding roof systems.

Telematic equipment in semi-trailers from the French manufacturer GT.

Swap bodies that can be lowered to ground level via mechanical or electro-mechanical equipment in the corner posts.

Cargo control pole that can be fitted across a body in tracks fitted on the side walls.

Poles used for cargo control in vehicle bodies.

A full width shute at the rear of tippers that ensures the load is discharged an acceptable distance away from the rear of the vehicle.

Curtainsider curtains are usually tensioned horizontally using ratchets at front and/or rear and vertically using buckles on the bottom of the curtain which hook under the side rave.

Safety rails mounted longitudinally between wheels to prevent access under the vehicle.

Side mounted lift from the manufacturer Zikun. Most commonly used for beverage vehicles.

Required on vehicles over 6m in length.

Usually used for transporting timber. Removable posts are fitted along the front, rear and sides of the trailer.

The roof support posts on the side of a vehicle. May be fixed, removable, sliding, split or swinging.

Side posts are usually allowed to slide along the top of the body to allow side loading of long goods.

Compulsory equipment fitted to the side of vehicle chassis to prevent other traffic getting under the chassis.

Cargo control rails on the top of car trailer walls.

Required in side walls of refrigerated vehicle for hanging meat transport.

Low wearing bushes used in all types of moving components e.g. bearing eyes of trailer suspension.

Tank or silo containers in 20, 30 or 40 foot frame that can be handled as a standard shipping container.

General term for tanker or container vehicles that transport powder goods rather than liquids.

Term used by the German manufacturer Ackerman-Fruehauf for a tandem trailer type EZ. Operates like a semi-trailer but is coupled under the truck body.

Usually found on dry freight bodies where side access is required.

Usually used for lightweight vehicles comprising a single steel leaf as opposed to the usual multiple leaf suspension springs. Offer a weight advantage and more comfortable ride.

Safety equipment for height control of a draw bar on roll container and skip trailers – easily operated by one person.

Early brake system in which air pressure is built up in the trailer air lines.

On hydraulic tipping trailers a single line is used to fill and discharge the oil – previously one line was required for each.

One axle with only 2 wheels.

Semi-trailer chassis which is used to transport one or more standard ISO containers.

Demountable containers usually steel which are used to collect and transport bulk and waste materials as swap bodies.

Vehicle used to set down and pick up skip containers. It is an interchangeable system.

Container semi-trailers with runners above the main beams on which containers can be pushed into position.

Trailer for waste disposal containers. The containers are loaded onto the trailer chassis from the rear in a sledge. System has weight advantages over roller operated systems.

A body system from the German manufacturer Edscha. The complete body including rear doors can be moved to the front of the vehicle. The trailer can then be loaded as a flat.

Dry freight bodywork may have sliding doors to allow loading/unloading from the side.

Sliding roof system that folds together when opened. Leading product types are Edscha and Sesam.

Roof cover system which slides from front to rear or from rear to front allowing body to be loaded over entire length from above – see Edscha and Sesam.

Vehicle body with two or more sliding doors as side walls allowing fast side access.

The sloping surface running into the low bed area of a step frame trailer.

French manufacturer of trailer axles.

BPW trade name for S cam braked axles.

Semi-trailers for hazardous goods with suction and pressure containers made from V4A material which are used up to 3 bar.

Leading manufacturer of tail-lifts.

Used to eliminate play in suspension springs and draw bars.

Additional wheel carried in case of emergency.

Hinged basket used to carry spare wheel. First developed in Sweden.

Special approval is required for vehicles that have weights and dimensions outwith standard allowable limits.

General term for hand operated parking brakes on trailers.

A spindle clamp may be used to lock demountable bodies and skips.

Light trailers may be tipped to the rear using a spindle system that makes loading easier e. g. a car transporter.

Air connection hose between tractor unit and trailer.

This can be done in trailers or semi-trailers with secondary decks that may be fixed or height variable using hydraulic or electric means.

Safety system for air bags – manufacturer Weweler. The system prevents air bags being pulled apart when the trailer is lifted by crane e.g. intermodal trailers being loaded onto rail wagons.

Aerodynamic equipment fitted on top of a vehicle cab or on a body bulkhead.

Linings may be sprayed on the internal surface of tankers to protect the tank against aggressive goods.

Steel supports used to fix front of springs using a bolt.

Bushes for suspension spring bolts. These bushes are found in the front spring support and can be replaced when worn.

Alternative to a hand brake. A spring is operated by air pressure. In the brake cylinder the spring load is applied to the wheel brake. Can only be released using air pressure.

Individual spring leaf.

Springs used to help open and close ramps by hand e.g. on low loaders.

Brake cylinder with integrated spring operation. The spring system replaces a traditional hand brake.

Small spring steel safety pins used to secure bolts etc.

Springs used on heavy side and rear drop-sides to assist one man operation.

There are different types of trailer and semi-trailer suspension i.e. multiple leaf springs, parabolic springs (one to three leafs) and air suspension. Rubber suspension for light axles. Hydraulic suspension for heavy axles.

Spruce is used for vehicle floors that must carry high loads e.g. low loaders and heavy material transporters.

Longitudinal torsion tube which, via a wedge coupling and the tipping hydraulics, stiffens the frame so that the vehicle cannot fall over when tipping. Patented by the company Fahrzeugfabrik Hoffmann.

Empty steel swap bodies may be made stackable like ISO containers to save space. Fitted with fork-lift pockets.

Used for manufacturing tank vehicles and increasingly for dry freight bodywork especially because of extended vehicle life, strength, anti-corrosion and aesthetics.

Reinforced steel trailer bodies are generally used for bulk goods like scrap, rubble and stone.

Chassis for trailers and semi-trailers are almost always constructed in steel. Fine grain steel with higher strength and lower weights are increasingly used. Aluminium chassis are built where extremely low tare weight is required.

Used on low cost tilt bodies – cheaper than aluminium. Double skin reinforced steel drop-sides are better suited to heavy-duty tippers.

Steel troughs are used for bulk building materials or rubble. Usually tip to the rear and are easily recognised by large external reinforcing profiles.

Various steering systems are available for trailers and semi-trailers. These can be operated by hydraulic, rod, hydrostatic or other systems.

Trailer axles that can be steered by cables, hydraulics or friction. Often required to give a trailer better turning characteristics e.g. to meet standard turning circle requirements.

Component of a steering system (Schmitz Cargobull).

Component used with skips.

Measured in kilograms per square millimeter (kg/mm²). An important material characteristic used in bodybuilding.

Single wheel with brake drum and hub on a short piece of axle. These are used on special vehicles that cannot have a complete axle running across the vehicle e.g. where the internal loading area needs to be uninterrupted.

Suspension on single wheel hubs. Often used for special vehicles without flooring whereby the entire volume in the body (even down to the ground) is available for loading. Also used on car trailers where the suspension is via a special rubber torsion stub.

These are single wheel hubs with individual suspension. Often used for special vehicles without flooring whereby the entire volume in the body (even down to the ground) is available for loading. Also used on car trailers where the suspension is via a special rubber torsion stub.

Old term for vehicles with internal width of 2460mm when maximum external width was only 2500mm.

Angle support under a swap body that holds landing legs when not used.

Distance between the support legs of cranes.

The vertical bolts which clamp the springs together and fixes them to the axle.

The vertical bolts which clamp the springs together and fix them to the axle.

Bracket used for fixing the front of suspension springs to chassis using bolts. Carries suspension load.

The distance between the centre of suspension springs – often the same distance between V-drawbar blocks.

Load and performance diagram for loaded and unloaded leaf springs.

Guide which allows the rear end of a suspension spring to slide backwards when under load.

Hangers between springs and chassis brackets.

Plates which are fixed to axle body and used to support suspension springs.

German air conditioning and refrigeration unit manufacturer.

Invention of a German manufacturer in order to produce a semi-trailer with internal load deck of 15.3m which used dimensional regulations to the limit, like a draw-bar trailer combination.These vehicles are not built by Schmitz Cargobull any more.

Invention of a German manufacturer for a semi-trailer with internal load deck of 15.6 m which used dimensional regulations to the limit. Never approved or brought onto the market.

Anti-theft device fitted to the corner castings of containers and swap bodies.

Opening system of a high volume beverage semi-trailers. The side walls were folded down and partly folded up onto the roof.

The area that is covered by the overhang behind a vehicles rear axle which when turning.

Roof crossmember that swings to the side allowing quick access through the roof.

Since 01.09.1997 the maximum length from front edge of the towing vehicle load deck to the rear edge of the trailer load deck may not be greater than 16.4m. This is the overall length of a road train not including driver cab.

Continuous unloading or walking floor systems may have internal walls that move with the floor. These walls have a trailing curtain at the bottom to ease discharge and help clean the vehicle.

The distance from centre to centre of two tyres on one axle.

A multi layered high strength timber flooring material for trailers and semi-trailers.