Glossary › K

Used for long material trailers or semi-trailers which may be telescopic. The holder ensures an adequate length of cable or air hose is always available.

The distance from the end of the vehicle body to the trailer coupling behind the rear axle.

Available in various forms but generally semi-trailers have a centrally positioned crane for loading/unloading. Such semi-trailers require support legs and other constructional fittings to carry the additional crane loads.

Box bodies with special internal side wall lining (with keyhole shaped holes) for garment carrying rails.

Type of tilt body system for rigids and trailers

Protective strip along the bottom of side walls.

Strip of material along the bottom of side and front walls to protect them during loading/unloading.

See Hubodometer.

Found on steering axles. Knuckle steering axles.

Friction operated steering system for axles.

Various short coupling systems are available from a number of manufacturers that considerably reduce the distance between tractor and trailer and thereby increase the available loading length. There are mechanical and electro-hydraulic systems. However since the increase of overall allowable vehicle length to 18.75m short coupling systems have become less necessary.

This is the angle to which a body can be tipped – usually 50 degrees to the rear and 45 degrees to the side.

Three-way tippers and tipping semi-trailers have a lateral shaft that is used as the tipping pivot.

These are short semi-trailers from 8m to 10m long, primarily used in urban areas.