Nederlands
DeutschGlossary – Special transport terminology
An overview of commonly used terms in special transport and the trailer industry – explained from A to Z.
Axle
The rotating shaft on which the trailer wheels are mounted. The number of axles partly determines the maximum load capacity and axle load per axle.
Axle load
The weight exerted by one axle on the road surface. In the EU, the maximum is 10 tonnes per axle at normal driving speed. Exceeding this requires a permit.
Dolly
A separate support axle coupled behind a trailer to increase load length or distribute weight across more axles.
Exceptional transport
Transport where the dimensions or weight of the load exceed legal limits (height 4 m, width 2.55 m, length 18.75 m or weight 50 tonnes). Requires a special permit from the road authority.
Steered axle
An axle where the wheels actively or passively turn with the direction of travel. Increases manoeuvrability and reduces tyre wear. Available as self-tracking or hydraulically steered.
Hydraulic steering
A steering system in which the trailer axles are actively controlled via a hydraulic system linked to the steering angle of the tractor unit. Works both forwards and when reversing.
Kingpin
The steel pin at the front of a trailer by which it is attached to the fifth wheel of a tractor unit. Standard sizes are 2 inch or 3.5 inch.
Loading height
The distance between the road surface and the top of the loading floor. Determines the maximum height of the load within the legal transport height of 4 metres.
Load capacity
The maximum weight a trailer may carry, excluding the trailer's own weight. Also called payload or net load capacity.
Air suspension
A suspension system in which the trailer rests on air cushions rather than leaf springs. Provides more stable driving dynamics and is gentler on the cargo.
Self-tracking steering
A passive steering system in which the trailer axles steer based on friction forces. Simple and low-maintenance, but does not work when reversing.
Transport permit
Official permission from the road authority to operate a vehicle that exceeds standard dimensions or weights. Required for exceptional transport.
Loading ramp
A movable ramp that allows self-propelled machinery to drive onto a trailer under its own power. Available as mechanical fold-out or hydraulically operated.
Pendulum axles
An axle type where the left and right sides can move independently. Provides more stability on uneven terrain and allows higher permitted axle loads.
Tare weight
The unladen weight of a trailer without cargo. The load capacity is the difference between total permitted weight and tare weight.
Low loader
A specialist trailer with an extra recessed loading floor between the axles. Loading height approx. 40-65 cm. Ideal for machinery with a high ride profile or high centre of gravity.
Twistlock
A locking system for securing sea containers on a trailer. Twistlocks engage with the corner castings of a container.
Extendable trailer
A trailer where the loading floor extends lengthwise. Available as single (up to approx. 22 m), double (up to approx. 30 m) or triple extendable (up to 36+ m).
Flat trailer
A trailer with a completely flat, open loading floor without sides or roof. Can be loaded from all sides.
Wheel well
A recess in the loading floor at the position of the load's wheels. Lowers the effective load profile without fully lowering the chassis.
Gooseneck
The curved front section of a semi low loader connecting the coupling to the lowered loading floor. Creates the lower loading height behind the coupling.
Detachable gooseneck
A gooseneck that can be detached from the trailer chassis. Makes loading extremely tall or heavy machinery significantly easier as the load can be driven or lifted onto the trailer from the front.
Leaf spring suspension
A traditional suspension system in which steel spring leaves absorb shocks. Robust and simple to maintain, but provides less ride comfort and loading precision than air suspension.
Wide load transport
Transport where the width of the vehicle including load exceeds the legal maximum width of 2.55 metres. Requires a permit and in many cases an escort vehicle.
CE marking
European conformity marking indicating that a trailer meets applicable European safety and technical standards. Mandatory for trailers put into service in the EU.
GVW (Gross Vehicle Weight)
The total permitted weight of a vehicle including load, also known as maximum authorised mass (MAM). In the EU, the limit for a standard truck combination is 40 to 44 tonnes.
Crane arm recess
An elongated recess in the loading floor of a trailer, specifically designed for the boom (arm) of an excavator. Allows the excavator to be transported with its arm lowered, significantly reducing the total height.
Payload
The maximum weight of cargo that a trailer may carry, excluding its own weight. Widely used in international trade and on technical specification sheets.
Pre-inspection
A technical inspection of a used trailer prior to sale. At Xiffix, every trailer is independently inspected before sale and provided with a technical report detailing the findings.
Technical report
A document detailing the findings from the pre-inspection of a used trailer. Provides insight into the technical condition, any defects and the remaining service life of components. Included as standard with every vehicle at Xiffix.
Temporary registration / export plate
A temporary registration document allowing a vehicle to be driven legally on public roads for a limited period. Arranged by Xiffix for international buyers who collect or transport a trailer themselves.
Fifth wheel pin
An alternative and widely used industry term for kingpin: the steel pin by which a trailer is attached to the fifth wheel of a tractor unit.
TÜV
Technischer Überwachungsverein – the German technical inspection authority. The TÜV certificate is the German equivalent of the Dutch MOT and is required for vehicles operating on German roads.
Wheelbase
The distance between the front and rear axles of a trailer or vehicle combination. A longer wheelbase provides more stability but reduces manoeuvrability. Determines the calculation of the turning circle.
Fifth wheel
The component on the tractor unit on which the trailer kingpin rests and locks. The fifth wheel carries the weight of the front of the trailer and allows the trailer to be coupled and uncoupled.
Winch
A cable or chain winch mounted on the trailer, used to pull vehicles or machinery that cannot move under their own power onto the trailer. Often combined with loading ramps on low loaders.
Drive-through deck
A flat drive-through section from the rear to the front of the trailer. Allows vehicles or machinery to be driven across the full length of the trailer for optimal positioning.
Lashing points
Attachment points distributed across the loading floor and frame of the trailer for securing the cargo. The number and capacity of lashing points determine how much and how heavy a load can be secured.
Width extension
Extension pieces on the sides of a trailer that allow the loading floor to be made wider. Enables transport of loads wider than the standard trailer width. When in use, a permit is required if the total width exceeds 2.55 m.