Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

The DU Lounge

A HERETIC I AM

(24,872 posts)

28. Yes, bobtailing is driving a tractor with no trailer.

Reply to DebJ (Reply #24)

Thu May 7, 2015, 08:03 AM

May 2015

It is a much rougher ride but most tractors are air ride suspension these days so it's not as bad as it used to be.

It is inherently more dangerous however as there is so little weight on the drive wheels

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

32 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Paging In the Wind and anyone else who has trucker experience. [View all] Baitball Blogger May 2015 OP

You mean 'deadheading' (when a truck has to return empty)? pinboy3niner May 2015 #1

I might be able to use that one. Baitball Blogger May 2015 #3

pm tobin s NJCher May 2015 #2

My guess would be dead heading. In_The_Wind May 2015 #4

Thanks ITW! Baitball Blogger May 2015 #8

I heard the term bobtailing, but I think that means no trailer attached DebJ May 2015 #24

Yes, bobtailing is driving a tractor with no trailer. A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #28

I have been a trucker for almost 30 years ...Edited to remove extra beef cattle! A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #5

OMG, dude! You said 'beef cattle' 3 times! pinboy3niner May 2015 #6

Or 'Beetlejuice'! KamaAina May 2015 #7

Come Mr. Tally Man, tally me bananas pinboy3niner May 2015 #9

Well, that's what I get for trying to use the voice feature to post! A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #14

:) Hay, we know how the subject of cows can make you MAD pinboy3niner May 2015 #17

Hauling mail at the moment. Very few empty miles doing this! A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #18

Well, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you, A HERETIC I AM! pinboy3niner May 2015 #19

Does a couple beers and a few shots of bourbon count? A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #20

I keep hearing truckers talking about how much they love "bird freight". In_The_Wind May 2015 #10

I'm guessing there are other choice terms for it, too pinboy3niner May 2015 #11

A trucker's life is a hard one. They fight for every penny they earn. In_The_Wind May 2015 #13

I spent 10 years as a car hauler and put many empty miles on. A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #16

Bird freight? A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #15

Dispatcher brains? pinboy3niner May 2015 #22

Deadheading originated with railroads. trof May 2015 #12

Heard a lot about Florida's import/export imbalance with trains. hay rick May 2015 #21

Both California and Florida are know as "dry" or "dead" when it comes to loading out. denbot May 2015 #23

I have nothing of value to add. KMOD May 2015 #25

+1 pinboy3niner May 2015 #26

The term is "freight imbalance" jmowreader May 2015 #27

Good info here. Baitball Blogger May 2015 #29

There ya go.... CanSocDem May 2015 #30

Not sure I agree with all of that. A HERETIC I AM May 2015 #31

Sure. Sounds fun. jmowreader May 2015 #32