Flatbed Trucking Slang Glossary: 60+ Terms
Flatbed trucking has its own vocabulary that goes beyond general CB lingo and trailer slang. From securement equipment terms to oversize load jargon, knowing the language helps new flatbed drivers communicate with shippers, dispatchers, and other drivers. This glossary covers every term you need to know.
60+
Flatbed-Specific Terms
6 Categories
Organized by Topic
Real
Industry Usage
Updated
2026 Terminology
O Trucking Editorial Team
Trucking Industry Experts
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years dispatching flatbed loads, daily communication with drivers and shippers
This article was written by the O Trucking editorial team with 9+ years of combined trucking industry experience. Learn more about us.
O TruckingFlatbed Trucking Slang Glossary: 60+ Terms (2026)
Trailer Type Slang
Flatbed drivers use specific slang for different trailer configurations. Knowing these terms helps you understand what equipment a load requires before you accept it.
Skateboard
A standard flatbed trailer with no sides or roof. Named for its flat, board-like appearance. The most common flatbed trailer type, available in 48-foot and 53-foot lengths. Also called a "flat" or "flatty."
Step Deck (Drop Deck)
A flatbed trailer with a lower rear deck section, creating a "step" from the upper front section to the lower rear. Allows hauling taller freight that would exceed height limits on a standard flatbed. The upper deck is about 60 inches high, and the lower deck is about 36-42 inches.
Double Drop (Lowboy / RGN)
A trailer with a dropped center section (the "well") that sits much lower than a standard flatbed. An RGN (Removable Gooseneck) allows the front to detach so equipment can drive onto the trailer. Used for heavy construction equipment, industrial machinery, and other tall, heavy freight.
Conestoga (Rolling Tarp / Covered Wagon)
A flatbed trailer with a retractable tarp system that rolls on tracks, creating an enclosed cover that can be opened and closed. Named after the Conestoga covered wagons. Eliminates the need for manual tarping while providing weather protection like a dry van. Often called a "covered wagon" or "rolling tarp."
Side Kit (Stake Bed)
A flatbed trailer with removable side panels or stake sides. Used for loads that need side containment but not full enclosure. Common for hauling palletized freight, bags, or loose materials on a flatbed. Sometimes called a "rack" or "stake body."
Curtainside (Tautliner)
A flatbed trailer with curtain sides that can be pulled back for side loading. Similar in concept to a Conestoga but with flexible curtains instead of a rigid rolling tarp. Popular in Europe and becoming more common in North American flatbed operations.
Stretch (Extendable)
A flatbed or step deck trailer with a telescoping rear section that can extend from 48 to 80+ feet. Used for extremely long freight like utility poles, bridge beams, and wind turbine blades. Sometimes called an "extendo."
Securement Equipment Terms
Flatbed load securement uses specialized equipment with its own terminology:
Binder (Chain Binder / Load Binder)
A tensioning device used to tighten transport chains around freight. Lever binders (snap binders) use a lever for fast tightening. Ratchet binders use a ratchet mechanism for gradual, controlled tensioning. Ratchet binders are considered safer because they do not release with sudden force.
Snap Binder
A lever-style chain binder that uses a cam action to tighten chains. Called a "snap" binder because the lever snaps over center to lock. Can release violently if the handle is bumped — always verify the handle is fully over center and secured before driving.
Ratchet Binder
A chain binder that uses a ratchet mechanism to gradually tighten. Preferred by many safety-conscious drivers and carriers because it cannot release suddenly. Takes slightly longer to operate than a lever binder but provides more precise tensioning.
Winch Strap (Ratchet Strap / Tie-Down)
A polyester web strap with a ratchet tensioning mechanism. Standard 4-inch winch straps are rated for 5,400 lbs working load limit (WLL). Used for lighter freight that does not require chains. Mounted in the trailer's winch track or stake pockets.
Grade 70 Chain (Transport Chain)
High-strength chain specifically rated for cargo securement. Grade 70 chains are gold-colored (chromate-coated) and have a higher working load limit than standard chain. 3/8-inch Grade 70 chain has a 6,600 lb WLL; 1/2-inch has a 11,300 lb WLL. Required for heavy steel, machinery, and equipment.
Coil Rack (Coil Bunks)
Metal or wooden cradles mounted on the flatbed deck to hold steel coils in position. Coil racks prevent coils from rolling during transit. A-frame racks hold coils on their side (eye-to-the-side), while V-racks hold coils upright (eye-to-the-sky).
Stake Pocket
Square receptacles built into the trailer's side rail at regular intervals. Stake pockets accept stakes, winch strap anchors, and side kit panels. Standard flatbed trailers have stake pockets every 24 inches along both sides.
Rub Rail
The outer side rail of a flatbed trailer. Used as an anchor point for bungee straps, tarp straps, and some securement devices. Also protects the trailer edge from freight shifting against it during transit.
Headboard (Headache Rack)
A metal guard or rack mounted at the front of a flatbed trailer to prevent freight from shifting forward into the cab during a sudden stop. Called a "headache rack" because it prevents the "headache" of freight crashing through the cab. FMCSA requires one for loads that could shift forward.
Dunnage
Materials placed between freight and the trailer deck or between layers of freight to prevent shifting, protect surfaces, and aid weight distribution. Common dunnage includes 4x4 lumber, rubber mats, friction mats, and airbags. Proper dunnage reduces friction-related damage and helps meet securement requirements.
Why Securement Terms Matter
Tarping Terminology
Tarping has its own set of terms that every flatbed driver encounters. See our complete tarping guide for detailed techniques.
Lumber Tarp
A large tarp with an 8-foot side drop, designed to cover tall loads like bundled lumber. Features a rear flap for back coverage. The largest and heaviest standard flatbed tarp type.
Steel Tarp
A medium tarp with a 4-foot side drop, designed for low-profile loads like steel plate, coils, and pipe. Lighter and easier to handle than lumber tarps.
Smoke Tarp (Coil Tarp)
A small square tarp used to cover individual items on a load. Originally designed to protect steel coils from exhaust smoke and road spray. Usually 6x8 to 10x12 feet.
Tarp Pay
Additional compensation paid to the driver for tarping a load. Typically $50-$150 per tarp applied. Should be listed as a line item on the rate confirmation. Some carriers pay a flat fee per load regardless of tarp count.
Flapper (Wind Guard)
A small piece of material or strap that holds the tarp edge tight against the load to prevent wind from catching under the tarp and peeling it back at highway speed. Critical for preventing tarp blow-offs.
Oversize Load Terms
Oversize and overweight loads are a significant part of flatbed work. These terms apply to loads that exceed standard legal dimensions or weight limits.
Pilot Car (Escort Vehicle)
A vehicle that travels ahead of or behind an oversize load to warn other motorists. Front pilots (lead cars) alert oncoming traffic; rear pilots (chase cars) protect from rear-end collisions. Most states require pilot cars for loads exceeding certain width, height, or length thresholds. Also called "escort vehicles."
Wide Load (Overwidth)
Any load exceeding 8 feet 6 inches in width. Requires "WIDE LOAD" or "OVERSIZE LOAD" banners on the front and rear of the truck, along with amber warning lights and flags at the widest points. Most states require permits for loads over 8'6" wide.
Banner
A yellow or orange sign reading "OVERSIZE LOAD" or "WIDE LOAD" mounted on the front and rear of the truck/trailer. Required by federal and state regulations for oversize loads. Standard banner size is 18 inches by 84 inches with black lettering on a yellow background.
Superload
An extremely heavy or oversized load that exceeds even the oversize permit thresholds. Superloads often require route surveys, bridge analyses, police escorts, and utility line coordination. Examples include transformers (200,000+ lbs), turbine components, and large structural steel assemblies.
Permit (Trip Permit / OD Permit)
Legal authorization to transport an oversize or overweight load on specific routes. Each state issues its own permits with specific route restrictions, travel time restrictions (often sunrise to sunset only), and speed limits. Many states now offer online permit applications through systems like Superload or Oversize.io.
Flags (Marking Flags)
Orange or red fluorescent flags mounted at the outermost points of an oversize load. Required at the corners of any load extending beyond the trailer's standard width or length. Flags must be at least 18 inches square and visible from all directions.
Learn Terms Before Your First Flatbed Load
Loading & Freight Terms
These terms describe common freight types and loading procedures in flatbed operations:
Eye-to-the-Sky vs Eye-to-the-Side
Describes how a steel coil is oriented on the trailer. "Eye-to-the-sky" means the coil's opening faces up (like a donut lying flat). "Eye-to-the-side" means the opening faces sideways (like a tire on its side). Each orientation requires different securement methods and coil rack configurations.
Suicide Load
A load positioned backward on the trailer, with the heavy end toward the rear instead of the front. This shifts weight behind the rear axles, creating dangerous handling characteristics. Suicide loads should be repositioned or refused. The term warns that hauling a backward-loaded trailer is extremely dangerous.
Cradle (Saddle)
A support structure that holds rounded or irregularly shaped freight in position on the flatbed. Cradles can be metal frames, wooden blocks, or inflatable dunnage bags. Pipe and coils almost always require cradles to prevent rolling.
Blocking and Bracing
The process of using lumber, wedges, and braces to prevent freight from moving on the deck. Blocking stops forward/backward movement; bracing stops side-to-side movement. FMCSA requires cargo to be secured against movement in all directions.
Friction Mat
A rubber or rubberized mat placed between the freight and trailer deck to increase friction and prevent sliding. One properly placed friction mat can replace an entire additional tie-down under FMCSA rules because it reduces the deceleration force that securement devices must resist.
Driver & Operations Slang
These terms describe common situations, attitudes, and practices specific to flatbed drivers:
Shake-n-Bake
A team driving arrangement where one driver drives while the other sleeps, alternating to keep the truck moving. Less common in flatbed than in van or reefer work because flatbed loading and securement often requires both drivers.
Roller Skating
Running empty with a flatbed trailer (also called "skating empty" or "running bare"). The flat, exposed trailer deck at highway speed makes a distinctive sound, and the empty trailer is more susceptible to wind than a loaded one.
Christmas Tree
A flatbed load with excessive warning flags, lights, and banners. Usually describes an oversize load that requires maximum visual warnings. Can also refer sarcastically to a driver who over-marks a standard load.
Yard Dog (Spotter)
A driver or small tractor that moves trailers around a shipper's yard. In flatbed operations, yard dogs position loaded and empty flatbed trailers at loading docks or staging areas. Also called a "hostler."
Bar Up (Bind Up)
To tighten all chains and binders on a load. "Bar up your load" means check and retighten all securement. Drivers should "bar up" within the first 50 miles of loading and at every fuel stop after that.
Permit & Regulation Terms
Flatbed drivers hauling oversize loads must understand these permit and regulation terms:
Annual Blanket Permit
A yearly permit that covers multiple oversize loads within specified dimension limits. More cost-effective than individual trip permits for drivers who regularly haul oversize freight in the same states. Not available in all states.
Route Survey
A physical inspection of the planned route before hauling a superload. Route surveys check bridge weight limits, overpass clearances, turn radii, utility line heights, and road surface conditions. Required for the largest and heaviest loads.
Bridge Formula (Federal Bridge Formula)
A federal formula that determines the maximum weight allowed on any combination of axles based on the distance between them. Flatbed drivers must understand the bridge formula to properly distribute heavy loads across axles and avoid overweight violations.
Curfew Hours
Time restrictions on when oversize loads can travel. Most states restrict oversize loads to daylight hours only (typically sunrise to sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset). Some urban areas have additional curfews during rush hour traffic.
Cross-Reference with General Trucking Slang
The Bottom Line
Flatbed trucking has a specialized vocabulary that goes far beyond standard trucking slang. Understanding terms for trailer types, securement equipment, tarping, oversize loads, and permits is essential for effective communication with shippers, dispatchers, and other drivers.
New flatbed drivers should study these terms before their first load. Experienced drivers should share this knowledge with newcomers. Clear communication prevents loading errors, securement failures, permit violations, and costly misunderstandings.
For more flatbed resources, see our guides on flatbed load securement, flatbed freight types, and flatbed owner-operator guide.
Flatbed Trucking Slang FAQ
Common questions about flatbed trucking terminology and slang
What does 'skateboard' mean in flatbed trucking?
A skateboard is trucker slang for a standard flatbed trailer. The name comes from the trailer's flat, board-like appearance with no sides or roof — just a flat deck on wheels, resembling a skateboard. When a dispatcher says 'I need a skateboard for this lumber load,' they mean a standard 48-foot or 53-foot flatbed trailer. The term distinguishes a regular flatbed from step decks, double drops, and other specialized flatbed trailer types.
What is a 'shake-n-bake' in trucking?
Shake-n-bake refers to a driving team where one driver runs the truck while the other sleeps in the sleeper berth, then they swap positions. The name implies the constant motion of the truck shaking while the sleeping driver bakes in the sleeper. In flatbed trucking, shake-n-bake teams are less common than in dry van or reefer because flatbed loading and unloading often requires both drivers to be awake for securement work. However, some expedited flatbed operations use shake-n-bake teams for time-sensitive oversized loads.
What are binders in flatbed trucking?
Binders (also called chain binders, load binders, or lever binders) are mechanical tensioning devices used to tighten chains around flatbed freight. There are two main types: lever binders (also called snap binders) use a lever arm to create mechanical advantage and snap tight, while ratchet binders use a ratchet mechanism for more controlled, gradual tensioning. Lever binders are faster but can release violently if not handled properly. Ratchet binders are safer and preferred by many carriers and safety regulations. A typical flatbed load requires 4 to 12 binders depending on weight and number of securement points.
What does 'oversize' mean on a flatbed load?
An oversize load (also called overdimensional or OD load) is any freight that exceeds standard legal dimensions: width over 8 feet 6 inches, height over 13 feet 6 inches, length over 53 feet for a single trailer, or gross weight over 80,000 pounds. Oversize loads require special permits from each state the load travels through, may require pilot cars (escort vehicles) in front and/or behind the truck, and often restrict travel to daylight hours only. Oversize flatbed work typically pays significantly more per mile than standard-dimension loads because of the added complexity, permits, escort costs, and restricted travel hours.
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