Trucker Weight Slang: Complete Glossary
From grossed out to cubed out, topped out to running heavy — truckers have their own vocabulary for talking about weight. Whether you are a new driver learning the lingo or an experienced hand looking up a term you heard on the CB, this glossary covers every weight-related slang term used in the trucking industry.
Ahmad Qazi
Founder & CEO, O Trucking LLC
Fact-Checked by O Trucking Dispatch Team
5+ years in trucking dispatch and load management
Written by Ahmad Qazi, founder of O Trucking LLC, drawing on 9+ years dispatching for owner-operators. Learn more about us.
O TruckingTrucker Weight Slang: Complete Glossary (2026)
Key Takeaways
- Grossed out, topped out, and weighed out are synonyms for being at the 80,000 lb federal gross weight limit for a standard 5-axle tractor-trailer.
- Cubed out means the trailer is full by volume (cubic feet) before reaching the weight limit — common with light, bulky freight.
- Running heavy means at or near the weight limit; light load and running light mean well under it.
- Over iron and over legal both mean the truck is overweight and subject to fines at the scale.
- Heavy haul and OSOW refer to permitted loads that legally exceed standard weight or dimension limits.
Maximum Weight Terms
These terms all relate to a truck being at or near its maximum legal weight:
Grossed Out
At maximum legal gross vehicle weight (80,000 lbs for a standard 5-axle combo). The driver cannot legally accept more cargo. The most commonly used term for being at max weight. See our full grossed out definition.
Topped Out
Same as grossed out — at maximum legal weight. Used interchangeably in most regions. “I'm topped out, can't take another pallet.”
Weighed Out
Another synonym for grossed out. Specifically implies the driver has been on a scale and confirmed they are at the limit. “Just weighed out at the CAT Scale — 79,800 on the nose.”
Running Heavy
Carrying a load close to or at maximum weight. Not necessarily at exactly 80,000 lbs, but close enough that the driver needs to be careful. “I'm running heavy today, going to hit the scale before the weigh station.”
Maxed Out
General term meaning at the maximum limit — can refer to weight, volume, or hours of service. Context determines the meaning. When talking about weight, it means the same as grossed out.
Volume and Capacity Terms
Cubed Out
The trailer is full by volume (cubic feet) before reaching the weight limit. Common with lightweight, bulky freight like pillows, foam, chip bags, and empty containers. The opposite of grossed out — you have space for more weight but no room for more cargo.
Floor-Loaded
Freight loaded directly on the trailer floor without pallets, maximizing the use of cubic space. Floor-loaded trailers are more likely to cube out than gross out because the cargo fills every available inch.
Grossed Out vs. Cubed Out at a Glance
These two terms cause the most confusion. The difference comes down to which limit you hit first — weight or volume:
| Grossed Out | Cubed Out | |
|---|---|---|
| Limit reached | Weight (80,000 lb legal max) | Volume (trailer is physically full) |
| Trailer space left? | Usually yes — room remains but no weight capacity | No — but weight capacity remains |
| Typical freight | Dense: beverages, steel, paper, canned goods | Light, bulky: pillows, foam, chips, packaging |
| What it limits | How much product you can load by weight | How much product you can load by size |
Light Load Terms
Light Load
A load significantly under the maximum weight — typically under 30,000 lbs of freight. Light loads are easier on the truck, get better fuel economy, and put less stress on brakes and tires. However, a lighter truck can be harder to handle in high winds.
Running Light
Hauling a light load or driving with an empty trailer ( deadheading). “Running light” can also mean bobtailing without any trailer at all.
Partial Load
A load that does not fill the trailer by either weight or volume. Partial loads are common in spot market freight. Some drivers accept partial loads and then pick up additional freight at another stop to fill the truck (multi-stop loads).
Overweight and Heavy Haul Terms
Over Iron / Over Legal
Overweight — the truck exceeds the legal weight limit. “I'm 2,000 lbs over iron, need to go back to the shipper.” Being over legal means the driver is subject to fines and must correct the weight before continuing.
Heavy Haul
A specialized trucking segment that hauls loads exceeding standard weight or dimension limits with special permits. Heavy haul loads can weigh 100,000+ lbs and require multi-axle trailers, escort vehicles, and route surveys. Heavy haul is not regular trucking — it requires specialized equipment and expertise.
Oversize/Overweight (OSOW)
A load that exceeds standard legal limits for weight, width, height, or length and requires a special permit. OSOW loads have route restrictions, time-of-travel restrictions, and often require pilot cars.
Pro Tip
Scale and Weighing Terms
Chicken Coop
CB radio slang for a weigh station. “The chicken coop is open at mile marker 42.” The origin of the term is debated — some say the trucks lined up at a weigh station look like chickens in a coop.
Rolling the Coop
Driving past a weigh station without stopping when the scale is closed or the bypass light gives you a green signal. “Chicken coop is dark, we're rolling the coop.”
Pre-Pass / Drivewyze
Weigh station bypass systems that use transponders or apps to allow qualifying trucks to bypass open weigh stations without stopping. A green light means you can pass; red means pull in for inspection.
Weight Slang vs CB Slang
The Bottom Line
Understanding trucker weight slang is essential for clear communication with dispatchers, shippers, other drivers, and at the scale. Whether you are grossed out, cubed out, or running heavy, knowing these terms helps you navigate the weight compliance aspects of trucking professionally. For the full breakdown of federal weight limits and how to stay under them, see our how to avoid overweight truck guide.
Trucker Weight Slang FAQ
Common questions about trucking weight slang terms
What does grossed out mean in trucking?
Grossed out means a truck has reached its maximum legal gross vehicle weight, typically 80,000 lbs for a standard 5-axle tractor-trailer. When a driver says 'I'm grossed out,' they cannot legally take on more cargo. The term comes from 'gross weight' and has nothing to do with being disgusted.
What is the difference between grossed out and cubed out?
Grossed out means the truck has reached maximum weight (80,000 lbs). Cubed out means the trailer is full by volume before reaching the weight limit. Light, bulky commodities like pillows or potato chips often cube out a trailer while the truck is well under the weight limit. Dense commodities like beverages or steel will gross you out before the trailer is full by volume.
What does running heavy mean in trucking?
Running heavy means carrying a load that is at or near the maximum weight limit. A driver who is running heavy might be at 78,000-80,000 lbs gross. The term implies the truck is close to being grossed out but not necessarily over the limit.
What does topped out mean for trucks?
Topped out is another way of saying grossed out — the truck is at maximum legal weight. Some drivers use 'topped out' and 'grossed out' interchangeably. Both indicate the driver cannot accept additional freight.
What does over iron mean in trucking slang?
Over iron (also 'over legal') means the truck is overweight — it exceeds the legal weight limit, usually the 80,000 lb federal gross maximum or an individual axle limit. A driver who is over iron is subject to fines at the scale and typically has to return to the shipper to re-distribute or remove freight before continuing.
Can a truck cube out and gross out at the same time?
It is rare but possible. A trailer cubes out when it fills by volume and grosses out when it hits the weight limit. A density-matched load — roughly 12 to 15 lbs per cubic foot in a standard 53-foot dry van — can reach both limits at about the same time. Most freight hits one limit well before the other: dense freight grosses out first, bulky freight cubes out first.
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