In the shipping and logistics industry, different modes of transportation are used like ships to move sea freight cargo or planes to deliver air shipping packages. In all these modes, trucks are the most flexible and come in various shapes and sizes to fit every consumer’s requirements.
The standard truck is the most common type, which consists of a large trailer and is usually a six or eight-wheeler. There also exists a less familiar kind of truck, which is called a bobtail truck or a bobtail trailer. The blog below will introduce different kinds of bobtails and its purposes in logistics.
What Is a Bobtail Truck?
A bobtail truck is a kind of truck that has a distinctive appearance. This is because it resembles a semi-truck, and shares a similar front design, but it does not possess the typical trailer in the rear.
You might be wondering why this truck is known as the “bobtail” truck. Well, the name was inspired by its small appearance which resembles a bobtail cat as it has a small stubbed tail. Just like this, a bobtail truck possesses a short tail since it does not have a trailer attached to it.
Generally, bobtail trucks are not used for the transportation of cargo or goods. Instead, the truck is used to drop off one trailer and then travels to pick up another trailer. In this case, the truck is given the term “bobtail tractor”.
How Big Is a Bobtail Truck?
The bobtail truck is known for its compact size when compared to traditional trucks, especially since it lacks the long length of a connected trailer. Traditionally, these kinds of trucks have specific dimensions and are about 24 ft in length, 13 ft 4 inches in height, and 96 inches in width.
Even though a bobtail truck possesses modest dimensions, it is still quite heavy. Its average weight can go to about 20,000 pounds, and two drivers, fully loaded fuel tanks, and DEF (diesel exhaust field) tanks are present. Its weight is distributed substantially across various parts of the vehicle, and around 10,000 pounds lie on the steer axle while 9,000 pounds lie on the drive axles.
Nevertheless, the weight of the truck differs across each model. This is because every truck has its own unique size as well as design features which can cause them to be either lighter or heavier in weight making them extremely diverse.
Difference Between Deadheading and Bobtailing
There are some differences when it comes to bobtailing and deadheading.
Purpose
The bobtail truck is basically a truck that is without a trailer attached. In such a case, only the front portion of the truck, known as the tractor, is driven. On the other hand, deadheading refers to a truck pulling an empty trailer. This happens when no cargo is available for transport after delivery or when the truck driver is relocating a trailer to another location for pickup.
Stability
A bobtail truck is pretty unstable since there is no trailer attached to it to give it appropriate stability. While a deadhead truck is more stable since there is at least an empty trailer attached to it.
Fuel Efficiency
Both bobtailing and deadheading trucks have poor fuel efficiency. This is because the truck’s engine is designed to be efficient for carrying a loaded trailer.
Technical Differences
In deadheading, braking, and traction are better than in bobtailing because the weight is more evenly distributed by the attached trailer.
Types of Bobtail Trucks
Bobtail trucks are considered versatile vehicles. They are classified into three different kinds of trucks:
Semi-Truck/ Running Bobtail Truck
This kind of bobtail truck, also known as a semi-truck, refers to a truck that operates without a trailer. The running bobtail truck is basically made up of two components; the tractor unit and a trailer that is connected through a fifth-wheel hitch.
When this tractor unit operates alone, it is called a bobtail truck. Semi-trucks are generally used during transit when the tractor is on its way to pick up the trailer or is returning after delivering a trailer. They are usually operated in long-haul transport since they are extremely flexible when operating independently.
Small Bobtail Truck
This kind of a bobtail truck as the name suggests, fits into the category of smaller to medium-sized vehicles. They have all of their axles mounted on one chassis and are called small bobtail trucks, when they are traveling without attaching any trailer with them.
These trucks are more suitable when you have to transport lighter or medium-weight loads. They are most commonly used in shipping industries that require short-distance transportation which includes the delivery of bakery products, or any small loads such as lightweight construction materials. Since their size is compact and it can be maneuvered easily. This makes them ideal for use in both densely populated urban and suburban areas.
Straight Propane Truck
This kind of bobtail truck is a specialized small-sized truck that is equipped with a cylindrical shaped tank on its rear bed. Straight propane trucks are designed to maintain the appropriate pressure and temperature, which allows safe transit of dangerous materials like propane and gasoline. They have a storage space of around 5,000 gallons in order to supply propane to different fuel stations and auto dealerships. This makes them a key component when it comes to the fuel distribution industry.
The Dangers of Using Bobtail Trucks
It is often assumed that overloaded trucks pose a potential risk when driven on the road. And bobtail trucks, especially without a trailer or a load, are more dangerous than traditional trailers. There are several reasons for that.
Firstly, when it comes to a bobtail structure, the front wheels are able to bear more weight than usual, which decreases the ability of the driver to easily control the vehicle. Moreover, as the truck’s braking system is designed to carry loaded cargo, bobtail trucks have decreased braking power. This is because its rear wheel, which controls braking, does not have sufficient weight to create a certain friction for an appropriate braking effect.
Since the friction on the rear wheels is decreased due to less weight, the truck can quite easily skid to the side or even overturn while driving in sharp turns. Moreover, with less weight, the bobtail truck accelerates very easily as compared to loaded ones, which increases the potential chances of accidents. Because of this, the spring suspension system becomes less effective, decreasing stability on the journey.
Lastly, an important issue with a bobtail truck is its extended braking distance, which requires the driver to have an appropriate amount of space from other vehicles. Such risks are increased more when traveling on wet and/or snowy roads.
Conclusion
Bobtail trucks are quite compact trucks in the shipping and logistics industry and are usually transported to switch trailers.
Apart from its utility, it actually poses a significant risk to road safety because it’s very unstable, has decreased braking power, and can easily skid., which makes it not a very popular choice for truckers in the shipping industry.
FAQs
Where Does the Term “Bobtail” Originate?
Bobtail is thought to have two main origins in which one links back to the 19th-century holiday song “Jingle Bells” in which the horse’s short tail is called a Bobtail.
Why Are Propane Trucks Highly Dangerous?
These trucks are very dangerous because of their heavy weight and the explosive nature of propane. Collision of any kind with these trucks is truly devastating and in some rare cases, even explosions can occur.
