Which term describes a carrier driving only the power unit without the trailer?

Which term describes a carrier driving only the power unit without the trailer?

• A. Lane
• B. Back Haul
• C. Bobtail (Bobtailing)
• D. Loaded miles

Answer: (C)

Driving only the power unit without the trailer is known as bobtailing. This happens when the tractor is moved by itself—for example, to reposition before picking up a load or to move around a yard—without pulling a trailer. The term comes from the image of a tractor with no trailer, so you’re left with just the front part of the vehicle, like a bobbed tail. This isn’t a lane, which refers to a roadway path. It isn’t back haul, which describes a return trip with freight. It isn’t loaded miles, which are miles driven while carrying a load. The essential idea is the tractor operating solo, without a trailer, which is exactly what bobtailing describes.

Driving only the power unit without the trailer is known as bobtailing. This happens when the tractor is moved by itself—for example, to reposition before picking up a load or to move around a yard—without pulling a trailer. The term comes from the image of a tractor with no trailer, so you’re left with just the front part of the vehicle, like a bobbed tail. This isn’t a lane, which refers to a roadway path. It isn’t back haul, which describes a return trip with freight. It isn’t loaded miles, which are miles driven while carrying a load. The essential idea is the tractor operating solo, without a trailer, which is exactly what bobtailing describes.