What is the British English word for a truck?
Short answer: Lorry
In British English, a truck is commonly called a lorry.
Groan of the day: Don't call a British truck a lorry, or you might get a lorry of laughs.
Sources: Truck
Study guides · Stuff Every Truck Scout Should Know
Stuff Every Truck Scout Should Know: the Study Guide
Practice facts for the Truck Transportation merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Truck Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Chapter 1: Licensing and Qualifications
What does a semi-tractor use to tow a semi-trailer?
Short answer: A fifth wheel
Semi-tractors have a fifth wheel hitch for towing semi-trailers.
Groan of the day: The fifth wheel is not a spare tire, it's the hitch that makes the trailer go round.
Sources: Truck
Which type of truck has a rotating drum to mix concrete?
Short answer: Concrete mixer
Concrete mixers have a rotating drum that mixes and discharges concrete.
Groan of the day: A concrete mixer is great at its job, but it always seems to go around in circles.
Sources: Truck
What is the purpose of a truck's sleeper cab?
Short answer: To provide a place for the driver to rest
A sleeper is a compartment where the driver can rest when not driving.
Groan of the day: A sleeper cab is not for sleeping on the job, it's for resting between driving shifts.
Sources: Truck
Which type of cab is common in Europe because of length regulations?
Short answer: Cab over engine
Cab over engine design is almost ubiquitous in Europe due to strict overall length rules.
Groan of the day: Cab over engine is not a dance move, but it does keep things short.
Sources: Truck
What does a refrigerator truck transport?
Short answer: Fresh and frozen cargo
Refrigerator trucks carry fresh and frozen goods like food and medicine.
Groan of the day: A refrigerator truck is cool under pressure.
Sources: Truck
What is the main purpose of a dump truck?
Short answer: To transport loose material like sand or gravel
Dump trucks transport loose materials and unload by lifting the bed.
Groan of the day: A dump truck is not a garbage truck, but it does dump its load.
Sources: Truck
What is a common use for a flatbed truck?
Short answer: Transporting oversized loads
Flatbed trucks have a flat platform for easy loading of large items.
Groan of the day: A flatbed truck is not flat broke; it's just level-headed.
Sources: Truck
Which truck is designed to recover disabled vehicles?
Short answer: Wrecker
Wreckers, also called recovery lorries, tow or recover disabled vehicles.
Groan of the day: A wrecker is not a wreck; it's the one that saves the day.
Sources: Truck
What does a tank truck typically carry?
Short answer: Liquids or gases
Tank trucks are designed to transport liquids or gases in a cylindrical tank.
Groan of the day: A tank truck is not a military tank, but it does carry a lot of liquid firepower.
Sources: Truck
Which type of truck body is fully enclosed with walls and a roof?
Short answer: Box truck
Box trucks have an enclosed load space with walls and a roof.
Groan of the day: A box truck is not a cardboard box, but it does keep your cargo boxed in.
Sources: Truck
What is a chassis cab truck suitable for?
Short answer: Attaching specialized bodies like fire trucks
Chassis cab trucks have a bare frame for attaching specialized bodies.
Groan of the day: A chassis cab is like a blank canvas for truck builders.
Sources: Truck
What is the main function of a refuse truck?
Short answer: Collecting and compacting trash
Refuse trucks collect and often compact trash from various sites.
Groan of the day: A refuse truck is not rude; it just refuses to leave trash behind.
Sources: Truck
What is one way trucks reduce air pollution inside the cab?
Short answer: Using a filtration system
Enclosed cabs with filtration systems protect drivers from airborne pollutants.
Groan of the day: A truck cab's filtration system is not a luxury; it's a breath of fresh air.
Sources: Truck
What is a blind-spot mirror used for on trucks?
Short answer: To give a wider field of vision
Blind-spot mirrors provide a wider field of vision than conventional mirrors.
Groan of the day: Blind-spot mirrors are not for blind spots, they're for seeing them.
Sources: Truck
What is the purpose of a truck's governor on mini-trucks in the US?
Short answer: To limit speed to 25 mph
Imported mini-trucks require a 25 mph speed governor as low-speed vehicles.
Groan of the day: A governor on a mini-truck is not a politician; it just limits speed.
Sources: Truck
What is a common use for light trucks?
Short answer: Personal and business transport
Light trucks are used by individuals and businesses for various tasks.
Groan of the day: Light trucks are not lightweight in usefulness.
Sources: Truck
What is a medium truck often used for?
Short answer: Local delivery and public service
Medium trucks are commonly used for local delivery and public service.
Groan of the day: Medium trucks are not medium rare; they're just right for local jobs.
Sources: Truck
What is a heavy truck often used for?
Short answer: Long-haul freight
Heavy trucks include long-haul tractor units and vocational applications.
Groan of the day: Heavy trucks are not heavy metal; they're just heavy haulers.
Sources: Truck
What is an off-road truck often equipped with?
Short answer: Special tires and a front driving axle
Off-road trucks have features like special tires and front driving axles.
Groan of the day: Off-road trucks are not off their rockers; they're just built for rough terrain.
Sources: Truck
What is the purpose of a truck's ladder frame?
Short answer: To support the load and components
The ladder frame supports the truck's components and payload.
Groan of the day: A ladder frame is not for climbing; it's for carrying.
Sources: Truck
What is a common transmission type for heavy trucks in North America?
Short answer: 9, 10, 13, 15, or 18 speeds
Heavy trucks often have manual transmissions with 9 to 18 speeds.
Groan of the day: With 18 gears, a trucker has plenty of options to shift into.
Sources: Truck
What is double-clutching used for in trucks without synchronizers?
Short answer: To change gears smoothly
Double-clutching helps synchronize engine and transmission speeds for smooth shifts.
Groan of the day: Double-clutching is not a dance move, but it does take coordination.
Sources: Truck
What is a common alternative fuel for refuse trucks in the US?
Short answer: Compressed natural gas (CNG)
Many refuse trucks use CNG engines for low fuel cost and reduced emissions.
Groan of the day: CNG refuse trucks are not full of hot air; they run on natural gas.
Sources: Truck
What does a truck's cab protect the driver from?
Short answer: Hazardous airborne pollutants
An enclosed cab is an engineering control that shields the operator from hazardous airborne pollutants.
Groan of the day: That cab really clears the air!
Sources: Truck
What should a cab's filtration system remove from intake air?
Short answer: At least 95% of respirable aerosols
It is recommended that filtration remove at least 95% of airborne respirable aerosols from intake airflow.
Groan of the day: That filter is a real keeper!
Sources: Truck
Why is good enclosure integrity important in a truck cab?
Short answer: To keep positive pressure and block aerosol entry
Sealed isolation helps achieve positive pressure that prevents wind-driven aerosols from entering.
Groan of the day: Seal the deal on clean air!
Sources: Truck
What does a truck's HVAC system primarily provide for occupants?
Short answer: Comfortable temperature and breathable air
Modern enclosed cabs have HVAC systems mainly for comfortable temperature and breathable air.
Groan of the day: That HVAC is a cool operator!
Sources: Truck
Why do commercial trucks pay higher road use taxes?
Short answer: They are heavier and cause more road wear
Trucks are bigger and heavier, causing more wear per hour, and spend more hours on the road.
Groan of the day: Heavy loads carry heavy tolls!
Sources: Truck
How does axle weight affect pavement life?
Short answer: Damage grows with the fourth power of weight
The Load Equivalency Factor says axle damage is proportional to the fourth power of weight.
Groan of the day: That is a weighty matter!
Sources: Truck
What does a 90 km/h in-vehicle speed limiter apply to in the EU?
Short answer: Commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
In-vehicle speed limitation sets a 90 km/h limit for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
Groan of the day: Speed limits keep things on track!
Sources: Truck
Why are warning signs placed on the backs of some heavy goods vehicles?
Short answer: To warn cyclists about passing on the nearside
Signs warn cyclists that passing a turning large vehicle on the nearside can be dangerous.
Groan of the day: Stay in the loop, not the blind spot!
Sources: Truck
What does the US federal government regulate for truck drivers?
Short answer: Hours on the clock and required rest
The federal government regulates how many hours a driver may work and how much rest is required.
Groan of the day: Rest is best before the road test!
Sources: Truck
What is the US rest period after 11 hours of driving?
Short answer: 10 hours off
Drivers follow 11 hours driving and 14 hours on-duty, followed by 10 hours off.
Groan of the day: Ten hours off keeps drivers on the ball!
Sources: Truck
What is the maximum on-duty cycle in the US over 8 days?
Short answer: 70 hours
The rule allows a maximum of 70 hours over 8 days or 60 hours over 7 days.
Groan of the day: Seventy hours is no small feat!
Sources: Truck
What does a 34 hour restart do for a US truck driver?
Short answer: Resets the weekly hours cycle
The 34 hour restart resets the driver's weekly hours-of-service cycle.
Groan of the day: Hit restart and start fresh!
Sources: Truck
What instrument may be fitted to track a driver's hours?
Short answer: An hours-tracking device
Instruments to track each driver's hours must sometimes be fitted to the vehicle.
Groan of the day: Track the hours to stay on time!
Sources: Truck
What license is required in the US for commercial vehicles weighing 26,001 lb or more?
Short answer: A commercial driver's license
A commercial driver's license is required for commercial vehicles weighing 26,001 lb or more.
Groan of the day: License to haul, that is the law!
Sources: Truck
What does the US Federal Bridge Law relate to?
Short answer: Gross weight, axles, and axle spacing
It deals with the relation between gross weight, number of axles, and axle spacing on Interstates.
Groan of the day: Bridge the gap between weight and spacing!
Sources: Truck
Who sets maximum vehicle weight limits on state and local roads in the US?
Short answer: Each state
Each State determines maximum permissible vehicle, combination, and axle weights on state and local roads.
Groan of the day: States have a weigh with words!
Sources: Truck
Which US state has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb?
Short answer: Michigan
Michigan uniquely has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb, twice the federal limit.
Groan of the day: Michigan carries a lot of weight!
Sources: Truck
What is a common cab configuration in North America?
Short answer: Conventional cab
Conventional cabs, with the driver seated behind the engine, are most common in North America.
Groan of the day: Conventional cabs are the usual suspects!
Sources: Truck
What is a cab-over-engine truck also called?
Short answer: Tilt-cab
The whole cab tilts forward to reach the engine, earning the design the name tilt-cab.
Groan of the day: Tilt the cab to tip the engine!
Sources: Truck
Where is the driver seated in a cab-over-engine truck?
Short answer: Above the front axle and engine
In a cab over engine design, the driver sits above the front axle and the engine.
Groan of the day: Sit high and see far!
Sources: Truck
What is a cab-under design meant to maximize?
Short answer: Cargo space
Cab-under places the driver at the lowest front point to allow maximum cargo space.
Groan of the day: Low cab, high cargo!
Sources: Truck
What is a truck's frame often called because of its shape?
Short answer: Ladder frame
Two rails held by crossmembers resemble a ladder, so they are called ladder frames.
Groan of the day: That frame climbs to the top of strength!
Sources: Truck
What are the holes in truck frame rails used for?
Short answer: Mounting components and running wires
Rail holes are used for mounting components, running wires and hoses, or measuring rail orientation.
Groan of the day: Those holes have a point!
Sources: Truck
What is a truck frame usually made of?
Short answer: Steel
The frame is usually made of steel, though aluminum may be used for lighter weight.
Groan of the day: Steel frames are a solid choice!
Sources: Truck
What is a box truck's rear used for?
Short answer: Unloading through doors
Box trucks have an enclosed load space with rear doors for unloading.
Groan of the day: Box trucks open up to business!
Sources: Truck
What does a flatbed truck lack that a box truck has?
Short answer: Protection for the load
A flatbed has a flat platform for easy loading but no protection for the load.
Groan of the day: Flatbeds keep it on the level!
Sources: Truck
The cheat sheet
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
- In British English, a truck is commonly called a lorry.
- Semi-tractors have a fifth wheel hitch for towing semi-trailers.
- Concrete mixers have a rotating drum that mixes and discharges concrete.
- A sleeper is a compartment where the driver can rest when not driving.
- Cab over engine design is almost ubiquitous in Europe due to strict overall length rules.
- Refrigerator trucks carry fresh and frozen goods like food and medicine.
- Dump trucks transport loose materials and unload by lifting the bed.
- Flatbed trucks have a flat platform for easy loading of large items.
- Wreckers, also called recovery lorries, tow or recover disabled vehicles.
- Tank trucks are designed to transport liquids or gases in a cylindrical tank.
- Box trucks have an enclosed load space with walls and a roof.
- Chassis cab trucks have a bare frame for attaching specialized bodies.
Pop quiz
Think of your answer first, then peek.
- What is the British English word for a truck?
- Lorry
- Van
- Cart
Show the answer
Lorry. In British English, a truck is commonly called a lorry.
- Which type of truck body is fully enclosed with walls and a roof?
- Flatbed
- Box truck
- Tanker
Show the answer
Box truck. Box trucks have an enclosed load space with walls and a roof.
- What is the purpose of a truck's ladder frame?
- To improve aerodynamics
- To hold the fuel tank
- To support the load and components
Show the answer
To support the load and components. The ladder frame supports the truck's components and payload.
- What does a 90 km/h in-vehicle speed limiter apply to in the EU?
- Commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes
- All passenger bicycles
- Only delivery scooters
Show the answer
Commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. In-vehicle speed limitation sets a 90 km/h limit for commercial vehicles over 3.5 tonnes.
- Which US state has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb?
- Florida
- Michigan
- Texas
Show the answer
Michigan. Michigan uniquely has a gross vehicle weight limit of 164,000 lb, twice the federal limit.
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