What Is Bobtail Truck: Must-Know Guide for New Drivers

A bobtail truck is a semi truck with only a power unit. These semi-trucks come with only an engine and no trailer. These trucks do not haul heavily loaded trailers from one place to another. 

These trucks are normally used to move light loads from one destination to another. These trucks do not haul freight on the road, but play a very important role in the trucking company.

People commonly mistake a bobtail truck for a deadheading truck, which involves carriers pulling empty trailers. The other misconception people have is that it’s easy to drive a bobtail truck as it does not haul a heavy trailer, but in reality, it can be the opposite.

What Is a Bobtail Truck?

The bobtail truck is a semi truck, more like a tractor comes with a cab and a power unit. Bobtail trucks are normally used when the carrier needs to drop a trailer at a location or has to pick up one. Bobtail trucks are normally used in different facilities to relocate freight. Specifically, bobtailing refers to a truck running without any trailer or attachment.  

Bobtailing vs. Deadheading    

Here is a common misunderstanding between bobtailing and deadheading:  

Bobtailing 

This haul solo without any attached trailer. It comes only with a can and an engine. 

Deadheading                     

This truck hauls a trailer. The trailer is not loaded. This truck just moved an empty trailer to the assigned locations. 

Why Is It Called a Bobtail?

The term bobtail has some historical background. The term demonstrates something with a short tail, like dos. It represents something short, like a truck without its tail or trailer. Although there is no physical evidence available, the word bobtail has been used as the trucking industry has grown. 

Types of Bobtail Trucks

Bobtail trucks are semi trucks without a tail. Here are some types of bobtail: 

Straight Truck 

Straight trucks are often referred to as a bobtail truck. These truck cab and cargo parts are not separated. They are built at one location and cannot be separated from each other. The size of these trucks is small and often referred to as a small bobtail. The small bobtail trucks are box trucks and small trucks to make local deliveries. 

Semi-Trucks Without Trailers 

These types of trucks are the perfect definition of the bobtail truck. The semi truck comes only with the front part. It comes with a cab and a powerful engine to move. These trucks can be seen when they drop a load or are going to pick up one. A common example of this truck is a Peter-built cab driver. 

Specialty Bobtails 

Other than straight trucks and semi trucks, there is another category, which is specialty bobtails. These trucks are short in length and special due to their design. These trucks are commonly used to make deliveries in residential and urban areas. 

Here are some common types of specialty bobtails:

Propane Delivery Trucks

Some bobtail trucks are often called propane delivery trucks. There is a permanent tank attached. That truck specifically contained liquid propane gas to different locations such as homes, farms, and facilities.  

Fuel Tankers

These tanks contain fuel and petrol on a small scale. Unlike the big truck, these trucks are used to make local deliveries. These trucks are specially designed to transport gas, diesel, and heating oil from one place to another.  

Utility Service Trucks

These types of trucks are specifically used by utility companies such as telecommunication, electric, water, and gas. These are used in case of any emergency. Some trucks are fully equipped with cranes. 

Bobtail Truck Dimensions and Specifications

It’s important to know the dimensions and specifications of a bobtail truck when talking about it. The dimensions of the truck can vary according to the truck model and the manufacturer type.

Here are some standard and common dimensions of a bobtail truck: 

Common Length 

The common length of a semi-bobtail truck is between 20 to 30 feet long. The day can bobtail is normally 20 to 24 feet long, and the night cab bobtail is 25 to 30 feet long. The length of the truck can depend on its model. 

Height and Width 

The height of the standard bobtail truck is normally between 10 to 13 feet. The width of this truck is nearly 8.5 feet. 

Weight Capability 

The bobtail trucks are not used to haul heavy freight, but they can hold a weight between 8000 to 15000 lbs. The weight capability can depend on the model of the truck or truck is a day or night.  

Examples of Common Models 

Freightliner Cascadia: This semi truck is most common for regional haul. The length of this truck is normally 22 feet. It can hold 16000 lbs. 

Volvo VNL 300: This semi truck is another common bobtail truck. The length of this truck is 23 feet. It can hold 18000 lbs. This truck is best for fuel efficiency. 

Peterbilt 579: its night sleeper bobtail truck. The length of this truck is 28 feet. This truck is best for long hauls. It can hold a weight of up to 20000 lbs. 

Kenworth T680: This bobtail truck has both day and night cabs. The length of this truck is 20 to 30 feet. It can hold a weight of up to 17000 to 2000 lbs.

Bobtailing vs. Deadheading: Understanding the Difference

In the trucking industry, bobtailing and deadheading are often used, but both are different. For the batter’s understanding of the fleet, it’s important to understand the difference between them: 

Bobtailing: Operating Without a Trailer

Bobtailing operation is referred to as a truck without a trailer. There is no trailer attached to the truck. These trucks can be seen when they drop the load or are going to pick up next. These trucks are often used to relocate the freight in the facilities.  

Deadheading: Driving With an Empty Trailer

Deadheading means that a semi truck is pulling a trailer. There is no freight in the trailer. It can happen when the carrier is coming back after delivering a load, or the load has been cancelled. There is no cargo attached to the truck. The truck can still consume more fuel compared to the bobtail due to the trailer weight and wind resistance. 

Implications for Vehicle Wear and Safety

A bobtail truck can be more difficult to drive in slippery and wet areas. In a bobtail truck, all weight is distributed to the front part of the truck, and sudden moves or turns can be risky. 

Deadheading distributes the weight across the trailer equally, which is less risky to drive.

Safety Concerns with Bobtail Trucks

Bobtail trucks may look easier and safer to drive, but it’s the opposite. Due to the imbalance in the weight, it increases the risk of damage, particularly in bad weather. 

Here are some safety concerns that we should keep in mind:

Handling Challenges Due to Weight Distribution

The biggest challenge is handling weight distribution. When the truck is attached to a trailer, the weight is evenly distributed all over the truck. When there is any trailer attached, all the weight comes to the front axle. When a driver is bobtailing, all the weight sits in the front axle of the truck, which makes the rear axle tight. 

It increases the risk of losing control and skidding, especially in wet areas. It decreases the truck’s stability when taking turns or curves. 

Increased Stopping Distances

As compared to other trucks, bobtail trucks require more distance to stop the truck. As the carrier is driving only a truck due to its lightweight, all the pressure is on the axle, which means less grip on the road. Sudden breaks can cause the rear tires to skid.

 It can also lead to jackknifing. While driving, a bobtail driver must make sure there is a safe distance for a safer stop. 

Tips for Safe Operation When Bobtailing

Here are the following tips that drivers can take while driving the bobtail:

Precautions in Bad Weather 

Bad weather and icy and wet roads can reduce the traction of the truck, which can lead to accidents. While driving in bad weather, drive slowly and avoid taking dangerous turns and sudden braking. 

Avoid Sudden Braking 

Try to brake gently instead of aggressive braking. 

Increase the following distance 

Maintain the needed distance from the vehicle ahead of you. 

Weight Balance 

While driving, remember that you are driving a bobtail, which means less grip on the road. 

Drive Slowly Around Corners 

Take slow turns on corner turns, as it can cause accidents and damage due to the weight instability. 

Bobtail Truck Insurance

Bobtail insurance is very important for carriers who drive semi trucks. It ensures the safety of the truck when the driver is on the road. When a driver is hauling on the road with a trailer, that means he is moving freight under someone else’s authority. Insurance provides coverage for any possible loss of the truck. 

What is Bobtail Insurance?

It is the insurance of non-trucking liability. This insurance only covers the cost of the truck. Non-liability insurance does not cover cargo insurance. It applies when the driver is on the road to deliver a load or when he is relocating the load to a different location. It also applies when the carrier is using the truck for his personal use and maintenance, and not for dispatch.

Coverage specifics: Liability during non-dispatch periods

Insurance for a bobtail truck provides liability coverage. It covers the cost of any damage to property or any blood injury when the trailer is not attached. It applies when the driver drops the trailer and comes back, or goes to pick up one. It also applies when the carrier is using the truck unit for their personal use.

The insurance does not cover when the truck is attached to the trailer or under dispatch. 

Cost range: Typically between $30 to $60 per month

The insurance of a Bobtail truck is not as expensive as compared to other truck policies. Monthly, this insurance costs $30 to $70, and annually it costs $350 to $750.  

Factors influencing insurance premiums

There are different factors that can impact the influence of the insurance, such as the clean driving history of the truck can lead to a good paying price of the truck. It also depends on the model of the truck. The new and more expensive truck will incur more insurance costs. The rate of the insurance can also depend on the area and region where you are living. 

Do you need bobtail insurance? 

A carrier or owner operator needs insurance when he is hauling a semi truck. It’s not very expensive and covers any damage when not attached to the trailer; moreover, it is required by many motor carrier contracts.

Common Uses of Bobtail Trucks

Bobtail trucks play a very important role, even though they do not haul freight. These trucks make sure that the needed equipment is at their place. Here are some common uses of bobtail trucks:  

Situations Requiring Bobtailing

Return After Delivery

The driver needs to bobtail when he delivers the trailer to the facility and comes back empty without a trailer. 

Going to Pick up the Trailer 

Drivers often need to do a bobtail to pick up the trailer. These trailers can be picked up from different facilities, yards, and distribution centers. 

Repositioning Between Locations 

The driver often needs to reposition the trailer at facility hubs according to the specific demand.

Personal Use 

The driver can haul the truck for his personal use with any trailer. 

Going For Maintenance 

The carrier can drive the truck for maintenance. He may need to go to different maintenance centers and inspection hubs when the trailer is not attached to the truck.

Industries That Frequently Utilize Bobtail Trucks

Here are different industries that use biobanks to maintain their workflow:

• Freight statutes use the bobtail truck to reposition the trailer and tractors
• Different bobtail trucks are used for fuel and gas delivery for local delivery 
• Different trucking companies use bobtail trucks for the delivery and repositioning of loads 
• Owner-operators can drive the semi-truck for their personal use or for dispatch 

Pros and Cons of Bobtailing

Bobtail trucks are a common part of different industries to maintain their daily workflow. Understanding of the pros and cons, and benefits of the carrier. Here are some points: 

Pros

Flexibility in Operations

Bobtailing allows carriers to move trucks within the assignment without being attached to the trailer. It increases the efficiency of work and decreases the downtime. 

Easier Parking 

It’s a lot easier to park a bobtail truck compared to the other truck, as this truck does not cover the space of the whole truck.  

Less Fuel Consumption 

Bobtail trucks are not attached to the trailer, so there is no weight and wind resistance, which leads to low fuel consumption. 

Increased  Maneuverability

When the carrier is bobtailing, it’s a lot easier to navigate between the roads and short streets. 

Cons

Low Braking Efficiency 

While driving the bobtail, all the weight is on the front axle of the truck, which reduces your control over the brakes, especially when the road is wet or icy. It can increase the chance of jackknifing 

No Cargo Revenue 

Bobtailing often involves no revenue miles. If it is not taken care of in time, it can cause operational costs. 

More Safety Risks 

Due to the imbalanced weight distribution, this truck is more prone to damage due to aggressive and sudden braking. 

Limited Insurance Coverage 

The insurance options are limited for a bobtail truck. The insurance does not cover anything when the truck is attached to the trailer or off to dispatch. 

 Conclusion

Bobtail trucks play a very crucial role in the trucking industry. These trucks are also used by different industries to manage their workflow. It’s a truck with a trailer that comes with a cab and a powerful engine. These trucks are used to relocate freight to different locations or for local deliveries. Driving a bobtail truck may seem safe, but it’s more risky.

Driving only a bobtail, you need to keep in mind the weight, as all the weight is on the front axle of the truck. The weight is not distributed equally in the bobtail truck, which can cause serious damage.  However, these trucks are easy to park and easy to keep moving between roads and short streets.

Frequently Asked Questions