Pilot car & oversize load glossary
The terms you'll hear out here — the gear and the jobs, the trailers, and the slang that flies on the CB. New to oversize? Start anywhere.
Pilot car & oversize terms
- Certified escort
A pilot car operator who holds a state-recognized escort certification.
- Chase car (rear pilot)
The pilot car that travels behind the load.
- Deadhead
Miles a pilot car drives empty, without a load, to or from a job.
- Height pole (high-pole car)
A lead pilot car fitted with an adjustable pole set to the load height to catch low obstructions.
- Lead car (front pilot)
The pilot car that travels ahead of the load.
- Overhang
Load that extends beyond the front or rear of the trailer, with its own escort and flagging rules.
- Oversize load
A load that exceeds the legal size limits for a standard truck and needs a permit.
- Oversize permit
The state authorization that lets an oversize/overweight load travel a specific route.
- Pilot car (escort vehicle)
A vehicle that travels with an oversize load to warn traffic and guide the load safely.
- Police escort
A law-enforcement escort required for the largest loads, often to control intersections and traffic.
- Route survey
A pre-trip drive of the planned route to confirm an oversize load can physically make it.
- Standby / wait time
Time a pilot car is held on the clock but not moving the load.
- Steer car
A specialized escort that helps physically steer the rear trailer axles on extreme loads.
- Superload
An extremely large or heavy load above a state's normal oversize thresholds, needing special review.
Trailer types
- Booster
An extra axle assembly added behind the trailer to spread weight to the rear.
- Conestoga
A flatbed or step deck with a retractable tarp system that rolls back like a curtain.
- Double drop
A trailer with a sunken well in the middle for very tall freight.
- Flatbed
An open, level trailer with no sides or roof, loaded from any side or above.
- Jeep (dolly)
An extra axle set placed between the truck and trailer to spread heavy weight.
- Lowboy
A trailer that sits very low to the ground to haul tall, heavy equipment under height limits.
- Perimeter (blade) trailer
A trailer with a low frame around the outside of the load, common for wind turbine blades.
- RGN (removable gooseneck)
A lowboy whose front detaches into a ramp so equipment can drive straight onto the deck.
- Schnabel trailer
A specialized trailer where the load itself forms the middle of the trailer.
- Step deck (drop deck)
A flatbed with a lower rear deck so taller loads stay under height limits.
- Stretch (extendable) trailer
A trailer that telescopes longer to support extra-long loads end to end.
Pilot & CB slang
- Bear (Smokey)
CB slang for police — a state trooper or highway patrol officer.
- Bobtail
A tractor driving with no trailer attached.
- Brake check
CB warning that traffic ahead is suddenly slowing or stopping.
- Chicken coop
CB slang for a weigh station.
- Four-wheeler
A regular passenger car or pickup — anything that isn't a big truck.
- Hammer lane
The far-left / passing lane on a highway.
- Suicide lane
A center lane shared by traffic going both directions — for turns or passing.
- The skinny
A narrow stretch of road or shoulder where a wide load barely fits.
- Zipper
CB slang for the painted line down the middle of the road.