Bobtailing is the practice of driving a bobtail, a semi-truck without its trailer. It occurs when drivers have no cargo to transport, typically after dropping off a load or before picking up a new one. For example, beverage brands may need bobtail trucking when a truck unloads at a bottling plant and must travel empty to the next distribution center.
Since bobtail logistics generate no revenue, carriers charge a bobtail fee to cover fuel, wear and tear, labor, and repositioning costs involved.
Bobtail trucking may be dangerous because the vehicle is unstable without the trailer’s weight, leading to reduced traction and ineffective braking. Additional insurance coverage and stricter safety procedures are often required.
See Deadhead.