CA (Cab-to-Axle)
The distance from the back of the truck cab to the center of the rear axle. Clear or effective CA is the distance from the rear surface of any obstruction behind the cab to the center of the rear axle. On a tandem-axle truck this dimension is from the back of the cab to a point midway between the two rear axles. See Chassis Dimensions.
Cab
The driver passenger carrying compartment of a chassis cab.
Cab Control Levers
Handles to control action of power take off and hydraulic valve, usually located in truck cab convenient to driver's hand.
Cab Forward
See Forward Control.
Cable
Steel wire rope used for pulling or supporting.
Cab Over Engine (COE)
Cab design where driver is actually as far forward as possible. Engine is directly under cab.
Cab Protector
Metal shield over the cab as protection from cargo such as coal, stone, etc. being loaded into a dump body.
Cab to Tandem (CT)
The distance from the back of the cab to a point midway between the tandem axles. Clear or effective CT is the distance from the rear surface of any obstruction behind the cab to the center of the rear axles.
Cable
Steel wire rope used for pulling or supporting.
Camber
The angle a front wheel makes with a vertical line. Outward lean on the top of a wheel is "positive camber".
Cargo Weight Rating
The value specified by the manufacturer as the cargo-carrying capacity, in pounds, of a vehicle, exclusive of the weight of the occupants (computed at 150 lbs. times the number of designated seating positions).
Carrier
A platform body with a winch for loading.
Caster
The angle a front wheel spindle pivot makes with a vertical line. Tilting the top of the pivot to the rear of the vehicle is "positive caster."
CB (Cab-to-Body)
The distance between truck cab and body. See Chassis Dimensions.
CE (Cab-to-End of Frame)
The dimension from the back of the cab to the rear of the standard frame. Used primarily to determine size of body which may be used. See Also Chassis Dimensions.
CG (Center of Gravity)
The point at which the weight of the chassis, body equipment, and payload, if collectively or individually supported, would balance vertically, horizontally, and laterally. (This engineering concept finds the center of the mass of an object.) The three measurements necessary to determine the CG of an object defined as follows:
- Horizontal (HCG) - Measured fore and aft from a reference plane.
- Lateral (LCG) - Measured from center line of the vehicle to the side.
- Vertical (VCG) - Measured up or down from a reference plane.
Certification Label
A label, required by Public Law 89-563, that states (certifies) that a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment complies to all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date of manufacture.
Cetane
Rating of diesel fuel similar to octane for gasoline.
Chain Assemblies
Chain with all hardware and coupling devices.
Chassis-cab
An incomplete vehicle, with a completed occupant compartment, that requires only the addition of cargo-carrying, work-performing, or load-bearing components to perform its intended functions.
Chassis Dimensions
Designations commonly used to describe a truck and its components.
Classification of Trucks by Ground Contact
Trucks are classified by the number of wheels and the number of driving wheels. If a truck is designated as a 4x2, it has four wheels and two driving wheels. A 4x4 truck has four wheels and four driving wheels. A 6x4 truck has six wheels and four driving wheels. (Wheels are considered a unit whether they have single or dual tires.)
Clearance Lights
Lighting to indicate the overall width of the vehicle.
Common Carrier
A trucking firm that hauls for hire.
Completed Vehicle
A vehicle that requires no further manufacturing operations to perform its intended function, other than the addition of readily attachable components such as mirrors or tires and rim assemblies, or minor finishing operations such as painting.
Compression Pressure
The force in pounds per square inch exerted by the compressed charge in the combustion chamber space when the piston is at the top of the compression stroke.
Compression Ratio
The cylinder and head volume (piston displacement plus combustion chamber volume) when the piston is at the bottom of the stroke divided by the combustion chamber volume when the piston is at the top of the stroke.
Contract Carrier
A trucking firm that has a hauling contract with a certain company or companies.
Control Lever
A device for imparting motion into control linkage.
Cowl
The front part of an automotive cab or body directly below the base of the windshield between fire wall and dashboard (instrument panel). Used to indicate the complete vehicle (less body) when produced by a factory to include the cowl but not the remainder of the cab or body.
Crossmembers
General term applied to transverse members in the understructure or on a truck frame.
Cube
The inside dimensions of a truck body or trailer expressed in cubic feet. So called "high cube"; equipment is designed to offer the maximum interior load space for its exterior length and width.
Curb Weight
The weight of a motor vehicle with standard equipment; maximum capacity of engine fuel, oil and coolant; and if so equipped, air conditioning and additional weight optional engine.
Curbside
The right or passenger side of the vehicle when viewed from the rear, opposite side from Roadside.
Cylinder
A hydraulic cylinder assembly complete.
Cylinder Base
End of hydraulic cylinder opposite to header or rod end.
Cylinder Head
End of a hydraulic cylinder through which the piston rod extends. Also called Header.
