Deadheading

Definition:
Driving a cargo carrying truck (semi-truck) pulling an empty trailer, i.e., containing no cargo. Be careful not to confuse “deadheading” with “bobtailing,” which happens when driving a cargo carrying truck without a trailer attached. When you return or backhaul the empty cargo container to your point of origin, you are deadheading.

Forms also used:

• Deadhead
• Deadhead Load

Examples of use:
– Carol just dropped her cargo in Phoenix and will be deadheading it back to Miami.
– Terrance will have to quickly dump his load and deadhead it back to Richmond.

Trucker slang for deadheading:

• “Hauling sailboat fuel”
• “Carrying a dream load”

Other meanings of “deadhead”:

Deadhead: Huge fans of the band, The Grateful Dead

Source: ninetyeightytwo.tumblr.com

Deadhead: A person traveling without a ticket on a plane,
like this scene from “Catch Me If You Can”

Deadhead: In gardening, the cutting back and removal of dead flowers or blooms to allow for new growth.

Check out more common trucker terms & essential legal phrases in The Law Glossary!