Trucks are an important part of many industries. They help move goods and products around, which is necessary for most businesses. Without heavy-duty trucks, businesses would have trouble accessing the materials and products they need to serve their customers.
Most businesses benefit from using different kinds of trucks, depending on the task they need to accomplish. If you’re running a logistics solutions trucking business or thinking about starting one, it’s important to understand the different types of trucks.
Trucks are divided into different classes for various kinds of work. Learning the difference between each class will allow you to find the right truck that can accommodate your business’s unique needs.
How are Trucks Classified?
Trucks are divided into specific groups based on their gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR). This is a safety standard used by manufacturers and the government to determine how much weight a vehicle can safely carry.
A truck’s GVWR determines the unit’s maximum rated weight, including its fuel, passengers, and cargo. It is dependent on the vehicle’s brake efficiency, tire capability, axle strength, and vehicle frame and is determined by the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM).
Knowing a vehicle’s GVWR is important because it sets the maximum amount of weight that can be legally carried on the truck. This ensures safety for both the driver and other motorists on the road because staying within the vehicle’s GVWR will help you avoid different safety concerns, such as tire strain, brake failure, and other technical issues.
Three Main Truck Classifications
The different truck classifications fall within eight GVWR classes. Here are the three main types of trucks:
Light-Duty Trucks
The smallest type of truck that you can get for your business is the light-duty truck. This truck classification weighs between 0 to 14,000 pounds and consists of GVWR classes one to three:
- Class 1: 0 to 6,000 pounds
- Class 2: 6,001 to 10,000 pounds
- Class 3: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds
Light-duty trucks are not typically used in commercial applications, such as logistics solutions trucking. Most of the time, this truck classification is utilized in towing passenger vehicles or carrying goods that weigh up to 3,500 to 4,000 pounds. This type of truck is also commonly used by people who are moving residences or transporting personal items.
In the few times that light-duty trucks are used for commercial purposes, they are utilized for delivering goods to a local store. It can also be used to transport light cargo between neighboring cities.
Medium-Duty Trucks
Medium-duty trucks fall within GVWR classes four to six. They can also weigh anywhere from 14,001 to 26,000 pounds:
- Class 4: 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
- Class 5: 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
- Class 6: 19,501 to 26,000 pounds
This truck classification is commonly known as the most versatile. This is because different kinds of trucks used for a variety of purposes fall under this category, including the following:
- Landscaping dump trucks
- Box trucks
- Fire trucks
- School buses
Medium-duty trucks are also beneficial for different industries, especially for transporting cargo or people from different cities and logistics solutions trucking. They have enough capacity to carry medium loads safely and efficiently.
Heavy-Duty Trucks
This classification consists of large trucks that have a GVWR of 26,001 to over 33,000 pounds. They fall under classes seven and eight:
- Class 7: 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
- Class 8: over 33,000 pounds
Heavy-duty trucks are mainly used for long-haul transportation. Since they can carry more cargo, each cargo truck’s trip will be more efficient and profitable for any business. Some of the most common types of heavy-duty trucks are the following:
- Buses
- Mobile cranes
- Garbage trucks
- Tractor trailers
- Cement mixers
Find the Right Type of Truck for Your Business
The truck that you’ll need for your business will greatly depend on the type of industry that you’re in. It’s important to understand the difference between the different truck classifications so you can find the one that will be most beneficial for your company.
For quality heavy-duty trucks from two of the most reputable manufacturers in the world, turn to us at Prime Quest. We offer units from Volvo and UD Trucks that are perfect for businesses in a variety of industries. Browse our selection of transport trucks today!
