Did you know that back in 2020, there were 13.48 million registered trucks in the United States? That’s over 2.2 million more than the count back in 2015!
All those figures prove how much people in the US depend on these massive vehicles. After all, they’re essential to transporting people, products, materials, and equipment.
Indeed, if not for trucks, farmers can’t ship their produce. Businesses won’t get the materials they need to run their operations, either. Some even say that without trucks, America stops.
Interestingly, not all types of trucks are for on-road use, and not everyone can drive them. There are even some truck types requiring specific licenses.
For that reason, it pays to learn more about trucks, especially if you want to buy and operate one. This guide goes over the most common types you need to know about, so be sure to keep reading.
Mini Trucks
Mini trucks, also called “kei trucks,” are small cargo trucks from Japanese automakers. Most people use them to deliver light loads across short distances. It’s legal to drive them off-road in all 50 US states, but only some allow their operation on public roads.
Mini trucks are more typical in farms, used to haul produce within the farm’s vicinity. However, small businesses also use them to move light cargo in states that allow their on-road use.
One of the chief attractions of mini trucks is that they usually cost less than today’s pick-up trucks. That’s primarily due to their more stripped-down interiors, though. So, while they’re undoubtedly capable, they don’t have the same luxuries as pick-ups do.
Light-Duty Trucks
Commercial motor vehicles (CMVs) in the US fall into one of eight classifications (class 1 to 8). In most cases, the basis for these classes is the vehicle’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR).
Classes 1 to 2, in turn, are collectively part of light-duty trucks. Furthermore, class 2 has two subcategories: class 2a and class 2b. Either way, all these trucks come equipped with a set of four wheels, unlike big rigs that can boast more.
Class 1 trucks are those that weigh less than 6,000 pounds. Examples are the Chevrolet Colorado, the Ford Ranger, and the Toyota Tacoma.
Class 2a trucks are heavier, weighing 6,001 to 8,500 pounds. These include the Chevrolet Silverado, the Ford F-150, and the Nissan Titan, to name a few.
Class 2b trucks are the heaviest light-duty trucks, weighing between 8,501 to 10,000 pounds. The Ford F-250 and the Ram 2500 belong to this class.
Operating light-duty trucks doesn’t require a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
Medium-Duty Trucks
There are four classes of medium-duty trucks: class 3, 4, 5, and 6.
Class 3 trucks are the lightest in this category, weighing only 10,001 to 14,000 pounds. Some examples are the GMC Sierra 3500, the Ford F-350, and the Ram 3500.
Class 4 medium-duty trucks can weigh anywhere from 14,001 to 16,000 pounds. They usually have at least six wheels; two in the front and four in the rear. These include the Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, the Isuzu NPR-HD, and the Ram 4500.
Class 5 trucks have a GVWR ranging from 16,001 to 19,500 pounds. Like the class 4 trucks, class 5 vehicles also have at least six wheels. The Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD, the Ford F-550, and the Ram 5500 belong to this class.
As for class 6 trucks, they can weigh anywhere between 19,501 pounds and 26,000 pounds. You’ll also find these trucks featuring at least two front wheels and four rear wheels. Examples are the Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD, the Ford F-650, and the Kenworth T270.
Like light-duty trucks, driving medium-duty trucks doesn’t require a CDL. However, you may already need commercial vehicle insurance.
An example is driving a class 3 truck to transport paid goods from one point to another. In that case, you already need commercial insurance, as you use the truck as an income source.
Another example is using a class 4 truck to haul equipment or tools you use to conduct your business. Seeing as you’re using the vehicle for business, you need commercial auto insurance.
Heavy-Duty Trucks
Class 7 and 8 heavy-duty trucks are heavier than their medium-duty counterparts.
Class 7 vehicles weigh between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds. Examples include the Ford F-750, the Kenworth K370, and the Peterbilt 220.
Class 8 heavy-duty trucks are the heaviest of all types of trucks, weighing 33,001 pounds or more. Examples of the best commercial trucks in this class are the Volvo Truck VNL and the Kenworth T680.
Other heavy-duty trucks include dump trucks, garbage trucks, tank trucks, and refrigerator trucks. As you can imagine, these vehicles require more than six wheels to carry heavy loads.
For the same reason, driving class 7 and 8 trucks already require a CDL. Moreover, drivers of these heavy-duty trucks must carry a commercial truck insurance policy.
Very Heavy Trucks
These trucks are too heavy and massive for regular highway use. It’s only legal to operate them on highways with special permits and escorts. That’s also why operators mostly use them outside of public roads.
One example of such a truck is a haul truck. It’s an exceptionally massive off-road dump truck, often used in mining operations.
Another example is a ballast tractor, a specialized weighted tractor unit. Its most common use is for pulling or pushing extremely large or heavy trailer loads. Their typical loads include industrial machinery, oil rig modules, and bridge parts.
A heavy hauler also falls in this truck category, used most of the time as a transporter. It’s a gigantic vehicle that often boasts more than 18 wheels. Their typical cargo is similar to those of ballast tractors.
Non-Commercial Light Trucks
Non-commercial light trucks are vehicles designed primarily for transporting people and property. Under the law, you can’t use these to move commercial goods, wares, or merchandise.
In other words, you can only drive non-commercial light trucks for personal purposes. That’s why they also go by the name “passenger trucks.”
A perfect example of a passenger truck is a sports utility vehicle (SUV). SUVs are trucks as they come built on a light-truck chassis. They’re becoming more popular in the US; full-sized SUV sales were up by 17% in the first quarter of 2021.
Another well-favored passenger truck in the US is the pick-up truck. These include many class 1 and 2 trucks we’ve discussed earlier.
Like SUVs, pick-ups have also gained popularity among US passenger car shoppers. For instance, in 2020, they outsold non-luxury passenger cars by over 100,000 units.
One of the chief reasons people love SUVs and pick-ups is their off-road capabilities. They come with rugged skid plates, off-road tires, and four-wheel-drive systems. All those allow them to tackle the rough terrain associated with off-road tracks.
In addition, many SUVs and pick-ups have significant towing power. Some of the best trucks, such as the Chevy Silverado 2500HD and the Ford F-250, can even tow 20,000 pounds or more.
A Friendly Reminder on Truck Regulations
Commercial trucks are subject to stricter regulations because of their size and weight. That’s why a commercial driver’s license is mandatory to operate some of them. There are even commercial truck insurance policies that are truck- or load-specific.
In any case, US drivers must be CDL holders if they operate a vehicle with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more. The same goes for those who use vehicles designed to transport 16 passengers or more. You also need a CDL if you’re moving or transporting materials designated by law as hazardous.
In addition, obtaining a CDL involves more stringent testing than that for a non-CDL. It’s also harder to maintain CDL certification and licensing. Moreover, it’s possible to lose a CDL permanently due to a serious traffic violation.
Another thing to note is operating a business vehicle with a GVWR of 10,001 pounds or more. While you don’t need a CDL for this, you must still follow federal and state safety regulations for CMVs. For example, the law requires you to stop at state weigh and inspection stations.
By contrast, you don’t need a CDL to drive an SUV or a pick-up. You don’t have to buy commercial auto insurance, either, so long as you don’t intend to use it for your business. However, you still need to purchase personal auto insurance, as mandated by your state.
One more thing: Some states restrict what you can put on a non-commercial light truck. For instance, if you’re registering a non-commercial SUV in New Jersey, it must not have any signs on it. Moreover, its exterior must be free of advertising, lettering, names, or addresses.
Invest in the Best Types of Trucks
There you have it, your ultimate guide to the different types of trucks available in the market today. Now you know the commercial ones range from class 1 to 8, while passenger trucks include SUVs and pick-ups. Don’t forget about the mini trucks, which can be cheaper than pick-ups, albeit less fancy.
In any case, do your homework before buying a truck to ensure that you invest in the best one for your needs.
Ready for more informative guides like this? Then be sure to check more of our blog site now!
