Types of Trucks used in the Logistics Industry

Summary

This article describes various types of trucks used in the logistics industry, such as box trucks, flatbed trucks, refrigerated trucks, semi-trailer trucks, tail-lift trucks, jumbo trailer trucks, mini-vans, and tanker trucks. 

Each type of truck is designed to carry different types of loads and has its own specifications in terms of dimensions, load capacity, and usage. 

These trucks play a crucial role in connecting the last-mile delivery and transporting goods from manufacturers to retailers and end-users.

 

In the logistics industry, road transportation is essential on connecting the last-mile delivery, to achieve this the role of trucks is quintessential. 

Trucks are the bridge between the manufacturer and the retailers, as they transport the consignment from Point A to Point B to reach the end-users.

In this, according to the industry and type of material transported there are different types of trucks that are available in the market.

In this article, we will the elaborated various types of trucks and their usage with vehicle dimensions, load capacity details.

Box Trucks

Box Truck

Box trucks are utlised in the logistics industry for the transportation of furniture, equipment, packaged goods and other goods that don’t consume lot of space. 

This type of truck is effective in transportation because relatively comfortable, easy to manage, cheaper when compared to heavy trucks.

It is ideal for small business operators and retail business usages. Apart from this, this truck is also suitable for the food business, who use trucks for the food business.

Box Trucks (16 Foot)
Length
16 Feet
Height
6.5 Feet
Width
7.5 Feet
Capacity
1.5 to 2 tonnes
Use
Packaged goods and foods

Flatbed Trucks

flatbed truck

Flatbed trucks are open body trucks with cabin only for the driver. This type of truck are suitable to carry heavy loads on open space, mostly heavy iron sheets and rods can be transported using such vehicles.

This vehicle can load upto 20 tonnes depending upon the vehicle make and load-carrying capacity fixed by the manufacturer.

In the flatbed load vehicles there are different types namely extendable flatbeds, stretch single drop deck, side-kit, lowboys, double drop and RGN flatbeds.

Flatbed Trucks (48 Feet)
Length
48 Feet
Height
5 Feet
Width
8.5 Feet
Capacity
16 to 22 tonnes
Use
To carry heavy loads

Refrigerated Trucks

refrigerated vehicles

Refrigerated trucks are for the drugs and food industries, these trucks are designed in such a way that it can carry the perishable goods at the preserved temperatures. 

The reefer trucks are of utmost importance in the pharmaceutical industry, as most of the medicines need to be transported at regulated temperatures with continuous monitoring of temperature.

The vehicle is usually designed in that way with air conditioning facilities that can withstand temperatures from 50 degree Fahrenheit to -20 degree Fahrenheit.

Such reefer trucks consume more fuel than the normal trucks since the air conditioning refrigeration system is directly connected to the engine.

Refrigerated Trucks (22 Feet)
Length
22 Feet
Height
7 Feet
Width
7.5 Feet
Capacity
7 to 12 Tonnes
Use
Suitable for Drugs and Food Transportation

Semi-Trailer Trucks

semi trailer

These are trucks designed in a way to connect with one or more semi trailers. They are designed to carry heavy loads that are comparatively stronger that is not transported using the standard trucks.

The semi-trailer trucks have an automated brake system to avoid them moving away in case of any accidental scenarios.

Semi-trailer trucks need special maintenance to keep the vehicle healthy and it demands specialized drivers to drive the vehicle on highways. To drive such kinds of semi-trailer trucks drivers need special qualifications and training to drive. Also, the driver needs to get a driving license specifically to drive such vehicles.

Semi-Trailer Trucks
Length
48 to 53 Feet
Height
8 Feet
Width
8 Feet
Capacity
20 to 25 Tonnes
Use
Heavy Material Transportation

Tail-Lift Trucks

tail lift trucks

It is also popularly called liftgate trucks. The purpose of this truck is to load heavy goods with the aid of a tail-lift on the truck. The tail is attached to the rear of the vehicle and the lifting is done mechanically.

This mechanical tail system will reduce the human effort in loading and unloading the heavy goods. The tail lift trucks can carry loads of more than 1 tonne depending upon the vehicle manufacturer guidelines.

Tail-Lift Trucks
Length
11 Feet
Height
7 Feet
Width
6 Feet
Capacity
Upto 1 Tonne
Use
liftgate trucks for heavy loads

Jumbo Trailer Trucks

jumbo trailer

The jumbo trailer is popularly known as a mega trailer, it is a combination of trailer and truck. It is a very long truck and it carries a load of over 20 tonnes. The beauty of this truck is, the load can be loaded in multiple directions including the back, sides, and roof.

Jumbo Trailer Trucks
Length
44 Feet
Height
10 Feet
Width
8 Feet
Capacity
Up to 24 Tonnes
Use
For heavy loads

Mini-Van

Mini Van

These mini van are used for “last mile” connectivity on Indian roads to reach the delivery location for goods dispatch. Mini Trucks are most popular on Indian roads, especially in rural areas. These kinds of mini trucks are used for agricultural goods career, used for shop owners to deliver goods, in courier services and the list goes on as this kind of light commercial vehicle offer multipurpose option to use.

Mini Van
Length
7 Feet
Height
5 Feet
Width
5 Feet
Capacity
1 to 2.5-tonne
Use
Used for last-mile delivery

Tanker Truck

tanker trucks

Tanker truck is used to carry the liquid load such as fuel, petroleum products, chemicals, oil & gas, water, milk and any liquid material that need to be transported can be done using the tanker trucks.

The truck materials and design will change according to the industrial requirements as many time it carries inflammable materials on it and corrosive materials in the tanker.

Tanker Truck
Length
39 Feet
Height
11 Feet
Width
8 Feet
Capacity
396 to 750+ Gallons
Use
Used for liquid transportation

Container Trucks

container truck

The container trucks are standardised containers that are used in the logistics industry to transport goods on the rail, cargo ships and trucks. 

The ideal purpose of these containers is to transport the goods long distances without affecting any damage to the consignments and easily transportable on all mediums of transportation.

Container Trucks (32 Feet Container)
Length
32 Feet
Height
10 Feet
Width
8 Feet
Capacity
7 to 16 Tonnes
Use
Ideal for Ship, rail and road transport
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