What is a Straight Truck?
Trucking is one of the most popular modes of transport in the world and is also required when transporting cargo by air or sea. The reason it is a very popular and very important means of transport is that roads are the most extensive type of infrastructure that allows trucks to reach places easily. One of the most popular truck types is the straight truck.
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A straight truck is a type of truck where all axles are connected to one frame. This means that the tractor unit (also called cab) and trailer or cargo box are attached to the same frame and cannot be removed.
This concept differs from a semi-trailer (a type of articulated vehicle) which consists of a tractor unit or cab that can be removed from the trailer. In a tractor, the tractor and trailer are not part of one frame and can be removed.
Trucks in particular appear to be made of a single unit (combining cab and trailer or cargo box) compared to traditional tractor units with separate cab and trailer. There are many different types of straight truck, each serving a unique purpose.
They are also available in various axle configurations known as 4, 6 or 10 wheel trucks. But what they all have in common is that the loadspace is mounted on the same frame as the tractor.
In fact, straight trucks are the most popular type of truck as they can be used for a variety of activities such as agriculture, construction, utilities, maintenance and logistics. These types of straight trucks are therefore built in a specific way that facilitates their purpose.
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In addition, trucks in particular can be equipped with a cabin, a cooling unit in the rear or special industrial trucks such as tail lifts and aerial work platforms. One of the most common types of straight truck is the box or cube truck used to transport freight.
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Ask a Mechanic Live NowWhat are the Types of Straight Trucks?
Straight trucks have a wide range of applications in different industries. The most popular version is the panel van, but there are many other types. Let’s take a closer look at 3 common straight truck types.
Box Trucks
Box trucks, also known as cube trucks or cube vans, are one of the most common straight trucks. They come in different sizes and their main purpose is to transport cargo between different locations.
Designed for fuel efficiency, stiffness and reliability, these trucks offer quick turnarounds and affordable maintenance. Most carriers, shippers, and even manufacturers use box trucks to move cargo between facilities or directly to customers.
Refrigerated Trucks
Refrigerated trucks are equipped with refrigeration units. It also has a temperature control function that allows you to adjust the temperature inside the cooling unit. Refrigerated trucks are commonly used to transport all kinds of chilled or frozen food, ice cream, fruits, vegetables and dairy products.
The truck also enables the transport of medicines and vaccines that require cold storage. Vans play a key role in the growing demand for services related to the cold chain industry.
Passenger Van Trucks
These truck types are made for passenger transportation. Trucks, especially with passenger cars, are equipped with seats and usually have a central aisle. These types of trucks are widely used in seaports, airports or other standard offices where they need to move passengers quickly and continuously over a larger operational area.
What Straight Truck is Mostly Used For?
Straight trucks are very popular among individuals and companies who have a lot of freight to carry. There are different models of straight trucks available in the market. The main purpose of these trucks is to carry different types of materials.
They are used in a variety of industries, so it is common to move different types of cargo related to logistics, construction, grocery, retail, healthcare, etc. For example:
- General cargo
- Perishables
- Furniture and personal items
- Various machines and devices
- Drugs and vaccines
- Food
- Fuel
- Waste
- Building materials
From some examples above, we can know that trucks are very versatile and can carry almost any type of cargo. Straight truck is so popular because of its form factor, affordability, and ease of maintenance.
What’s The Difference Between a Straight Truck and Semi?
Straight trucks, also called panel vans, are used to transport large items such as equipment and furniture. Connected by a single chassis, it is fundamentally easier to operate than a tractor-trailer.
Tractor trailers are much larger, offering drivers more loading options and versatility. A truck of this type consists of two parts: the tractor and the trailer. The trailer is attached to the cab with the fifth wheel.
Comparing the two, straight trucks require less capital than tractor trailers. It is cost effective as maintenance and commissioning costs are significantly reduced. The truck’s simple design means lower maintenance costs and ease of use, and helps train new drivers. So if you want to keep your investment down, this could be your best option.
However, it is important to note that tractor-trailers can provide more payload in a single run due to their versatility and payload. As a result, you can earn more in less time. So if you have the capital needed to cover your operating costs, this would be a better long term investment.
You might also want to consider the dimensions of the cargo you want to transport, the size of the package, and the distance you want to travel. This includes checking how the material you want to transport is packaged.
The size of your parcel will determine which truck to use. Note that semi-trucks have a higher hauling capacity than straight trucks. Overloading the vehicle or straining the mechanical parts of the truck is the last thing you want.
Max Anthony
Max is a gizmo-savvy guy, who has a tendency to get pulled into the nitty gritty details of technology and cars. He attended UT Austin, where he studied Information Science. He’s married and has three kids, one dog and a GMC truck and a Porsche 911. With a large family, he still finds time to share tips and tricks on cars, trucks and more.
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