WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLE?
Every industry today relies on commercial vehicles. Sectors like telecommunications, construction, food, and agriculture, to name a few, depend on these trucks to carry out daily operations. They aid in hauling, logistics, and transportation, making their operation efficient and fast.
These trucks are built differently to help accommodate these various needs. From dump trucks and tow trucks to semi-trucks, commercial vehicles come in different sizes and capabilities and are categorized into classes.
The Federal Highway Administration classifies all commercial vehicles into eight, ranging from light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty. In this article, we break down these classifications, providing examples and models to give you a clear understanding of what each category entails.
WHAT IS A COMMERCIAL VEHICLE?
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration defines commercial vehicles as self-propelled vehicles that operate on the highway, and are used to transport people and goods across states. Ideally, commercial trucks have a rating gross vehicle weight rating and are categorized based on various criteria to ensure appropriate usage, compliance with regulations, and safety standards.
WHAT IS GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING (GVWR)?
Trucks in the United States are categorized by their Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR), often found inside the driver’s side door. The GVWR is the metric used to categorize vehicles based on their maximum loaded weight.
In simple terms, it determines the total weight a truck can operate at. It is specified by calculating the vehicle’s weight at its fullest capacity, including fuel, cargo, complete passengers, and drivers.
CLASSIFICATION OF COMMERCIAL VEHICLES BY WEIGHT
Commercial vehicles are classified by weight, ranging from class 1-8. These are then sub-divided into three: light, medium, and heavy-duty. In this section, we will consider each category and their sub-divisions.
LIGHT DUTY VEHICLES
Light duty vehicles fall within the GVWR of 0-14,000 pounds. These are small trucks used for daily operations. They include vans and pickup trucks used for transporting light goods. They are broken down into three and expatiated below:
CLASS ONE (GVWR: 0 to 6,000 LBS)
These include small pickup trucks, SUVs, and minivans weighing up to 6,000 pounds (2,722kg). Class one trucks are more often utilized for personal uses to transport lightweight items, or for small-scale deliveries. Examples include the Ford Ranger and the Chevrolet Colorado.
CLASS TWO (GVWR: 6,001 to 10,000 LBS)
Class two vehicles include standard full-size and heavy-duty pickup trucks, larger SUVs, and some cargo vans. They are subdivided into 2A (6,001 – 8,500 pounds) and 2B (8,501 – 10,000). These trucks are used for moving heavier items and are used by different industries like construction and emergency services for ambulances. Popular examples include Ford F-150, and GMC Sierra 1500.
CLASS THREE (GVWR: 10,001 to 14,000 LBS.)
Vehicles like larger pickups, cargo vans, utility trucks, small box trucks, and school and city buses fall here. These trucks are often utilized by delivery services moving companies, construction, and maintenance. The Ford-350, RAM 250,0, and GMC Savana belong to this category.
MEDIUM-DUTY VEHICLES
Medium-duty vehicles comprise classes three to six. They are built for more tedious tasks compared to the light-duty category.
CLASS FOUR (GVWR: 14,001 – 16,000 LBS)
Class four trucks have a GVWR within 14,001 to 16,000 lbs. They are used by various industries for transporting items like furniture, appliances and construction equipment. Examples include flatbed trucks, delivery trucks, and larger box trucks. The Ford-450, Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD, and Isuzu NPR-HD are popular models in this class.
CLASS FIVE (GVWR:16,001 – 19,500 LBS)
In this category, you will find small-sized dump trucks, some school buses, large delivery trucks, and bucket trucks. They are popular in industries like waste management, and construction, among others. Examples of models in this include the Ford F-550, Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD, Freightliner M2 106, and the RAM 5500.
CLASS SIX (GVWR: 19,501 – 26,000)
Vehicles in this division are built for transporting various items like food, beverages and some heavy construction or industry equipment. They include single-axle trucks, some school buses, and beverage trucks. Ford F-650, International MV607 and Peterbilt 220 fall into this category.
HEAVY-DUTY VEHICLES
Heavy-duty vehicles are designed to handle heavy loads and perform tougher tasks. They are essential machinery commonly found in the logistics and transportation industry and comprise of Class 7 and 8 vehicles. Their GVWR ranges from 26,001 to above 33,000 pounds.
CLASS SEVEN (GVWR: 26,001 and 33,000 LBS.)
Refuse trucks, cement mixers, and city transit buses are class seven vehicles. Not only can they handle some tough jobs, they are also rugged and can be relied on in situations that require high maneuverability and versatility.
Examples of models you will find in this category include the Peterbilt 348, Mack Granite MHD, and the International HX.
CLASS EIGHT (GVWR over 33,000 LBS.)
If you think class seven vehicles are tough wait till you discover the heaviest trucks in the eighth category. These trucks are typically used for heavy hauling, mining, and large-scale construction projects. Think of cement trucks, dump trucks, and tractor-trailers. Examples include the Peterbilt 579, Freightliner Cascadia, and the Kenworth T680.
CONCLUSION
If you work in the trucking industry or aspiring to, then understanding the different classes of commercial vehicles is vital. It helps you navigate selecting the appropriate truck for the job. For example, while light-duty trucks are more suitable for local deliveries, they are not designed for long-haul freight and heavier cargo. Heavy-duty trucks are also not ideal if you’re transporting lighter loads as they consume more fuel and cost high to maintain.
Ultimately, understanding vehicle classifications aids in budget considerations. The heavier the truck, the higher the expenses. By properly aligning your class of vehicle with your business needs, you can conveniently plan for financing and save costs. The good thing is that Inspired Funding helps truckers to get the best commercial truck financing. With just one contact, you can get the financial support you need to purchase the right truck for your business.
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