6 Different Types of Delivery Trucks Used In Logistics

The trucks can be broadly classified as garbage, delivery, tipper, and much more based on the functions performed. Delivery trucks are exclusively used to deliver customers' goods, materials, and parcels. These delivery trucks can be semis, boxes, panels, pickups or cargo vans. 

Keep scrolling to read further about different types of delivery trucks and their pros and cons. 

Delivery trucks are primarily meant to transport perishable goods that weigh tons to the customers. These trucks can be four or six-wheeled, depending on the truck's size. Freight, trailer, pickup, utility vans, and more are examples of trucks used to deliver goods.

Delivery trucks can be differentiated based on their payload capacity and gross vehicle weight. Some common types of delivery trucks are:

1. Freight Trucks

Freight trucks are heavy-duty delivery trucks that deliver heavy loads over long distances. Used widely in the transportation and logistics industry, freight trucks are connectors for different modes of transportation like waterways, shipping, airways, and roadways. 

Some of its features are:

• Dimensions: Length of 48 to 80 feet and width of around 8.5 feet.
  
• Engine Power: It can vary from 400 horsepower to more than 600 horsepower.
• Payload Capacity: 40,000 pounds to 50,000 pounds.
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 60,000 pounds to 80,000 pounds.

2. Pickup Trucks

Pickup trucks are widely used in logistics and courier industries. These trucks have a cabin separated from the open cargo and can easily carry heavy loads and parcels. 

Some standard features of a pickup truck are: 

• Dimensions: Length of 17 to 25 feet and width of 6 to 8 feet.
  
• Engine Power: It can vary from 150 horsepower to more than 400 horsepower.
• Payload Capacity: 1,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds.
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 4,000 pounds to 10,000 pounds.
• Depending on the models and brands, the specifications of pickup trucks may differ.
  

3. Refrigerator Trucks

Refrigerator trucks can deliver perishable goods that must be transported at a specific temperature. These trucks are equipped with cooling agents to maintain a temperature throughout the delivery process, and they are used to transport pharmaceutical goods, chemicals, cosmetics, and artwork. 

Some of its standard features include:

• Dimensions: Length of 16 to 30 feet and width of 7 to 8 feet.
  
• Engine Power: The power of the engine can range from 150 horsepower to 500 horsepower.
• Payload Capacity: 5,000 pounds to 20,000 pounds. 
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 10,000 pounds to 80,000 pounds and more. 

Additional advancements and technologies may be included depending on the models chosen.

4. Box Trucks

A box truck has cargo shaped like a box or a cube and a separate cabin for the driver. The box trucks deliver dry objects and goods like furniture, appliances, equipment, etc. 

Some of its essential specifications are: 

• Dimensions: Length of 10 to 26 feet and width of 7 to 8 feet.
  
• Engine Power: The power of the engine can range from 150 horsepower to 500 horsepower. 
• Payload Capacity: 3,000 pounds to 15,000 pounds. 
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 10,000 pounds to 33,000 pounds and more.

Different manufacturers of box trucks come up with varied features and capabilities for the customer's requirements.

5. Dump Trucks

Dump trucks have an uncovered rear bed for construction materials like sand, gravel, pebbles, debris, and coal. They are equipped with hydraulic lifting mechanisms for precise material loading. 

Some of its typical specifications are: 

• Dimensions: Length of 14 to 33 feet and width of 7 to 8 feet.
  
• Engine Power: The power of the engine can range from 200 horsepower to 600 horsepower. 
• Payload Capacity: It ranges from 5 to 50 tons. 
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 20,000 pounds to 150,000 pounds and more.

Dump trucks come in various capabilities and features, such as off-highway dump trucks, standard dump trucks, and much more.

6. Utility Vans

Utility vans are widely used in day-to-day delivery jobs, transporting medium to heavy loads over short to long distances. 

Some of its essential features are: 

• Dimensions: Length of 12 to 20 feet and width of 6 to 8 feet.
  
• Engine Power: The power of the engine can range from 100 horsepower to 200 horsepower. 
• Payload Capacity: It ranges from 1,500 to 5,000 pounds. 
• Gross Vehicle Weight: 6,000 pounds to 12,000 pounds and more.

Some other types of delivery trucks include cement trucks, towing trucks, flatbed trucks, and much more.

Delivery trucks have the following advantages over the other different types of trucks:

• Delivery trucks can make 24-hour efficient deliveries with good connectivity. 

• The compact size of these trucks allows them to make fast deliveries.

• They have reduced fueling time.

• Delivery trucks are cost-effective, and easy to load and unload, thus enabling the drivers to meet their deadlines.

Delivery trucks have the following disadvantages: 

• They have a limited loading capacity, thus constraining them to restrictions on weight.
  
• Delivery trucks could be more environmentally sustainable.
• The initial cost of purchasing a delivery truck can be high, and transportation over long distances can also be increased.

Depending on their payload capacity, delivery trucks can be heavy, medium, or light-duty. Delivery trucks have huge advantages across the transportation and logistics sectors. They deliver goods to customers on time and with utmost safety.