This article explains types of trucks and their uses. Truck types and uses keep changing and improving. As new technologies develop, trucks become more efficient and better at their jobs.
Before taking deep dive into the article, let’s get little knowledge about truck.
Trucks are big vehicles made for carrying heavy loads. People use them for personal transportation, moving things around, and driving off-road. Dump trucks are used to move loose materials like sand, gravel, and dirt. Semi-trailer trucks transport large loads over long distances. Tanker trucks carry liquids such as gasoline, diesel fuel, and water.
Trucks are important in the transportation industry. They deliver goods to stores, transport materials to construction sites, and remove waste.
Table of Contents
Types Of Trucks
Let’s know different types of trucks and their Uses in detail.
1. Tipper Truck
Tipper truck is used to transport large amounts of materials quickly and easily.
A tipper truck is a powerful vehicle with a raised bed that can tilt towards the back. It’s used to carry loose materials like sand, gravel, and dirt. Tipper trucks are powered by diesel engines and use a hydraulic system to lift the bed.
They find use in various industries like construction, mining, and agriculture. Although tipper trucks can be dangerous to operate, following safety precautions is crucial.
Tipper trucks should be used safely and responsibly to prevent accidents and harm to the environment.
2. Concrete Truck
A concrete truck, also known as a concrete mixer, is a truck equipped with a substantial blender that mixes concrete and water to create the desired consistency.
It is used to pour concrete into designated areas such as the ground or special molds. The constant movement of the spinning apparatus helps maintain the fluid state of the concrete, resulting in longer-lasting and more durable concrete. These trucks typically have a steel or fiberglass drum for mixing and pouring.
3. Pickup Truck
Pickup trucks are extremely popular vehicles, especially for families. They are versatile and commonly used for various purposes.
The Ford F-Series, Chevrolet Silverado, and Dodge Ram trucks are among the top-selling pickup trucks. Pickup trucks are ideal for transporting bicycles, children’s gear, and other items, providing convenience for everyday activities. In recent years, the truck category, including SUVs and crossovers, has seen significant growth, accounting for 69% of family vehicle sales.
4. Boat Haulage
While SUVs or large vehicles can transport smaller boats, heavy and valuable ones require specialized trucks or low loaders known as boat haulage.
5. Australian Road Train
In Australia, road trains are extensively used due to the country’s long and straight roads. The longest road train ever recorded consisted of a truck pulling 112 trailers. Road trains are not commonly used in other parts of the world.
6. Fire Truck
Fire trucks are essential vehicles used to transport firefighting equipment to the scene of a fire.
They carry firefighting gear, protective clothing, first aid kits, and walkie-talkies or two-way radios for communication with relevant authorities. Fire trucks may also carry water and pumps to combat fires, with the option to connect hoses to fire hydrants at the location.
7. Car Carrier Truck
Car carrier truck are specifically designed to transport multiple cars from manufacturers to dealerships. These trailers have multiple slots to securely hold cars in place during long journeys.
Unlike flatbed trucks, car transporters do not rely on loaders or winches and instead utilize the vehicles’ own capability for self-loading.
8. Chiller Truck/Reefers
Chiller trucks, also known as refrigerator trucks or reefers, are equipped with cooling systems to maintain the freshness of food and supplies during transportation.
Initially introduced in the 1920s, these trucks have undergone advancements in insulation, ventilation, compression techniques, and cooling methods, making them more efficient over time.
9. Crane Truck
Crane trucks and mobile cranes are vehicles with a crane controlled by cables and mounted on crawlers. They are designed for easy mobility and require minimal setup or assembly.
These trucks typically have a wire rope suspended by central players for operating the crane. Before the invention of crane trucks in 1870, cranes were stationary and had to be transported to different work locations.
10. Logging Truck
Logging trucks are used to transport large quantities of lumber between distant locations. They feature flatbeds or separate trailer units designed to distribute the load across multiple vehicles and a dollied trailer.
Due to high demand in the lumber industry, additional logging trucks are often deployed to efficiently serve the industry’s needs.
11. Tow Truck
Tow trucks, also known as breakdown trucks or recovery vehicles, are used to move seized, wrongly parked, disabled, or otherwise inoperable vehicles.
They are called upon when laws are broken, accidents occur, or when vehicles need to be removed from specific situations. The first tow truck was invented in Tennessee in 1916, and modern tow trucks now utilize adjustable booms for vehicle recovery from ditches and other difficult situations.
12. Flatbed Trailer
A flatbed trailer is a truck trailer with a flat and open bed, lacking sides or a roof. It is used for transporting heavy loads that do not require delicate handling.
Flatbed trailers are equipped with hooks to secure the load easily, making them suitable for large and oversized cargo. However, improper load securing can lead to loads sliding off during transportation, which has contributed to a decline in their popularity in recent years.
13. Furniture Truck
Furniture trucks are specifically designed for loading and unloading furniture. They are commonly used for house moves and transporting large quantities of furniture from manufacturers to showrooms.
While furniture trucks may not be as durable as other types of trucks, they serve the essential purpose of safely transporting furniture. Drivers often assist with lifting alongside their driving responsibilities.
14. Highway Maintenance Truck
Highway maintenance truck is equipped with special features that allow a single person to place cones on the highway.
These trucks are used for specific sections of the highway that require maintenance or repairs. They are also equipped with various tools and cargo space to transport materials needed for repairs.
15. Livestock Truck
Livestock truck is designed to transport animals to and from ranches. These trucks are constructed to securely hold the animals and ensure their well-being during transportation.
Some livestock trucks are equipped with special equipment to keep the animals in place and properly cared for. They typically have minimal openings at the back or top to allow for fresh air circulation, as confinement can make the animals anxious. While not the most robust trucks, they are built to handle the transportation of heavy animals.
16. Snow Plows
Snow plows are used to clear snow from roads, providing a clear passage for vehicles.
They are specifically designed to break through accumulated snow. Snow plows can be mounted on various vehicles, including walkways or underbody scrubbers for urban areas.
17. Trailer Trucks
Trailer trucks, also known as A-frame drawbar trailers in Europe, are trucks designed to tow cargo trailers. These trailers are supported by the front and rear axles of the truck and pulled by a drawbar.
Trailer trucks are commonly used for transporting large shipments, including furniture and other goods.
18. Tanker Truck
Tankers are widely used vehicles for transporting fluids or liquid materials. These trucks are specifically designed to carry and deliver various liquids.
Tankers often carry compressed and insulated loads, making driving them challenging due to their high center of gravity.
19. Box Truck
Box truck, also known as cube truck, is truck with a cuboid or box-shaped cargo area. Most box trucks have separate cabins from the cargo area, although some have access doors between the two sections.
These trucks are commonly used by businesses for transporting appliances, furniture, and other goods. They have rear doors that roll up like garage doors for easy loading and unloading.
20. Dump Truck
Dump truck is designed for hauling and unloading loose materials such as sand, gravel, and construction debris. They feature a hydraulic bed that can be tilted to dump the contents.
Dump trucks are widely used in construction, mining, and landscaping industries for efficient material transportation.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Ship Heavy Equipment Cross Country?
Closing Thought
Trucks play a vital role in various industries, from transporting goods and materials to supporting infrastructure maintenance. These diverse types of trucks serve specific purposes and contribute to the smooth functioning of our economy and daily lives.
These are the different types of trucks. I hope you enjoyed this blog article.