Are you thinking of venturing into business in the logistics space? Alternatively, are you building a business that would involve frequent hauling and movement of goods across the country? Then as early as now, you have to familiarize yourself with the different kinds of trucks that are commonly used in the transport of goods and when you’ll need them for your business.
Word to the wise: if the use of trucks for your business is purely incidental (i.e. for the transport of goods for a couple of months every year) and is not your core business, it might be more cost-efficient to explore commercial truck rental from Flex Fleet rather than buying large vehicles that will only give you more problems in terms of recurring costs on storage and maintenance.
In any case, here’s a list of the different kinds of trucks normally used in business and when you’ll need them.
Semi-Trucks
Semi-trucks may be the most common vehicle when it comes to transporting heavy equipment and machinery by land. Its front and top covers can be removed for loading and unloading contents, which can typically reach 24,000 kilograms per load.
This type of transport vehicle is only worth its price if you are actually running a logistics company and would be leasing out the truck when you’re not using it for personal deliveries. These are huge and would also require above average driving skills.
Straight Trucks
For smaller items like furniture and other goods typically used in a residential setup, you wouldn’t need something as big as a semi-truck. You can settle for a cube van, which is also referred to as a box truck or a straight truck.
Box trucks usually have cargoes with double doors on the back-end, and sometimes even a connecting door between the cargo area and the cabin for increased access. One of the main advantages of using straight trucks is that it usually requires fewer licensing requirements compared to bigger haulers.
Pickup Trucks
Featuring an enclosed cabin and an open-roof cargo area, pickup trucks work best for those who have to move light equipment along with a couple of passengers. Usually, rental companies will allow you to choose from a variety of types and sizes of pickup trucks, depending on the estimated weight of goods you are planning to carry in it.
The diverse options you have when it comes to pickup trucks further illustrate why it’s more practical to rent or lease delivery vehicles rather than buying one model and trying to fit everything in it. Going with rental options allow you to choose specific models for specific uses without permanently committing yourself to one, which might not be useful for all your needs and projects.
Flat Beds
Just like pickup trucks, flatbeds feature an open-roof cargo area, except it also doesn’t have any sides, making it easier to load and unload large goods and equipment onboard.
If you anticipate that you will have to move bulky freight like construction materials, pipes, and wood, a flatbed might be the best option for you, but you have to keep in mind that this type of vehicle requires more due diligence in terms of securing the cargo.
Passenger Vans
For the movement of people, such as when you have a construction company and would require to move your workers from one site to another, a passenger van might be your best option. We always see construction employers trying to move their passengers on open flatbeds or pickup trucks, but it won’t always do for long haul trips.
Keep in mind that if you choose to buy your own passenger van, it will be vulnerable to the same issues and problems that plague regular vehicles, so you have to prepare for that. On the other hand, if you decide to lease or rent passenger vans, the onus of addressing them will still mainly fall on the company who owns them.
Refrigerated Trucks
This type of logistics vehicle is one you definitely need when dealing with deliveries of goods that must be kept frozen or isolated. The maintenance costs of this kind of truck are incredibly high, but you have to pay the price if you want your goods to remain fresh even after long trips.
Now that you’ve familiarized yourself with the most common types of trucks and vehicles that are relevant for businesses, you can pick which one(s) you need for the business operations you’re planning to run.
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