Truck classification

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Truck classifications are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck, typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR), and can vary among jurisdictions. [1]

Contents

United States

In the United States, commercial truck classification is determined based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The classes are numbered 1 through 8. [2] [3] Trucks are also classified more broadly by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which groups classes 1 and 2 as light duty, 3 through 6 as medium duty, and 7 and 8 as heavy duty. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has a separate system of emissions classifications for trucks. [2] [4] The United States Census Bureau also assigned classifications in its Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS) [5] (formerly Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS)). [6]

United States federal law requires drivers to have a commercial driver's license (CDL) to operate heavy-duty vehicles (Class 7 and 8) in commerce, with the exception of emergency vehicles and vehicles strictly used for recreational and/or agricultural purposes, though it allows states to require a CDL for these vehicles under their discretion. [7] A CDL is also required to operate any vehicle that transports at least 16 passengers (including the driver) or hazardous materials requiring placards under federal and state law regardless of the weight of the vehicle. [8] [2] [9] [10] States may extend CDL requirements for additional vehicles, for example, New York requires a CDL to operate a stretched limousine and California requires a CDL for any vehicle with three or more axles that has a gross vehicle weight rating of over 6,000 pounds. [11] [12]

Table of US GVWR classifications

US truck classDuty classificationWeight limit [2] [13] Examples
Class 1Light duty0–6,000 pounds (0–2,722 kg) Chevrolet Colorado/GMC Canyon, Ford Ranger, Honda Ridgeline FWD, [14] Jeep Gladiator, Nissan Navara/Frontier, Toyota Tacoma
Class 2aLight duty6,001–8,500 pounds (2,722–3,856 kg) Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, Ford F-150, Honda Ridgeline AWD, [14] [15] [16] Ram 1500, Nissan Titan, Toyota Tundra
Class 2bLight duty8,501–10,000 pounds (3,856–4,536 kg) Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250, Nissan Titan XD, Ram 2500, [14] [15] [16] Tesla Cybertruck [17]
Class 3Medium duty10,001–14,000 pounds (4,536–6,350 kg) Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, Ford F-450 (pickup only), Ram 3500, Isuzu NPR [18]
Class 4Medium duty14,001–16,000 pounds (6,351–7,257 kg) Chevrolet Silverado 4500HD/International CV, Ford F-450 (chassis cab only), Ram 4500, [14] Isuzu NPR-HD [18]
Class 5Medium duty16,001–19,500 pounds (7,258–8,845 kg) Chevrolet Silverado 5500HD/International CV, Ford F-550, Ram 5500, Isuzu NRR, [18] Freightliner Business Class M2 106
Class 6Medium duty19,501–26,000 pounds (8,846–11,793 kg) Chevrolet Silverado 6500HD/International CV, Ford F-650, Freightliner Business Class M2 106, International MV [19]
Class 7Heavy duty26,001–33,000 pounds (11,794–14,969 kg) Autocar ACMD, [20] Freightliner Business Class M2 106, Ford F-750, [21] Hino 338, International MV
Class 8Heavy duty33,001–80,000 pounds (14,969–36,287 kg) and above Volvo Truck VNL; Freightliner Cascadia, Business Class M2 112, and EconicSD; Ford F-750; Hino XL8; International LT; Mack Anthem, Granite, Pinnacle, and TerraPro; Tesla Semi; Nikola Tre; Peterbilt 379; [22] Spartan; Ferrara; KME custom fire apparatus

Notes on weight classes

"Ton" rating

When light-duty trucks were first produced in the United States, they were rated by their payload capacity in tons: 1⁄2 (1000 pounds), 3⁄4 (1500 pounds) and 1-ton (2000 pounds). Ford had introduced the "One-Tonner" in 1938 to their line of trucks. [23] The "Three-quarter-tonner" appeared in the Ford truck lineup in 1939. [23] Over time, payload capacities for most domestic pickup trucks have increased while the ton titles have stayed the same. The 1948 Ford F-1 had a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of 4700 pounds. [24] The truck was marketed with a "Nominal Tonnage Rating: Half-Ton." [24] The actual cargo capacity had increased to 1450 pounds. [24] Ford adopted this promotional nomenclature in 1948 to assist buyers, sellers, and users. [23] The now-imprecise ton rating has continued since the post World War II era to compare standard sizes, rather than actual capacities. [25] [26] In 1975, a change in U.S. emission laws required any vehicle under 6000 pounds GVWR to burn unleaded fuel. U.S. pickup truck manufacturers responded with a "heavy half" pickup of over 6000 pounds GVWR. [23] The F-150 had a capacity of over 2000 pounds, compared to 1500 pounds for the F-100. [27]

This has led to categorizing trucks similarly, even if their payload capacities are different. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 1500, Ford F-150, Nissan Titan, Ram 1500, and Toyota Tundra are called "half-ton" pickups (1⁄2-ton). The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500, Ford F-250, and Ram 2500 are called "three-quarter-ton" pickups. The Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 3500, Ford F-350, and Ram 3500 are known as "one ton" pickups. [26]

Similar schemes exist for vans and SUVs (e.g. a 1-ton Dodge Van or a 1⁄2-ton GMC Suburban), medium duty trucks (e.g. the 11⁄2-ton Ford F-550) and some military vehicles, like the ubiquitous deuce-and-a-half.

Heavy duty pickup truck

Some pickup trucks may be marketed as heavy duty (eg Ram Heavy Duty), super duty (eg Ford Super Duty) or simply "HD". This is not to be confused with the truck classification of class 7 and 8 being heavy duty.

Class 8

The Class 8 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is a vehicle with a GVWR exceeding 33,000 lb (14,969 kg). [2] [28] These include tractor trailer tractors, single-unit dump trucks of a GVWR over 33,000 lb, as well as non-commercial chassis fire trucks; such trucks typically have 3 or more axles. [29] The typical 5-axle tractor-trailer combination, also called a "semi" or "18-wheeler", is a Class 8 vehicle. [30] Standard trailers vary in length from 8 ft (2.4 m) containers to 57 ft (17 m) van trailers, with the most common length being the 53 ft (16 m) trailer. [31] Specialized trailers for oversized loads can be considerably longer. Commercial operation of a Class 8 vehicle in the United States requires either a Class-B CDL for non-combination vehicles, or a Class-A CDL for combination vehicles (tractor-trailers). [32] Industries that generally use Class 8 trucks are long-distance freight transportation, construction, and heavy equipment moving. [33]

Canada

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53 foot container turnpike doubles

Vehicle classifications vary among provinces in Canada, due to "differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues". [34] : 3  While several provinces use their own classification schemes for traffic monitoring, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island and Saskatchewan have adopted the 13-class system from the United States' Federal Highway Administration—sometimes with modifications, or in Ontario's case, for limited purposes. [34] : 3–4 [ needs update ] British Columbia and Ontario also distinguish between short- and long-combination trucks. [34] : 3–4 [ needs update ] In accident reporting, eight jurisdictions subdivide trucks by GVWR into light and heavy classes at approximately 4500 kg (9921 lb). [34] : 6 

European Union and United Kingdom

Vehicle categories on a European driving licence include (among others) B for general motor vehicles, C for large goods vehicles, D for large passenger vehicles (buses), and are limited by the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating and number of passenger seats. [35]

The general categories are further divided as follows:

  1. appending the number 1 to the licence class C or D denotes the "light" versions of said class (e.g., Minibus, or medium truck).
  2. appending the letter E allows for trailers of larger Gross Trailer Weight Rating (GTWR) than permitted by the standard licence category.

For the "trailer" categories, a separate driving test is generally required (e.g., "C", and "CE" require separate tests).

The classifications used on the International Driving Permit are similar to the European model.

The licence categories that deal with trucks are B and C:

List of truck types

Truck (Lorry) See List of truck types

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Semi-trailer truck</span> Combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight

A semi-trailer truck is the combination of a tractor unit and one or more semi-trailers to carry freight. A semi-trailer attaches to the tractor with a type of hitch called a fifth wheel.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truck</span> Commercial or utilitarian motor vehicle

A truck or lorry is a motor vehicle designed to transport freight, carry specialized payloads, or perform other utilitarian work. Trucks vary greatly in size, power, and configuration, but the vast majority feature body-on-frame construction, with a cabin that is independent of the payload portion of the vehicle. Smaller varieties may be mechanically similar to some automobiles. Commercial trucks can be very large and powerful and may be configured to be mounted with specialized equipment, such as in the case of refuse trucks, fire trucks, concrete mixers, and suction excavators. In American English, a commercial vehicle without a trailer or other articulation is formally a "straight truck" while one designed specifically to pull a trailer is not a truck but a "tractor".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Silverado</span> Range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under Chevrolet

The Chevrolet Silverado is a range of trucks manufactured by General Motors under the Chevrolet brand. Introduced for the 1999 model year, the Silverado is the successor to the long-running Chevrolet C/K model line. Taking its name from the top trim level from the Chevrolet C/K series, the Silverado is offered as a series of full-size pickup trucks, chassis cab trucks, and medium-duty trucks. The fourth generation of the model line was introduced for the 2019 model year.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Express</span> Motor vehicle

The Chevrolet Express is a series of full-size vans produced by General Motors since 1996. The successor to the Chevrolet G-series van, the Express is produced in passenger and cargo variants. Alongside the standard van body, the line is offered as a cutaway van chassis; the latter vehicle is a chassis cab variant developed for commercial-grade applications, including ambulances, buses, motorhomes, and small trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Excursion</span> American heavy-duty SUV

The Ford Excursion is a heavy-duty SUV marketed by Ford Motor Company from 2000 through 2005. At its introduction, the Excursion was the longest and heaviest SUV ever to enter mass production. The third Ford SUV was derived from the F-Series pickup trucks, and the model line used a heavier-duty chassis and frame than the Expedition; both vehicles competed against the Chevrolet Suburban.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Large goods vehicle</span> Category of vehicle

A large goods vehicle (LGV), or heavy goods vehicle (HGV), in the European Union (EU) is any lorry with a gross combination mass (GCM) of over 3,500 kg (7,700 lb). Sub-category N2 is used for vehicles between 3,500 kg and 12,000 kg (26,000 lb) and N3 for all goods vehicles over 12,000 kg as defined in Directive 2001/116/EC. The term medium goods vehicle is used within parts of the UK government to refer to goods vehicles of between 3,500 and 7,500 kg which according to the EU are also "large goods vehicles."

Vehicle size classes are series of ratings assigned to different segments of automotive vehicles for the purposes of vehicle emissions control and fuel economy calculation. Various methods are used to classify vehicles; in North America, passenger vehicles are classified by total interior capacity while trucks are classified by gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Vehicle segments in the European Union use linear measurements to describe size. Asian vehicle classifications are a combination of dimensions and engine displacement.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial driver's license</span> License to operate large or heavy vehicles

A commercial driver's license (CDL) is a driver's license required in the United States to operate large and heavy vehicles or a vehicle of any size that transports hazardous materials or more than 15 passengers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Truck driver</span> Person who earns a living as the driver of a truck

A truck driver is a person who earns a living as the driver of a truck, which is commonly defined as a large goods vehicle (LGV) or heavy goods vehicle (HGV).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Super Duty</span> Heavy-duty line of trucks manufactured by Ford

The Ford Super Duty is a series of heavy-duty pickup trucks produced by the Ford Motor Company since the 1999 model year. Slotted above the consumer-oriented Ford F-150, the Super Duty trucks are an expansion of the Ford F-Series range, from F-250 to the F-600. The F-250 through F-450 are offered as pickup trucks, while the F-350 through F-600 are offered as chassis cabs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International XT</span> Motor vehicle

The International Extreme Truck Series is a range of pickup trucks produced by Navistar International from 2004 to 2008. The first International-brand vehicle marketed for non-commercial sale since 1980, the XT line also marked the return of the company to pickup truck production since the final generation of the (smaller) Light Line pickup trucks in 1975.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Kodiak</span> Series of medium-duty trucks by General Motors

The Chevrolet Kodiak and GMC TopKick are a range of medium-duty trucks that were produced by the Chevrolet and GMC divisions of General Motors from 1980 to 2009. Introduced as a variant of the medium-duty C/K truck line, three generations were produced. Slotted between the C/K trucks and the GMC Brigadier Class 8 conventional, the Kodiak/TopKick were developed as a basis for vocationally oriented trucks, including cargo haulers, dump trucks, and similar vehicles; on later generations, both cutaway and cowled-chassis variants were produced for bus use.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Commercial vehicle</span> Vehicle designed to transport persons or goods for compensation

A commercial vehicle is any type of motor vehicle used for transporting goods or paying passengers. Depending on laws and designations, a commercial vehicle can be any broad type of motor vehicle used commercially or for business purposes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Diamond T</span> Defunct American motor vehicle manufacturer

The Diamond T Company was an American automobile and truck manufacturer. They produced commercial and military trucks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Trucking industry in the United States</span> American industry

The trucking industry serves the American economy by transporting large quantities of raw materials, works in process, and finished goods over land—typically from manufacturing plants to retail distribution centers. Trucks are also used in the construction industry, two of which require dump trucks and portable concrete mixers to move the large amounts of rocks, dirt, concrete, and other building materials used in construction. Trucks in America are responsible for the majority of freight movement over land and are tools in the manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing industries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMC Hummer EV</span> Battery electric pickup truck and SUV

The GMC Hummer EV is a line of battery electric heavy-duty vehicles produced by General Motors since 2021, and sold under the GMC marque. The Hummer EV is offered in two variants: a pickup truck and a sport utility vehicle (SUV), unveiled in October 2020 and April 2021 respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet C/K (fourth generation)</span> American truck series

The fourth generation of the C/K series is a range of trucks that was manufactured by General Motors. Marketed by the Chevrolet and GMC brands from the 1988 to the 2002 model years, this is the final generation of the C/K model line. In a branding change, GMC adopted the GMC Sierra nameplate for all its full-size pickup trucks, leaving the C/K nomenclature exclusive to Chevrolet.

Vehicle weight is a measurement of wheeled motor vehicles; either an actual measured weight of the vehicle under defined conditions or a gross weight rating for its weight carrying capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chevrolet Silverado (first generation)</span> GMT800 trucks by General Motors

The first generation of the Chevrolet Silverado is a series of trucks manufactured by General Motors from 1998 until 2007 under the Chevrolet brand and also as the GMC Sierra. Built on the new GMT800 platform, the Silverado/Sierra 1500 and 2500 pickup trucks were first released in August 1998 as 1999 models. The "classic" light-duty GMT400 C/K trucks were kept in production alongside the new types for the first model year, while the heavy-duty GMT400 pickups were continued until 2000, with the new GMT800 Silverado/Sierra HD released in model year 2001. A 3500 model was added later for 2001, with the introduction of the HD moniker. A refresh for 2003 models was introduced in 2002, bringing slight design changes and an upgrade to the audio and HVAC controls. The 2007 GMT800 trucks, built after the new GMT900 had gone on sale, used the name Classic to denote the difference between the two generations.

References

  1. ↑ Hu, Haoran; Baseley, Simon; Song, Xubin (April 14, 2021). Advanced Hybrid Powertrains for Commercial Vehicles. SAE International. pp. 4–5. ISBN   978-1-4686-0136-7.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Vehicle Weight Classes & Categories from the United States Department of Energy
  3. ↑ NTEA.com – Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) by Class
  4. ↑ Vehicle Weight Classifications from the United States Environmental Protection Agency
  5. ↑ "Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (VIUS)". US: Bureau of Transportation Statistics. June 13, 2024. Retrieved October 11, 2024.
  6. ↑ "Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey – Discontinued". Census.gov. June 30, 2015. Archived from the original on September 5, 2015. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  7. ↑ "May a State require persons operating recreational vehicles or other CMVs used by groups of people, including family members, for non-business purposes to have a CDL?". US: FMCSA. March 1, 2019. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  8. ↑ "Drivers". US: FMCSA. February 8, 2022. Retrieved June 19, 2022.
  9. ↑ FHWA Vehicle Types from the United States Department of Transportation
  10. ↑ Truck Classification, Changingears.com, March 28, 2009, retrieved April 9, 2012
  11. ↑ "Stretch limo drivers and CDL licenses". July 8, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Commercial Driver's License Classes & Certifications".
  13. ↑ "Class 3-4-5 Truck Model Roundup". Nextexitlogistics.com. October 22, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2015.
  14. 1 2 3 4 "Appendix: Truck Types and Classes" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on July 22, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2018.(archived)
  15. 1 2 "2005 Dodge Dakota Specifications, Fuel Economy & Overview". Truck Trend. February 26, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  16. 1 2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) User Guide EPA 420-B-10-039. United States Environmental Protection Agency, October 2010
  17. ↑ Hareyan, Armen. "DOT Releases Cybertruck VIN Decoder Revealing Surprising Information". Torque News. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  18. 1 2 3 "Isuzu N-Series Diesel Trucks". Isuzu Commercial Truck of America. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  19. ↑ GMC TopKick 4500 [ dead link ]
  20. ↑ "Purpose-built trucks engineered by the leading OEM dedicated to severe-duty trucks". Autocar Truck. Retrieved November 20, 2020.
  21. ↑ Rik Hinton, Idaho Transportation Department (December 22, 2011), Idaho Commercial Driver's License Program, Itd.idaho.gov, retrieved April 9, 2012
  22. ↑ "Peterbilt 379 Performance and Capabilities". March 17, 2021.
  23. 1 2 3 4 Wagner, James K. (1994). Ford Trucks Since 1905. US: Motorbooks International.
  24. 1 2 3 Ford Light Duty Truck brochure. US: Ford Motor Company. 1948.
  25. ↑ Bruzek, Joe (September 1, 2016). "What Does Half-Ton, Three-Quarter-Ton, One-Ton Mean When Talking About Trucks?". Cars.com. US. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  26. 1 2 Gonderman, J (June 2, 2021). "What Is a ¾-ton Truck?". Motor Trend. US. Retrieved June 6, 2022.
  27. ↑ '82 Ford F Series Pickups brochure. US: Ford Motor Company. 1982.
  28. ↑ "International Class 7 Crew Cab Pickup". Truck Trend. February 26, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2012.
  29. ↑ Gross, Marilyn; Feldman, Richard (December 1998). National Transportation Statistics (1997). DIANE Publishing. p. 298. ISBN   978-0-7881-7504-6.
  30. ↑ "Class 8 Truck Updates: The Industry and Hyundai XCIENT". truckdrivernews.com.
  31. ↑ Rhodes, Suzann S. (2012). Guidebook for Understanding Urban Goods Movement. Transportation Research Board. p. 14. ISBN   978-0-309-21387-5.
  32. ↑ "Drivers | FMCSA".
  33. ↑ "Truck Classifications". 5 Star Truck Sales.
  34. 1 2 3 4 Clayton, Alan; Montufar, Jeannette; Middleton, Dan; McCauley, Bill (August 27–31, 2000), "Feasibility of a New Vehicle Classification System for Canada" (PDF), North American Travel Monitoring Exhibition and Conference (NATMEC) 2000, archived from the original (PDF) on November 1, 2004, retrieved August 9, 2013, Furthermore, the fleet characteristics vary significantly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction across the country because of differences in size and weight regulations, economic activity, physical environment, and other issues. This has led to a wide variety of vehicle classification systems used by highway agencies and municipal authorities in their traffic monitoring programs.
  35. ↑ Lane, Keith (November 22, 2011). Automotive A-Z: Lane's complete dictionary of automotive terms. Veloce Publishing Ltd. ISBN   978-1-84584-419-6.
  36. ↑ "New European driving licence for more security, safety and free movement". European Commission (Press release). January 18, 2013. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
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