Different Types of Trucks – Part III

Posted on February 27, 2019

There is no shortage of different types of trucks on the road. Drivers have long recognized the benefits of driving and owning trucks from commercial jobs to just being able to haul large items around. Trucks can pull a lot of weight, transport a lot of materials, and in winter climates are great for driving on dangerous snowy roads. Let’s explore some of the different truck options out there: dump trucks, sleeper trucks, semi trucks, dromedaries, and couriers. The trucking service serves a wide variety of industries from shops to restaurants to textiles and beverages. The trucking industry has helped establish states and industries since the earliest of times and has also assisted in the building and establishing of important road structures.

Dump Trucks

Dump trucks are the best for discharging a truck of its contents in a safe and efficient manner. Most often, a dump truck is open-topped, and its body can be tilted to slide the contents out. Common dump truck contents would include garbage to be picked up from residential houses or industrial or commercial work sites. With the truck’s body tilted, contents such as sand, gravel, or garbage are dumped out through the open tailgate.

Sleeper Trucks

Sleeper trucks have a sleeping compartment attached to the truck’s cabin. These types of trucks are used for long hauls like trucking companies whose drivers are traversing great distances for long periods of time. There are places along major highways where truckers can pull over and safely rest, to reduce the danger associated with driving long periods and the tendency to fall asleep at the wheel. Sleeper trucks helped define the industry so truckers could transport their goods across larger and larger distances.

Semi Trucks

Semi Truck, also known as ‘semis’, is a combination of a tractor unit and a semi-trailer for hauling freight. The semi-trailer attaches to the tractor via a fifth-wheel hitch. The tractor and the semi have a different design than a rigid trailer and truck would have. Semis can haul large amounts of weight and can be removed easily when delivered.

Dromedaries

Dromedaries, trucks with drom boxes, were much more commonplace between the 1940s and 60s. The goal of the drom box was to be able to increase the number of materials being hauled, without going over the allotted length limit. Currently, dromedaries are thought of as specialized rigs, which is why they are not so common. With the passing of the cabover age and length restrictions evolved, the dromedary became less and less common.

Couriers

Courier trucks are hired to deliver goods from one location to another. Courier trucks deliver their goods within a predetermined timeframe. Because hand-delivery is competent, goods generally arrive fast and in one piece. Courier trucks are more often used for smaller deliveries of smaller packages of goods. Courier trucks are used when a company or individual needs goods picked up from one location and delivered to another as quickly and safely as possible.

There is such a wide range of vehicles on the road today. Whether for recreational or business purposes, trucks are useful for a number of reasons. They are strong, fast, can haul and carry heavy cargo, and can be ideal to drive in dangerous driving conditions such as inclement weather and slippery roads. Trucking has a rich and far-reaching history as an essential means by which goods were delivered over large distances. Trucks also have played a vital role in the building of the nation’s major roadways. From semis to dromedaries, couriers and dump trucks, there is a different truck with features that suit every purpose.

Differences Between Interstate And Intrastate Trucking

Posted on February 15, 2019

The trucking industry continues to be very strong, as more companies than ever find themselves needing to make deliveries fast and get work done. With so many truckers needed, companies are often faced with wondering if they need interstate or intrastate trucking. So what is the difference?

Interstate Trucking

A driver who is licensed for interstate trucking can go across the state and even country lines to make delivers. Transportation for a lot of businesses rely on crossing state lines on a regular basis, so this is the more versatile of the two licenses.

These trips are longer, so there is a greater need for a sleeping area inside the truck or a stay at a local hotel. Most interstate truckers are going to be away from home a few days at a time.

Intrastate Trucking

If the vehicle stays within the same state, it is referred to as intrastate trucking. There are obvious limitations to this, but the trips are usually shorter, so that makes this type of trucking a little bit more affordable.

Most of these trucks tend to be a bit smaller, and they help to handle daily tasks just as much as carrying things around. A lot of business owners have intrastate trucks, especially if they are not really close to any border.

Why Does It Matter?

The biggest reason why the distinction between interstate and intrastate trucking matters comes down to laws. Every single state and country for that matter has its own set of laws and regulations for trucks and drivers. As soon as travel crosses just one border, things get quite a bit more complicated.

Interstate trucking means that each driver needs to make sure that they are compliant with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association. The rules and regulations set by them provide a more structured set compared to having to change things quite a bit from state to state.

A few examples of rules and regulations set by the FMCSR include maximum driving time, gross weight and required liability insurance. These can differ from what states say quite a bit.

For Intrastate trucking, the rules and regulations are easier to follow. Each state will provide all of the specifics for people to read through so they know that they are obeying the rules. Instead of having to know a lot of the different rules, just one initial check, in the beginning, is usually enough.

Most Common Interstate and Intrastate Trucks

With so many different types of trucks out there, it might be difficult to pick out interstate and intrastate ones. Nothing is guaranteed, but here are a few examples of each.

Interstate Trucks

Semis/18-Wheelers

These huge trucks are carrying large loads long distances. They can take up a lot of space on the highways, but they are essential for businesses who have so much product to move around.

Flatbeds

These trucks can end up being nearly as big as semis, but the flatbed is great for oversized loads. The product it is transporting just needs to be properly tied down before driving. Cars, pieces for construction, housing and more are just a few things that can pop up on flatbeds.

Tanker Trucks

Carrying around any type of liquid usually requires a tanker truck. Not only are these trucks big, but they sometimes carry hazardous materials. People should be careful around them as much as possible, as a collision could be dangerous for all.

Intrastate Trucks

Tow Trucks

When cars break down or need to be forcefully moved, a tow truck is perhaps the best wayward to do it. These trucks are not much bigger than a pickup truck, but they are powerful.

Bucket/Utility Trucks

Some businesses need to lift workers up in the air to get things done. These bucket trucks have a mobile platform matted on the back to do just that.

Garbage Trucks

Each week, the garbage truck drives by in the community. These trucks are on the bigger side for intrastate options, but most of the time, their territory isn’t big enough to need interstate travel.