Truck

From Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
symbols of trucks

A truck (or lorry in British English) is a motor vehicle used to transport goods, materials, or troops. The word "truck" comes from the Greek word "trochos", which means "wheel". Most trucks use diesel fuel. Trucks have variations in size, power, and configuration, with the smallest being mechanically similar to an automobile, such as coupe, convertible, fastback, hatchback, limousine, sedan car, crossover SUV, SUV, station wagon, minivan, van, and pickup truck. Also, the road spreads the weight of all trucks which means larger amounts can be carried than with trains (steam-powered, diesel-powered, or light rail) on railroad tracks which they offered great mobilities as well as faster fixed-wing aircrafts.

Freightliner M2 dump truck.

Sizes of trucks[change | change source]

Light trucks[change | change source]

Light trucks, such as the Suzuki Carry Truck, Hino Dutro, Hyundai Mighty, Mitsubishi Fuso Canter, Toyota Dyna, Prince Homer, Mitsubishi Delica Truck, Chevrolet/GMC W-Series, JMC Kaiyun/Shunda/Carrying/Potente, CNJ Ruichi, CNJ Fortune, Dayun CGC1047PB33E3, Nissan Atlas, Dina Hustler, Dongfeng Badly, Dongfeng Star, Dongfeng Captain, Might-E Truck, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana Cutaway, Ford Econoline Cutaway, Ford Transit Cutaway, Barkas B1000 FR, VW Crafter LKW, Avia A15, Alfa Romeo A15, SML Super, UAZ Cargo, VW LT LKW, UAZ-3303, SNVI truck M120, Silant 3.3 TD, Hino series (145, 165, 185, etc.), BharatBenz 914, UD Trucks series (1400 1800HD, 1800CS, etc.), Mahindra Jeeto, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Cutaway, Foton Aumark TX, Tata Ace, Subaru Sambar Truck, Dodge Kary Van, Dongfeng Gold Fighter, Dongfeng Palawan, Isuzu Fargo Truck, Honda TN360, Chevrolet Silverado 4500/5500/6500HD/International CV, GAZ-3302, Foton Ollin TX, Foton Aumark FL, Kia Bongo, Nissan NT500, Avia D, GMC W4 Forward, Kurogane Baby Truck, Honda T360, Mazda Scrum Truck, Tata 407, Piaggio Porter, Nissan Clipper Truck, Ford F-450/F-550 (chassis cab only), Chevrolet 4500 HD, 5500 HD, 6500 HD/XD LCF, Hyundai Porter, Tata LPT 613, Honda Acty, Mitsubishi Minicab, Mazda Titan, and Isuzu Elf are trucks the size of cars. They are used by individuals and also companies. In the United States, a truck is a light truck if it weighs less than 6,300 kg (13,000 lb). Light trucks are only a little heavier than vans, canopy expresses, minivans, SUVs or pickup trucks, but require a special driver's license.

Medium trucks[change | change source]

Medium trucks, such as the Chevrolet Kodiak, DAF LF, Dodge LCF series, Dongfeng KR, Ford Cargo, Freightliner Business Class M2, Ford LCF, International CF600, Ford F-650, GMC Topkick, GAZ-3307, GMC W6/W7 Forward, Hino Ranger, Hino 600, Hyundai HD120/HD210, Hyundai Mega Truck, Hyundai Pavise, International TerraStar, Isuzu Forward, Isuzu H-Series, Iveco EuroCargo, International DuraStar, Mercedes-Benz Atego, Mitsubishi Fuso Fighter, Mercedes-Benz Antos, MAN TGL, MAN TGM, Nissan Atleon, Nissan NT500, Nissan Diesel Condor, Kenworth T-170/T-270/T-370, Kenworth T-180/T-280/T-380, Peterbilt 337, Petebilt 537, Renault Midlum, Renault Trucks D, Scania L series, Scania P series, Sterling Acterra, Volvo FL, Volvo FE, ZIL-4331, and ZIL-5301 are heavier than light trucks but lighter than heavy trucks. In the US, they are defined as weighing between 13,000 and 33,000 lb (5.9 and 15.0 t). For the UK and the EU the weight is between 3.5 to 7.5 t (7,700 to 16,500 lb). Local delivery and public service (dump trucks, garbage trucks and fire-fighting trucks) are normally around this size than a heavy-duty pickup truck, such as Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500, GMC Sierra 2500/3500, Dodge Ram 2500/3500, and Ford F-250/F-350/F-450 Super Duty or full-size van, such as the Ford Econoline, Dodge A-Series/B-Series/Ram Vans, Nissan Trade, Nissan Interstar, Nissan NV400, JAC Sunray, Freightliner Sprinter, Mercedes-Benz T2, Mercedes-Benz Vario, Volkswagen LT, Citroën Jumper, Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, LDV Maxus, Peugeot Boxer, Tempo Matador, Chevrolet Express/GMC Savana, GAZ GAZelle, Chevrolet Greenbrier, GAZelle-NEXT, Fiat Ducato, Ford Transit, Nissan NV, Ram ProMaster, Mercedes-Benz TN, Maxus V90, Opel Movano, Dodge Sprinter, Foton Toano, Renault Master, Volkswagen Crafter, Hyundai H350, Iveco Daily, and Chevrolet G-Series vans.

Heavy trucks[change | change source]

Heavy trucks, such as MAN F2000, Volvo FH, Renault Trucks K, Ashok Leyland U-Truck, Peterbilt 389, Isuzu Giga, Peterbilt 359, Peterbilt 379, Mack Super-Liner, Renault Trucks T, Bedford TM, Scania 4-series, Volvo VN, Mercedes-Benz Axor, Freightliner FLD, Ford LTL-9000, Hyundai Trago, Ford F-MAX, Freightliner Cascadia, Iveco S-Way, Renault Trucks C, Renault Premium, DAF CF, MAN TGA, MAN TGX, Renault Magnum, International LoneStar, International ProStar, Dodge Bighorn, MAN TGS, DAF XF, Mercedes-Benz Arocs, Kenworth W900, Freightliner FLA, Freightliner FLB, Iveco Stralis, Chevrolet Bison/GMC General, Freightliner FLC 120 and Mercedes-Benz Actros are the heaviest trucks that are allowed on the road. In the U.K. they are known as lorries. Usually heavy trucks have three axles: one at front and two at rear, and the rear axles have coupled wheels to enable heavy loads. Often heavy trucks pull trailers. They can be either full trailers which have both front and rear axles or boggies and their own brakes, and are connected to the towing truck with a towbar, or semi-trailers, which are attached to a special kind of a truck called tractor unit with a turntable coupling ("fifth wheel"). A semi-trailer is a kind of trailer which has wheels only in the back and the front rides on the back of the tractor unit. The tractor unit has an engine and the semi-trailer does not. Driving a heavy truck requires a professional driver's license. Truck drivers are called truckers.

The laws of various countries say what kind of vehicle combinations are allowed. A semi-trailer can be converted into a full trailer with using a dolly. A dolly is a small trailer which has only a bogie (= set of wheels), fifth wheel coupling for the semi-trailer and a towbar. Using a dolly, the semi-trailer can now be hitched to an ordinary cargo-carrying truck and does not need a tractor unit.

A heavy truck-trailer combination is often called a big rig or eighteen-wheeler.

The largest heavy road trucks are the Australian road trains which may have up to four semi-trailers coupled to a tractor making a road train, and may carry up to 200 tonnes of cargo.

Design[change | change source]

Almost all trucks share a common construction: they are made of a chassis, a cab, an area for placing cargo or equipment, axles, suspension and roadwheels, an engine and a drivetrain. Pneumatic, hydraulic, water, and electrical systems may also be present. Many also tow one or more trailers or semi-trailers.

Cab[change | change source]

A cabover truck
Streamlined conventional cab
Cab beside engine

The "cab", or "cabin" is an enclosed space where the driver is seated. A "sleeper" is a compartment attached to or integral with the cab where the driver can rest while not driving, sometimes seen in semi-trailer trucks.

There are several cab configurations:

  • "Cab over engine" (COE) or "flat nose"; where the driver is seated above the front axle and the engine. This design is almost ubiquitous in Europe, where overall truck lengths are strictly regulated, and is widely used in the rest of the world. They were common in North American heavy-duty trucks but lost prominence when permitted length was extended in the early 1980s. Nevertheless, this design is still popular in North America among medium- and light-duty trucks. To reach the engine, the whole cab tilts forward, earning this design the name of "tilt-cab". This type of cab is especially suited to the delivery conditions in Europe where many roads require the short turning radius afforded by the shorter wheelbase of the cab over engine layout.[1]
  • "Cab-under" is where the driver is positioned at the front at the lowest point possible as means for maximum cargo space as possible.[2][3][4][5] Examples were made by Hunslet, Leyland, Bussing, Strick[6] and Steinwinter.[7]
  • "Conventional" cabs seated the driver behind the engine, as in most passenger automobiles or pickup trucks. Many new cabs are very streamlined, with a sloped hood (bonnet) and other features to lower drag. Conventional cabs are the most common in North America, Australia, and China, and are known in the UK as "American cabs"[source?] and in the Netherlands as "torpedo cabs".[source?]
  • "Cab beside engine" designs are used for terminal tractors at shipping yards and for other specialist vehicles carrying long loads such as pipes. This type is often made by replacing the passenger side of a cab-over truck with an extended section of the load bed.

A further step from this is the side loading forklift that can be described as a specially fabricated vehicle with the same properties as a truck of this type, in addition to the ability to pick up its own load.

Engines and motors[change | change source]

Cummins ISB 6.7L medium-duty truck diesel engine

Most small trucks such as sport utility vehicles (SUVs), vans or pickups, and even light medium-duty trucks in North America, China, and Russia use gasoline engines (petrol engines), but many diesel engined models are now being produced. Most of the heavier trucks use four-stroke diesel engines with a turbocharger and intercooler. Huge off-highway trucks use locomotive-type engines such as a V12 Detroit Diesel two stroke engine. A large proportion of refuse trucks in the United States employ CNG (compressed natural gas) engines for their low fuel cost and reduced carbon emissions.

A significant proportion of North American manufactured trucks use an engine built by the last remaining major independent engine manufacturer (Cummins) but most global OEMs such as Volvo Trucks and Daimler AG promote their own "captive" engines.[8]

In the European Union, all new truck engines must comply with Euro VI emission regulations.[9]

As of 2019 several alternative technologies are competing to displace the use of diesel engines in heavy trucks. CNG engines are widely used in the US refuse industry and in concrete mixers, among other short-range vocations, but range limitations have prevented their broader uptake in freight hauling applications. Heavy electric trucks and hydrogen-powered trucks are new to the market in 2021,[10][11] but major freight haulers are interested.[12][13] Although cars will be first the phase-out of fossil fuel vehicles includes trucks.[14] According to The Economist magazine "Electric lorries will probably run on hydrogen, not batteries, which are too expensive."[15] Other researchers say that once faster chargers are available batteries will become competitive against diesel for all, except perhaps the heaviest, trucks.[16]

Drivetrain[change | change source]

A truck rear suspension and drive axles overview
Eaton Roadranger 18 speed "crash box" with automated gearshift

Small trucks use the same type of transmissions as almost all cars, having either an automatic transmission or a manual transmission with synchromesh (synchronizers). Bigger trucks often use manual transmissions without synchronizers, saving bulk and weight, although synchromesh transmissions are used in larger trucks as well. Transmissions without synchronizers, known as "crash boxes", require double-clutching for each shift, (which can lead to repetitive motion injuries), or a technique known colloquially as "floating", a method of changing gears which does not use the clutch, except for starts and stops, due to the physical effort of double-clutching, especially with non-power-assisted clutches, faster shifts, and less clutch wear.

Double-clutching allows the driver to control the engine and transmission revolutions to synchronize so that a smooth shift can be made; for example, when upshifting, the accelerator pedal is released and the clutch pedal is depressed while the gear lever is moved into neutral, the clutch pedal is then released and quickly pushed down again while the gear lever is moved to the next higher gear. Finally, the clutch pedal is released and the accelerator pedal pushed down to obtain the required engine speed. Although this is a relatively fast movement, perhaps a second or so while the transmission is in neutral, it allows the engine speed to drop and synchronize engine and transmission revolutions relative to the road speed. Downshifting is performed in a similar fashion, except the engine speed is now required to increase (while the transmission is in neutral) just the right amount in order to achieve the synchronization for a smooth, non-collision gear change. "Skip changing" is also widely used; in principle, the operation is the same as double-clutching, but it requires neutral be held slightly longer than a single-gear change.

Common North American setups include 9, 10, 13, 15, and 18 speeds. Automatic and automated manual transmissions for heavy trucks are becoming more and more common, due to advances both in transmission and engine power. In Europe, 8, 10, 12, and 16 gears are common on larger trucks with a manual transmission, while conventional automatic or automated manual transmissions would have anything from 5 to 12 gears. Almost all heavy truck transmissions are of the "range and split" (double H shift pattern) type, where range change and so‑called half gears or splits are air operated and always preselected before the main gear selection.

Frame[change | change source]

A truck rear frame (chassis) section view
Pickup truck frame (right rear view)

A truck frame consists of two parallel boxed (tubular) or C‑shaped rails, or beams, held together by crossmembers. These frames are referred to as ladder frames due to their resemblance to a ladder if tipped on end. The rails consist of a tall vertical section (two if boxed) and two shorter horizontal flanges. The height of the vertical section provides opposition to vertical flex when weight is applied to the top of the frame (beam resistance). Though typically flat the whole length on heavy-duty trucks, the rails may sometimes be tapered or arched for clearance around the engine or over the axles. The holes in rails are used either for mounting vehicle components and running wires and hoses or measuring and adjusting the orientation of the rails at the factory or repair shop.

The frame is usually made of steel, but can be made (whole or in part) of aluminum for a lighter weight. A tow bar may be found attached at one or both ends, but heavy tractors almost always make use of a fifth wheel hitch.[source?]

Body types[change | change source]

Box trucks or Dry vans ("tilts" in the UK) have walls and a roof, making a closed cargo room. The rear has doors. Some have a side door.

Chassis cab trucks have a fully enclosed cab at the front, with bare chassis frame-rails behind, suitable for subsequent permanent attachment of a specialized payload, like a fire engine truck or ambulance body.

Concrete mixers have a turning drum on back. Turning it one way mixes the concrete. Turning it the other way pushes the concrete out. The concrete goes down "chutes" (like large pipes with an open top). On most trucks the concrete comes out the back. Some new types have the concrete goes over the cab and down chutes in the front. Concrete is very heavy and hard to mix. Concrete mixers have to be very heavy duty.

Dual drive/Steer trucks are vehicles used to steer the rear of trailers.[17][18][19][20]


Dump trucks ("tippers" in the UK) carry sand, gravel, and dirt. Most dump trucks have an open-top box bed with an opening "tail-gate" door on the back. The body lifts up at the front. The load falls out the tailgate and is "dumped" on the ground behind the truck.

Flatbed trucks have a flat body with no sides. There is a wall between the cab and the body. The load will not move forward and hit the cab. The truck can be loaded from the side or top. Nothing covers the load. Some trucks have sides that can be taken off or folded down. Many times the load is covered with tarps.


Refrigerator trucks have insulated panels as walls and a roof and floor, used for transporting fresh and frozen cargo such as ice cream, food, vegetables, and prescription drugs. They are mostly equipped with double-wing rear doors, but a side door is sometimes fitted.


Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have a fifth wheel for towing a semi-trailer instead of a body.


Garbage trucks pick up garbage and trash from homes and some businesses. Most were loaded from the rear. Now some load from the front or side. The same type of truck is often used for recycling.

Semi-tractors ("artics" in the UK) have no bodies. They have a "fifth wheel" that carries weight. A semi-trailer has no front wheels. The front of the trailer goes on the fifth wheel. The semi-tractor carries weight from the trailer and pulls the trailer

Tank trucks ("tankers" in the UK) are designed to carry liquids or gases. They usually have a round tank that is long (a cylinder) lying on its side. There are many types of tanks because there are many liquids and gases. Most tankers are built for only one liquid.

Boom Truck is a truck with a hydraulic arm. The hydraulic arm on a boom truck is called the boom. This boom will reach out past the end of the vehicle, and it will grab the vehicles that need to be towed. The boom of the truck remains in a fixed position, which allows it to be a very stable option when it comes to towing.


Wreckers ("recovery lorries" in the UK and sometimes "tow trucks" in the US) are used to lift and tow broken cars and trucks as large as a semi-trailer truck. They usually have a boom with a cable. Cars are often carried on special flatbeds.

Semi-truck with "box" trailer. Blue is the axles, differentials, drive shafts, and fifth wheel.
1. Semi-tractor
2. Semi-trailer
3. Engine compartment
4. Cab
5. Sleeper (not on all trucks)
6. Air dam (not on all trucks)
7. Fuel tanks
8. Fifth wheel coupling
9. Inside cargo space
10. Landing gear - legs for parking trailer
11. Tandem axles

References[change | change source]

  1. Davies (2000), pp. 58–61.
  2. Commercial Car Journal May 1977, Brian Taylor
  3. Heavy Duty Trucking, November 1977, The cab-under controversy
  4. "Cab-under trucks didn't make it". Historic Vehicles.
  5. "Cab-under trucks – is an old idea returning?". www.trucksales.com.au.
  6. Strohl, Daniel (May 27, 2022). "Strick's unconventional Cab-Under truck prototype, designed to skirt trucking length laws, returns to the United States, restoration underway". www.hemmings.com. Retrieved 2023-09-16.
  7. Stumpf, Rob (18 July 2017). "The Forgotten Steinwinter Supercargo Is Unlike Anything on the Road Today". The Drive.
  8. Operators Handbook-DM, DMM, U Series. Mack Trucks. 1988. pp. 62–64.
  9. "EU: Heavy-Duty Truck and Bus Engines". DieselNet. November 2016. Archived from the original on 11 July 2018. Retrieved 15 October 2017.
  10. Raynal, Wes (2021-02-26). "Electric Truck Maker Nikola Is Cutting Production Target, Again". Autoweek. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  11. Salisbury, Mark (2021-02-25). "DHL Freight and Volvo Trucks join to introduce long-distance electric trucks". FleetPoint. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  12. "Want a Nikola hydrogen-electric truck? You will have to wait". FreightWaves. 17 April 2019. Archived from the original on 18 April 2019. Retrieved 18 April 2019.
  13. Lambert, Fred (11 January 2019). "Tesla Semi receives another order, electric trucks will move goods in Europe". Archived from the original on 19 April 2019. Retrieved 19 April 2019.
  14. "California takes bold step to reduce truck pollution | California Air Resources Board". ww2.arb.ca.gov. Archived from the original on 26 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  15. "Daimler Truck and Mercedes-Benz part ways". The Economist. 2021-02-04. ISSN 0013-0613. Archived from the original on 27 February 2021. Retrieved 2021-02-27.
  16. "Climate change: Electric trucks 'can compete with diesel ones'". BBC News. 2021-04-08. Archived from the original on 9 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-04-09.
  17. Berg, Tom (August 19, 2013). "'Steer Cars' and 'Jeeps' Bring Up the Rear of Long-Beam Hauls". www.truckinginfo.com.
  18. "This Truck/Trailer Combination Requires 2 Drivers and Moves Massive Plane Parts". 9 March 2021.
  19. "VIDEO: Truckers use dual-driver system to haul oversized load". CDLLife. 29 December 2022.
  20. "A Trailer So Big the Back Half Has Its Own Driver".

Carroll, John; Davies, Peter (2015). The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Tractors and Trucks. Hermes House. pp. 282–301. ISBN 978-1-84309-689-4.