Table of Contents
Do you want to learn about straight trucks? Maybe you’re curious about the straight truck definition and uses.
You’ve come to the right place.
I wrote this guide to discuss its features, functions, and common uses for local delivery and transportation.
Let’s begin.
Straight Truck Meaning: What Is a Straight Truck?
A straight truck, also known as a box truck or cube truck, is like a giant moving box on wheels.
The straight truck gets its name because it has the cab, engine, and cargo area in one space.
Straight truck resembles your standard passenger van trucks. It’s ideal for short to medium distances and can usually be seen in towns and cities.
It’s a popular choice for transporting goods like appliances or furniture. If you’ve ever had to move houses, you’ve likely experienced loading your belongings into a straight truck.
The straight truck’s design, with its cargo box area accessible from the cab, makes loading and unloading easy.
Box trucks are special due to their size, meaning you may need a special driver’s license in some jurisdictions.
Why Straight Trucks Are Unique
Straight trucks have a unique charm because of their compact and box shape.
Unlike other commercial vehicles like long-haul big rigs, straight trucks are more maneuverable. They can easily navigate narrow city streets, making them valuable for transportation.
Straight trucks also have an enclosed cargo area to store your goods safely.
The Different Types of Straight Trucks
Here are the types of straight trucks.
Box Trucks
Box truck vs. straight truck: What is the difference?
A box truck is one of the most common types of straight trucks.
Box trucks are like moving boxes on wheels with an enclosed cargo area. Companies often use them for local deliveries to protect transported goods.
Straight box truck dimensions:
Straight box truck length: Box trucks are typically 10 to 26 feet long.
How tall is a box truck? Most box trucks are 9 feet tall.
Flatbed Trucks
Flatbed trucks are open-air trucks with no sides or roofs.
They’re ideal for transporting oversized items, construction materials, or anything that won’t fit in the usually enclosed truck.
There are specialized Flatbed trucking companies you can use if you’re interested in such trucks.
Refrigerated Trucks
They have a cooling system in their cargo area, allowing them to transport perishable goods at a controlled temperature.
Utility Trucks
Utility trucks are the handy multitaskers of the truck fleet.
They have specialized features and tools for various tasks, including construction, maintenance, and emergency services.
What Are the Dimensions of a Straight Truck?
Cube or straight truck dimensions vary.
However, here are the typical dimensions of a straight truck
Straight truck length – 10 to 26 feet
Straight truck width – 8 feet
Straight truck height – 8 to 10 feet
Straight truck dimensions accommodate the cab, cargo area, and additional features, varying based on the truck’s manufacturer and design.
What’s the Maximum Weight for a Straight Truck?
A straight truck’s weight depends on factors like the design, the specific country or region’s regulations, and intended use.
Consider a truck’s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) to identify its accurate load. For example, box trucks typically range from 10,000 to 26,000 pounds.
Trucks with a GVWR of 26,001 pounds or more need a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
How Do Straight Trucks Work for Ship Freight?
Cube trucks are like workhorses for shipping freight. They have rectangular cargo spaces for loading goods.
The rear door of the box rolls up, making it easy to load and unload. The straight truck driver sits in the cab and controls everything from there.
Straight trucks are smaller and more maneuverable than big rigs.
This truck is ideal for regional or local shipments and is highly efficient.
Advantages of a Straight Truck for Freight Shipping
A straight truck is best for its versatility for freight shipping. You can use it for most transportation like local deliveries, moving furniture, and delivering goods to stores.
A box truck’s average size makes it easier for truck drivers to move in tight spaces. You can also load and unload things because the cargo area is an inch away and often has a handy roll-up garage door or liftgate.
Straight trucks are also cheaper to buy and maintain and are more fuel-efficient.
Disadvantages of a Straight Truck for Freight Shipping
While there are straight truck perks, there are also downsides, like limited cargo space.
A box truck isn’t ideal if you need to move bulkier items. Long-distance carrying can be challenging since straight trucks have smaller fuel tanks.
Loading and unloading oversized items on straight trucks can also be a hassle, and they might not manage high winds or sharp turns as well as bigger trucks.
What Type of Freight Is Best for Straight Trucks?
Straight truck suits express and expedited freight best due to speed and efficiency. They’re also ideal for less-than-truckload (LTL) freight with smaller loads that don’t need a full semi-trailer.
Straight Truck vs. Tractor Truck
Box trucks are single-frame and single-unit trucks. They have the engine, cab, and cargo area in the same space.
A tractor truck has two main parts: the tractor (or power unit) and the trailer. The tractor contains the engine and the driver’s cab and works to pull the trailer.
This type of truck is the classic semi-truck you see on highways, weighing between five tons (10,000 pounds) and 12.5 tons (25,000 pounds) without its trailer, gathering large goods across the country.
Tractor trucks can detach from their trailers, enabling cargo transportation flexibility.
License Requirements for Straight Trucks
Here are the license requirements for driving a straight truck.
Non-Commercial License
A regular non-commercial driver’s license is sufficient if you drive a straight truck for personal use. This license works for trucks below a certain weight threshold.
Commercial Driver’s License (CDL)
Are you driving for commercial purposes? You need a commercial driver’s license for transporting goods or providing transportation services.
Note: CDL has different classes. Straight trucks fall under Class B or Class C.
CDL Class B
This class applies to straight trucks with a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 26,001 pounds or more. But if the straight truck has less than 10,000 pounds GVWR, it falls under Class B.
CDL Class C
Straight trucks that don’t meet the weight criteria for Class B fall into Class C. This class applies to trucks transporting hazardous materials or carrying more than 15 passengers, including the driver.
Endorsements
Depending on your operation type, you might need additional endorsements on your CDL.
A Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) endorsement is ideal for transporting certain hazardous materials, while a Passenger endorsement works for driving vehicles carrying a certain number of passengers.
Can You Earn From Driving a Straight Truck?
Yes. It’s possible to earn income by driving a straight truck. Many people make a living as truck drivers, operating straight trucks for different reasons, such as delivery trucks, transportation services, and retail distribution.
What Is a Straight Truck for DOT?
For the DOT, a straight truck is a one-piece delivery vehicle. Think of a big UPS truck. It works for local deliveries because they’re easier to handle than the huge semi-trucks.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Does a Straight Truck Look Like?
A straight truck features a cab and cargo area on a single, continuous frame.
What Is Considered a Straight Truck?
Trucks with a cab and cargo area on the same continuous frame are considered straight trucks.
Is a Dump Truck a Straight Truck?
Not necessarily. A straight truck has a single frame for the cab and cargo area, which may not always be the case with dump trucks.
Is a Box Truck a Straight Truck?
Yes. A box truck is a straight truck with its cab and cargo area on a single frame.
How Long Is a Straight Truck?
Straight trucks are typically 10 to 26 feet long.
Is There a Large Straight Truck and Small Straight Truck?
Yes. There are both large and mini straight truck sizes with varying uses.
What Is the Length of the Largest P&D Vehicle, a Standard 26ft Straight Truck (26′ Straight Truck dimensions)?
The largest P&D vehicle measures exactly 26 feet long.
Can You Make Money With a Straight Truck?
Yes. You can use Straight trucks for profitable businesses like delivery services or moving companies.
Who Drives Tractor-Trailers?
Professional truck drivers drive tractor-trailers with a commercial driver’s license (CDL).
The Bottom Line
I hope this guide has helped you understand what does straight truck mean.
You can see how important straight trucks can contribute to transportation, whether it may be for your business or personal interest.
