Box trucks serve as an integral part of the transportation industry. With time, the popularity of box trucks has been swiftly increasing. Market research has highlighted that from the year 2023 to 2030, the box truck industry will have increased at a compound annual rate of 5.5%.
Such growth is mainly because of the increase in demand for more sustainable box trucks such as the hybrid and electric types for transportation. In this article, we are going to explore box truck dimensions, how they are important in terms of their usage, the different types of box trucks, and the popular box truck brand models nowadays.
What Is a Box Truck?
Box trucks, also known as cube trucks, straight trucks, and a cube van are defined as a cab that has an enclosed cargo area. These trucks, depending on the size, can be cubed or rectangular-shaped. These types of trucks play an important role in the transportation industry as they are used to move goods of various types from one location to another.
Moreover, straight-body trucks are those types of box trucks where the vehicles have a fixed trailer that is not separately attached to other box trucks. It has the appropriate box truck dimensions that are used in small-scale transportation such as for deliveries and distribution inside the city.
Box Truck Dimensions, Cargo and Payload Capacities
Varying box truck dimensions exist since every box truck is built to fulfill a specific requirement. Some of the standard box truck sizes include:
|
Box Truck Length (in ft) |
Box Truck Width (in ft) |
Box Truck Height (in ft) |
Storage Area (in cubic ft) |
Max Payload (in lbs) |
Number of Seats |
|
10 |
6 |
6 |
450 |
3,500 |
2 |
|
12 |
6.6 |
6.6 |
600 |
4,000 |
2 |
|
14 |
7 |
7 |
700 |
5,000 |
2 |
|
16 |
7.8 |
7.2 |
850 |
7,500 |
2 |
|
20 |
8 |
8 |
1,200 |
10,000 |
3 |
|
24 |
8 |
8.6 |
1,600 |
14,000 |
3 |
|
26 |
8.6 |
8.6 |
1,800 |
20,000 |
3 |
Types of Box Trucks by Size and Weight Class
Box truck dimensions vary in commercial box trucks to suit the varying needs of different businesses. Some of the different types of box trucks, along with their size and usage, include:
|
Type of Box Truck |
Length (in ft) |
Truck Class |
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (in lbs) |
Usage |
|
Light Duty |
10-16 |
2-4 |
9,000-12,500 |
For small-scale local deliveries or lightweight goods transport |
|
Medium Duty |
16-26 |
3-7 |
14,000-33,000 |
Moderately sized items such as household goods and appliances |
|
Heavy Duty |
26+ |
7-8 |
25,500+ |
Transport of bulkier items also requires a special driver’s license |
After learning these typical box truck dimensions, it’s essential to know that these box trucks have different features:
-
Fuel efficiency
-
Safety features
-
Long-lasting diesel engines
-
Ergonomic cabins that ensure consumer’s comfort and efficiency over long distances
Types of Box Trucks by Usage
The box truck dimensions are not the only aspects that should be considered when analyzing box truck specifications. Below is a list of the different types of box trucks in terms of their usage:
-
Delivery trucks – Many companies use these to deliver items to homes and businesses. A very common example of this would be delivery trucks used for shipping online orders.
-
Refrigerated box trucks – As suggested by the name, they are used when you have to send any perishable items such as dairy products, fruits, and vegetables over a long distance. These trucks have cooling systems fitted inside them so that perishable goods can be properly stored and delivered. Generally, the temperature ranges are placed between 2°C to 8°C (36°F to 46°F).
-
Moving trucks – They are those box trucks that are used when someone has to send over their household items in case they are moving to another place. They have varying box truck dimensions to suit individual consumer’s requirements.
-
Utility trucks – These trucks have additional equipment fitted inside them for the transportation of tech appliances and heavy-duty tools including construction tools, landscaping equipment, etc. They are also used as mobile workshops and broadcasting units.
-
Commercial/specialty trucks – These are trucks that are designed for a particular job. These can be media production box trucks, event catering trucks, etc.
Differences Between a Box Truck and a Cargo Van
Box trucks and cargo vans are very different in some aspects such as in their structure, size, and their usage. Let’s explore these differences below:
Design Differences
The structure of a box truck is different from a cargo van in a way that the cab and the cargo area are separately attached in the case of a box truck whereas the cargo van has a unibody design. The cargo area is in a big rectangular box that is fitted on a frame which makes the cargo space in box trucks quite large as opposed to cargo vans.
Size Differences and Maneuverability
Box truck dimensions like length and height are larger in size offering much more space for putting goods and other items in large quantities. However, with such big trucks, driving in dense urban areas proves a great difficulty.
On the other hand, cargo vans are smaller in size which increases their maneuverability even in the most congested areas of the city. Moreover, due to cargo area constraints, you can only transport small amounts and sizes of goods in cargo vans.
Utility Differences
A box truck (both smaller and larger) is ideally suited for delivering bulky items such as household goods (in cases where you relocate to another city), home appliances, and more. On the other hand, cargo vans are suited for delivery services that include parcels/document delivery, especially in areas where accessibility is an issue.
What Are Some of the Best Box Truck Models?
It is best to choose a box truck model based on some important features that are the payload capacity you require, box truck dimensions, your budget plan, and preferred maneuverability. Below is a list of some of the most popular box trucks that offer many of these features:
Freightliner M2 106/114 are conventional cab trucks that have a smooth ride and good maneuverability. The model M2 106 can take up to 23,500 lbs for much bulkier items, while the 114 is an ideal option for 14,050- 19,500 lbs. This ensures versatility.
Ford’s F series models, Ford F-550/F-650 have been a prominent choice as box trucks. The model F-550 has a capacity range of about 16,000- 50,000 lb and the F-650 is suitable for much larger loads and has a range of about 26,000- 30,000 lbs. The best thing about these box trucks is that they can be easily customized according to your needs.
The International CV Series in which the CV 4700 and 5600 are included offer exceptional reliability. These box trucks have a maximum payload capacity of 19,500- 37,000 pounds and more.
Another great box truck is one of Isuzu’s diesel trucks, the Isuzu NPR HD/XD. They are extremely efficient and even have relatively lower rates of ownership. The NPR HD is suitable for lightweight cargo because it has a capacity of about 14,500 lb. NPR XD is used for heavier loads.
Conclusion
Box trucks are essential for transporting items and goods over long distances by road. For example, cargo shipped from afar via sea freight and unloaded at the destination port can then be delivered to its final destination by a box truck. Without a box truck, such a task would have been nearly impossible.
Box truck dimensions are one of the most important factors if your cargo is large and you decide to pick up the cargo at the port yourself. Besides, factors like payload capacity, and cargo area also matter.
FAQs
What does GVWR mean?
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) is the maximum total weight a vehicle can safely carry. It’s set by the manufacturer for safety and preventing overloading.
What is the average price range of a box truck?
The price range varies a lot with regard to different box trucks. Typically, a box truck that is light-duty and brand new is estimated to be in the price range of around $30,000 to $50,000. The heavy-duty models are a little pricier and can go up to around $100,000. Whereas, you can find cheaper box trucks if they are used. They can be in the price range of around $10,000 to $20,000 if it’s a light-duty model.
What kind of industries use utility trucks?
Utility trucks or service trucks are extensively used in various industries such as landscaping, waste management, and construction. These trucks have a large storage capacity and their cargo area is divided into compartments for the storage of different tools and equipment that including specialized gear, heavy machinery, etc.
