There is no shortage of vehicle types in the world of shipping, but understanding what makes one truck different will help you know which one is best for a given job. For example, a straight truck is common but not all common. What is a straight truck? Here is what you need to know about this vehicle type, and what it’s commonly used for.
What is a Straight Truck
A straight truck is a truck where all axles are fixed to a single frame. So, where many semi-trucks have an independent cabin that then hitches up to a cargo container, a straight truck is a single cabin and trailer container, all in the same vehicle. The cabin will not detach from the rest of the cargo container.
The best example of a straight truck is a moving truck that can be rented from your local moving company. The size of the attached trailer will vary in size, although some of the larger straight trucks can hold up to 33,000 pounds (although each truck and trailer will vary, depending on several factors).
What Are the Main Differences Between a Straight Truck and a Semi-Truck
A straight truck is generally used for local deliveries. The vehicles may also be independently owned by a single company where the truck will take the company’s products between retailers and distributors. The driver will remain with the vehicle at all times and may also help with the loading and off-loading.
In the case of a semi-truck, because the truck can detach from the trailer, the driver may detach the trailer at a set destination and then continue to another location where it picks up a secondary trailer. Even if multiple stops are required with the same trailer, the driver is often either an independent contractor or works specifically with a shipping service provider, so a crew generally performs loading and unloading at the vehicle dock and not by the driver.
In most cases, a commercial driver’s license (CDL) is not required to drive a straight truck. While significantly larger than most vehicles, it still handles the same as a large truck or van. However, because driving a semi-truck is different, it does require a driver to have a CDL to operate the vehicle. This is also why just about anyone can rent out a straight truck from local moving companies without anything more than a valid driver’s license.
When is a Straight Truck Desirable For Shipping
Straight trucks are generally not designed for extreme long hauls. Semi-trucks built for long hauls have sleeping quarters, which can be rather elaborate, with the high-end long-haul semi-trucks featuring bathrooms and kitchens. These sleeping and living quarters make it possible for a driver to stop and rest. Straight trucks do not have these features, which means if a driver needs to stop for the night, they will need to book a hotel.
Booking hotels will increase the price of shipping products. That is why semi-trucks are used for these long-haul shipments, while straight trucks are used in local, same-day deliveries.
So if you have products or equipment that need to go out and arrive at a set destination on the same day as the shipment goes out, a straight truck is more desirable. Additionally, these trucks are usually smaller, so they can be easier to navigate through a city (although skilled semi-truck drivers can handle most locations as well).
If you are looking to make same-day deliveries or have shipments that need to go out within the metro area of your city, a straight truck is likely the best option for you.
Discover Vehicle Is Right For You
The best way to determine what kind of shipping vehicle is right for you is to contact the team at RJS Logistics and go over your shipping needs. Depending on the size of your shipment, the destination, how many drop-off points you require, and the cargo itself, the right vehicle for you may differ. So while you now have an understanding of what a straight truck is and what it is capable of, the best way to pinpoint the kind of vehicle that is most desirable for your specific shipments is to talk with the expert customer service professionals at RJS Logistics and go over all your needs and requirements.
With just a single phone call, you’ll learn what kind of vehicles will work for you as well as how the logistical element can transform your ability to ship products out on a set schedule. If you’re interested in learning more about transforming your shipping services, the team at RJS Logistics is standing by and ready to assist.
The Right Shipping Vehicle For Your Transport Needs
It doesn’t matter the size of your shipment, how often you need products to depart, or what kind of material you manufacture; when it comes to providing a wide assortment of vehicle types and shipment options, RJS Logistics is the service provider for you.
With a large fleet of vehicles all rigged with GPS tracking systems, it’s possible to always know where your shipment is and when the expected arrival time is. Logistics helps improve your ability to stay on top of your manufacturing facility’s coming and going. It also helps your customers know when to expect the arrival of the order they placed with you. So, whether your shipment is best suited for a straight truck or one of the many other vehicles in the RJS Logistics fleet, there’s never been a better time to set up your order or to ask your shipping and logistical questions than right now. Give the expert customer service staff at RJS Logistics a call. It’s one call that may revolutionize the way you do business.
