What to Know About Heavy-Duty Trucks
Trucking is a vital and fulfilling part of the American economy, and heavy-duty trucks are a big part of many industries. Whether they’re helping with construction efforts, shipping cargo, or working for a municipality, everyone relies on heavy-duty trucks. We here at McCandless Truck Center believe in knowing your tools and how to use them, so we’ve put together a basic overview on heavy-duty trucks below. To learn more from our truck experts, or for help placing a custom order for your own heavy-duty truck, feel free to contact any of our stores throughout Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming!
How They’re Classified
First, what exactly defines a heavy-duty truck? Trucks in general are divided into numbered classes based on weight capacity. Heavy-duty trucks, which include semis, are Class 7 or 8 with weight limits ranging from 26,000 to well over 33,000 lbs. Some even weigh as much as 80,000 lbs, which requires an “oversize load” designation. With their range of sizes, it’s obvious why you can find heavy-duty trucks in just about any industry there is!
What They’re Good For
In any scenario where you need to transport extremely heavy cargo, heavy equipment, bulky items, and large quantities of cargo or material, you’re going to want a heavy-duty truck. Anything smaller will mean extra round trips to compensate for the lower weight capacity which costs time and money.
You can even become an independent contractor if you own your own heavy-duty truck, providing cargo transportation services to local business and cities for an easy buck. But keep in mind that the truck’s size, where you drive it, and what you carry may require special training and licensing.
How to Qualify to Drive Them
Many heavy-duty trucks require extra licensing processes from the DMV or Department of Transportation. The standard Class C driver’s license won’t cover heavy-duty trucks. You’ll need at least a Class B license, so if you work for a company that’s asking you to drive a heavy-duty truck, they may pay for the license training. However, if you’re an independent contractor, you’ll likely have to pay those fees out of pocket.
Some types of heavy-duty truck require various endorsements on your license, which will mean extra training and testing. A dump truck, for instance, requires the following endorsements:
- Combination vehicles
- Air brakes
- Tanker vehicles
- Hazardous materials
- Double and triple trailers
Each endorsement will require a separate training process and test, and a hazardous materials endorsement also requires a full background check before it’s added to your license.
Are you ready to see what a heavy-duty truck can do for you and your career? If you have any questions about them, or you need some advice on how to order your own specialized heavy-duty truck, contact us at McCandless Truck Center. We proudly serve the people of the great states of Nevada, Colorado, and Wyoming—let us serve you today!