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Medium-Duty Trucks: The Basics

Dec. 4 2023 General Overview - RWC Group By RWC Group

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From construction to hauling and beyond, medium-duty trucks make up a surprising amount of the trucks on the road. These practical trucks are great for a variety of different businesses, capable of handling all types of cargo. If you plan on owning and driving one, it’s important to know a few things beforehand.


Classes of Medium-Duty Trucks

Trucks in general are divided into classes by the Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Each class is defined by the range of GVWR (Gross Vehicle Weight Ratio) that class can handle. The GVWR refers to the total amount of weight, including people, cargo, add-ons, fuel, and towed objects a truck can handle, and it should never be exceeded.

The classes for medium-duty trucks and their GVWR ranges are:

  • Class 3, 10,001 - 14,000 lbs
  • Class 4, 14,001 - 16,000 lbs
  • Class 5, 16,001 - 19,500 lbs
  • Class 6, 19,501 - 26,000 lbs

Commercial Driver’s License?

For many trucks in this classification, you don’t necessarily need a CDL (commercial driver’s license) to drive one. However, that can depend heavily on what the truck is being used for, the type of truck it is, and local laws. Remember that if you’re going to be crossing state or national borders, you’ll need to abide by the laws of the new region as well as your starting point, so do your research beforehand.

Types of Medium Trucks

Medium trucks vary a lot more in size and shape than you might expect. Tow trucks, for example, represent some of the smaller medium-duty trucks on the road. Box trucks of several sizes are also considered medium-duty trucks, from the smallest moving trucks to mid-range shipping trucks. There are various flatbed-equipped medium-duty trucks as well, such as those that might deliver lumber or other supplies to a construction or landscaping project.

Some of the larger medium-duty trucks include several sizes of cement mixer trucks, garbage trucks, and dump trucks. This classification covers almost as much ground as the trucks themselves!

Safety Tips

While some of these trucks aren’t much larger than a big pickup, they’re all pretty heavy and can be dangerous if not driven carefully. Always remember that you have limited visibility in these machines, so be cautious and signal early when turning, merging, or reversing. Your stopping distance is also much longer than smaller vehicles, so give any cars ahead of you plenty of room and increase that further if the weather is bad or you’re driving downhill.

When you’re ready to shop for a new or used medium-duty truck in the western United States, visit one of our numerous locations in the states of Alaska, Arizona, Oregon, Washington, and California. RWC Group is proud to serve our customers throughout the western US. Our Medium Duty options give customers the choices of Diesel, Gas, or Electric! Brands include International Trucks, Isuzu Trucks, and Hino Trucks. Contact RWC Group today to discuss which option would be be best for YOUR business!