What is a straight truck?

When transporting large quantities of goods, it is important to choose the right truck. It should be large enough to hold the most items. This is where the carrier truck comes in. What is a straight truck and what are its dimensions? Let’s take a look at this heavyweight vehicle.

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What is a straight truck?

A straight truck is a heavy-duty vehicle designed or modified to carry a container or heavy cargo on its chassis. Unlike the road tractor that tows or pulls its container, the carrier truck will “carry” the container.
A straight truck weighs over 3.5 tons. Also, it consists of several elements:

  • A cabin more or less large depending on the model. It can also include a sleeping compartment for the driver’s comfort if the truck is intended for long trips.
  • A chassis where the container or any other bodywork for transporting the goods rests. This chassis is not only for containers. Depending on the goods to be transported, it can be fitted with other bodies such as a tanker, a tipper or a refrigerated rear van for fragile and perishable goods.
  • A powerful engine that can withstand the heavy loads carried by the heavy vehicle while on the road
  • Axles: these are parts placed transversely under the truck. Their function is to support the weight of the truck. These are the parts that determine the maximum load capacity of the vehicle. One axle can carry up to 13 tons of load and a straight truck can have up to four axles.
straight truck

What are the dimensions of a straight truck ?


There are several types of straight trucks according to their maximum capacities, the most popular of which are the 19-ton and 12-ton straight trucks.

The 19-ton carrier truck


From the outside, a 19T straight truck can be up to 12 m long and 2.55 m wide, with a maximum height of 4 meters. The maximum capacity of a 19T straight truck can reach 50 mᵌ.
It is also important to remember that a straight truck can carry different types of bodies. These dimensions can therefore change according to this. Also, the height of the side openings and the rear door is different from the rest of the truck.
This type of truck is smaller than a semi-trailer. It can therefore be used on narrower roads and for industrial pick-ups. In this sense, it also consumes less fuel.

The 12-ton carrier truck


This vehicle is used less frequently than a 19-ton straight truck. From the outside, the 12-ton carrier is up to 10 m long, 2.55 m wide and 3.60 m high. But as it can carry several types of bodywork at the rear, its interior dimensions are therefore different: 7.5 m long, 2.45 m wide and between 2.40 and 2.50 m high.
As it is quite small, the 12-ton straight truck is mainly used for medium distance deliveries. It is even the distribution vehicle par excellence for companies. Also, this heavy vehicle is the last alternative in heavy transport with light transport, less than 3.5 tons.

 

What is the height of a carrier?


The maximum height allowed for a straight truck is 4 meters including the load.

 

What is the maximum length of a carrier?


For a single carrier, the maximum length allowed is 12 meters.

 

The main equipment of a straight truck


A straight truck is always a heavy vehicle. Therefore, in order to drive it, you must have a class 3 license. Especially since there are other secondary elements to master in addition to driving the vehicle. These elements are integrated into the truck for ease of use :

The crane


The crane can be located at the rear or front of the carrier truck. The main purpose of this part is to facilitate the loading and unloading of the cargo on the chassis.
This crane is not similar to those of the dump trucks. The crane of a carrier truck is auxiliary. It is therefore removable, unlike those of other trucks with it. In addition, you can replace this crane with a ampliroll system.

The tailgate


Lhe tailgate has a function quite similar to the crane. It is used to lift the load (container or other cargo) to carry it on the chassis. It is used like an elevator, but it can also unload the truck once it has arrived at its destination. The tailgate is placed at the rear of the truck body.

The advantage of this equipment is the enormous time saving it offers. In fact, with the tailgate, you no longer have to dock. An important maneuver, especially when the load is too heavy.

 

When to use a carrier truck ?


As its name suggests, a straight truck can ” carry ” different types of content depending on the body in the back. It can carry food products (raw materials, meat in large quantities, easily perishable products…), chemical reagents and liquid products that require a tank body.
For conventional containers, the carrier truck can carry construction materials (wood pallets, stone…) and work equipment such as ladders, or heavy machinery. It can also be used as a moving truck.
Sometimes the cargo in the back of the vehicle is a bucket. In this case, the carrier truck can transport sand, industrial waste or even less fragile food products. But in any case, the truck is still able to transport goods over a variable distance.

 

The tarpaulin of a straight truck


To protect your goods, especially for a long trip, it is important to cover the truck. Polyester tarps, mixed with PVC, are the most weather resistant.

In addition, Innovaction Systèmes offers an automatic tarping system. This system is fully customizable according to the size and characteristics of your truck. It allows:

  • time saving (closing in less than 45 seconds),
  • increased safety (no driver intervention)
  • and a fuel saving of 6% (verified by a bailiff).

Please contact our experts at for more information on this innovation.

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