A truck or railed vehicle is a large motor vehicle designed mainly to transport freight, carry heavy payloads, or do other non-mobile utilitarian work. Trucks range greatly in size, horsepower, and configuration, although most trucks feature straight body-on-frame design, with an independent cab separated from the payload compartment of the truck. Some trucks have one cab which is generally larger than the other cab; however, this type of truck has a smaller passenger capacity than the other. Regardless of cab configuration, most trucks share at least one engine – usually a gasoline-powered engine, although small diesel engines are becoming commonplace. The most common internal combustion engine types are V-6, L-3, and six-cylinder petrol engines.
There are many factors that contribute to a truck’s weight rating. All trucks are rated by the manufacturer as being heavy-duty trucks, defined as being able to pull and push long distances with ease. For that reason, the weight rating must be certified by the Department of Transportation, or DOT, prior to purchase. The weight rating is expressed as gross vehicle weight, or GVwr, and it can be expressed as tons or axle-to-axle weight, A/GVR, or GVA.
Another factor contributing to the performance of any truck is its load capacity, also known as GVA. The most common GVA expressed for any particular truck is the maximum weight that the truck can legally carry while underwing. However, truckers can select their own maximum GVA by adding or subtracting any number of accessories, such as load mirrors, sand traps, hydraulic lift kits, or rear end bumpers. As a rule, the larger the pickup, the higher the maximum GVA allowed, although there are exceptions where some regular pickups are designed for hauling oversized loads. In fact, the combination of an oversized truck body and powerful engines allow for extreme GVA increases, making some regular pickup trucks very good GVA cars.
The most important attribute of regular truck pickups is the stability of the truck. When pulling large loads over uneven or sloping ground, it is important for pickup trucks to retain their weight at all times, rather than allowing it to be spread out over the whole area of the pickup bed. To achieve this, most pickup trucks are fitted with special tires called ‘off road’ tires. These off road tires have extra traction, allowing the truck to move over even sloping ground. Apart from off road tires, many pickup trucks also come with additional features such as solid tail lamps, side skirts, and low profile tires.
Another characteristic of a good truck is its reliability. This is particularly true for small local deliveries, where the driver can become attached to the truck and not let any of the other regular truck drivers take advantage of his trusty truck. Regular maintenance of the truck engine is also important, since it will help avoid frequent break downs that will affect the efficiency of the truck. Regular tune-ups and oil changes will keep the engine in good working condition, improving its overall reliability.
Lastly, regular maintenance is important in order to prolong the life of the truck body. Most pickup trucks have metal bodies, which suffer from extreme temperatures and weather conditions. If these conditions are not given adequate attention, they may crack, rust, or bend. An efficient pickup can function efficiently for years, whereas a poorly built truck will cause the owner constant headaches, costing him lots of money. It’s always best to invest in a well-built pickup truck rather than go for a cheaper version.
