A light truck has different licensing and operating requirements than a semi-truck. Also known as a light-duty truck, the United States has different classifications for the light truck than other countries throughout the world. What makes a truck a light-duty truck in the U.S.? Willoughby Hills Auto Repair lists the classification standards below.
Gross Vehicle Weight
In the U.S., any truck that has a gross vehicle weight of 8,500 pounds is considered a light-duty truck. This includes pick-up trucks, vans, and delivery trucks. In Australia, Canada, the European Union, and New Zealand, light-duty trucks are referred to as light commercial vehicles and they cannot weigh more than 3,500 kilograms or 7,720 pounds.
Payload Capacity
Alongside vehicle weight, payload capacity is also considered when classifying a vehicle as a light truck. In fact, gross vehicle weight is a combination of the truck’s “curb” weight plus its payload capacity. In the U.S., a truck cannot be considered light-duty unless it has a payload capacity of 4,000 pounds or less. So the vehicle itself will weigh up to 4,500 pounds and can haul up to 4,000 pounds.
Passengers
As mentioned above, most vans are considered light-duty trucks. SUVs can also be considered light-duty. To remain under the light-duty classification, a vehicle must have enough room for 12 passengers or more. Buses that transport more than 12 people are considered light-duty, for example. In addition, vehicles engineered for off-highway or off-street use may also be light-duty.
Gasoline Efficiency Standards
To allow for their purpose of transporting passengers or goods, most light-duty vehicles are bound by easier fuel efficiency standards. Environmentalists argue the many people drive light-duty trucks for personal reasons, so the fuel efficiency should be as restrictive for these vehicles as they are for cars. Currently, however, light-duty trucks fall under Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations.
Examples of Light-Duty Trucks
There are plenty of light-duty trucks to choose from on the market if you are shopping for one. Most people who drive light-duty trucks have minimal passenger and good transportation needs. Light-duty trucks can also tow small items, such as a storage trailer. Popular light-duty on the American market today include the
- Chevy Silverado 1500
- Dodge RAM 1500
- Ford F 150
- Nissan Titan
- Toyota Tundra
Those looking for a heavy-duty truck will do better with a Chevy Silverado 2500 or 3500, Dodge RAM 2500 or 3500, or the Ford F 250 or 350.
If you have a light-duty truck that needs maintenance or repair, Willoughby Hills Auto Repair in Willoughby Hills, OH, would be happy to help.