LOADZY • Truck Information Guide
Truck Types, Capacity, Dimensions & Mileage Guide
Learn the basics of truck types, load capacity, dimensions, mileage, body types, payload and GVW so you can choose a more suitable vehicle for your transport requirement.
Understanding Trucks Before Booking
Choosing a truck is not only about the weight of your goods. The vehicle should also match the cargo dimensions, volume, loading requirements, route and type of goods being transported.
A small household move, a commercial shipment and an industrial consignment may all require different vehicle configurations. Understanding the basic truck categories can help you describe your requirement more clearly when requesting transport.
The figures on this guide are general categories. Actual payload, dimensions, mileage and permitted weight can vary by manufacturer, model, body configuration, road conditions and applicable regulations.
Common Truck Types
Different truck categories are designed for different load sizes, cargo types and transport requirements.
Mini Truck
Approx. 0.5–1.5 ton category
Small household moves, local deliveries, retail goods and smaller commercial consignments.
Pickup Truck
Approx. 0.75–2 ton category
Local and regional transport of smaller commercial, agricultural and business loads.
Light Commercial Truck
Approx. 1–3 ton category
Medium-sized commercial goods, business consignments and regional transport.
Medium Truck
Approx. 3–7 ton category
Larger commercial consignments, industrial goods and longer-distance freight.
Heavy Truck
7 ton+ category
Heavy commercial and industrial cargo where a larger vehicle is required.
Container Truck
Varies by vehicle and container
Goods that need enclosed transport and protection from weather or handling conditions.
Trailer
Varies significantly
Large, heavy, long or specialized cargo requiring a trailer configuration.
Refrigerated Truck
Varies by vehicle
Temperature-sensitive products such as selected food, agricultural and other perishable goods.
Truck Load Capacity Guide
Payload is only one part of selecting a truck. Always consider cargo dimensions and the vehicle's actual rated capacity.
| Approx. Load | Vehicle Category | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Up to 1 ton | Mini truck / pickup category | Suitable for smaller household and commercial loads depending on dimensions. |
| 1–2 tons | Pickup / light commercial category | Useful for medium-sized local and regional consignments. |
| 2–4 tons | Light / medium truck category | Vehicle choice should also consider cargo volume and loading dimensions. |
| 4–7 tons | Medium truck category | Suitable for larger commercial and industrial consignments. |
| 7–10+ tons | Heavy truck category | Requires a vehicle rated for the actual cargo weight and applicable road limits. |
What Is Payload?
Payload is the cargo weight that a vehicle is designed and permitted to carry. When selecting a truck, the expected cargo weight should stay within the vehicle's applicable rated limit.
What Is GVW?
GVW means Gross Vehicle Weight. It refers to the permitted total weight of the vehicle and its contents. GVW and payload are not the same thing.
Truck Dimensions: What Should You Check?
A truck may have enough weight capacity but still be unsuitable if your goods are too large or difficult to load. Before booking, consider:
Tip: For household, machinery or oversized goods, measure the largest individual items before selecting a vehicle. Weight alone does not tell you whether everything will physically fit.
Truck Mileage & Fuel Efficiency
Truck mileage is the distance a vehicle can travel for a given amount of fuel. There is no single mileage figure that applies to every truck in a category.
Actual mileage can change with the vehicle model, engine, payload, road conditions, traffic, terrain, driving style, maintenance and the type of route.
Highway trips may produce different fuel efficiency from stop-and-go city transport. A heavily loaded vehicle can also consume more fuel than the same vehicle running with a lighter load.
What affects truck mileage?
- Vehicle model and engine
- Total payload
- Traffic conditions
- Road and terrain
- Driving behaviour
- Vehicle maintenance
- Tyre condition
- Route distance and stops
Truck Body Types
Open Body
An open loading body can be useful for goods that do not require enclosed protection.
Closed Body
An enclosed body provides additional protection for goods during transport.
Container
Container vehicles provide an enclosed cargo space and are widely used for commercial freight.
High-Side
Higher side walls can provide additional loading space for suitable types of cargo.
Flatbed
A flat loading platform can be useful for certain machinery, equipment and oversized cargo.
Refrigerated
Temperature-controlled vehicles are designed for suitable temperature-sensitive cargo.
How to Choose the Right Truck
Start with your actual transport requirement instead of choosing a truck only by name or size.
01
Weight
Estimate the total cargo weight.
02
Volume
Estimate how much space the goods need.
03
Dimensions
Check the largest items and loading space.
04
Cargo Type
Consider whether the goods need special protection.
05
Route
Consider distance, road and delivery requirements.
Choosing a Truck for Different Loads
House Shifting
Choose based on furniture, appliances, boxes, total weight and the volume of household goods.
Explore service →Commercial Goods
Match the vehicle to the weight, volume, dimensions and protection requirements of the goods.
Explore service →Industrial Goods
Industrial cargo may require higher capacity, specialized bodies or specific loading arrangements.
Explore service →Fruits & Vegetables
Vehicle choice depends on quantity, distance, loading conditions and the need for suitable protection.
Explore service →Basic Truck Terms
Payload
The cargo weight a vehicle is rated and permitted to carry.
GVW
Gross Vehicle Weight, referring to the permitted total vehicle weight.
Axle
A structural assembly that supports wheels and carries part of the vehicle load.
Wheelbase
The distance between the front and rear axle centres.
Cargo Body
The part of the truck designed to carry the goods.
Mileage
A measure of distance travelled relative to fuel consumed.
Truck Information FAQs
What is truck capacity?
Truck capacity generally refers to how much cargo a vehicle is rated to carry. The correct payload depends on the specific vehicle, manufacturer rating, body configuration and applicable legal limits.
What is payload?
Payload is the cargo weight a vehicle is designed and legally permitted to carry. It is different from the vehicle's total gross weight.
What is GVW?
GVW means Gross Vehicle Weight. It refers to the permitted total weight of the vehicle together with its occupants, fuel and cargo, according to the vehicle's applicable rating.
Does truck mileage stay the same for every trip?
No. Mileage can change depending on the vehicle model, payload, road conditions, traffic, driving behaviour, terrain, maintenance and other operating conditions.
Which truck is suitable for house shifting?
The suitable truck depends on the amount, weight, volume and dimensions of the household goods. A smaller move may require a mini truck or pickup, while a larger move may need a larger commercial vehicle.
Which truck should I choose for commercial goods?
Choose based on cargo weight, cargo volume, dimensions, loading requirements, route and whether the goods need an open, closed, container or specialized body.
What is the difference between a truck and a lorry?
In everyday Indian usage, truck and lorry are often used interchangeably. The exact vehicle category depends on the vehicle's design, capacity and purpose.
Can LOADZY help me find a suitable truck?
Yes. You can use LOADZY to start a truck transport requirement and explore suitable transport options based on your pickup, delivery and load requirements.
More LOADZY Transport Information
Know Your Load? Find Your Truck.
Enter your transport requirement and start finding a suitable truck option with LOADZY.