What truck size is best

[oldmanrandy]

Been expediting for some one several months now part time.
Been in vans and straight trucks less than 26000#.
Have my CDL learners and been practicing in D and E class.
Once I pass the Class A road test I will be buying my own truck.
Single axle straight, less than 26000# means no HOS, but can carry only about 12000#'s.
Straight truck single axle up to 33000# means HOS but only an additional 7000#'s of cargo.
To get the extra weight,jump up to the double axle,total weight 52000#.
Why not just go to Class E and trailer.
Question: In expediting,where staying on the road is no problem,where is the bulk of the jobs to keep you moving, but being careful not to over-buy.
I guess I am asking what is the weight of the largest percentage of loads that you all experience and when does the size of the box become the issue.
Thanks

 

[terryandrene]

We've been told by a senior manager of one of the largest expedite carriers that "the majority of all expedited freight loads, by far, are in the 5000# or less category" That doesn't necessaraily mean that a small straight truck will get all the work. There are other considerations such as reefer, liftgate, dockhigh, load size dimmentions, A&E loads, nuclear loads, special packaging or handling, that will determine the size truck that a shipper will require.

I'm not an expert on HOS or logging, but I think you'll find that a truck, engaged in interstate commerce transportation, that is 10,001 GVWR or more will not only be required to log, but also observe the HOS regulations.

 

[nightcreacher]

your best bet is get your A drivers lisc,drive team and get your experiance in a tractor trailer,then you can figure out whether you want to be in a straight truck or E unit.
as was mentioned,most freight is less than 5000#,but not always put on a smaller C unit

 

[LDB]

You must log and follow HOS in any commercial vehicle 10,001 gvw or higher.

Leo Bricker, 73's K5LDB, OOIDA Life Member 677319
Owner, Panther trucks 5508, 5509, 5641
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[themagicoen]

Well a 40' straight truck with a 33k GVWR will only get you around 12,000lbs of capacity once you get a sleeper, fuel, etc on. A 26k lb truck? maybe 5-6k. Now, adding another axel will only get you 46k GVWR due to bridge laws. Then your looking at may be 20-21k due to now you have to extra axle weight.