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Large Straight Trucks

With around half the capacity of a semi-trailer, and double that of a box truck, a large straight truck provides substantial cargo-hauling capability while retaining good maneuverability. Use the following information to determine if this size of vehicle will meet your need for rapid movement of high-value freight.

What are Straight Trucks?

A straight truck has a large rectangular, solid-sided body mounted behind the driver’s cab on a rigid frame. Straight trucks are manufactured by a number of companies, including Freightliner, Peterbuilt, and Kenworth, and come with a wide range of engine options. They are produced in two and three axle configurations, with the third axle increasing load-carrying capacity.

Rear doors are typically of the roller shutter style, although some straight trucks have swing-out solid doors. Side doors are uncommon. These trucks are a popular choice for industries requiring efficient, secure, and flexible transportation solutions, balancing the capacity of larger vehicles with the maneuverability of smaller ones.

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Large Straight Truck Advantages

Large straight trucks offer significant advantages for expedited freight, especially when transporting medium to large-sized loads. Their spacious cargo areas can accommodate heavier and bulkier shipments, making them ideal for industries requiring rapid delivery of substantial goods. Additionally, large straight trucks often have the flexibility to access areas that might be challenging for full-sized tractor-trailers, making them a good choice for both urban and suburban deliveries. Their ability to operate over long distances further enhances their value in expedited logistics.

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Capabilities

A large straight truck is built on a rigid frame, with a solid-sided, rectangular cargo area positioned directly behind the driver’s cab. Designed for efficiency and versatility, these trucks typically come in two-axle and three-axle models, with the third axle allowing for greater payloads. Offering about twice the capacity of a box truck but only half that of a semi-trailer, they strike an ideal balance between cargo volume and maneuverability. This makes large straight trucks well-suited for hauling substantial loads while maintaining the ability to navigate tighter spaces.

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Long Distance Service

In long-distance service, a straight truck is often faster than a semi. Being smaller and lighter, they can take more direct routes that use and pass under bridges with weight limits and height restrictions. They also have better maneuverability and gas mileage than semi-trucks, while being substantially larger than box trucks and Sprinter vans. For businesses requiring a balance between capacity, speed, and flexibility, large straight trucks are an ideal choice for long-distance and expedited freight needs.

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Versatility

Large straight trucks are as effective in long-distance transportation as they are for use in densely populated urban and metropolitan areas. They are ideal for high priority shipping of larger freight items, or freight requiring multiple pallets or containers. In addition, multiple loading and unloading options make for great versatility. This combination of adaptability and efficiency makes large straight trucks a dependable choice for businesses seeking reliable expedited freight solutions.
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Loading

Large straight trucks are engineered with a floor height that aligns with standard loading docks, facilitating easy manual loading and unloading or use of a pallet truck. However, they are not designed for fork truck loading. Most fork trucks are too tall to fit inside the cargo area, and their weight can exceed the floor’s capacity. Additionally, there is a risk of lifting the front of the truck as the fork truck enters, especially considering that the rear of the truck extends beyond its rear axle. Therefore, it’s important to use proper loading equipment that matches the truck’s design and weight limits.

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Safety

Large straight trucks offer notable safety advantages when shipping expedited freight, ensuring both the protection of goods and the well-being of drivers. Their rigid frame design provides greater stability compared to articulated vehicles, reducing the risk of tipping or jackknifing during sudden maneuvers. Equipped with advanced safety features such as anti-lock braking systems (ABS), stability control, and collision mitigation technology, these trucks enhance driver control and minimize accident risks. The enclosed, solid-sided cargo area shields freight from external elements and potential damage.

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Advanced Tracking Technology

The straight trucks we use are equipped with advanced tracking technology. This lets us monitor their progress and provide the drivers with rerouting instructions to address problems like bad weather or road congestion. It also enables the regular updates that give customers the assurance their delivery will arrive when promised. This combination of advanced technology, safety, and versatility makes our straight truck service a reliable solution for meeting tight deadlines and delivering exceptional customer satisfaction.

Why Work with FullTruckload.com?

A Single Point of Contact

From booking to delivery, you’ll have a dedicated expediter guiding you through every step of the logistics process. Experience seamless, personalized support from start to finish.

Real-Time Tracking, 24/7/365

With real-time updates and complete visibility, you can stay ahead of any potential delays and make informed decisions to keep your operations running smoothly.

Multiple Options

We proactively analyze ground and air traffic, anticipate weather challenges, and account for potential flight delays to keep your shipment on track. Our goal is to overcome any obstacles and ensure your deadline is always met.

FullTruckload.com’s Streamlined Process

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Single point of contact

Work with the same expeditor during your shipment’s entire process–no annoying call centers!
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shipment-to-vehicle matching system

We carefully match the size and weight of your shipment to the right vehicle.
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Vetted & exclusive carriers

We work with vetted, experienced carriers, so you get one vehicle for the entire delivery process exclusive.
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real-time monitoring & alerts

Our GPS tracking technology lets us know exactly where your shipment is at all times.

Types of Vehicles

STRAIGHT TRUCK
SPRINTER VAN
BOX TRUCK
HOT SHOT TRUCK
53' DRY VAN
FULL FLATBED

Large Straight Truck Types of Cargo

Pallets aren’t the only type of freight these trucks can carry. With tie-downs and cargo nets to keep items secure, they’re incredibly versatile cargo-carriers. Loads can include manufacturing and test equipment, specialist tools, laboratory equipment, display stands and presentation systems, and even the gear sports teams need when they’re on the road. Whether it’s in cartons, hard-sided plastic cases, wheeled bins, or dedicated cradles, if it fits, a straight truck can carry it.

Straight trucks are available with refrigeration for perishable goods. Freezer units can also be obtained if needed.

While the floor is at dock height, straight trucks can be loaded via a ramp. Some straight trucks are equipped with a liftgate for easy loading.

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Range and Routes

Diesel-engined straight trucks, which most are, typically average 8 to 12 mpg and carry tanks of up to 150 gallon capacity. Depending on the type of driving they’re being used for, (highway, urban, rural roads), they can go up to 1,200 miles before refueling.

Many straight trucks are used for “last mile” deliveries, where freight is offloaded from a semi-trailer for local delivery in a congested urban or metropolitan area. However, they are just as well-suited to long-distance transportation, meaning inter-state, coast-to-coast, and even international. When using a straight truck with a sleeper cab, a driver team can cross the country in remarkable speed.

Another useful feature of the straight truck is that a lower GVWR, and a lower overall height than a semi-trailer, means they can often take more direct routes, crossing weight-limited bridges and going under low bridges.

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Large Straight Truck Cargo Capacity

The inside of a straight truck is 96” wide and 96” high, which makes it just big enough to take two rows of pallets. The shortest trucks, which provide 22’ of cargo capacity, will take a line of five pallets, (for a total of 10), while the longest (26’) will take 12 pallets.

Two important considerations are payload and loading method. Payload is complicated by the 26,000 pound Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) cutoff from non-CDL to CDL (Commercial Driver’s License). A non-CDL straight truck is therefore restricted to a maximum total weight of 26,000 pounds, but with a CDL operator, can go to 54,000 pounds.

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Straight trucks are designed and built with the floor at loading dock height. This makes it easy to move freight in and out by hand or with a pallet truck.
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HOWEVER, they are not intended for loading by fork truck. Most fork trucks are too tall to enter a straight truck, and will be too heavy for the floor.

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There’s also a risk of lifting the front of the truck as the fork truck enters. (Remember that the rear extends out beyond the rear axle.)

End to End Emergency Solutions with the Large Straight Truck Service

When people and businesses are in a bind, unable to get essential equipment where it needs to be, when it needs to be there, our large straight truck service is often the answer.

For a fascinating example, consider what happened with the NBA during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic. Social distancing protocols, introduced to slow the spread of the disease, meant the only way the 2020 season could proceed was by creating a “bubble” where teams were quarantined.

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The NBA decided to operate this “bubble” from ESPN’s Wide World of Sports Complex in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. They did an amazing job of pulling this together in just days, but it left teams like the Brooklyn Nets with the problem of getting everything they needed – training gear, uniforms, player’s personal possessions, and more – from New York to The Sunshine State.

Our solution was to give the Nets exclusive use of a 26’ straight truck. The vehicle arrived in Brooklyn for loading on June 19th, and was in Florida just a few days later, ensuring the Nets’ players, coaches, and assistants had everything they needed. Since then, the Nets have continued to rely on us to get their belongings where they need to go safely and on time.

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Industries We Serve

Aviation & Aerospace

Every moment a commercial airliner sits on the ground, it costs an airline money. Expedited freight services by FullTruckload.com can get you back in the air with the prompt delivery of parts and equipment throughout North America. With a nationwide network of carriers and access to dedicated box trucks, straight trucks, and tractor-trailers, FullTruckload.com offers reliable and efficient transportation tailored to the aviation industry’s needs.
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Construction

Because one shipping delay can snowball and cause delays throughout your entire project, you need an experienced 3PL provider who understands the construction industry and has the logistical reach to deliver your freight on time, anywhere. That 3PL partner is FullTruckload.com. From heavy machinery and building materials to specialized tools and equipment, our logistics solutions are tailored to keep your project on track. With a robust network of carriers and expertise in handling oversized, time-sensitive, and critical shipments, we ensure that every delivery arrives exactly when and where it’s needed.
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Energy

The consequences from lost power production are serious for any business. Equipment failure is one of the biggest causes of energy production downtime. Losses compound exponentially with delay, loss of energy capacity, or the idling of plants for scheduled or unscheduled maintenance. Whether it's a hydroelectric power station or solar farm, you need a 3PL provider who can move your parts and equipment safely and securely while meeting your most stringent deadlines.
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Manufacturing

Every moment a manufacturing facility or factory sits idle costs a company money due to the high costs involved in lost sales and lost customers. With many manufacturers building to just-in-time production rates, any disruption threatens parts and vehicle inventories. This is where the speed, expertise, and experience of freight services from AirFreight.com make a difference throughout the entire manufacturing supply chain.
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Oil & Gas

The oil and gas industry faces challenging conditions in offshore and onshore oil rigs, often in remote locations with limited infrastructure. Don’t let oil pumps or pipelines sit idle, waiting for equipment. By having the right plans, parts, people, and a logistics partner such as FullTruckload.com, you can effectively mitigate plant or pump downtime, unscheduled disruptions, and equipment failures.
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Renewables & Environment

Wind turbines can be as tall as an 85-story building with a blade radius of an acre. Transporting just one wind turbine can take up to nine separate shipments. Solar equipment includes sensitive electronics and glass that are easily subject to damage. Constructing one solar panel requires nearly 40 different components, including precious metals, that need to get to the factory on time. With requirements like this, it's critical to work with the right 3PL provider that can flex with your needs when situations and requirements change.
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Retail

During downtime, retailers experience lost sales with the inability to process credit cards, access customer purchasing history, or locate items in stock at a distribution center or another retail location. Don’t let unexpected downtime due to point-of-sale equipment failures impact your brand or frustrate your customers. If you can’t serve your customers, your competition will!
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Technology

Unexpected IT downtime can bring down even the largest businesses—just ask airlines when their reservation systems go offline. The importance of e-commerce, online sales, and the computing infrastructure that supports it makes getting systems and servers up and running even more critical. With 98% of organizations reporting that a single hour of downtime costs over $100,000, you can’t afford a slow logistics partner.
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3PL

With today’s broken supply chains, even companies that specialize in logistics find themselves needing help. We provide an expansive network of expedited ground and air shipping options to make the trip in the air, to and from the airport, or complete the entire delivery on the ground. Through these resources and our centralized planning operations, we help 3PL providers overcome all the challenges of their industry.
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WHAT IS FULL TRUCKLOAD?

Full Truckload (FTL) refers to a freight shipping method where an entire truck’s cargo space is utilized for a single shipment. It is particularly suitable for large, heavy, or time-sensitive shipments and is often more cost-effective for high-volume freight.

Dedicated Single Point of Contact

At the heart of FullTruckload.com is a dedicated team of professionals working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure every shipment arrives on time, and in optimal condition, at its final destination. We offer the fastest ground and air transportation options for B2B customers across the United States, Mexico, and Canada. Get peace of mind with a dedicated single point of contact. We're with you along every mile of your journey. 

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Reach out today and let's solve your urgent shipping needs. I or a member of the team will be with you from start to finish. Let's chat

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