Trucks are the unsung heroes that keep our world moving. From hauling everyday cargo to transporting massive machinery, they play a critical role in countless industries. With so many types of trucks available, it's essential to understand how they're categorized. This classification isn't just for curiosity's sake—it's crucial for choosing the right recovery gear in case of an unexpected breakdown.Â
In this blog post, we’ll explore the U.S. truck classifications system. We’ll delve into the differences between light, medium, and heavy-duty trucks, explaining their weight capacities and typical uses. Most importantly, we’ll help you pick the perfect Dawnerz tow strap for your specific truck class.
Ready to dive in? Let’s start with light-duty trucks!
Table of Contents
Light-Duty Truck Classification (Classes 1-3) - Understanding Your Pickup's Limits

Let’s start with the workhorses we encounter most frequently: light-duty trucks! These include classic pickup trucks that are commonly used for both personal and commercial purposes. They fall under Classes 1 through 3, with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of up to 14,001 pounds. This makes them ideal for everyday tasks, inner-city deliveries, and light hauling jobs.
Class 1 Trucks (Up to 6,000 lbs GVWR)
These compact trucks are perfect for small projects and daily errands, especially in urban environments. Think home improvement runs, gardening supplies, or small deliveries—ideal for navigating tight spaces and offering good fuel efficiency.
Class 2 Trucks (6,001 - 10,000 lbs GVWR)
With a bit more muscle than Class 1 trucks, Class 2 vehicles are well-suited for slightly heavier jobs. They’re a popular choice for farmers, contractors, and tradespeople who need to haul building materials, small machines, or other moderate loads.
Class 3 Trucks (10,001 - 14,000 lbs GVWR)
Class 3 trucks are considered the "heavy hitters" among light-duty trucks. These versatile workhorses can handle towing larger trailers, carrying heavier cargo, and tackling various demanding jobs in construction, landscaping, and machinery transportation.
Here’s a table outlining the main information for light-duty truck classes 1 to 3:
Truck Class |
GVWR Range (in lbs) |
Common Uses |
Class 1 |
Up to 6,000 |
Personal use, small-scale projects |
Class 2 |
6,001 - 10,000 |
Contracting, farming, small trailers |
Class 3 |
10,001 - 14,000 |
Towing, carrying heavy loads, work trucks |
Medium-Duty Trucks - The Backbone of Local Businesses (Classes 4-6)

Beyond light-duty pickups, we enter the realm of medium-duty trucks (Classes 4-6). These workhorses are the backbone of countless commercial operations, playing a vital role in local deliveries, construction projects, and various hauling tasks. As with light-duty trucks, their capabilities are determined by the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR).
Class 4 Trucks (14,001 - 16,000 lbs GVWR)
These versatile trucks bridge the gap between light-duty and medium-duty applications. They’re ideal for local deliveries, moving furniture or equipment, and other moderate hauling jobs. Examples include box trucks, utility vehicles, and smaller dump trucks.
Class 5 Trucks (16,001 - 19,500 lbs GVWR)
Packing more muscle, Class 5 trucks take on heavier jobs in construction, landscaping, and materials transportation. These vehicles are commonly seen as dump trucks, concrete mixers, and larger delivery trucks.
Class 6 Trucks (19,501 - 26,000 lbs GVWR)
Representing the heavy hitters of the medium-duty category, Class 6 trucks handle medium-sized to larger loads in logistics, transport, and delivery applications. Examples include box trucks with trailers, crane trucks, and larger delivery vehicles.
Here’s a table outlining the main information for medium-duty truck classes 4 to 6:
Class |
GVWR (lbs) |
Common Applications |
Class 4 |
14,001 - 16,000 |
Local delivery trucks, moving services, small-scale hauling |
Class 5 |
16,001 - 19,500 |
Landscaping trucks, construction vehicles, bulk materials transport |
Class 6 |
19,501 - 26,000 |
Logistics trucks, transportation vehicles, delivery services |
Dawnerz Tow Straps - Suitable for Class 4 - 6 Trucks
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The backbone of freight transportation lies in heavy-duty trucks. These workhorses, belonging to Classes 7 and 8, are renowned for their immense strength and ability to handle massive loads.
Class 7 Trucks
Class 7 trucks bridge the gap between medium-duty and heavy-duty classes, boasting a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) between 26,001 and 33,000 pounds. They often feature more than three axles for enhanced stability and load distribution, enabling them to carry heavier cargo compared to their medium-duty counterparts.
These versatile vehicles are a common sight in urban and suburban environments. Look out for Class 7 trucks like efficient street sweepers, essential garbage trucks, and spacious city buses. They play a crucial role in maintaining clean communities, waste management, and public transportation, ensuring the smooth operation of our cities.