DieselVille.com diesel business directory uses the US Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) truck classification which groups trucks into 8 classes: 1–3 as light duty, 4–6 as medium duty, and 7–8 as heavy duty. Identifying which classification of trucks you work on helps customers choose the best service provider for their needs.
Truck classifications are typically based upon the maximum loaded weight of the truck (typically using the gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) and sometimes also the gross trailer weight rating (GTWR)), and can vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.
In the United States, commercial truck classification is determined based on the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The classes range from 1–8. Trucks are also classified more broadly by the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), which groups classes 1–3 as light duty, 4–6 as medium duty, and 7–8 as heavy duty. The United States Environmental Protection Agency has a separate system of emissions classifications for trucks. The United States Census Bureau also assigned classifications in its now-discontinued Vehicle Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS) (formerly Truck Inventory and Use Survey (TIUS)).
Light Duty
Class 1
The Class 1 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 0–6000 lb (0–2722 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the Toyota Tacoma, Dodge Dakota and GMC Canyon.
Class 2
The Class 2 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 6001–10000 lb (2722–4536 kg). Examples of vehicles in this class include the Dodge Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ford F-150. Class 2 is subdivided into Class 2a and Class 2b, with class 2a being 6001–8500 lb (2722–3856 kg), and class 2b being 8501–10000 lb (3856–4536 kg). Class 2a is commonly referred to as a light duty truck, with class 2b being the lowest heavy-duty class, also called the light heavy-duty class.
Class 3
The Class 3 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 10001–14000 lb (4536–6350 kg). Examples of vehicles in this class include the Dodge Ram 3500, Ford F-350, and the GMC Sierra 3500. The Hummer H1 is another example of a single rear wheel Class 3 truck, with a GVWR of 10300 lb (4672 kg).
Medium Duty
Class 4
The Class 4 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 14001–16000 lb (6531–7257 kg). Examples of vehicles in this class include select Ford F-450 trucks, Dodge Ram 4500, and the GMC 4500.
Class 5
The Class 5 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 16001–19500 lb (7258–8845 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the International TerraStar, GMC 5500. Dodge Ram 5500, and the Ford F-550
Class 6
The Class 6 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) ranges from 19501–26000 lb (8846–11793 kg). Examples of trucks in this class include the International Durastar, GMC Topkick C6500. and the Ford F-650
Heavy Duty
Class 7
Vehicles in Class 7 and above require a Class B license to operate in the United States. These include GMC C7500. Their GVWR ranges from 26001–33000 lb (11794–14969 kg).
Class 8
The Class 8 truck gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is anything above 33000 lb (14969 kg). These include most tractor trailer trucks.
References
Truck Classification, Wikipedia, retrieved on 2014-April-22