Truck Classifications

Light, Medium, & Heavy Duty Truck Classifications by GVWR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial trucks in the United States are classfied by GVWR (gross vehicle weight rating) on a scale of 1-8, with 1 having the smallest GVWR and 8 having the largest.

 

Truck Classifications:

Class:

Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Range:

Truck Examples:

Class 1

GVRW 0 - 6,0000 lbs

Ford Ranger

Class 2

GVWR 6,001 - 10,000 lbs
(subdivided into 2 classes, Class 2A & 2B, see below)

See class 2A & 2B below

Class 2A GVWR 6,001 - 8,500 lbs Ford F-150, Dodge Ram 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 1500
Class 2B GVWR 8,501 - 10,000 lbs Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Dodge Ram 2500, Ford F-250

Class 3

GVWR 10,001 - 14,000 lbs

Dodge Ram 3500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, Ford F-350, Ford F-450*

Class 4

GVWR 14,001 - 16,000 lbs

Dodge Ram 4500, Ford F-450 (chassis cab)*

Class 5

GVWR 16,001 - 19,500 lbs

Dodge Ram 5500, Ford F-550, F-450 (chassis cab)*

Class 6

GVWR 19,501 - 26,000 lbs

Ford F-650

Class 7

GVWR 26,001 - 33,000 lbs

Ford F-750

Class 8

GVWR over 33,000 lbs

Tractor Trailer

* The Ford F-450 is available in several GVW ratings. Chassis cab (commercial) models are available as class 4 or class 5 trucks, while the standard F-450 is a class 3 truck.

What is GVWR?

Gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) is the maximum weight of the vehicle and cargo, including passengers. GVWR may be applied to trucks or trailers, but not the two combined (this is a seperate rating, gross combined weight rating).

Light Duty Trucks

Light duty trucks are classified as class 1-3 trucks. Class 2A trucks are typically called "light duty", while class 2B trucks are often called "light heavy duty".

Medium Duty Trucks

Medium duty trucks are classified as class 4-6 trucks.

Heavy Duty Trucks

Heavy duty trucks are classified as class 7-8 trucks.
Truck Licensing

Restrictions on what you may operate/tow with a class C/B/A driver license may vary state to state. However, a universal requirement is that you must have a class B license to drive a class 7-8 vehicle.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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