What is the difference between a box truck and a semi-truck?
The main difference between box trucks and a semi-truck is their use.
- Semi-trucks - if you need a truck for long-distance runs, semi-trucks are better because they have stronger engines and pull semi-trailers with bigger cargo capacity.
Note:
Often, when people see a tractor-trailer combination down the road, they call it a semi.
But, in the trucking industry, 18-wheelers aren't referred to as semis. These are known as tractors and their main feature of using detachable trailers is known as a "tractor-trailer" combination.
- Box trucks - if you need a truck for local runs, box trucks are a better choice. If you are aware what is a box truck you know that their engines operate better within the city roads and they pull shorter-size trailers. This is one of the main box truck benefits.
The box truck and semi-truck feature differences
1. Gas consumption
In most cases, box trucks have better fuel consumption than semi-trucks.
2. Maneuverability
- Box trucks
Since the box truck has the cab, the sleeper, and the cargo box attached to the same chassis, it is more maneuverable for local runs.
- Semi-trucks
Due to their bigger size, tractor-trailers are perfect for driving the US highways on long distances.
3. Versatility
- Box trucks
Box trucks are not as versatile as semi-trucks.
You can choose between a box truck, a cargo van, or a refrigerated box truck. And that is it.
When it comes to cargo and niches, there is not much flexibility.
- Semi-trucks
With semi-trucks, you got flatbeds, reefers, step decks, car hauling, etc.
With so many trailer types, you can tap on into other different niches like reefers or flatbeds.
4. Operational cost
- Box trucks
The box truck has better fuel efficiency. It has fewer tires to wear out. The maintenance cost is lower than that of larger trucks.
All this means the box truck is perfect for those looking for less of an investment.
- Semi-trucks
The maintenance expenses are not cheap with semi-trucks.
Because of that, tractor drivers are envious of the box truck drivers and owners.
5. Capacity and CDL
- Box trucks
Also, the box truck dimensions of the cargo area are a lot smaller than the dimensions of semi-trailers where the largest size among box trucks is 26ft size.
The fact is that box trucks can’t load big weights because they rarely exceed the GVWR of 26,001 lbs limit.
That is the case when the drivers don't need a CDL to drive box truck.
When box trucks are rated up to 33,000 lbs on GVWR, then that puts them at Class 7 of truck classification.
- Semi-trucks
Generally, semi-trucks are classified as Class 8 vehicles. That means that they can run up to 80,000 GVWR or more!
The heavier the loads are, too large in size loads, or loads with hazmat on board, the more certification or endorsement drivers need to have.
6. Workload
- Box trucks
There is not a lot of freight for box trucks compared to semi-trucks.
To give you an example.
After putting your information on the load board, you'll find fewer available loads for a box truck than someone who looks for loads for a semi-truck.
Let's say that you and me are in the same place. You have a box truck, and I have a semi-truck.
I might have 1000 loads available for a semi-truck, and you may have only 40 loads available for a box truck.
That's a huge difference.
Now, let's say that we are in Michigan, and we got a load from Michigan to OH of 300 miles for $1000.
So you have money to go there, but now you don't have money to go back to where you needed to. So you think that you just made money, but the reality is that you just lost money because now you got to drive a bunch of empty miles to get somewhere to pick another load.
- Semi-trucks
There are more available long runs for semi-trucks on the load boards.
With semi-trucks, there are loads all the time. There are loads everywhere. There is a surplus of loads.
