What is a Medium Duty Truck?

Exploring medium duty truck applications including garbage trucks, beverage trucks, and more.

The term “medium duty truck” is a broad term that can relate to several different types of vocational trucks, making the exact definition of this term difficult to nail down. Technically, the term “medium duty” is a truck classification widely used by those in the trucking industry. Trucks are placed into classifications based on the gross vehicle weight rating. Medium duty trucks refer to truck Classes 6-7, which have a gross vehicle weight rating range of 19,501- 33,000 lbs.

Medium duty trucks are used for a variety of lighter duty applications. For example, Freightliner’s M2 106 model is a popular medium duty option for pickup and delivery, small utility bodies, service bodies, small dumps and lighter garbage truck applications. Fleet managers have utilized the M2 106 for several different refuse functions, from trash haulers to recyclers to roll-offs. For larger refuse needs that go into Class 8 – the 114SD is the garbage truck of choice. Drivers prefer using medium duty and severe duty trucks for their garbage truck needs due to the tight turning radius and high visibility that is helpful when their route requires them to navigate neighborhood streets. Medium duty and traditional vocational trucks also have a lower fuel economy than heavy duty trucks, making them the ideal option for certain lighter applications.

From garbage trucks to delivery trucks and more, a medium duty truck can be customized to meet your application needs. Medium duty trucks are ideal for almost any industry due to customizable features such as cab configurations, bodies and chassis-mounted equipment. To learn more about medium duty trucks, contact a Freightliner dealer.