The gross vehicle weight determines truck types, whether the truck is heavy-, medium-, or light-duty. Each truck type also has two or three classes depending on the gross weight. The gross weight includes the payload—passengers, the truck’s weight, and whatever the truck is hauling.

Let’s look at the different truck types and classes and how they differ in repair and maintenance requirements.

Light-Duty Trucks

Light-duty trucks are mostly full-size and compact pickup trucks, such as the RAM 1500, Chevy 1500, and Ford F-150. They fall into classes 1 to 3, with the following weights:

Class 1: 0 to 6,000 pounds
Class 2: 6,001 to 10,000 pounds
Class 3: 10,001 to 14,000 pounds

It is common for many people to use these trucks as daily drivers. Unless your driving habits are severe, you will follow the same maintenance schedule as a car.

Medium-Duty Trucks

These trucks are heavier. They fall into classes 4 to 6:

Class 4: 14,001 to 16,000 pounds
Class 5: 16,001 to 19,500 pounds
Class 6: 19,501 to 26,000 pounds

Medium-duty trucks could be gas-powered or diesel-powered. If the truck runs on diesel, it follows the same repair and maintenance as heavy-duty trucks.

Gas-powered trucks get treated as if it was a light truck, except those used for severe driving. For example, if your vehicle manufacturer recommends an oil change at 7,000 miles, but you do a lot of towing, the manufacturer might suggest changing the oil at 5,000 miles instead.

Heavy-Duty Trucks

Heavy-duty trucks are classes 7 and 8:

Class 7: 26,001 to 33,000 pounds
Class 8: Over 33,000 pounds

Most of these trucks are on diesel engines, which means the parts used to build the engine are stronger. They tend to get more miles than gas-powered trucks, often surpassing 1 million. They also require significant repairs much later than gas-powered trucks.

With a heavy-duty truck, you might need heavy-duty repair and maintenance more often, depending on your driving habits. If you haul heavy loads, tow, or drive in the mountains or on the highway most of the time, you should follow the manufacturer’s severe driving schedule for maintenance.

Mast Service Center Inc. Provides Repair and Maintenance for All Truck Types

Regardless of your truck types, you need regular maintenance to keep it on the road and to make it last for hundreds or thousands of miles.

For example, a gas-powered vehicle can get 400,000 miles or more before it needs an engine rebuild as long as you keep up with the maintenance. But commonly, they go around 200,000 to 250,000 miles. In contrast, a diesel truck can go upwards of one million miles before it needs major engine work.

Regardless of truck types, sizes, or weights, Mast Service Center Inc. in Etna Green, IN can provide truck maintenance and repair that you need. Just call us at (574) 646-2127, or you can fill this form for inquiries or appointments.

We are also conveniently located at 8608 North State Road 19, Etna Green, IN 46524.