Finding the Right Truck Size for Your Business in Hanoi

Anh Tuan, owner of a grocery store on Hang Buom Street in Hoan Kiem District, vividly remembers the day he decided to purchase his first small truck. As his business grew, so did the need to transport goods from a warehouse in Thanh Tri District to his store. “I used to rely on motorbike taxis and three-wheeled vehicles,” he shared. “Since buying the small truck, everything has become so much easier!” Anh Tuan’s story highlights the increasing need for trucks, even small ones, among small and medium-sized businesses.

Understanding Truck Weight and Capacity

Weight is a crucial factor affecting a vehicle’s performance and fuel consumption. For trucks, weight directly impacts the permitted payload, a key element in business efficiency.

Truck Classification by Weight

Trucks are categorized based on their gross vehicle weight (GVW) and payload capacity. Here are some common types:

• Light-Duty Trucks: GVW under 3.5 tons, typically used for urban deliveries and short-haul transportation.
• Medium-Duty Trucks: GVW between 3.5 and 15 tons, suitable for long-haul, interprovincial transport.
• Heavy-Duty Trucks: GVW over 15 tons, often used for oversized and overweight cargo.

How Weight Affects Truck Performance

A heavier truck has greater inertia, requiring more energy to accelerate or decelerate. This explains why trucks often have more powerful engines than cars. Weight also influences traction, hill-climbing ability, and fuel efficiency.

A small truck with a cargo box transporting goods on a street.A large truck with a flatbed trailer carrying oversized cargo on a highway.