When it comes to truck load capacity, gross vehicle weight rating is used for classification. There are generally three load capacities with several classes for each. Within these three load capacities are eight different classes.
Basics of Truck Load Capacity
Light duty truck load capacity has three different classes
Class 1 is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges from 0 pounds to 6,000 pounds and includes GMC Canyon, Dodge Dakota and Toyota Tacoma.
Class 2 capacity has a gross vehicle weight that ranges from 6,001 pounds to 10,000 pounds and includes the Ford F-250, Dodge Ram 2500 and Chevrolet Silverado 2500.
Class 3 truck load capacity ranges from 10,001 pounds to 14,000 pounds and includes Ford F-350, GMC Sierra 3500 and Dodge Ram 3500.
Medium duty truck load capacity also has three different classes
Class 4 is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges from 14,001 pounds to 16,000 pounds and examples of Class 4 trucks include the Dodge Ram 4500, Ford F-450 and GMC 4500.
Class 5 is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges from 16,001 pounds to 19,500 pounds and examples of Class 5 include Ford F-550, Dodge Ram 5500 and GMC 5500.
Class 6 is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges from 19,501 pounds to 26,000 pounds and examples of Class 5 include Ford F-650 and GMC Topkick 6500.
Heavy duty truck load capacity has two different classes
Class 7 is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges from 26,001 pounds to 33,000 pounds. With a Class 7 classification, a Class-B commercial driver’s license is mandatory in the United States in order to operate. Class 7 trucks include the GMC C8500. The final class is Class 8 and is for gross vehicle weight rating ranges that are over 33,000 pounds.
Like the Class 7 classification, the Class 8 also requires a Class-B commercial driver’s license or a Class-A commercial driver’s license for tractor trailers. Most tractor trailer trucks are classified as Class 8, including semi-tractor trailers and 18-wheeler tractor trailers.
