Trucks are the backbone of so many industries. They’re what helps get everything from place to place. Whatever your industry is, you probably need a work truck. But choosing the right work truck is tough. You have so many options to choose from, and it’s difficult to know what trucks will perform well on the job without trying them all at work. What’s to be done? Sure, you can research trucks, but that takes a lot of time, and as a business owner, you probably don’t have the time to spend. So how can you choose the best truck for work?
That’s what Summit Fleet is here for. We spend all of our time working with trucks since we rent commercial trucks daily. Our business is to know trucks. We know what works and what will last, and we only provide the best. So read on to learn all about choosing the best truck for your business and our recommendations for the best work trucks.
Why You Need a Work Truck
Trucks for your business perform essential tasks. The main reason why you need a work truck is to transport something. Whether you’re moving your product or moving supplies of some kind, a truck provides tons of space and power to move large amounts and heavy weights. Trucks also provide towing capabilities, which means your work truck can haul trailers and even more supplies.
Trucks are also designed to last and that means they’re made to withstand long distances. You might be able to cram a little sedan with heavy supplies, but it’s going to wear on the car. Not with a truck. A truck can haul those heavy weights long distances without breaking down.
Trucks also have a sweet benefit when they’re used for your business. They’re tax deductible. For commercial trucks, 100% of your lease payments can be deducted for the first year.
How do businesses typically use trucks? These are just a few of the ways small businesses use trucks:
- Building – moving cement, wood, rebar, etc.
- Transportation
- Hauling
- Pulling loads
- Snow plowing
- Dumping
- Delivery
Choosing the Best Work Truck for Your Business
So you want a truck for work, what should you be looking for? These are all the most important things to consider when choosing the best truck for your business:
Payload capacity
How much do you think you will need to carry in the truck and truck bed? That’s your payload, and you want to have a good idea of what kind of payload you’re looking for when you choose a truck. Different kinds of trucks are designed to carry different loads, so you want to choose one that meets your needs.
Towing capacity
Will you use your truck for towing? You will also want to know how heavy your load might be when towing because that can affect the type of truck you want.
Gross Combined Weight Rating (GCWR)
Once you know your payload and towing capacity, you’re ready to consider your GCWR. Every truck is categorized into groups based on how much the vehicle and a fully loaded trailer weigh combined together. That metric is the GCWR, and you’ll see it for all trucks. Here’s a quick breakdown of the classes:
| Class | GCWR |
| Class 1 | Under 6,000 lbs. |
| Class 2a | 6,001 lbs. to 8,500 lbs. |
| Class 2b | 8,501 lbs. to 10,000 lbs. |
| Class 3 | 10,001 lbs. to 14,000 lbs. |
| Class 4 | 14,001 lbs. to 16,000 lbs. |
| Class 5 | 16,001 lbs. to 19,500 lbs. |
| Class 6 | 19,501 lbs. to 26,000 lbs. |
| Class 7 | 26,001 lbs. to 33,000 lbs. |
| Class 8 | 33,001 lbs. and up |
Gross Value Weight Rating
Once you know how much the vehicle weighs, you may want to consider the GVWR. The GVWR doesn’t always matter, but if you go above Class 7, you may need a different driver’s license to operate the vehicle.
Cab configuration
Work trucks usually give you three cab options:
- Regular cab (two front doors)
- Extended cab (two front doors & two smaller back doors)
- Crew cab (four doors and room for four or more people)
Make sure you choose a cab configuration that fits the number of crew members you hope to fit in your truck.
Single rear wheels vs. dual rear wheels
Do you need single wheels at the rear of the truck or dual wheels? Higher GVWR trucks typically have dual rear wheels.
Drivetrain
Most commercial trucks come with 4×2 (two-wheel) drive or 4×4 (four-wheel drive), and you’ll want to consider what you need when you choose the drivetrain. In some cases, you might even come across AWD (all-wheel drive), RWD (rear-wheel drive), or FWD (front-wheel drive).
Fuel type
All types of trucks and all classes of trucks can take both regular gas or diesel. So what do you prefer? Diesel can often get more power and better gas mileage, but regular gas is often more convenient and more affordable. It comes down to preference.
Best Work Trucks
Obviously, there’s a lot to consider when picking out a work truck. You might not have the time to look all that information over for every truck you’ve heard of. So we’ll save you some time by giving you our recommendations for the best work trucks that come from years of experience with trucks of all kinds. What is the best work truck? We have four for you to consider.
Best Half-Ton Truck: Chevy Silverado 1500
The Chevy Silverado 1500 is a traditional, rugged and reliable truck that can handle off-roading and towing. It has a GVWR of 7,000 lbs, a payload of 2,050 lbs, and a towing max of 9,500 lbs. Other key features include:
- Standard Rear Vision Camera
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rear Park Assist
Best ¾ Ton Truck: Ford F-250 Super Duty
This truck is top-of-the-line when it comes to towing. It has incredible power and torque, making it an excellent choice for work. We’re talking 15,000 lbs. of towing power and 2,660 lbs. in payload. Plus it comes in diesel which can give you an extra boost in power. Other key features include:
- Pre-Collision Assist
- Automatic Braking
- Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop-and-Go
- Lane Keep Assist
- Wi-Fi Hotspot
- Heated and Cooled Front Seats
- Voice-Control
- Ambient Lighting
Best Flatbed: Ford F-600 Flatbed
This truck has a GVWR of 19,500 lbs. Plus it can haul 11,150 lbs. on the flatbed. The material is military-grade aluminum alloy which means it’s a light truck but tough and durable. Worried about stopping with a giant truck? The Ford has reliable brakes with great stopping power. Other key features include:
- Remote Keyless Entry System
- Inclination and Intrusion Sensors
- Trailer Tow Mirrors
Best All Around: Chevy Silverado 2500HD
This truck is the truck, the ultimate work truck. If you’re looking for a good, reliable, and powerful truck for work, this truck may be your answer. It has the best-in-class towing capacity of 35,500 lbs. with a 6.6L V8 engine and 401 horsepower. That’s power and strength. This truck is heavy-duty and versatile—plus it’s known for its safety. Other key features include:
- Standard Rear Vision Camera
- Forward Collision Alert
- Lane Departure Alert
- Adaptive Cruise Control
- Rear Park Assist
The Bottom Line
Trucks can be vital to a small business since it’s what carries, hauls, moves, and transports everything you need. Finding the right truck can be tough, especially when you have your business operations to worry about. Keep business smooth and get a business truck quickly and easily with Summit Fleets. We know trucks, and we’ll help you get the best one for your needs easily.
Ready to get started with the best work truck? Contact us to get a rate today!
