“How much weight can my lorry rental carry?” What seems like a simple question is one of the most commonly made mistakes by lorry drivers. Several drivers tend to misjudge the lorry’s weight carrying capacity and overload the truck, putting other people at risk and attracting heavy fines on the road.
When you select a truck rental company, do not forget by any chance to convey your requirements. For instance, if you need an 18 tonne lorry rental in Nottingham, your cargo must weigh 10 tonnes or less. A professional truck hire company like T G Commercials Self Drive will carefully assess your needs and suggest a truck size accordingly.
Let’s take a deeper dive into various types of lorries and their weight carrying capacities so that you can make an informed decision on your next project.
Different types of lorries
Lorries, also called Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), weigh 7.5 tonnes and above and commonly transport commodities from the warehouse to a consumer. However, it is also used in various other settings, like construction sites, commercial and residential moving, garden waste disposal, etc.
Note: You will require a special type of driver’s license to drive Class C vehicles from the DVLA if you want to drive an HGV rental.
Maximum gross weight
The maximum gross weight is the maximum weight carrying capacity of the HGV as specified by the manufacturer. Carrying above this weight has been deemed unsafe on the roads and attracts heavy fines if caught.
The maximum weight your vehicle can carry actually depends on the number of axles it has.
According to the Department of Transportation, there are three main types of heavy goods vehicles based on the maximum gross weight.
- Small 2-axle lorries with a maximum gross weight of over 3.5 tonnes.
- Big 2-axle lorries with a maximum gross weight of over 7.5 tonnes.
- Multi-axle lorries with maximum gross weight up to 44 tonnes until it follows the other legislations like twin tyres and road-friendly suspensions.
How to select a lorry for your requirements?
At T G Commercials Self Drive, you hire any type of lorry for your specific moving needs. Here is a brief look at the various types of HGVs and LGVs available and what jobs they can be used for.
- Dry and consumer goods
Dry and consumers goods are two of the most transported product categories across the UK. These include a variety of items like crisps, clothes, appliances, plants, etc. Various sizes of trucks are utilised for this purpose, the most popular being the 18 tonne lorry rental in Nottingham. The specific size depends on the size and weight of the cargo and the transport distance.
- Livestock trucks
As the name suggests, these trucks are specifically used to transport various kinds of livestock from one place to another. For example, you can use these lorries to transport pigs, cows, chickens, sheep, etc. The truck’s size will depend on the livestock quantity, so discuss with our team the exact requirements before hiring.
- Refrigerated trucks
While refrigerated trucks are used for various purposes, they are extensively used for transportation in the F&B industry. These trucks come in various sizes, ranging from small freezer vans to huge refrigerated containers to articulated lorries, each serving a different purpose.
- Flatbed lorries
These lorries come with a flat, open body used to transport large goods that will not be affected by rain or snow. These include complex industrial pieces of machinery, construction materials, pipelines, etc.
- Tipper trucks
Tipper trucks are mainly used in the construction industry, where the removal and relocation of the materials like construction aggregate, asphalt, grain, sand, wood, and snow can be done without the help of an expansive team.
- Tankers
Tankers are usually used to transport massive amounts of liquid like dairy, but they also find use in transporting other items like grains and powder. Note that you will need a special certification if carrying toxic or flammable liquid like petrol and pesticides.
At T G Commercials Self Drive, you can find an extensive fleet of well-maintained commercial vehicles for all your requirements. If you are unsure about which lorry will suit your requirements, you can simply tell our team the purpose, and our experts will suggest a truck that will best match your specific case.