Types of Trucks for eCommerce Logistics

It doesn't matter whether you ship 5 kilometres away to a customer's door or cross the country to a fulfillment centre. Every online order will eventually ride on a truck. But which types of trucks do your packages ride on?

This guide breaks down the main truck categories used in eCommerce logistics. We will also explain how they connect to LTL and FTL shipping and cover what to consider when choosing the right option for your store.

Key Takeaways

• There are different types of trucks, with each having a different purpose. Smaller options like cargo vans and box trucks are more suitable for final-mile deliveries. Bulk freight, on the other hand, moves on larger trailers built for long-distance hauls.
  
  
• Dry van, reefer, and flatbed trailers each serve different cargo needs. You can use them for standard boxed goods, temperature-sensitive items, or oversized loads.
  
• Truck size and trailer type determine whether a shipment moves as LTL or FTL.
  
  
• Choosing the right truck depends on your needs. Consider your shipment's volume and weight, the pickup or delivery location's infrastructure, and destination-specific rules.
  
  
• Cross-border sellers shipping from Canada to the US should plan for additional documentation and truck requirements at the border.
  

Final-Mile & Local Delivery Trucks (Small to Medium Loads)

Final-mile delivery is the last step in the shipping journey. The trucks used during this stage are better suited to frequent stops, tight turns, and smaller loads than to long highway hauls. Here are the truck types more suitable for this situation:

Cargo Vans or Sprinter Vans (Small Trucks)

Cargo vans and/or sprinter vans are light-duty trucks and might be the smallest vehicles used in eCommerce logistics. Because of their sizes, they typically handle the final leg of a delivery route.

They can make door-to-door stops and enter narrower alleys. Thus, these trucks are more practical for sellers and carriers focused on quick local fulfillment rather than long-haul freight.

Special Features:

• Compact size for easy driving around city streets and tight residential areas
  
• Capacity of up to approximately 4,000 pounds (1814.3 kg)
  
• Well suited for same-day or next-day local delivery
  
• Lower fuel and operating costs than larger trucks
  

Box Trucks or Straight Trucks (Medium Trucks)

Box trucks (also called straight trucks) are a type of medium-duty truck that sits a step up in size from cargo vans. Best suited for hauling heavier and bulkier loads than a van can manage on its own. They fill the gap between local delivery vehicles and full-trailer freight.

Special Features:

• Enclosed cargo area built on a single frame with the cab
  
• Capacity of roughly 10,000 to 15,000 pounds (4535.9 to 6803.8 kg), depending on the model
  
• Suited for regional routes and inter-warehouse transfers
  
• Handles bulkier residential deliveries like furniture or appliances
  

Heavy-Duty Trucks & Over-the-Road Freight (Large Bulk Cargo)

If you're shipping bulk inventories or long distances, it's ideal to move them via larger trailers pulled by tractor units. Here are the trucks suitable for highway travel and can carry significantly more load than final-mile vehicles:

Dry Van Trailers

Dry van trailers are a type of semi-trailer and the default choice for most ground shipments. Designed for general cargo that doesn't require special handling, these trailers are the ones sellers are most likely to encounter when booking bulk transport.

Special Features:

• Fully enclosed to protect goods from weather and road debris
  
• Capacity of up to approximately 45,000 pounds (20411.6 kg)
  
• Ideal for palletized or boxed goods without temperature requirements
  
• Most widely used hauler type for general eCommerce merchandise like clothing and electronics
  

Reefer Trucks or Refrigerated Trailers

Like dry vans, reefer trucks are also semi-trailers. However, these semi-trailer trucks are purpose-built for shipments that can't tolerate temperature swings during transit. Reefer is short for "refrigerated trucks," and it's perfect for online sellers whose products depend on consistent handling conditions from pickup to delivery.

Special Features:

• Climate-controlled payload capacity for temperature-sensitive goods
  
• Suited for food, beverages, and certain pharmaceuticals or cosmetics
  
• Capacity similar to dry vans, up to approximately 45,000 pounds (20411.6 kg)
  
• Higher shipping cost than standard dry van trailer
  

Flatbed Trucks

Similarly, flatbed trucks are also semi-trailers. But you'll notice a slightly different approach to hauling shipments. Rather than enclosing a shipment, these heavy-duty trucks leave the haul exposed. This opens up options for deliveries that wouldn't otherwise fit inside a standard trailer.

Special Features:

• Open, flat bed with no height or wall restrictions
  
• Suited for oversized, irregularly shaped, or heavy deliveries
  
• Common for machinery, building and construction materials, and large equipment
  
• Less common in direct-to-consumer (DTC) eCommerce
  
• More relevant for industrial sellers
  

How Truck Types Dictate Shipping Modes: LTL vs FTL

The list of truck types used for a shipment is closely tied to whether that shipment ships as LTL or FTL. But what are these terms?

Let's look at their differences so you can choose the right shipping mode for your order volume:

Less-Than-Truckload

Less-Than-Truckload, or LTL, is a combination of multiple smaller shipments from different shippers onto a single trailer.

Simply put, you are combining your deliveries with other sellers' deliveries in a single truck.

Pro:

It's a cost-effective option for sellers who don't have enough shipments to fill an entire truck.

Con:

The vehicle makes multiple stops to load and unload different shipments. Therefore, LTL tend to take longer to arrive than a dedicated truck would.

Full Truckload

Full Truckload (FTL) shipping means a single shipment occupies the entire truck. It doesn't matter whether it physically fills all the space.

Pro:

FTL is generally faster since the truck travels directly from pickup to destination. It doesn't have to stop for other loads. And it tends to make sense for sellers moving large volumes of inventory, such as restocking a fulfillment centre.

Con:

It is more expensive for sellers with smaller-volume shipments because they have to pay for the entire truck space.

Choosing the Right Type of Truck for Your Online Store

As you can see, there are plenty of types of trucks in logistics. But one thing to remember: selecting the right truck isn't just about size. Here are a few practical factors to determine what will actually work for your shipment:

Volume & Weight

The amount and weight of your inventory can be the starting point when choosing the right type of truck. For example, if you're shipping a smaller volume. Then, it may typically require a sprinter van.

But let's say you have larger inventory restocks. In this case, the shipments may need a sprinter van or a much bigger truck. Matching vehicle capacity to your actual shipment size helps you avoid paying for space you don't need.

Infrastructure Constraints

Not every pickup or delivery location can accommodate every truck classification. There are many elements you have to consider, such as:

• loading docks
  
• liftgates
  
• narrow driveways
  
• low-clearance areas
  

All of these factors affect which trucks can access a site. Sellers shipping to or from residential addresses or smaller retail locations need to account for these limitations when booking freight.

Destination Rules

There's no one-size-fits-all rule when it comes to destinations. Some places are more lenient than others. Other destinations have more specific requirements. So the rule of thumb: always check before shipping to avoid issues.

Some rules to look at before shipping are:

• appointment-only deliveries
  
• restricted delivery windows
  
• documentation needed for cross-border shipments
  

Understanding these rules ahead of time helps prevent delays and unexpected accessorial fees.

FAQs

Here are answers to some common questions online sellers have about different types of trucks, shipping requirements, and delivery costs:

How do I know if my pickup or delivery location requires a truck with a liftgate?

You will need a liftgate when a location doesn't have a loading dock that matches the truck bed height. So let's say your pickup or delivery site is a residential address, retail storefront, or a small business without dock access. It likely needs a liftgate to load or unload packages at ground level safely.

Can I use my personal pickup truck to drop off bulk inventory at Stallion or a carrier hub?

Absolutely. Using a standard pickup truck is a highly popular, cost-effective way for Canadian online sellers to self-haul bulk packages to a Stallion branch or a local carrier hub. However, keep in mind that most hubs and fulfillment centres have specific safety protocols. Always ensure your goods are securely tarped and strapped to protect them from weather and shifting during transit.

What are "accessorial fees," and how do they impact my eCommerce shipping budget?

In some cases, there are still additional charges on top of what you pay for pickup and delivery. These are what we call accessorial fees. They can include various factors, such as liftgate use, residential or inside delivery, or waiting time.

These fees can add up quickly for sellers who don't account for them. So, it helps to review your shipping quotes carefully and confirm what's included before booking.

How do heavy-duty utility vehicles like dump trucks and tow trucks fit into the eCommerce supply chain?

They generally don't. Dump trucks and tow trucks are more suitable for construction hauling and vehicle recovery. They are not specifically made for carrying eCommerce shipments. So, they don't play a role in the regular shipping process. The exception is a rare roadside situation, such as a delivery truck breaking down, in which you might call a tow truck to move the vehicle.

Final Thoughts

You may not have the power to choose the type of truck for your shipments. Still, knowing and understanding them can help you handle your needs and the practical realities of your pickup and delivery locations.

Whether you're sending a handful of parcels through final-mile delivery or moving a full trailer of restock inventory, matching the truck to the shipment helps keep your logistics running smoothly and your costs predictable.

Seamless Bulk & Cross-Border Shipping Built for Canadian Entrepreneurs

Stallion gives Canadian online sellers the tools to manage shipping at every scale. Our services allow you to deliver single parcels and FTL shipments without juggling multiple carriers or guessing the costs.

What we offer:

• Deeply discounted carrier rates. Access competitive rates across our carrier network, negotiated through Stallion's shipping volume.
  
• Bulk shipping support. Book LTL shipments for large inventory moves and restocks, alongside standard parcel shipping.
  
• Cross-border expertise. Ship from Canada to the US with support for customs documentation, HTS codes, and border requirements.
  
• Drop & Go locations. Drop off shipments at convenient locations across Canada instead of waiting for a pickup.
  
• Fulfillment and 3PL services. Store, pick, and pack inventory through Stallion's network.
  
• One platform for every shipment. Manage local final-mile deliveries and long-haul shipments from a single dashboard.
  

Are you ready to ship with Stallion? Create an account with us today and start shipping smarter!

Claudine Joy Rada

Candy Rada is a dedicated professional with tons of experience in content writing for the shipping industry. As a literature degree holder, she excels in creating engaging content with strategies that enhance brand visibility. She enjoys playing with her cats, reading dystopian books, and joining trivia games in her free time.