What is a Light Truck?

A light truck is a vehicle classified as a truck or similar to a truck with a payload capacity of under 4,000 pounds (1814 kg). Also referred to as light-duty trucks, light trucks are in the same fuel economy class as vans, minivans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). As opposed to a heavy-duty truck, a light truck is sometimes built on a unibody frame rather than being built on a body-on-frame chassis and therefore does not have the same towing capacity.

Though light truck classification includes vans and SUVs, a light truck is typically a small to mid-sized pickup truck. Examples of a light truck include the Chevrolet Colorado, Dodge Dakota, Nissan Frontier, and Toyota Tacoma.

A light truck typically has a smaller engine and smaller wheel base than a full-size or heavy-duty truck. Gas mileage is often better on a light truck as well. Both the light truck and the heavy-duty truck are considered utilitarian vehicles for insurance classifications. Many companies and businesses purchase light trucks for their company fleets because they are less expensive and achieve better gas mileage than full-size models. For the same reasons, many individuals choose the light truck for personal use.

It is important to remember that though the light truck is a utilitarian vehicle, it is not built to withstand the same utilization as a heavy-duty model. Many people abuse their light truck by overloading it either with excessive cargo or towing weight. Exceeding the payload or towing capacity of a vehicle can damage its frame and its engine.

If you are considering buying a light truck for personal use, determine how you intend to use your truck first. A light truck is appropriate for transportation, hauling small loads, and towing small trailers. However, if you plan to haul heavy loads or want to tow heavy-weight items, such as a boat or camper, you should carefully research your purchase. Overloading a light truck can greatly reduce its usage and life span.

Written by J. Beam