Truckado Guide: What, Benefits, Buying, Future

If you need to move serious cargo, a standard truck might not cut it. That’s where truckados, or trucked trucks, step in. These specialized commercial vehicles offer increased cargo capacity, enhanced stability, and remarkable adaptability. Whether you’re in construction, long-haul transport, agriculture, or another demanding industry, a truckado could be the key to streamlining your operations. In this guide, we’ll delve into what truckados are, their benefits, how to find one, and even explore their exciting future potential.

1. What is a Truckado (Trucked Truck)?

A truckado, or a trucked truck, is a specialized commercial vehicle specifically designed for increased cargo capacity and stability. The term itself is a blend of the words “truck” and “articulated”, referring to the truck’s unique chassis configuration involving extra axles.

Defining the Truckado Concept

The key to understanding a truckado is its axle setup. Unlike a standard truck that typically features a single axle up front for steering and a single axle in the rear for power, truckados have a third axle added to the rear. This additional axle distributes weight more evenly across the truck and greatly increases payload capacity.

Key Configurations (6×2, 8×2, 8×4)

Truckados come in a few major configurations:

• 6×2: This is the most common truckado type. It has one steering axle in the front and two driving axles in the rear. The “6” refers to the total number of wheels, and the “2” indicates the number of axles with powered wheels.
• 8×2: This configuration is similar to the 6×2 but offers even more load capacity. It has one steering axle in the front, followed by three rear axles, of which only two are powered.
• 8×4: In this setup, all four rear axles are driven, providing maximum traction and power for extremely heavy loads or demanding terrain.

Comparing Truckados to Toco and Bitruck Trucks

Here’s a quick comparison to help distinguish between these truck types:

• Toco Trucks: The simplest configuration, best for lighter-duty work. These have a single front and single rear axle (a 4×2 configuration).
• Truckados: These excel at a balance of payload capacity and maneuverability. They are a versatile choice for a wide range of applications.
• Bitruck Trucks: Designed for the heaviest loads, bitruck trucks have dual axles in both the front and rear. They sacrifice some maneuverability for sheer hauling power.

2. Benefits of Using Truckados

Truckados offer significant advantages for businesses and operators, making them a popular choice in various industries. Let’s break down some of the key benefits:

Increased Payload Capacity

The core advantage of a truckado is its ability to carry significantly more cargo per trip. The additional axle distributes weight more evenly, allowing the truck to handle greater loads without exceeding legal weight limits or compromising safety. Increased payload directly translates to fewer trips, lower fuel costs, and increased revenue potential for businesses.

Enhanced Stability

The additional axle and the wider weight distribution in a truckado enhance its stability compared to traditional trucks. This is crucial when carrying heavy or off-center loads, and improves safety in challenging situations like high winds, sharp turns, or uneven surfaces.

Versatility in Applications

The increased capability and stability of truckados make them suitable for a wide range of demanding tasks. Here are some common industries they excel in:

Specific Use Cases

• Construction: Truckados are workhorses on construction sites. They can haul heavy materials like sand, gravel, lumber, and machinery.
• Long-Haul Transport: Truckados maximize cargo capacity for long-distance transport, ensuring timely delivery of goods across long distances.
• Agriculture: They are popular on farms for transporting large volumes of crops, equipment, or livestock.
• Mining: Truckados offer the payload capacity for moving ore and heavy equipment around mining sites.
• Specialized Applications: Truckados are also used as a base for fire trucks, dump trucks, garbage trucks, and other applications where extra capacity and stability are paramount.

3. Where to Find and Utilize Truckados

Whether you’re looking to acquire a truckado for your business or just need one for a specific project, there are several effective ways to find and utilize these powerful vehicles:

Platforms and Services (like Trukado)

Specialized online platforms focused on truckados are becoming increasingly popular. These services streamline the search process and offer additional benefits:

Features of Truckado-like Platforms

• Diverse Listings: Find a wide range of truckados for sale or rent directly from owners and fleet operators.
• Search Filters: Narrow down your options based on configuration (6×2, 8×2), condition, location, and price range.
• Pricing Insights: These platforms can provide market data, helping you evaluate fair prices.
• Additional Services: Some platforms offer assistance with financing, insurance, and logistics related to your truckado.

Connecting Food Truck Operators, Property Owners, and Event Hosts (incorporated from trukado.com)

Platforms like Trukado go beyond standard truck listings. They facilitate connections within their local communities:

* **Food Trucks:**  Truckado helps food truck operators find places to park and serve customers.

* **Property Owners:**  Those with commercial spaces can list them, opening up revenue  opportunities.

* **Event Organizers:**  Easily connect with available food trucks to cater events.

Truck Dealerships

Many truck dealerships carry truckados alongside standard commercial vehicles. This option offers some advantages:

• In-Person Inspection: You can thoroughly assess the condition of a truckado before buying or renting.
• Dealer Expertise: Benefit from the knowledge of specialists to choose the best truckado configuration and options for your specific needs.
• Financing & Trade-ins: Dealerships often provide financing and can take your old vehicle as trade-in.

Rental Companies

For short-term usage or project-based needs, truckado rentals can be the most cost-effective option.

• Flexibility: Rent truckados for a specific duration without the long-term commitment of ownership.
• Specialized Fleets: Many rental companies offer various truckado configurations to match your project requirements.
• No Maintenance Worries: The rental company takes care of maintenance and upkeep.

4. Buying vs. Renting a Truckado

Choosing whether to buy or rent a truckado requires careful deliberation. The optimal choice depends heavily on your business’s specific needs and financial circumstances.

Factors to Consider (Upfront cost, usage frequency, maintenance)

• Upfront Cost:  Purchasing a truckado involves a significant initial investment. Renting typically requires smaller upfront payments, often just a deposit and the first rental period’s fee.
• Usage Frequency:  If you need a truckado consistently for daily or very frequent operations, ownership likely offers the best long-term value. For occasional or seasonal use, renting could be more cost-effective.
• Maintenance: When you own a truckado, you’re responsible for maintaining and repairing it. Rental companies handle these costs, but this comes factored into the rental price.

Pros and Cons of Each Option

Buying a Truckado

• Pros:
  • Total control and freedom to customize the truckado to meet your exact needs.
  • Potential for greater long-term cost savings with consistent usage.
  • The asset can be sold to recoup some of the investment.
• Cons:
  • Large initial capital outlay.
  • Responsible for maintenance costs and potential unexpected breakdowns.
  • Depreciation of the truckado’s value over time.

Renting a Truckado

• Pros:
  • Affordable entry point with minimal upfront costs.
  • Flexibility to switch between truckado configurations as your needs change.
  • Eliminates the burden of maintenance and repairs.
• Cons:
  • Potentially higher long-term costs for frequent usage.
  • Limited customization options.
  • You don’t own an asset at the end of the rental period.

Also Read: How To Jack Up A Truck? Mastering The Art Of Jacking Up A Truck

5. Customization and Modification of Truckados

One of the significant advantages of truckados is their adaptability. With the right modifications, they can be tailored to a wide array of specialized tasks. Here’s what you need to know:

Popular Modifications (Body Types, Equipment Add-ons)

Body Types:

• Flatbed: A versatile platform for hauling various cargo, from construction materials to equipment.
• Dump Body: Ideal for transporting loose materials like gravel or sand, with hydraulic tilting for easy unloading.
• Dry Van/Reefer: Enclosed bodies for protected transport of goods, with reefers providing temperature control for perishables.
• Tanker: Designed to transport liquids like fuels or chemicals.
• Specialty Bodies: Truckados can be the base for fire engines, cranes, tow trucks, and many other specialized vehicles.

Equipment Add-ons:

• Liftgates: Hydraulic platforms for easier loading and unloading of cargo
• Power Take-Off (PTO): An attachment to provide power from the truckado engine to auxiliary equipment.
• Heavy-Duty Winches: For loading heavy objects or recovery operations.
• Toolboxes: Secure storage for tools and equipment.

Finding Reputable Modification Specialists

Choosing the right specialists for your truckado modifications is critical to ensuring quality, safety, and staying on budget. Here’s how to find them:

• Industry Expertise: Look for shops with experience in truckado modifications and a proven track record with your chosen body type or equipment.
• Certifications: Verify that technicians possess relevant certifications for the work being performed.
• Communication & Planning: Seek specialists who provide clear explanations, cost estimates, and timelines for the modifications.
• Referrals & Reviews: Check reviews and seek referrals from businesses and individuals within your industry who have modified their truckados.

6. The Future of Truckados

Truckados are poised to play a key role in the ongoing evolution of the transportation industry.  Let’s examine some potential advancements and challenges for truckados in the years ahead:

Potential Advancements (Automation, Alternative Fuels)

Advancements in self-driving technology could eventually be integrated into truckados. While full autonomy might be further off, we could see partial automation features like lane assist, adaptive cruise control, and automated braking become common in truckados, enhancing safety and efficiency.

Like the general trucking industry, truckados are likely to see a shift towards alternative fuel sources to reduce emissions. Options include:

• Electric Truckados: Battery-powered truckados are already in development, promising zero-emissions operation.
• Hydrogen Fuel Cell Truckados: These offer longer ranges and faster refueling times than battery-powered equivalents, with interest increasing in this technology.
• Renewable Biofuels: Fuels derived from organic matter with lower carbon output may be adaptable for truckado engines.

The Role of Truckados in Sustainable Transportation

Truckados can make significant contributions to sustainability within the transportation sector:

• Improved Efficiency: The core design of truckados allows for hauling larger loads, reducing the number of trips required. This directly translates to a smaller environmental footprint per unit of cargo transported.
• Right-Sizing: The availability of different truckado configurations allows businesses to choose the right-sized vehicle for their needs, avoiding using overly large trucks for smaller tasks.
• Last-Mile Delivery Optimization: In urban areas, truckados could potentially replace multiple smaller vans for deliveries, reducing traffic congestion and emissions.