Heavy Duty Trucks

Choosing a heavy duty truck is a serious decision that shouldn't be taken lightly. When you rely on your truck to earn a living, it's imperative to select the correct model. Ewald's Venus Ford has decades of experience helping customers choose the most suitable work trucks.

Our Ford dealer near you is your one-stop-shop for all of your commercial truck needs. Let's explore everything you need to know in order to choose the most appropriate heavy duty truck.

What is defined as a heavy duty truck?

In the US, trucks are divided into eight different classes. Class 1-3 trucks are considered light duty, class 4-6 trucks are considered medium duty, and class 7-8 trucks are heavy duty. Truck classification is based on GVWR - gross vehicle weight rating. The GVWR is essentially the maximum amount of weight that a truck can handle, including payload capacity. 

Class 7 trucks have a GVWR of 26,001 to 33,000 pounds.

Class 8 trucks have a GVWR of over 33,000 pounds.

Bear in mind that truck regulations are statutory, and dictate which vehicles require a CDL license. Often, you'll need at least a Class B license to legally operate a heavy duty truck from Class 7 or 8.

Do you need an HD truck?

Does your job involve hauling and towing? If so, you'll likely benefit from the impressive horsepower and payload capacity of a heavy duty truck. However, these brawny trucks carry higher price tags than their smaller counterparts. If you don't actually need a heavy duty work truck, you could save money by opting for a smaller model. Let's review some questions to ask yourself before you choose a truck for sale, to ensure you get the best deal on the right equipment.

Do you need to tow heavy loads? If your regular job duties include major towing projects, a heavy duty truck is worth the investment for the increased towing capacity.

Is your work particularly grueling? For labor-intensive vocations, heavy duty trucks offer superior durability.

Are you looking for large-displacement engines or a diesel truck for sale? Heavy duty trucks often offer more engine options than light duty trucks.

Is budget a top concern? These brawny trucks for sale can cost significantly more than a light or medium duty truck. 

Do heavy duty trucks hold their value?

Trucks can hold their value impressively well. Excellent resale value is a major asset when you're shopping for a truck. While flashy performance trucks might catch your eye, it's important to consider the long-term resale value. 

Unlike most vehicles, trucks are designed to be utilitarian workhorses. In particular, heavy duty trucks are built to withstand insane abuse in the average workday. Their solid build quality means that these trucks provide longevity and reliability.

The long-term utility value of a heavy duty truck ensures that with proper maintenance, your truck will hold its value well. 

Are heavy duty trucks more reliable?

Per MotorBiscuit.com, heavy duty trucks break down less often than light duty trucks. Because heavy duty trucks are produced with more durable components, they are a more reliable option. While these trucks are extremely dependable, their performance capabilities makes them less than ideal for daily driving. If you're in the market for a truck to use as a daily driver, heavy duty is rarely the best option. Consider choosing a lifted truck for sale instead. You'll enjoy the ride height of a commercial truck without the decreased fuel economy and higher purchase price.

Should I buy a gas or diesel truck?

Diesel trucks can provide outstanding torque and superior fuel economy compared to gas trucks. However, diesel trucks also carry higher purchase prices and more expensive maintenance costs. Whether you're looking for a dually truck for sale, or a heavy duty truck, here are some crucial factors to help you choose between gas or diesel. 

• Heavy duty diesel trucks often provide better longevity. Diesel engines are enormously popular in construction, where reliability is essential. In fact, most of the trucks that need to perform manual labor day after day are powered by diesel.

• For heavy duty trucks, choosing diesel over gas will cost you, adding roughly $10,000 to your purchase price. It's an expensive investment, but diesel trucks are also more costly to produce. The components that make diesel trucks more reliable also make them more expensive.

• Diesel trucks can tow significantly heavier loads. Thanks to the compression ignition engines, diesel trucks deliver outstanding amounts of low-speed torque. If you need a truck that can tow enormous weights, diesel trucks definitely merit consideration.

• If you're concerned about resale value, diesel trucks have the competitive edge. While both gas and diesel heavy duty trucks offer strong resale value, diesel trucks are typically worth more on the resale market.

• On average, diesel engines are about 15% more efficient than gas engines. When you opt for a diesel truck, your fuel economy will improve by around the same amount. Extend the range of every tank of fuel by choosing a diesel truck.

• Diesel engines are more complex, and thus carry higher maintenance and repair costs. The good news is that since these engines are more durable, you won't need to maintain or repair them as frequently!

Shop for heavy duty trucks at Ewald’s Venus Ford!

No matter what type of truck you're looking for, our Ford dealer near you has you covered. You'll find performance trucks, lifted trucks for sale, dually trucks for sale, diesel trucks, and more at Ewald's Hartford Ford.

When you're ready to take the first step toward your next heavy duty truck, just head over to our Ford dealership near you. Our sales team will be happy to recommend a suitable model for your needs, preferences, and budget. We look forward to working with you soon!