You’ve got a load of goods to get out of the warehouse this week. But when you go to call a logistics company to get a quote, you realize you’re not sure what you need.
There are numerous options available for freight shipment, and making the right choice helps you keep your deliveries on time and on budget. While a quality carrier can answer all your questions and help you make the right reservation, it helps to know the difference between different trucks before you get on the phone.
Two of the most commonly used trucks for smaller commercial freight shipments are box trucks and cargo vans. Depending on the pallet count, loading method, shipment weight, and space available at both pickup and delivery, one may be a better fit for the job than the other.
Understanding the difference between cargo vans and box trucks
The primary difference between a cargo van and a box truck is capacity.
- Cargo vans are built for smaller freight loads and, depending on the van’s cargo dimensions and the pallet configuration, may carry a few pallets and several thousand pounds.
- Box trucks provide substantially more floor space for larger palletized loads, bulky equipment, and heavier shipments.
The vehicle design is different, too.
- A cargo van has an enclosed cargo area that is part of the vehicle itself, which makes it easier to maneuver in tighter pickup and delivery locations.
- A box truck has a separate enclosed cargo box mounted behind the cab, providing more interior height and usable cargo space.
At A1 Xpress, cargo vans can handle up to 3,000 pounds and two to three pallets. By comparison, our 26-foot box trucks can carry up to 10,000 pounds and 12 pallets.
When should you use a cargo van instead of a box truck?
Generally speaking, cargo vans sit between small parcel vehicles and larger commercial trucks. They are useful for freight that needs dedicated transportation but does not require the capacity of a box truck.
That makes them an option for many smaller palletized shipments, cartons, supplies, and equipment. Keep in mind that weight alone does not determine fit for a cargo van. A shipment can stay below 3,000 pounds and still be too long, tall, or wide for the cargo area.
What’s the best fit for a cargo van
Cargo vans are a practical choice for loads such as:
- A few pallets of boxed merchandise
- Building supplies
- Lighting and electrical materials
- Signage and graphics
- Parts or equipment needed on a tight deadline
- Cartons that need dedicated transportation instead of a parcel network
Cargo vans are also easier to position around smaller commercial properties and tighter loading areas. For urgent loads that fit within van capacity, A1 Xpress can pair the vehicle with same-day delivery service when timing calls for it.
When should you use a box truck instead of a cargo van?
Generally speaking, box trucks are a better fit when a shipment needs more floor space, vertical clearance, or pallet capacity than a cargo van can provide. They work well for larger palletized shipments, bulky equipment, and commercial freight that needs an enclosed cargo area.
A1 Xpress operates both 16-foot and 26-foot box trucks. Our 16-foot trucks can accommodate up to eight pallets, while our 26-foot trucks can handle up to 12 pallets and 10,000 pounds of payload.
As with cargo vans, weight alone does not determine fit. The dimensions of the freight, pallet configuration, loading method, and available space at the pickup and delivery locations can all affect which truck is appropriate.
What’s the best fit for a box truck?
Box trucks are a practical choice for loads such as:
- Multiple pallets of boxed merchandise
- Restaurant and commercial kitchen equipment
- Doors, windows, and other building materials
- Electrical equipment and solar panels
- Medical equipment
- Store inventory and fixtures
- Cabinets, furniture, and other bulky items
Box trucks also provide more options for loading and unloading palletized freight. At locations without a loading dock, a liftgate-equipped truck may be needed to lower heavy freight to ground level. A1 Xpress’s trucking and freight service includes multiple vehicle sizes so the truck can be matched to the shipment, loading requirements, and delivery site.
How to match a box truck vs. cargo van to your shipment
To select the right type of transport for your delivery, make sure you have the following details on hand before getting a quote.
How much does your shipment weigh?
Get the total shipment weight before booking. For palletized freight, include the pallets and packaging rather than only the product inside them.
A load approaching or exceeding 3,000 pounds may be beyond A1 Xpress’s cargo-van capacity and could require another vehicle. Box-truck selection then depends on the specific vehicle’s available payload as well as the shipment dimensions.
If palletized, how many pallets do you have and what size are they?
Count the pallets, then measure the longest, widest, and tallest pieces.
Three standard pallets may fit a cargo van according to A1 Xpress’s listed capacity, but an unusually tall or oversized piece can still rule the van out. A 26-foot box truck offers space for up to 12 pallets, giving larger freight loads considerably more floor area.
Dimensions are especially important for machinery, restaurant equipment, cabinetry, building materials, and other cargo that does not fit neatly on a standard pallet.
What is the delivery location and access condition?
The destination can change the truck recommendation even after the freight dimensions are known.
Consider the entrance, loading area, dock height, parking space, overhead clearance, and room available to position the vehicle. A cargo van may be easier to place at a tight commercial location, while a warehouse dock may readily accommodate a larger box truck.
Also confirm how the freight will get off the truck. A box truck arriving at a facility without a loading dock or suitable forklift may need liftgate service to lower palletized freight to ground level.
What if I need something bigger than a box truck?
Some freight exceeds the space or capacity of an enclosed box truck. Oversized machinery, long construction materials, large full-truckload shipments, or loads exceeding the available box-truck capacity may require equipment such as a flatbed or tractor-trailer.
A1 Xpress’s current fleet includes flatbed trucks and 53-foot tractor-trailers in addition to vans and box trucks. Larger equipment has its own weight, loading, securement, access, and routing requirements, so those shipment details need to be established before dispatch.
Need help choosing the right truck?
You don’t need to know exactly which vehicle to book before you call. Have your shipment weight, dimensions, pallet count, pickup and delivery locations, and any loading or unloading requirements ready, and A1 Xpress can help match the load to the appropriate vehicle.
With cargo vans, box trucks, flatbeds, and larger freight equipment available, A1 Xpress handles business-to-business deliveries throughout New Jersey and the surrounding region.
Call 732-431-9112 to discuss your shipment and get a quote.