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About Box Trucks

Box trucks come in many varieties and sizes to haul local cargo, make deliveries of dry and chilled goods, provide moving services, and much more. They’re usually made by mounting a cargo box on a cab-and-chassis truck, although some are built on a unibody frame.

Box trucks are available in a broad range of sizes, box lengths, and storage capacities, with payloads determined by each truck’s gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). Many are equipped with lift gates, pull-out ramps, curbside doors, and other features that make them well-suited to frequent delivery stops at homes and businesses where loading docks and forklifts aren’t readily available. They often have specialized internal shelving units or bins for organizing specific types of products or freight, as well as internal load-securing mechanisms and tie-down systems such as E-track.

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2026 Freightliner Business Class M2 106 Box Truck

Types Of Box Trucks

Cargo or straight box trucks, also known as dry cargo-delivery trucks, dry van trucks, and straight trucks, are generally what people think of as typical heavy-duty box trucks or medium-duty box trucks. They use a standard cargo body to haul and deliver dry freight.

Box trucks’ capacity and versatility also lend themselves to niche applications, such as mobile pet grooming, document shredding (shred trucks), and catering. Buyers looking for something like a box truck with a sleeper should take a look at expeditor trucks for sale.

Moving box trucks and moving vans are used by families and businesses to haul furniture and boxes from one location to another. They often have a low floor and a step-up bumper, plus anchor points such as D-rings in their cargo bays for tying down objects with ropes or cargo nets. Designed for professional movers as well as the consumer rental market, moving trucks sometimes have an attic (a compartment extending over the cab) for extra storage capacity.

Cutaway-cube box trucks have a shorter, cube-like body mounted directly behind the cab, often with a walk-through passage or door between them. Also known as cube vans, box vans, and cutaway-cube vans, cutaway models typically serve as light-duty box trucks for delivery or service applications.

Refrigerated, or “reefer” box trucks have insulated cargo boxes with a refrigeration unit that provides temperature control. Shorter and nimbler than a semi-truck pulling a reefer semi-trailer, reefer box trucks are ideal for delivering perishable goods such as fresh produce, frozen foods, pharmaceuticals (including vaccines), medical supplies, and temperature-sensitive chemicals around town.

Box Truck Sizes

With some exceptions, dry cargo-delivery trucks, moving trucks, and cutaway-cube trucks are typically light- or medium-duty vehicles on the smaller, more maneuverable side. They have GVWRs of 26,000 pounds (11,793 kilograms) or less, like a Class 6 box truck or lighter, so they don’t require a commercial driver’s license (CDL) to drive in most areas.

On the larger end, dry van trucks and straight trucks are usually Class 7 and Class 8 models with GVWRs of 26,001 lbs (11,794 kg) and up. These heavy-duty box trucks can haul much bigger and/or heavier loads, but they also require a CDL to operate.

Box Truck Lengths

Box trucks are described by the length of the cargo box, not the total length of the vehicle. Hence, a 16-foot (4.9-meter) straight truck might be 25 to 28 ft (7.6 to 8.5 m) long overall but have a cargo body that’s 16 ft front to back. Boxes generally range between 12 and 26 ft (3.7 and 7.9 m) long.

• 12 ft Box Truck: One of the most compact options, offering exceptional maneuverability for residential deliveries, tight urban spaces, and small moving projects.
• 14 ft Box Truck: A popular choice for small businesses and light-duty commercial use, this truck provides a balance of size and versatility for a variety of tasks.
• 16 ft Box Truck: Ideal for urban deliveries and residential moves. This light-duty, small box truck size offers easy handling and efficient transportation for local jobs, such as last-mile delivery and quick transport trips.
• 18 ft Box Truck: A versatile and popular option, an 18-footer is well-suited for medium-size residential moves and commercial deliveries that require more space than a standard cargo van.
• 20 ft Box Truck: Known as a flexible workhorse for small businesses, this size is a great compromise, providing ample space for a variety of cargo without sacrificing agility.
• 22 ft Box Truck: A 22-ft (6.7-m) box is appropriate for larger moves and commercial freight, offering a significant increase in cargo capacity while maintaining a manageable length for city and highway driving.
• 24 ft Box Truck: A spacious choice for long-distance hauls and sizable deliveries, this truck provides substantial capacity for both commercial and large-scale moving operations.
• 26 ft Box Truck: The industry standard for freight and large-scale moving, the 26-ft box truck maximizes cargo volume for hauling full-room setups or multiple pallets of goods.