Trucks serve a vital role for manufacturing industries by providing a quick and flexible means to move goods. Industries use trucks to carry raw materials to their factories and to transport manufactured products to warehouses, distribution centers, stores, or customers.
In some cases, trucks carry products between factories. For example, the parts for a car may be produced at several factories and then trucked to a plant where the car is assembled. Trucks then transport the cars to automobile dealerships for sale to the public.
Utility industries use trucks extensively to maintain their systems. Trucks haul the tools and supplies needed to maintain their services and facilities. Many trucks are equipped with aerial cranes that can be raised and lowered to enable workers to maintain equipment mounted on utility poles. Many trucks have a power take-off, a mechanism that provides power for other machines, such as winches, cranes, and post-hole diggers. Similar trucks are used by tree-trimming services.
Businesses that own or lease trucks and use them to carry their own goods are known as private carriers. Trucking companies that transport freight for others are called for-hire carriers.
In the United States, there are three types of for-hire carriers: (1) common, (2) contract, and (3) exempt. Common carriers are required by law to transport the goods of any shipper who can pay for the service. Such carriers charge set rates, haul specific types of freight, and operate only on certain routes.
Contract carriers work for a limited number of customers. They agree to deliver only the products of these customers. Exempt carriers transport only certain kinds of goods or use their trucks only for specific purposes. Exempt carriers include firms that haul certain agricultural products or carry newspapers. These carriers are exempt from certain government regulations.
Milk trucks, mail trucks, laundry trucks, and delivery trucks of all kinds play significant roles in both city and rural economies. Special kinds of trucks--such as fire engines and buses--serve most communities.
Refrigerated trucks help supply fresh fruits, vegetables, meats, and fish throughout the year. Tank trucks carry liquids such as milk, gasoline, and fuel oil. Big transport trucks and trailers haul huge quantities of freight on the highways every day. Garbage trucks carry away the refuse and cast-off goods that people no longer want.
