Heavy-Duty Truck Fabrication

A heavy-duty truck is a type of truck weighing about 33,000 lbs or more. Once the trailer is attached, that weight can shoot up to more than 80,000 lbs. As the name implies, these trucks are most often used for jobs that are too demanding for other vehicles to handle. If you’re interested in learning more about how heavy-duty trucks are fabricated, this guide from Fyda Freightliner has everything you need to know.

Materials

Heavy-duty trucks are composed of a variety of materials. Typically, steel will be used for the frame rails, crossmembers, several of the suspension components, the wheel axles and the engine mounts since it is strong and tough. Stainless steel is used to make exterior trim pieces, like the mirrors, visors, grilles and handles. The truck’s outer skin and the cab are usually made with aluminum because it’s lightweight, strong, and doesn’t corrode. The truck’s fenders, hood, and dashboard are made using materials like molded plastics and fiberglass since they are easy to shape. As for the carpeting, floor mats, and seats, most manufacturers use vinyl and synthetic fibers.

Design Frequency

Common practice among heavy-duty truck manufacturers is to release a new design every five to seven years. These new designs will incorporate the latest technological advances in order to enhance comfort and safety, as well as to adhere to the latest legal requirements. The design process usually requires the creation of multiple prototypes, as well as a pilot model meant to test how the truck design fairs under real-world circumstances.

Manufacturing

Depending upon the manufacturer, a heavy-duty truck may be built by one manufacturer or be composed of parts sourced from a variety of different companies. The normal practice is for the manufacturer to make its own cabs at least, with some of them also producing key components like engines, axles and transmissions. Regardless of who produces the parts, most heavy-duty trucks are created on an assembly line starting with the frame.

Shop heavy-duty trucks at Fyda Freightliner. We have 7 dealership locations, including four in Ohio, two in Pennsylvania, and one in Kentucky. We also offer parts ordering, servicing, a body shop, and a detail shop.