Truck

A truck is a motor vehicle designed mainly to transport goods and equipment. Unlike a passenger car, it has a separate or integrated cargo area that can be adapted for different jobs. Depending on its purpose, a truck may carry boxes, food, construction materials, machinery, or liquids.

Many trucks use diesel engines because they can produce strong pulling power and are suited to carrying heavy loads over long distances, although electric and other types of powertrains are also increasingly used. The engine sends power through a transmission to the driven wheels, while the suspension helps support the load and absorb bumps in the road.

Trucks come in many sizes, from small delivery vehicles to large heavy-duty vehicles used for long-distance transport. A truck must be designed to handle both its own weight and the weight of its cargo safely. Its frame, axles, tires, brakes, and suspension are therefore built according to the loads it is expected to carry. Heavy trucks often use several axles to distribute weight over the road and improve stability.

When a truck is loaded, its center of mass can change, which may affect how it behaves when turning or braking. For this reason, cargo must be secured and distributed correctly, and the vehicle must remain within its permitted weight limits. Trucks are an important part of supply chains: they connect factories, farms, warehouses, shops, construction sites, and other locations. Their flexibility allows goods to be delivered directly to places that may not be served by rail or other forms of transport.