Blogs & Insight

Know the Types of Trucks and Their Functions Before Choosing!

July 23, 2026

Trucks play an important role in the logistics process because they can transport large volumes of goods. Each type of truck has a different function depending on the type of cargo, shipment volume, and delivery route.

Therefore, choosing the right truck is essential to ensure a smooth distribution process. One example of a specialized truck is a cold chain vehicle, which is designed to maintain a stable temperature throughout transportation.

This type of truck is commonly used across various industries that handle frozen food, pharmaceuticals, or chemicals, including industries that require cold chain facilities.

To help you choose the right truck for your needs, let's explore the different types of trucks and their functions in the following article!

Types of Trucks and Their Functions

Each type of truck has different functions and specifications depending on shipping requirements, ranging from small trucks for urban distribution to refrigerated trucks that maintain stable product temperatures.

Below are some of the most commonly used truck types in the logistics industry and their respective functions.

1. Wing Box

The wing box truck is one of the most commonly used trucks in logistics. It features two side doors that open upward like wings, making loading and unloading much easier.

Generally, this truck has two axles with a configuration similar to a tronton truck and is also commonly known as a tronton wing box or engkel wing box.

2. Trailer

Trailer trucks have a carrying capacity of 20 to 60 tons, with a trailer length of up to 14 meters and a width of 2.5 meters.

This type consists of 20-foot trailers with 4 to 5 axles and 40-foot trailers with 6 axles and a total of 16–24 wheels. Both types are available in low bed, flatbed, box, and flat track variants.

3. Tronton

A tronton truck has three axles—one at the front and two at the rear—with a total of 10 wheels, and can carry loads of up to 10 tons.

This type of truck is commonly used by logistics and freight companies to transport containers carrying various types of cargo.

4. Trintin

A trintin truck is similar to a tronton truck but features an additional axle in the middle to support a longer container body.

Equipped with an FWS (Four Wheel Steering) system, this truck allows four wheels to steer simultaneously—one at the front, one in the middle, and two at the rear. Due to its larger size, it has a carrying capacity of up to 20 tons.

5. Trinton

A trinton truck is a freight vehicle with four axles, where the two front axles steer together and the two rear axles are positioned close to each other.

This truck can carry loads of up to 30 tons and has dimensions similar to an articulated truck or trailer.

6. Dump Truck

A dump truck is a two-axle vehicle positioned one class above an engkel truck and is available in two categories: light dump trucks with a payload capacity of 7–10 tons, and medium dump trucks with a capacity of up to 16 tons.

7. Pick-Up or Small Truck

Pick-up or small trucks are available in single-cabin and double-cabin models.These trucks are generally used to transport loads of up to 1.5 tons or approximately 1.5 CBM, although some manufacturers also produce models with capacities of up to 6 CBM. This type of truck can also be converted into a refrigerated truck.

8. Fuso

A Fuso truck is a large truck with two to four axles and four to six wheels.This type of truck can carry loads ranging from 5 to 12 tons, with a width of approximately 2–2.5 meters, a height of 2.2–2.7 meters, and a cargo volume of around 10–20 cubic meters. Fuso trucks are commonly used as refrigerated trucks in logistics operations.

9. Refrigerated Truck

Refrigerated trucks are commonly used in cold chain systems for short-distance deliveries.

These vehicles are equipped with temperature control systems that maintain product freshness during distribution to nearby stores or restaurants.

Ice transport trucks are among the most commonly used cold chain vehicles because they are equipped with advanced refrigeration systems that maintain stable temperatures. They are suitable for transporting frozen products, dairy products, meat, fish, and pharmaceutical products that require low temperatures during transportation.

10. Cold Chain Container

Cold chain containers are used for large-scale shipments via sea or air freight.

Equipped with advanced temperature control systems, these containers preserve the quality of temperature-sensitive products such as fresh food, sensitive chemicals, and pharmaceutical products during long-distance transportation.

Those are the various types of trucks and their functions, which can be selected according to your shipping requirements. If you are looking for a transportation solution for temperature-sensitive goods, MGM Bosco's refrigerated truck service is the right choice.

As one of Indonesia's leading cold chain logistics providers, MGM Bosco operates more than 1,000 refrigerated trucks equipped with thermo loggers and GPS.

This technology enables real-time monitoring of both truck location and temperature, ensuring that product quality is maintained until it reaches customers.

Supported by an advanced transportation management system and more than 20 years of experience, MGM Bosco ensures deliveries are timely, efficient, and compliant with industry standards.