A truck is a large vehicle designed to transport cargo.

Trucks vary greatly in size, from almost smaller cars like trucks to custom-built specialized freight trucks.

There are 4 main sections in any truck. This guide aims to briefly review each of them.

Cab

The cabin is where the driver is seated, it is an enclosed space. Some trucks have a space behind the cab where the driver can rest while not driving, this is called a sleeping room. There are 3 types of cab design: cab over engine (COE), cab beside engine (CBE), and conventional cabins.

Most of the COE trucks are located in and around Europe as the length is strictly regulated. The driver is seated in the cabin above the engine.

North America has the highest concentration of conventional taxis. The driver is seated behind the engine like most car drivers.

Engine side cab trucks tend to operate in specialized conditions, for example dump trucks have CBE designs

Motor

Most trucks use four-stroke diesel engines. These engines have a turbocharger and an aftercooler. Some small and medium trucks can also use gasoline engines.

Powertrain

Smaller trucks will use similar transmissions as cars and SUVs, however most large trucks will use a manual transmission without a synchro. This type of transmission requires the driver to double the clutch when upshifting or downshifting, but saves weight on the overall design of the truck.

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A truck frame, sometimes known as a ladder frame, consists of 2 parallel steel girders joined by cross members. They are almost always made of steel, although some trucks have aluminum to save weight.

Although trucks will vary between countries and even manufacturers, the list above gives you a brief overview of a truck’s anatomy.