Refuse Trucks

Transwest offers high-quality refuse trucks backed by top manufacturer names. Talk to our team about your options for a new or used garbage truck.

View all Refuse Trucks

About Refuse Trucks

Purchasing a refuse truck is an important investment for your business. You need to know that the truck you choose will continue to provide you with reliable service, day after day. At Transwest, we offer a high-quality inventory and offer the top manufacturers, including Freightliner. Not only do we provide you with the best options on the market for reliable refuse trucks, but we also back our inventory with experienced, knowledgeable sales staff.

A refuse truck, also known as a garbage truck, trash truck, or sanitation truck, is a vehicle focused solely on transporting refuse. Reliability, durability, and long-term operation are paramount when purchasing a refuse truck. Our team at Transwest has the experience and expertise needed to help you navigate the process of selecting the right vehicle. We can walk you through everything from the style of the refuse truck to manufacturer options.

Buying a refuse truck often necessitates financing options. Whether you are purchasing one replacement truck or looking to build out an entire fleet, we can work with you to find the financing you need. At Transwest, we are a one-stop shop where you can get help with everything from purchasing a new vehicle to finding parts. Talk to us today about our quality refuse truck inventory.

How does a refuse truck work?

Refuse trucks are unique commercial vehicles that make hauling trash efficient and simple. Commonly referred to as trash trucks or garbage trucks, a refuse truck features a unique loading system and provides on-demand compacting services. These workhorses have come a long way since the invention of the refuse truck.

Original refuse trucks worked very simply. Trash was placed in the truck and hauled to a dump where the trash was pulled out of the back of the truck.

Today’s refuse trucks are far more efficient by utilizing a few different methods for loading trash. Some feature a hopper in the front. The garbage is loaded and then lifted into the body of the truck. In other cases, automation has done away with the need for humans to load the trash at all. Arms lift garbage cans directly to the body of the truck where trash is dispensed. Either way, the trash is compacted once it enters the body of the refuse truck. This makes these vehicles efficient at hauling large amounts of refuse.

What kind of truck is a garbage truck?

A garbage or refuse truck is a style of commercial vehicle that is designed to easily haul large amounts of trash. Generally used to transport trash from residential areas to land dumps, trash trucks come in a variety of styles.

Most garbage trucks are front loaders, rear loaders, or side loaders. The style needed will depend on how it’s used. For example, a refuse truck designed to lift and empty a dumpster is different from one that’s used to handle residential trash bins. Trucks styles vary – some are manual loaders while others include arms that automatically lift trash bins and dumpsters.

Ultimately, no matter what type of refuse truck you choose, this heavy-duty vehicle will be capable of hauling large amounts of trash in an efficient manner.

What are the parts of a garbage truck called?

Garbage trucks are complex machines. Unlike typical trucks that simply haul goods, refuse trucks feature unique components that allow for on-demand trash compacting.

A garbage truck starts with the basic parts you would expect from any commercial truck: the frame, engine, transmission, wheels, and other standard components. It also features a cab with room for the operator and other trash collection workers.

More unique to this vehicle are the hopper and compactor. The hopper is the main component, where the garbage will be dumped. The compactor is a modern addition. This is a hydraulic system that works to crush and compact the refuse, allowing more trash to be hauled at once. Different styles of trash trucks also include components such as arms to lift dumpsters. Most refuse trucks provide controls that operate the arms and compactor from both inside and outside the cab.

How many tons can a refuse truck carry?

Garbage trucks are designed to handle a heavy workload. Unlike long-haul trucks, refuse trucks have a shorter wheelbase and weigh around 30,000 pounds when empty. They can carry around nine tons of trash at one time.

While a long-haul truck can carry more weight, the unique benefit of a refuse truck is its ability to compact trash as it goes. The payload may reach only nine tons, but this translates into far more than what you can haul on the back of a normal truck. The action of compacting the trash means more refuse can be hauled at a given time. Also, due to its smaller wheelbase, a refuse truck’s design makes it more practical than the typical truck for maneuvering through residential streets.

How do I choose a refuse truck?

Choosing a refuse truck is an important investment. Especially if you plan to purchase an entire fleet of garbage trucks. Be certain that you pick the right vehicle for your company’s needs.

The following should be considered when choosing a refuse truck:

The condition of the truck: Do you want a new or used truck? This decision will help you narrow down inventory.
Style: Do you need a truck that automatically lifts dumpsters, or is a simpler style that allows the hand-loading of residential trash adequate? Also, think about whether you want a front load, side load, or rear load truck.
Extra features: Assess the various options. For example, some refuse trucks have both interior and exterior control panels, while others are simpler in design.

When you are deciding on a garbage truck, one of the best things you can do is speak with an experienced sales representative who can help you explore the options available.

When I needed another truck for my fleet, I turned to the team at Transwest. They had good finance options and helped keep my daily operations running smoothly.

Harry Braton, Belton, MO

Transparency
Quality
Integrity

The Transwest Difference

When it comes to choosing a trusted resource for purchasing a commercial truck, Transwest has been a reliable partner for over 30 years. At Transwest, we focus on providing quality solutions throughout the entire process of purchasing or renting commercial trucks. Our sales teams are trained to efficiently walk you through your options and match your specific needs to the ideal vehicle. We pride ourselves on our transparent approach to the purchasing, financing, and complete sales process. Whether you are purchasing one truck for a specific task or a whole fleet of trucks for your business, we can assist you with everything you need.

We partner with the top makes in the industry to ensure that we are offering the best commercial truck options. This allows our customers to access the highest quality choices in commercial trucking. If you are currently looking to invest in a commercial truck, please let our team know how we can help. We always put our clients first and will work with you to find the best commercial truck for your situation. Transwest provides you with a one-stop-shop for all your commercial vehicle purchasing needs. From financing options to premium inventory, let us show you why Transwest is the trusted name for purchasing commercial trucks.

About Refuse Trucks

The Transwest Difference

Step Van Maintenance, Insurance, and Fleet Management Best Practices

FedEx & Safety: Where are we now, and what is on the horizon?

5 Things You Need to Know about Truck Fleet Management

Transwest Teams with Versatran to Present the Retriever

Covid-19 Package Delivery Industry Updates

Heavier Packages and Crankier Drivers – What is the Solution?

Shop Transwest for Your Laundry Delivery Units!

Route Consultant Contractor Expo 2019