Lorry
A lorry is a large vehicle used for transporting goods or people. The word is likely to have originated from the verb, lurry which meant to lug or pull about. It first appeared as meaning a low-loading trolley, pulled by a horse or a freight carrying rail car, most probably the first transport lorries. The term truck might also be used to describe a lorry but is more common in the US and might refer to slightly smaller lorries for example pick-up truck or truck driver.
It is more formally referred to as a Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) in law, which are large lorries that are designed for long haul road transport.
According to the UK Department of Transport there are 3 types of HGVs:
- Smaller 2-Axle Lorries – The UK maximum gross weight in tonnes for these vehicles is over 3.5.
- Bigger 2-Axle Lorries – The UK maximum gross weight in tonnes for these vehicles is over 7.5.
- Multi-Axle Lorries – These vehicles can either have 3, 4, 5 or 6 axles. These vehicles can either be rigid or articulated. The UK maximum gross weight in tonnes for these vehicles ranges from 25 to 44.
Rigid lorries are so called because the tractor and trailer are fixed securely to each other, which makes the driving experience similar to that of a car. Articulated lorries or artics are so called because the tractor and trailer are two separate distinct parts so loads can be more easily and quickly changed.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Boosting electric vehicle use.
The case for a new road-user charging scheme in London
Van.
Featured articles and news
Designing sustainability and performance into buildings
Specifying and selecting sustainable resilient timber products.
Modifying wood to improve resistance to decay and movement.
A last minute, long look for built environment professionals.
The architecture of creative reuse. Book review.
Installing solar panels on listed structures.
Sustainable development global goals, history in progress?
"Unless we act now, the 2030 Agenda will become an epitaph for a world that might have been."
Mike Kagioglou FCIOB named CIOB President
'Sustainable Development Goals must be focus for construction'
BSRIA training; a look at what's on offer
From energy management to compliance training.
TESP video warns to beware of rogue trainers.
Highlighting the slippery tactics of non-approved providers.
New Building Safety Wiki launched
Boosting awareness and understanding of the new fire safety regime.
New playbook on AI in construction published by CIOB
How to get to grips with, and the best from AI.
Digital Construction Report NBS
BIM, cloud, off-site, immersive tech, AI, twins and sustainability.
ECA learning zone and industry focus video series
From updates and amendments to circular economy, emergency lighting and much more.