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Over the past few years, we’ve noticed something interesting in the building supply world — a quiet shift away from the big tandem-axle delivery trucks. More and more small and mid-sized building centres are choosing something leaner, smarter, and easier to operate: the single axle Moffett truck.
For decades, most building centres relied on large tandem trucks with 25-foot decks. They were built to move big loads across long distances — but for local deliveries, they’ve become more of a burden than a benefit. Between strict licensing requirements and limited driver availability, it’s getting harder (and more expensive) to find Class 3 or DZ licensed drivers. And for most smaller yards, those big trucks just aren’t needed anymore.
The traditional setup made sense when every delivery was massive and far from the yard. But today, most customers are only about fifteen minutes away and need a few pallets of material, not a full 25-foot load. Yet many centres kept buying big tandems because that’s what they’ve always done. The result? Overbuilt fleets, higher operating costs, and trucks that sit idle more often than they roll.
With the Home Hardware Truck Program, we started helping our building centre customers rethink their delivery setup. The single axle Moffett truck — rated at 33,000 GVW with hydraulic brakes — delivers the perfect middle ground. In Atlantic Canada and Western Canada, it can be operated with a Class 5 license (the equivalent of a G license in Ontario). That means more available drivers and faster staffing without compromising on performance. Whether it’s a Ford, Freightliner, or International, these trucks can carry a combined payload of about 11,000 pounds — just over five tons — which covers the vast majority of local deliveries.
Now, smaller building centres are running smarter fleets. They’re saving money, hiring more easily, and handling deliveries in shorter runs — often going back for a second quick load if needed. For most, that trade-off is more than worth it. Instead of chasing the biggest truck, they’re focused on what truly fits their operation.
The best truck isn’t always the biggest — it’s the one that keeps your business moving efficiently. If your building centre is ready to simplify deliveries, we can help you spec and source a single axle Moffett that fits your exact needs. Let’s build you a smarter fleet.
