The trucks
Log trucks work off-road at one end of the trip and on highways at the other, so they're built for both.
| Truck | What it does | Typical setup |
|---|---|---|
| Log truck and trailer | Hauls tree-length or cut-to-length logs from landing to mill | Tractor or straight truck with bunks and stakes; pole or fixed trailer |
| Self-loader | Loads its own logs where there's no loader on site | Knuckle-boom loader mounted behind the cab |
| Chip van | Hauls wood chips, sawdust and biomass | Tractor plus a high-cube trailer, tipper or walking floor unload |
| Forestry lowboy | Moves feller-bunchers, skidders and loaders between sites | Heavy tractor plus lowboy (see Guide No. 07) |
The people and the jobs
Logging crews are small, family-run outfits in rural forests. Mechanization means fewer fallers and more machine operators and truck drivers.
Driver pay shown is the median for all heavy truck drivers. Forest thinning to prevent wildfires is partly offsetting job losses from mechanization. Pay: BLS, May 2025.
Safety on the job
Logging has the highest fatality rate of any U.S. occupation. Most deaths involve contact with a machine or an object such as a log.
- Log securement: use the right number of wrappers and stakes for each log length, and recheck them after the first miles.
- Loading zones: stay in the cab or well clear of the loader's swing while logs are lifted.
- Mountain grades: low gears and engine brakes on descents; check brakes before steep grades.
- Logging roads: watch for narrow single-lane roads, soft shoulders and loaded trucks coming the other way.
- Fatigue and isolation: early starts and remote sites, so use check-ins and radio contact.
Fleet buyer spec checklist
Spec log trucks for the worst road on the haul, not the highway.
Resource kit
Logging & Forestry resource kit
Toolbox talks for your next crew meeting, the rules that apply most and the associations that train and represent the trade.
Toolbox talks
Links go to official and association sites. More: DOT Compliance Center · Buyer’s Guide · Parts & Maintenance
Logging & Forestry FAQ
How are logs secured on a truck?
Under 49 CFR 393.116, with stakes or bunks plus wrappers or tiedowns that meet the rule for how the logs are loaded.
What CDL do log truck drivers need?
Most log trucks are tractor-trailers or trucks with pole trailers, which require a Class A CDL.
Why is logging so dangerous?
Heavy loads, steep unpaved roads, falling timber and remote work sites. Load securement and brake checks before grades save lives.
For truck manufacturers, dealers and upfitters
Reach this industry
Logging contractors are a small but loyal market. They buy a few high-spec trucks at a time, mostly in the Southeast, Pacific Northwest, Great Lakes and Northeast.
- Sponsor this guide and family logging stories.
- Feature log trailer, bunk and self-loader builders in Spec & Upfit.
- Support log-truck safety and securement training.
- Use the Proud Partner badge at regional logging expos.