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Lorry Financing SME Guide Comparison

5-Ton vs 10-Ton Lorry: Which is Right for Your SME?

Choosing the right lorry size impacts your financing costs, operational efficiency, and profit margins. This comprehensive comparison helps Malaysian SMEs make the smart financing decision.

Updated January 23, 2025
12 min read
RM 1,500-4,000
Monthly Installment
5,000-10,000 kg
Cargo Capacity
8-12 km/L
Fuel Efficiency
Up to 7 Years
Financing Tenure

Quick Comparison: 5-Ton vs 10-Ton Lorry

Feature 5-Ton Lorry 10-Ton Lorry
Purchase Price RM 80,000 - 150,000 RM 150,000 - 300,000
Monthly Installment (7 years) RM 1,500 - 2,500 RM 2,500 - 4,000
Cargo Capacity 5,000 kg 10,000 kg
Fuel Consumption 8-12 km/liter 5-8 km/liter
Annual Maintenance RM 2,000 - 3,500 RM 3,000 - 5,000
License Requirements Class D (Car license) Class D (Car license)
Urban Maneuverability Excellent Good

When to Choose a 5-Ton Lorry

Ideal For:

  • Urban Last-Mile Delivery: Navigating narrow streets, residential areas, and city centers
  • E-commerce SMEs: Delivering multiple smaller orders to different locations
  • Furniture & Appliances: Medium-sized cargo requiring careful handling
  • Start-up Logistics: Lower initial investment and monthly commitments
  • Part-Time Operations: Business owners who also drive the lorry themselves

5-Ton Lorry Financing Benefits

  • Lower monthly installments (RM 1,500-2,500)
  • Better fuel efficiency (8-12 km/liter)
  • Easier to park and maneuver in urban areas
  • Lower insurance and road tax costs
  • Sufficient for 70% of SME logistics needs

5-Ton Lorry Use Cases

Online Retailers

Delivering furniture, appliances, e-commerce packages within Klang Valley

Construction Materials

Transporting tiles, cement, building supplies to residential projects

Food & Beverage

Restaurant supplies, event catering, small-scale distribution

Moving Services

Household moving, office relocation, student dormitory transfers

When to Choose a 10-Ton Lorry

Ideal For:

  • Port Haulage: Container transport from Port Klang to warehouses
  • Long-Distance Logistics: Inter-state deliveries maximizing cargo per trip
  • Heavy Manufacturing: Machinery, industrial equipment, bulk materials
  • Established SMEs: Businesses with consistent high-volume contracts
  • Fleet Operations: Companies adding capacity to existing logistics network

10-Ton Lorry Financing Benefits

  • Double the cargo capacity per trip
  • Lower per-ton operating costs at full capacity
  • Better suited for Port Klang container transport
  • Higher revenue potential per delivery
  • Future-proof for business growth

10-Ton Lorry Use Cases

Container Transport

20-foot container haulage from Port Klang to inland warehouses

Industrial Materials

Steel, construction materials, heavy equipment to manufacturing sites

Wholesale Distribution

Large-scale FMCG, retail stock replenishment, regional distribution

Cross-Border Transport

Malaysia-Singapore-Thailand corridor commercial cargo

Financing Considerations by Lorry Size

Interest Rates & Loan Amounts

Financing Rate Comparison

Lorry Size Loan Amount Interest Rate Monthly (7yr)
5-Ton (New) RM 120,000 3.0% p.a. RM 1,817
5-Ton (Used) RM 60,000 3.5% p.a. RM 1,006
10-Ton (New) RM 200,000 2.88% p.a. RM 2,826
10-Ton (Used) RM 100,000 3.3% p.a. RM 1,533

Diesel Price Impact Analysis

With diesel at RM 3.35/litre (up 55% from June 2024), fuel efficiency becomes critical. SKDS 2.0 subsidy eligibility depends on proper documentation and fleet registration.

Monthly Fuel Cost Comparison (2,000 km/month)

  • 5-Ton (10 km/L): 200 liters Γ— RM 3.35 = RM 670/month
  • 10-Ton (6.5 km/L): 308 liters Γ— RM 3.35 = RM 1,032/month
  • Annual Difference: RM 4,344 more fuel for 10-ton
  • Break-Even: If 10-ton carries 2Γ— cargo, fuel cost per kg is lower

Decision Framework: Which Lorry for Your SME?

Choose 5-Ton If:

  • Operating within cities/Klang Valley
  • Cargo typically under 3 tons per trip
  • Multiple delivery stops per route
  • Starting or expanding SME fleet
  • Monthly installment budget under RM 2,500

Choose 10-Ton If:

  • Port Klang haulage or long-distance routes
  • Cargo consistently 5+ tons per trip
  • Point-to-point delivery (few stops)
  • Established business with stable contracts
  • Can handle RM 2,500-4,000 monthly installment

Frequently Asked Questions

Which lorry size is better for SME logistics businesses?

5-ton lorries offer lower monthly installments (RM 1,500-2,500) and are easier to maneuver in urban areas. 10-ton lorries have higher capacity (RM 2,500-4,000 monthly) but are better suited for long-haul and heavy cargo. Choose based on your typical cargo weight and route requirements.

Can I get 0% down payment for both 5-ton and 10-ton lorries?

Yes, 0% down payment is available for qualified applicants on both lorry sizes. However, 10-ton lorries typically require stronger financial profiles due to higher loan amounts. Your business cash flow and credit history will determine eligibility.

What are the fuel consumption differences?

5-ton lorries typically consume 8-12 km/liter, while 10-ton lorries average 5-8 km/liter due to heavier loads and larger engines. At RM 3.35/litre, fuel costs per km are approximately RM 0.35 for 5-ton vs RM 0.50 for 10-ton lorries.

How do maintenance costs compare?

10-ton lorries have higher maintenance costs (RM 3,000-5,000/year vs RM 2,000-3,500 for 5-ton) due to larger engines, more tires, and heavier wear. However, per-ton maintenance costs are often lower for 10-ton lorries when operating at capacity.

Which has better resale value in Malaysia?

Both sizes hold value well in Malaysia's growing logistics market. 10-ton lorries generally maintain 50-60% resale value after 5 years, while 5-ton lorries retain 55-65%. Demand for both remains strong due to e-commerce growth and Port Klang expansion.

Not Sure Which Lorry Size?

Our experts can analyze your business needs and recommend the best financing option for your SME.

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