Custom work trucks are not reserved for contractors and companies that are sitting on top of a boat load of cash. JOMAC has made customizing a utility truck more affordable than ever, often being no more costly than a standard, mass produced utility truck.  

Many fleet managers and independent business owners never consider customization. The very idea of purchasing a utility body custom crafted to fit their specific work needs seems out of the budget.

Oh contraire, independent contractor/fleet manager/ business owner!

You can have a service body manufacturer custom create a tool to fulfill your every need, and you can do so on a budget!

Considering that optimizing your workflow is a reality, there are many decisions to be made.

This is the age where you can have your cake and eat it too (even though that phrase doesn’t really make sense.)

Here are some of the options you may want to consider when having your utility truck built from scratch, specific to your business, your tools, and your workflow!

1. Tool storage

Organization is essential to producing the highest quality work in the shortest amount of time.

In the world of cooking, the late Anthony Bourdain referred to the concept as “mise en place.” 

Literally translated from French, it says, “Everything in it’s place.”

The concept is essential in lines of work, and equally as crucial to performing a job at a high level. If you don’t know where a certain tool is, and you have to spend 15 minutes rummaging through a drawer, cabinet, or poorly organized tool box to find it, that is 15 minutes lost.

When it comes to tool storage, customization goes a long way. You have the options of large cabinets for heavy tool storage, modular drawers to organize wrenches and such, and specialized racks to hang your largest tools (think shovels, rakes, sledge hammers, etc.).

Nothing is off the table when having a truck built with customization in mind. Utility tool boxes can be crafted from scratch to ensure that every tool that you use has its home.

Organization is crucial. To perform at the highest level, everyone needs to have their tools “mise en place.”

There is your French lesson for the day.

2. Specialized lighting

While we wouldn’t suggest adding under lights to your work truck like a high school kid in a modified Subaru, there are countless lighting options that can aide in your work tasks. (image)

You can mount flood lights for the evenings that the job runs past sunset, and get the work done on time. Flood lights are also great for fooling your friends into thinking they have been pulled over by the police (we do not encourage this behavior, but who are we to tell you what to do?)

Flashing strobes can be installed strategically on both utility body and enclosed body service vehicles for high visibility or emergency applications. Fire and rescue vehicles can have siren systems installed alongside their custom strobe set up.

Lighting does not stop with the exterior, either!

Cabinets, tool boxes, and other enclosed spaces on a utility body can have custom lighting installed to ensure visibility in dark conditions.

Light it up!

The truck…

Light the truck up…

Moving on…

3. Cranes, trains, and airplanes

Actually, just cranes.

During the blueprint stages of creating a utility body, it is important to factor in whether or not a crane is essential to completing the highest quality of work.

A truck mounted crane can provide a slew of benefits, and being able to customize a crane to fit the specific purpose of your profession makes the world of a difference.

Selecting the right type of crane is a good place to start, as a knuckle boom will provide you with more versatility and precision, whereas a telescopic boom will provide greater reach and slightly more lifting capacity.

As a general rule of thumb, most loading and unloading tasks will be better suited for a knuckle boom crane.

For heavy-duty maneuverability, and on-site use, a telescopic crane may be the way to go.

There are many exceptions to these general guidelines. It is best to closely audit your day-to-day tasks and identify which (if any) crane would aide in making your job(s) easier.

4. Custom utility beds

All utility bodies are not created equally. Creating a custom truck bed for your daily tasks can significantly increase efficiency and ability to perform at an optimum level.

You can custom design your work truck bed, and have it built to spec so that every inch of surface area is being used for its purpose, to make your job easier.

Welding trucks, logging trucks, plumbing trucks and electrician trucks are all used for very different purposes. Settling for a one-size-fits-all utility body will ultimately come with a ton of compromise.

You shouldn’t have to compromise. It’s 2018 and you should be able to have it your way.

5. Flatbeds

Speaking of custom beds, let’s talk for a minute about the flattest of all beds (ya know, the flatbed).

A built-to-spec flatbed can alleviate a lot of the headaches that come with typical flatbed use.

You know what you need to haul, but most manufacturers do not.

This is why custom design is essential to making sure that your cargo does not have 28 ratchet straps, 32 bungie cords, 55 rubber bands, and 5 pieces of used bubble gum keeping it from flying of the bed.

By customizing, you can ensure that D-rings, eTrack, and other essential safety features are placed exactly where they need to be.

Cranes, lift gates, and hydraulics, oh my!

You know, like lions and tigers and bears…

Except about flatbed trucks…

That was a dumb joke.

6. Enclosed service bodies

Some jobs necessitate an enclosed cab or enclosed van, but you shouldn’t have to sacrifice customized workflow in the process.

Selecting an enclosed utility body allows you to reap all of the benefits of a tailor-made truck body while providing protection against elements and serving as your mobile office.

Drawers, tool boxes, cabinets, and additional storage space allow for plumbers and electricians (among other professions) to comfortably carry every piece, part, and tool necessary for their craft.

Enclosed service bodies can outfit a truck, or for more enclosed space, a chassis cab van may be the best option.

7. Stake beds

Build out your own personalized stake bed, for the heavy duty work (and beating) they are bound to take.

Have the height of your walls special designed for their intended use, not what a mass-producing manufacturer decides is an appropriate height.

This can make a world of difference in the loads that you are able to haul, and increase the functionality of your stake bed.

A multi-functional stake bed?

You betcha.

8. D-rings, eTrack, hooks, and handles

No job is the same, yet many “big box” manufacturers mass produce service and utility bodies with fastening points in the exact same location.

Let me ask you, would you strap down a propane gas tank the same way you would strap down a load of lumber?

I hope not…

Choosing precise points to install your fastening apparatuses will save a ton of headache in the field.

Safety and ease of use, as well as a more streamlined loading, unloading, and hauling process make these customization options something that no one should overlook.

Remember, you are building a truck to best suit you, your business, your work, and most importantly, your time.

9. Lift gates

Does your field of work require a lift gate to operate at a superior speed?

If so, a custom crafted service body should have a lift gate installed, rather than relying on an aftermarket installation.

Why?

First of all, it will establish that the lift gate has been installed properly to work in conjunction with the other features that you have selected for your ultimate work vehicle.

Secondly, it is probably going to be cheaper to have the installation done.

You and your business do not have time for a truck to be down for an additional installation, not to mention the issues that may come from a poorly installed lift gate.

Have the manufacturer install your lift gat as the truck is being built, as it will save you money and keep your business running smoothly.

As far as customization goes, make certain that the lift gate that you choose will have ideal lifting capabilities for its intended use.

Lift gates can add substantial weight to the overall utility truck, so bear that in mind when opting for installation.

TIP: an aluminum service body will reduce the overall weight of the truck, and allow for more add-ons, such as a lift gate.

10. Make sure it is aluminum!!!

Aluminum service truck bodies are proven to resist rusting and ensure that your truck stays up and running.

Additionally, the fuel savings can be absolutely insane. 

If longevity and cost-savings are top priorities when seeking a utility truck body, aluminum should be the only material that you consider your service body to be formed from.

Speaking of aluminum…

JOMAC’s custom aluminum service bodies are guaranteed for life.

That is hopefully way longer than you intend to be working for.

To read more about how JOMAC can craft a custom, personalized truck body to ensure your job is as easy as it can get, click the links below:

Utility Bodies

Service Truck Bodies

Accessories

Cranes

Utility Truck Lifetime Warranty

Crane 10-year Warranty

OR

If you already know exactly what you are looking for:

REQUEST A FREE QUOTE AND CONSULTATION TODAY!