Not all utility truck bodies are made equal.
And…
Not all utility truck bodies are built to fit your specific business needs.
Now that we got that out of the way, there are a mess of options, features and considerations to bear in mind when seeking a utility truck body that will compliment and optimize your business.
We are going to explore essentially every one of them, so that you can make an informed and advantageous decision when it is time to pull the trigger on your next utility bed.
Without further ado… this is the ultimate utility truck body buyers guide.
Aluminum Service Bodies vs. Steel
There is a ton of information readily available online that compares and contrasts the benefits of aluminum versus that of steel.
Given the modern technological advances in aluminum alloys, aluminum truck bodies are probably your best bet for the future.
Aluminum has a composite weight that is about 1/3 of steel, which in turn, provides utility truck bodies with a 65% increase in available weight distribution that would usually be assigned to the body.
The result is an increase in payload and accessory options.
Back to aluminum technology…
With the advancements in aluminum alloys, utility truck bodies can utilize aluminum service bodies without sacrificing strength, longevity, or propensity to wear.
Major chassis and consumer truck manufacturers are already taking this into account, and utilizing aluminum for standard truck beds.
Not only will aluminum’s light weight provide more hauling options, it alleviates the risk of rust damaging the utility truck body, further increasing its longevity and sustainability.
Enclosed Service Bodies vs. Open Deck
Another consideration that is less black and white is that of enclosures against open truck beds when it comes to utility truck bodies.
The enclosed body types can come in several different shapes and sizes, but one thing remains (you know, that it’s enclosed).
With that being said, enclosed service bodies can be constructed to serve a multitude of industries, including electricians, plumbers, general contractors, and more.
The question that you must ask when deciding whether or not to enclose your utility truck body is (this is actually pretty simple): what do I need to haul?
Not really ground-breaking stuff, I know.
However, the size of the tools and apparatuses you haul is crucial to consider when looking at new or used utility truck bodies.
Ensuring that you have a way to not only haul, but protect your cargo in-transit and on-site should be at the forefront of your considerations.
Many service truck body manufacturers have enclosed solutions, and some provide custom enclosed solutions for industry and job-specific requirements (like JOMAC).
Now…
If you are regularly subjected to hauling cargo or tools that can be exposed to the elements, foregoing an enclose is A-OK.
After all, an open-air utility truck bed allows for more possibilities to be hauled upon it’s bed.
It all comes down to the intended use and industry served, when basing a decision whether or not to include an enclosure on a utility truck body.
Decking for Safety
Ensuring that your deck has some form of non-slip coating is essential for any industry or business.
A non-slip utility truck bed can be the difference between lost time and insurance claims and business as usual.
It really is that essential. Non-slip coatings for utility truck beds will almost certainly save thousands of dollars and weeks of lost-time and paperwork.
Whether you opt for aluminum diamond plate tread, synthetic polymer, or heavy-duty rubber skid mats, be certain to make sure that your utility truck bed is lined with it.
Yes, even if you are an independent contractor who has the balance of a puma, you need to cover yourself against any unforeseen mishaps.
Do it.
Cabinet Sizing
Cabinet sizing is more of a technical component than some other parameters to consider when seeking a utility truck body.
Reason being, you should aggressively measure and estimate exactly what you intend to store within the confines of each cabinet, prior to acquiring the utility body.
This takes planning and preparation for sure, but it will pay off dividends in the long run.
Obviously, when buying used utility truck bodies, less is in your control and you will have to make some compromises (most likely).
Still, even when searching for used utility bodies, knowing the exact measurements and storage requirements that your utility truck body will need can save you a lot of headache in the future.
We urge you to please take this into consideration before you begin your utility truck body trek.
Knowing the measurements and storage requirements allows you to make an educated and well-thought out decision when it comes to cabinet space and availability.
Ensuring that all of the pivotal tools-of-the-trade are able to be stored upon your service truck is like making sure all of your belongings will fit in a new home.
Ever moved into a new home that doesn’t have enough space for all of your stuff. It creates issues. You have to sell things (that you may not want to sell), or rent a storage unit.
It’s a pain.
The same principle applies to utility truck bodies.
Make sure all of your belongings have a home.
When looking at new utility truck bodies (as opposed to used) you have more opportunity to make certain that you will have the necessary storage to get your job done efficiently.
And after all, that’s kind of the point of a utility truck body. To make sure that all of your tools have a home, allowing you to do your job more efficiently.
Don’t miss this.
Take the time to plan out what needs stored, how much space it will take up, and what specific requirements you will need to make absolutely certain that the utility body assists you in doing your job more efficiently without hassle.
Cabinet Handle Comparison
Some may think this detail is diving too deep into minor details, but…
Those people are wrong.
Cabinet handles and latches are among the most frequently damaged components of a utility body.
It makes sense, considering they are used every…single…day.
But…
The quality of a utility truck box latch or handle can influence the overall functionality of the service bed. Let’s look at that a little closer.
So… let’s say there is a scenario where you own a utility truck that has cheap service cabinet latches.
Who cares, right?
Wrong….
Every time a truck body latch or handle breaks or needs a good fixin’ it takes time.
And time is something that we can sometimes not have enough of.
So… if a utility truck body has cabinet latches that are cheap and need to be repaired frequently, you are going to waste time repairing them. The classic, you get what you pay for conundrum.
Furthermore, the higher quality latches that service truck cabinets have, the longer overall lifecycle the service body will have and the more protection against the elements you have for the often expensive “tools of the trade.”
Protect your tools and your time. Investigate the quality of latches and handles that come equipped with a utility body before you make the investment.
It’s worth the extra step in the long run.
Cabinet Door Closer Comparison
Another component that goes overlooked too often is the quality of door closers that service the truck body cabinets.
The door closers, while a small component of the overall utility truck box, serve to protect the cargo stored inside and protect the longevity of the cabinet doors.
If the cabinet doors are being opened and closed regularly (which if you own a utility truck, I assume they would be) they are going to be subject to extensive wear.
The cabinet door closers can alleviate that wear by ensuring a smooth opening and closing without excess force.
This will in-turn, alleviate extensive wear over the lifecycle of the truck body.
By seeking a truck cabinet with pneumatic or hydraulic door closers that shut the cabinet doors easily and prevent harsh closing, you can prevent cabinet door damage, both cosmetic and structural.
Cab to Axle Body Sizing
After clearing details necessary on the truck body cabinets, getting an accurate cab to axel size for the utility body is going to be essential.
Cab to axle is exactly that: the length of the truck body from the back of the truck cab to the center of the rear axle.
This figure will allot you the opportunity to determine how much truck body space you will need to work with and also help the utility truck body manufacturer (if buying new) present a number of options with body length.
The cab to axle figure is essential, even if buying used for an existing chassis.
Only certain utility truck body sizes can logistically work with certain chassis sizes.
Know the numbers that you need to work with and the entire buying and acquisition process will be much easier.
Cabinet Lighting Consideration
When examining options for utility truck body cabinets, lighting is usually an after-thought.
Now…
If you do 95% of your work during the day-time hours, cabinet lighting probably is going to land on the essential checklist for a utility body.
However, if you work in an industry that is subject to late-night or emergency service calls, it is something that deserves its share of consideration.
Cabinet lighting can be easily installed on both new and used utility truck bodies, and it can be a life-saver when it comes to work after dusk.
Major advancements in technology and availability has allowed LED lighting in truck body cabinets to be a common up-fit feature (much to the happiness of professionals working after the sun has set.)
Consider lighting options you may need down the road (pun intended) to make late-night work run more smoothly.
Either that or use a Maglite to find every tool you need when visibility is at a low-point.
We suggest considering the former.
Fixed vs Rolling Drawers
Shelving is of the utmost importance on a utility truck.
After all, the purpose of the utility truck is to house your tools and make your job more efficient.
In most all cases, utility trucks will feature either fixed or roller drawer shelving, allowing for easier organization and storage.
Determine whether you will need the additional features of roller shelving (as it can be a huge time-saver in many instances).
Roller drawer shelving will allow for easy access to multiple levels of storage quickly and easily.
Manufacturers and upfitters can install roller shelving with relative ease, and it is especially useful for those who find themselves working in situations that can be time-sensitive or after-dusk service calls.
Fixed shelving is more of a standard solution that also allows for precise organization.
Fixed shelving can be more useful for storage of odd shaped tools and cargo, that may not fit flush within a drawer. You sacrifice the feature of grab-and-go accessibility, but gain the freedom to store items that may not fit flush within a drawer unit.
This is all preference and requirement based. Assess what will work best for you, and implement accordingly.
GVWR and Payloads when selecting Chassis
We cannot stress this enough.
Know what your intended chassis’s GVWR is prior to any search for a utility truck body.
It will allow you to accurately determine what your options are as far as payload potentials, truck body weights and more.
We have an entire article dedicated to determining your GVWR that you can read here.
Fastening Approaches
If you intend to run a utility truck body with an open deck, think about what potential fastening apparatuses you may need to secure any loose cargo.
Fastening features can be upfitted to truck body specifications, allowing seamless strapping and securing cargo.
To often, “out-of-the-box” utility truck bodies will forego any additional strapping and securing features, leaving the end-user scrambling to figure out creative ways to secure cargo.
It should not be that way.
When seeking used utility bodies, determine whether they will need to have fastening features (and price out the cost implementing the fastening features yourself after acquisition).
When looking at new utility bodies, find a manufacturer that can implement fastening features that you will require.
If you never need to secure cargo, high-five yourself, because none of this will apply to you and you can move on to the next step!
Warranty Analysis
Finally, and this should be quite obvious, check the warranty status.
This gets a little trickier when purchasing used, but when acquiring a new utility body it should be paramount.
Most all manufacturers provide some type of warranty, but knowing your options and the stipulations is important in making an educated investment.
Look for longevity and service of warranty, and you will save insurmountable headaches down the road.
Most standard warranties will run 10 years, if you are looking for a benchmark.
