Upgrading equipment isn’t really something business owners look forward to. Nonetheless, it must be done (and it must be done in a smart way.)
Service truck bodies and service truck beds provide a great deal of value to businesses and contractors over their lifecycle, but when wear and age set in, they can be a burden.
From rusted cabinets to dangerous truck bed floor weakening, it is best to upgrade when the signs of wear are still questionable. Otherwise, the cost of malfunction and safety concerns could be a substantial hazard to your workers and your bottom line.
When the scars of hard work begin to show, look to better options with increased lifecycle guarantees and well-built designs…
Here’s what to look for to judge whether an upgrade is necessary
Rust
Rust is a killer for all service truck bodies (and really any automotive asset in general).
Rust is a sign that your truck body has lived a hard-working life and might be ready to retire.
Obviously degrees of rust vary, but anytime oxidation begins to eat away at the tool you use to carry all of your tools, it is time to look for something fresh.
Risks range from water damaged tools to actual roadway danger. While it may not seem immediate, a rusted service body can cause real problems. Anytime rust persists, look to upgrade as soon as you can.
Service Truck Bed Floor Damage
This often gets overlooked, but any damages to the floor of your service truck bed can result in costly (and dangerous!) consequences.
If you or your employees spend any time climbing around your truck body, it is essential that the damage be repaired or the truck body be replaced as soon as possible.
Business damages are on thing, but the safety of you or your employees is on a completely different level.
Truck bed floor damages could result in bodily harm, substantial roadway danger, as well as the inability to haul cargo or tools with peace of mind.
When it comes to safety, it is always best to err to the side of caution and get any immediate truck bed issues handled immediately: whether through repair or total service truck body upgrades.
Cosmetic Costs
While the two previous upgrade warnings take safety and damage into account, cosmetic issues with your truck body can result in a different business damage.
Like it or not, your service truck body is a direct extension of your business and often the first impression a customer or client has of your business.
Rust, wear, and damage to your service truck gives off a questionable vibe to your customers.
Now… there will always be some signs of wear on any service truck body that has been out in action; that is to be understood.
However, if your truck body is approaching the end of its lifecycle and looks like it belongs in the salvage yard, it might be time to send it there.
Even if the work performed for the customer/client is perfect, you run the risk of that negative appearance impression standing in the way of a job well-done.
This could even compound and spread to others through online reviews or word of mouth.
Maintaining your truck fleet appearances is an important factor in reputation management and should not be ignored.
So What Do You Look For When Shopping an Upgrade?
There are countless factors to consider when looking to upgrade your service truck body. Industry specialization, features, warranties and materials should all play a factor.
While specialization and features will vary from industry to industry, there are three central priorities you should take into account when upgrading your truck body…
Aluminum
There is no reason to chose any other service truck body material than aluminum. Great advances in alloy technology allow aluminum to now offer all of the heavy-duty benefits of steel without the added weight and propensity to rust within years.
Really, aluminum is rust-proof. It is highly unlikely, if not impossible, for aluminum to rust or wear away like a steel service truck body will inevitably do.
This completely eliminates the possibility of future issues with rust and makes for a sound investment, now and in the future.
If you couple that with aluminum’s light weight properties (weighs about 1/3 of steel), you will see immediate benefits from gas mileage to payload capacities.
If you upgrade, upgrade to aluminum.
Design and Construction
Choosing a service truck body upgrade should involve some research into the actual design and fabrication process of the truck body manufacturer.
Ensuring that the manufacturer of your truck body uses quality materials throughout the truck body fabrication process is essential to the longevity and durability of your upgraded truck body.
Everything from the truck cabinet hinges and latches to the design of the truck bed floor should be considered.
While there are some high-quality truck body manufacturers in the market, some large production companies cut corners and use cheap parts to increase profit margins, returning the burden of repair to you, the consumer.
And while we aren’t suggesting every manufacturer does this, we ask that you consider taking a look at the fabrication process and materials prior to upgrading your service body.
It is a smart way to make sure you get the most for your money and the best quality service truck body for your business.
Warranty
Of course, you know to check for a warranty. We know that.
However, make sure that the warranty on a truck body makes sense and provides you with protection on your investment moving forward.
Inspecting the warranty when selecting a service truck body upgrade will help you make the right decision and ultimately the most profitable decision in regards to the future of your business.
