Not all service truck beds are created equally, and you should keep that in mind when you are on the prowl for a new/used one.
There are several intricate steps that go into the production of a service truck bed, and each of these steps makes a monumental difference in quality.
It is all dependent upon the manufacturer.
To help you find the best possible service truck bed for your business and work, please take the following into account when shopping the market.
Service Truck Bed Origin
Where does is the truck bed manufactured and how is it manufactured?
When seeking aftermarket or used truck beds, this is even more crucial as the lines can get blurry as to where it actually came from.
In an effort to ensure that you have the best possible fit for your business, do some research on any used service truck bed prior to making an appointment to see it and/or purchasing it.
Check the manufactured year, materials used, and any outstanding warranty that may still be applicable from the manufacturer.
It is also equally as important to research where and how the service truck bed is made.
No, this is not overkill. This can save you thousands in the long run and alleviate several headaches.
The reasoning behind researching the origin of the manufacturer will give you a ton of insight as to what type of support you are likely to receive, how quickly repairs can be rectified, and what kind of lead time you will be looking at for individual part orders (if necessary).
This leads us to the next category:
OEM Parts and Availability
When acquiring a new/used service truck bed, you need to know what kind of customer service you will receive in the event of parts needing replacement.
Some manufacturers use independent suppliers for several parts that make up a service truck bed, which can make the process even more daunting.
In this case (yet again), a little research on the service truck body manufacturer goes a long way.
The best case scenario is that the manufacturer either:
A) Produces the individual parts in house
B) Keeps stock surplus for aftermarket orders and requests
Really, what it comes down to is finding a truck bed with a manufacturer that can be easily contacted so when those “unforeseeable circumstances” arise, you can make repairs quickly and diminish any down time.
Service Truck Bed Manufacturing Materials
This is the big kahuna.
We urge you to probe what materials are used to construct a service truck bed prior to making any sort of purchasing decision.
In modern truck bed manufacturing, you will see that there are often several options. That does not mean that all options are in your best interest.
We believe (wholeheartedly, I might add) that any service truck bed worth its weight should be constructed from aluminum alloy.
The benefits far outweigh any disadvantages.
Modern alloy technology has allowed aluminum to possess similar strength to stainless steel, weigh significantly less (50% or higher in most instances), reduce fuel costs up to 30%, and prevent rust and oxidation deterioration.
Aluminum is the only long-term service truck bed solution.
Our belief in this statement is why JOMAC offers a limited-lifetime warranty on all aluminum service truck beds. (Read more about that here).
Upfitting options
Upfitting will only apply to those shopping new truck beds, but what a world of difference it makes.
Sorry to state the obvious, but upfitted and custom service truck beds provide benefits to the user and operator that standard truck beds simply can’t.
If you are looking to get the maximum efficiency and usability out of your service truck bed, upfitting is something that we stress you should consider.
Tailoring a service truck bed to fit your needs is not as costly as many would think.
Some larger truck body manufacturers will quote excessively steep numbers when asked to upfit because it will interfere with their production cycle. In all reality, upfitting should only cost a fraction of what the general public would be lead to believe.
Your best bet is to find a custom truck bed manufacturer, as they will be able to provide the best value for your budget and provide a personalized approach to creating your own truck bed.
Additional Features Available?
Looking for additional features or “perks” on your truck bed can be a process in and of itself.
It is our belief that anyone who owns (or is seeking to own) a service truck bed has specialized needs that should be addressed upon selection features for the work.
This ties in with upfitting, but it goes deeper.
Additional features can be as major as truck mounted cranes and as minor as custom truck box LED lighting. The spectrum is quite broad, and it should be.
Having the freedom to choose between several features and options will allow you build out a service truck bed to best serve your needs.
