You’ve found the perfect work truck, now it’s time to find the perfect utility body. This is one of the best investments you’ll make for your business.
It is important to know what type of truck body you need. Before starting your search, make sure you have the correct truck bed measurements. You also want to know how much weight your truck can handle and still run efficiently.
Once you’ve purchased your utility body, you will want to take good care of it. Continue reading for our four tips to keep it in perfect condition.
1. Make Sure Your Utility Body is the Right Fit
If it doesn’t fit, don’t force it. The service body you love the most may not be a true fit for your Ford Ranger utility bed (for example). Using the wrong size body can lead to other problems.
A service body that is smaller than the bed itself may leave pockets where dirt and debris can gather, or water from rain and snow can settle. If not cleaned out regularly, mold, mildew and rust can become an issue.
Forcing an oversize unit into a truck bed can cause damage to the bed. This can lead to scratches, dents and other problems down the road.
2. Stay Abreast of Truck Maintenance
Performing routine maintenance on your company’s fleet is instrumental to the longevity of your trucks.
Ensuring the brakes and suspension are in great shape at all times is important. It is also a good idea to have a mechanic skilled in service trucks to check your struts and suspension.
Suspension systems for a standard truck bed size may need to be beefed up based on the size and weight of the utility body.
3. Customizations Require Extra Care
To make your utility service body everything you need, you may have certain customization done to extend the truck bed length, width or height.
Adding compartments, drawers or even hydraulic lifts, cranes and booms are common additions to your service truck body. Your business may also require space for generators to operate certain tools.
You will need to pay close attention to areas where alterations have been made to ensure doors, hinges and other parts are holding up.
Add regular inspections so you do not get caught off guard with emergency repairs.
4. Deal with Corrosion Immediately
Although truck utility bodies come with durable protective coatings, over time those finishes weaken. Once the elements penetrate the metal, corrosion can take place.
Sometimes corrosion appears in places that are not immediately visible to the eye. Have your mechanic check underneath the bed for trouble spots.
It is a good idea to schedule regular cleanings for your trucks. As the paint begins to show signs of fading, consider a new paint job. Any surface rust spots should be sanded, primed and repainted.
Conclusion
These tips are sure to help extend the life of your truck’s utility body. Your truck works hard for you, so reward it with regular care and service maintenance.
Contact us for your service and truck part needs – we are willing and able to get the job done.
