Get to Work with Our Complete Farm Truck Guide

Are you looking for a powerful work truck that can keep up with all the demands of your busy farm?

That old, beat-up pickup truck isn’t going to cut it if you want to keep growing and expanding your business! That’s why more and more farms and agricultural businesses are choosing to upgrade to service trucks– trucks that can do the heavy lifting and hauling for you and act as a mobile workshop to help you keep everything up and running smoothly.

 

Get to Work with Our Complete Farm Truck Guide

Our Portland truck shop put together this in-depth guide to farm service trucks to help you make an informed decision and smart investment. In the sections below, we’ll walk you through the many types of beds, bodies, and accessories favored by farms around the country, and provide some tips to help you choose the best option for your farm — because one size does not fit all!

Buying a service truck for your farm or agricultural business is an investment in the future of your business. Below are some of the key benefits that come with having a service truck on the farm:

• • They provide more storage for the wide range of tools and equipment you need to keep things running smoothly on your farm. And they keep your valuable tools secure and protected from the elements.
  • Service trucks act as a workshop on wheels. Because you’ll have everything you need within an arm’s reach, you’ll reduce the need to go back and forth between places around the farm and your shop. This will help make your day-to-day life easier and improve your productivity and efficiency.
  • Service trucks are more versatile than standard pickup trucks and can tackle a wide range of tasks, from everyday repairs to heavy-lifting, hauling, and mechanical work.
  • They’re able to haul heavier loads and larger fuel tanks. This is necessary in order to efficiently refill tanks of larger tractors and combines acquired by larger farms.
  • As your farm grows and you add more and more equipment, service trucks will be more able to keep up with your growing needs.

Now that you better understand the benefits of farm service trucks, let’s explore your options!

 

Agriculture Truck Body Options & Accessories

There are many different service truck bed and body options that can help improve the efficiency and productiveness of your farm. We’ve highlighted a few of the most popular types of service trucks used by the agricultural industry below:

Flatbeds: Flatbeds or platform body trucks are a staple of any farm truck fleet. They’re perfect for hauling a wide range of equipment and materials, whether it be feed, crops, fertilizer, or any other agricultural products. To maximize the versatility of your flatbed, consider adding accessories such as stake sides to transform the flatbed into a tall cargo hauler, a hoist for dumping, d-rings or tie-downs to secure your load, toolboxes or storage packs, and a hitch or receiver to tow a trailer.

Goosenecks: Gooseneck trailers are frequently used on farms to haul equipment trailers or livestock trailers. Accessories can be added to gooseneck truck bodies to make them even more productive, including bulkheads, receiver hitches, integrated toolboxes for storage, and side stakes or sideboards to keep cargo secure.

Gooseneck/Service Body Hybrids: These hybrid trucks, which combine the hauling capabilities of gooseneck trailers with the extensive storage solutions of service body trucks, are very popular in the agricultural industry. Consider adding accessories like mechanics drawers, power locks, and D-rings to take your setup to the next level.

Mechanics Trucks: Investing in a mechanics truck will help keep your farm equipment up and running and minimize any disruptions to your productivity. Because mechanics trucks tend to come with cranes for lifting heavy equipment, plenty of external storage compartments, and other tools such as welders or compressors, they are a versatile and powerful truck option for all kinds of farmers and agricultural businesses. Although mechanics service trucks (especially those with cranes)  are typically more expensive, it’s worth it for many businesses that require a lot of heavy lifting and/or frequent equipment repairs. As with other service trucks, there are tons of accessories to ramp up the capabilities of your mechanics truck, including air compressors, lube skids and grease drums, welders, cargo enclosures, auxiliary power units, and much more.

Fortunately, all of the truck types outlined above can be customized with additional equipment and accessories to boost the organization and productivity of your agricultural business.

 

Considerations When Picking Your Farm Service Truck

With so many great options and accessories out there, it can be hard to narrow down your search. Below are some key questions and considerations to keep in mind during your search for the perfect farm service truck:

• • First and foremost, what do you need your farm work truck to do? Make a list of all the things you’ll be using your truck for and what capabilities you need. It’s a good idea to think ahead and factor in some potential growth, so that your farm won’t “outgrow” the new truck in a few years.
  • What do you need to store in your truck? Look back at all the repairs and servicing you completed in the last year and take inventory of all the tools and equipment you needed to complete the tasks. Think of how much time you could save by storing them all neatly in one mobile workshop!
  • How many people will ride in your truck on a regular basis? You’ll want a cab that can fit everyone comfortably and safely.
  • How much horsepower will you need to tackle all the jobs on your list? There are 4-cylinder, 6-cylinder, and V8 engines available. More horsepower might mean less fuel economy, but it’s probably worth sacrificing some mileage in order to handle more heavy-duty jobs.
  • What will you be hauling and how long of a truck bed will you need? Standard short beds are 6 feet and long beds are 8 feet, but there are also larger options available if you need them.
  • What kind of towing capacity will you need? This will impact what kind of rear-end gearing you need for your drive axle.
  • Do you prefer a service body made of aluminum, steel, or composite materials? While steel is incredibly strong, aluminum is much more lightweight and resistant to corrosion over time.
  • Will the truck ever leave the farm? This will impact the type of insurance coverage you’ll need.
  • Can you find an existing truck to meet all your farming needs or do you need a custom farm truck? Although custom trucks can be more expensive, they will be more attuned to your specific needs and everyday tasks.
  • What kind of additional accessories can you add to your truck to make your day-to-day easier and more efficient? Will you need a crane? A trailer? There are many, many options available, so be sure to do your research!

If you’re still unsure about what type of work truck is best for your farm, consult with a truck customization specialist to explore more options based on your specific industry needs, goals, and budget.

 

Top Tools to Have in Your Farm Truck Shop

The tools you’ll want to store in your farm truck will of course vary depending on the type of farming you do and the day-to-day tasks you’ll be tackling. In general, every farm work truck should be stocked with some basic supplies like duct tape and cable ties and some basic tools like wrenches, pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, and mechanical tools. It’s also a good idea to store some emergency equipment like a flashlight, some jumper cables, an emergency flare, and a first aid kit in case of an accident or emergency. If you live in a cold climate, you should also carry some winter weather equipment. The very best way to ensure you have plenty of storage for all these tools and more is to up-fit your farm work truck with some custom storage solutions or accessories.

 

How Much is a Farm Truck? 

The price of a new farm truck depends on many factors, such as the type of service truck you choose, its size, whether it’s light, medium, or heavy-duty, the accessories you add on, and the level of customization you need, just to name a few. To give you a sense of the average price range, new flatbed trucks can cost anywhere from $40,000 to $80,000. Then you should factor in the cost of some accessories. For example, adding on a gooseneck hitch to your truck costs between $800 to $2,800 on average.

Keep in mind that these are just general figures; the best way to get an accurate cost estimate for your farm truck is to request and compare farm truck quotes from several different companies.

Although the upfront costs of a new truck for your farm may seem daunting, think about how much time you’ll be able to save with a service truck that can carry all your equipment and handle so many different jobs. In the long-run, you’re likely to save money as your productivity reaches new heights!

Take Your Time Choosing the Right Farm Work Truck

As you can imagine, investing in a work truck for your farm can drastically improve your day-to-day, especially if the truck is customized to meet your specific needs and goals. Because there are so many different body, bed, and accessory options available, take your time considering your needs and exploring your options thoroughly. Once you’re ready to get down to the nitty-gritty details, be sure to work with a truck customization company that has experience partnering with the agricultural industry and can help you come up with an ideal setup.

Pacific Truck Colors in Portland, Oregon is a one-stop truck fleet shop serving all kinds of industries, including the agricultural industry, in the Pacific Northwest. We carry only the highest quality truck equipment at competitive prices. Our knowledgeable and experienced team members are incredibly passionate about making your truck as efficient and productive as it can possibly be! Contact us today to explore the possibilities.