Choosing the right truck body can be overwhelming. Whether you’re in construction, utilities, mining, or any field relying on mobile service trucks, quality is crucial. A high-quality truck body isn’t just a toolbox on wheels; it’s a tool that enhances efficiency, safety, and longevity.
Let’s explore the top five features you should look for in a high-quality truck body, helping you make an informed decision that will support your operations for years to come.
1. Durability and Material Quality
Durability and material quality are essential for performance and longevity. High-quality materials, like galvannealed steel and aluminum, withstand harsh conditions and heavy use.
Why Material Quality Matters
Strength and Structural Integrity
The strength of the materials used directly impacts the truck body’s ability to handle heavy loads and rugged use. High-strength steel and reinforced aluminum provide the necessary integrity to support equipment without compromising safety or performance.
Resistance to Corrosion and Wear
Service trucks often operate in environments where exposure to the elements is unavoidable. Galvannealed steel resists corrosion, keeping the truck body rust-free. Aluminum, with its lightweight, anti-corrosive properties, adds durability and a longer lifespan.
Enhancing Durability with Protective Coatings
Our truck bodies are coated with high-quality AkzoNobel paint to provide weather protection and a professional look. We also apply a tough protective coating to critical areas like the cargo area and bumper to resist wear and tear. A rubberized coating guards against road debris, moisture, and corrosion for underbody protection.
Reduced Maintenance Costs
Investing in a truck body made from high-quality materials can reduce maintenance costs. Fewer repairs and replacements translate into cost savings and less downtime for your fleet.
Our Commitment to Quality
At Summit Truck Bodies, quality is paramount. Our ISO 9001:2015-certified quality management system ensures high standards. Our Wathena, Kansas, facility uses advanced techniques like computer-aided fiber laser cutting and precision press brakes. Skilled craftsmen weld, paint, assemble, and test each truck body. Inspections at every stage guarantee a reliable, long-lasting product. We continuously innovate and improve, integrating customer feedback and industry advancements.
2. Customization Options
Customization is key to maximizing the utility and efficiency of a service truck. A truck body that can be tailored to specific needs ensures that your team has all the necessary tools and equipment within easy reach and enhances productivity. When selecting a truck body, the range and quality of customization options available should be a top consideration.
Why Customization Matters
Industry-Specific Needs
Different industries have distinct needs. Customization ensures the truck body meets specific industry requirements.
Increased Efficiency and Productivity
A well-organized truck body reduces downtime and speeds up task completion, leading to higher productivity.
Enhanced Ergonomics and Safety
Custom layouts and features improve comfort and safety, reducing the risk of accidents and injuries.
Custom Capabilities
At Summit, we offer various custom options to meet your unique needs. Our process starts with a thorough consultation to understand your specific requirements. Our experienced sales team, located throughout North America, will assist you at every step of the process.
Tool Drawers and Storage Solutions
We offer aluminum drawer packs and bolt bins with heavy-duty slides and lockable handles to keep tools organized and secure.
Air Compressors, Welders, & All-in-One Power Systems
We provide high-quality air compressors, welders, and all-in-one power units to meet your field service needs.
Telescopic Service Cranes
We offer hydraulic and electric cranes with advanced safety electronics, including overload protection and wireless remote controls.
Specialized Compartments
We design compartments for welding equipment, lube systems, hazardous material and waste, and other industry-specific tools, ensuring safety and accessibility.
3. Storage and Organization
Efficient storage and organization are crucial aspects of a high-quality truck body. Proper organization not only maximizes the use of available space but also makes certain that tools and equipment are easily accessible, reducing downtime and improving productivity. When selecting a truck body, consider the storage solutions it offers and how well they can be tailored to your specific needs.
Why Storage and Organization Matter
Maximized Space Utilization
Practical storage solutions maximize truck body space with customizable compartments, shelves, and drawers for organized tool and equipment storage.
Easy Access to Tools and Equipment
An organized truck body provides easy access to tools and equipment, reducing the time spent searching for items and enhancing safety.
Enhanced Productivity
When tools and equipment are well-organized, your team can work more effectively. Organized storage reduces downtime, streamlines workflow, and ensures technicians have everything they need at their fingertips, leading to higher productivity and better service delivery.
Our Storage Solutions
At Summit, we understand the importance of efficient storage and organization. Our truck bodies are designed with customizable storage solutions that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your industry. Here are some of the key features and options we offer:
Our truck bodies feature infinitely adjustable compartment shelves with dividers, enabling you to organize your storage space according to your specific requirements. These shelves can be easily reconfigured to accommodate different tools and equipment sizes.
Specialized Storage Solutions
We offer a range of specialized storage solutions to meet the unique needs of different industries. These include:
Torch Bottle Compartments
Securely store welding and cutting equipment in torch bottle compartments for easy access and safe containment of hazardous materials.
Toolboxes and Reel Racks
Easily find frequently used tools, parts, and equipment in compartments designed with tools drawers, bolt bins, and reel racks.
Shelves
Use sturdy and adjustable shelving units to organize tools and materials of different sizes. This makes the best use of available space.
Racks and Hooks
Racks and hooks can store larger items vertically and keep them organized. They can be used to hang chains, cords, hoses, and tools.
Protective Features
We build protective features into our truck bodies to protect your tools and equipment from the elements and daily wear and tear. These features make your truck body last longer and keep your valuable tools and equipment well-protected.
Three-Point Compression Door Latches
Our three-point compression latches securely close compartments, reducing vibrations, minimizing wear on door seals, and enhancing truck body longevity. They are padlock-compatible for extra security.
Weatherproof Seals
We use automotive-style bulb seal weather stripping to prevent dust, water, and debris from entering compartment doors. This seal keeps the inside clean and dry, protecting tools and equipment from environmental damage and helping maintain a consistent internal temperature.
Aluminum Drip Rails
We add aluminum drip rails above all compartment doors to keep water out. This directs water away from the door openings during rain or when washing the truck. It helps protect your tools and equipment by keeping them dry and rust-free.
4. Safety Features
When choosing a truck body, safety should be the top priority. A truck body with built-in safety features protects the operator and equipment and should also comply with industry standards and regulations. It’s essential to consider the safety features of a truck body and how they contribute to a safer working environment.
Why Safety Features Matter
Operator Protection
It’s crucial to ensure the operator’s safety. Safety features such as anti-slip surfaces, secure locking mechanisms, and proper lighting help reduce the risk of accidents and injuries, making the work environment safer for everyone involved.
Equipment Security
Properly securing tools and equipment reduces the risk of damage during transit and operation. This protects your investment and ensures that your tools are always ready to use when needed.
Regulatory Compliance
Remember to follow safety regulations and standards to avoid fines and legal issues. Building a truck body with the latest safety features helps ensure that your operation meets its legal obligations and complies with industry standards.
Summit’s Safety Features
We prioritize safety in every aspect of truck body design and manufacturing. We equip our truck bodies with a range of safety features designed to protect both the operator and the equipment to reassure a safe and efficient working environment. Here are some of the vital safety features we offer.
Advanced Safety Electronics (ASE)
Our industry-leading Advanced Safety Electronics (ASE) integrated control system combines crane and body operation controls with functional safety requirements. Features include:
- Load Moment Indicator (LMI): This indicator displays load data in real-time, eliminating guesswork about lifting capacity and preventing crane overloads.
- Safety Alerts: Provides plain text alerts for conditions such as oil temperature, outriggers not deployed, and crane overload, helping operators make informed decisions.
- Self-Diagnostic Checks: Conducts checks upon start-up and during operation to ensure all systems function correctly.
Anti-Slip Surfaces
We design our truck bodies with safety in mind, featuring anti-slip surfaces, grip strut steps, and knurled grab handles for secure entry and exit. The cargo floor has a diamond tread plate with a protective layer for better traction in all conditions so operators can work confidently and safely while minimizing the risk of accidents.
Secure Locking Mechanisms
Our truck bodies have secure locking mechanisms for every compartment and drawer, including three-point compression-style compartment door latches and lockable single-action handle assemblies on the drawer packs. Gang locks can be added to each side pack for security against theft.
Proper Lighting
Good visibility is essential for safe operation, especially in low-light conditions. Our truck bodies come equipped with a comprehensive lighting package, including:
- LED Marker Lights
- LED Stop/Tail/Turn and Reverse Lights
- LED Compartment Lights
- LED Work Lights
- Enhanced lighting options include lightbars, wigwag light systems, crane boom tip lights, and more.
5. Ease of Maintenance
When selecting a truck body, prioritize ease of maintenance. An easy-to-maintain design saves time and money. It allows quick routine checks and repairs, reducing downtime and extending the truck body’s lifespan. Look for features that simplify maintenance. Choosing a Summit truck body ensures easy maintenance and long-term dependability. Summit uses high-quality materials and innovative features. Our after-sales support keeps your truck body in great condition with minimal effort, letting you focus on your core business operations.
Why Ease of Maintenance Matters
Reduced Downtime
Easy-to-maintain trucks spend less time out of service and more on the road. This provides value to your business and ensures your team can meet its commitments without interruption.
Lower Maintenance Costs
Simplified maintenance processes reduce labor costs and the need for specialized tools or technicians. Easy access to components and straightforward maintenance procedures can lead to cost savings over the vehicle’s lifespan.
Extended Lifespan
Regular maintenance extends the truck body’s life. Easy maintenance encourages frequent checks, preventing minor issues from becoming major problems.
Maintenance-Friendly Features
At Summit, our truck body designs prioritize ease of use. We engineer features to make routine checks and repairs as simple and efficient as possible. This ensures your truck remains in top condition with minimal downtime. Here are some key maintenance-friendly features we offer.
Accessible Design
Our truck bodies are designed with accessibility in mind. We want to make sure components are easy to reach and service.
Quality Materials
We use high-quality and durable materials. For example:
- Galvannealed Steel and Aluminum
- Durable Paint & Protective Coatings
- Rubberized Underbody Coating
- Automotive-Style Door Seals
ASE Main Control Panel
The main control panel is in the crane compartment. This panel allows for easy monitoring and control of critical systems, including the crane, outriggers, and hydraulics. The user-friendly interface makes routine checks and managing maintenance tasks simple.
Support and Service
Factory-Based Customer Support
Our helpful customer service team can answer questions about technical issues, give expert advice, and help you fix problems. You can quickly get and install new or replacement parts, reducing downtime because finding and installing parts takes less time.
Nationwide Service Network
We work with a network of trusted service providers who can perform maintenance and warranty work in the field. We want to ensure that help is always nearby when needed.
Choosing the right truck body is crucial for efficiency, safety, and longevity. Summit Truck Bodies offers durable, customizable, and easy-to-maintain solutions. Our ISO 9001:2015 certified quality system ensures top standards. We use high-quality materials like galvannealed steel and aluminum, as well as advanced protective coatings for long-lasting durability. Our custom options meet specific industry needs, boosting productivity and safety. Efficient storage and safety features keep tools organized and secure.
Invest in a Summit truck body for a reliable, high-quality solution that supports your operations and drives success. Contact a Summit representative to learn more.
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