You've decided to custom-upfit your next work truck. Now what?
Palmer Power & Truck Equipment is home to the patented Beau-Roc municipal work truck body.
Whether you’re in municipal, mining, construction or a variety of other commodity-hauling industries, upfitting your next work truck is a perfect solution for those of you who want the freedom of customization with “diverse applications, limited volume and nearly limitless body and equipment variations” (National Truck Equipment Association).
Beginning the upfitting process can seem like a very time-consuming and overwhelming task. If you’re unsure where to start, check out the helpful tips and tricks we’ve put together for you!
Things to Consider When Upfitting a Work Truck
Before choosing a partner and beginning the design and building collaboration, it may be helpful to make a short list of your necessities. Here are some important topics to consider:
1. Application
Think about what functions your work truck will be regularly performing. Determine the distances the truck will be traveling, and how often and when it will be traveling them. Will your truck be towing anything?
2. Load
What exactly will your truck be hauling? Whether it be liquids, lumber, gravel or construction debris, this is a crucial detail to iron out because it will also help determine what equipment you will need.
You will need to keep the Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) in mind. Reading Truck Group recommends “[making] sure your work truck is loaded with everything you might need to carry and then have the vehicle weighed.” You want to ensure the GVWR is as accurate and precise as possible to avoid future unnecessary expenses.
3. Equipment
Will you need a wet kit for your hydraulic dump trailer? Or pintle hitches to fulfill your towing and hauling needs? A snow plow or salt spreader? Your equipment necessities will obviously alter the design specifications when building your truck, so be sure to map out exactly what you’ll need.
4. Location
Ask yourself where the truck will be primarily operating—snow, off-road, paved streets? No matter the location, specifying this detail will determine what customizations will need to be made to meet your expectations.
Custom building allows you to design your work truck fleet to your exact specifications, and therefore, streamlines your business. Your employees and goods are safer, and you have the potential to increase your hauling capacity and prevent frequent maintenance.
The possibilities are endless at Palmer Power— Maintainer service & crane bodies; Muncie Power Products wet kits and PTOs; patented, best-in-cass Beau-Roc dump bodies; Ridewell and Hendrickson lift axles and more! Since 2001, we have continued to grow and thrive as the industry expert for vocational work truck upfit and power applications.