1/2-Ton Work Truck Is Inexpensive Alternative

Here is a great alternative, cost-saving way to get the work done and keep your valuable stuff out of sight and out of the weather. We start with a great Chevy 1/2-ton 8' bed pickup truck with a small V-8 for power and fuel economy too, then we add a lightweight and strong A.R.E. aluminum contractor shell with dual doors on each side. In this case we have put a cabinet in the back compartments and left the front open for a couple of reasons. One is that you can access what is in the front of the bed area easily and quickly, and the other is that a shelf across the bed would be a great place to mount an electrical inverter or other items that help get the job done.

The best part of this package is adding the IFW Bedslide. This one is rated at 1200 lbs. No more crawling up in the back of the pickup bed. My knees hurt just thinking about it. This baby rolls right out and has a stop in the middle and one at the end to lock it in place. When you're done, just turn the handle and roll it back into the park position. It couldn't be simpler. There is also a HD aluminum rack on top of the shell. It is solid.

These items don't add a lot of weight, so we can still carry a bunch of stuff. In this case, the cargo capacity is 1,027 lbs. after installing the bedslide and shell. This truck has the 4.8 gas V-8, AC, Camper mirrors, Stabilitrak, Trailering Pkg, Locking Differential and a gas conserving 3.23 axle ratio. This unit was built by Fairfield Commercial Truck and the optional items were added by Vaca Valley Truck & SUV in Vacaville, CA.

The best reason to buy this kind of rig is this: it is much less money initially, the serviceable items are much less expensive than on 3/4 and 1-ton trucks. It is low to the ground so it is comfortable to get in and out of. It looks great, and it is set up to do some solid work. There is plenty of usable space to make getting those jobs done easier.