Nice Stahl Red HD Crane Body w/8k Crane

We took a lot of shots of this great Stahl HD Crane Body because we love red trucks and this one was quite an attention getter. It was certainly the attention getter of the large Stahl display and the 8,000 lb crane holding up the Stahl banner set that stage.

For more information on this and all the fine products from Stahl, you can call 800-277-8245 or visit their website at www.stahl.cc.

The HighLiner From Harbor Is A Great Idea

Here's a great idea: Take an 11' Service Body (or any other size for that matter. . .) and add a set of boxes on top with doors that open upward, so that it is easy for the user to see inside. Do that and you have what Harbor Truck Bodies calls the HighLiner Body. They built a pile of these for Southern California Edison and also market them to anyone who can use it. I think it is a sweet piece! Who doesn't need more storage?

TruckCraft Metro Makes Your SRW Rock!

I love looking at TruckCraft products. They have so many interesting and even unique items that serve a lot of people around the country. They have a network of 135 dealers in 160 locations to serve customers coast to coast. Since the headquarters is in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, they have more distributors east of the Mississippi. Nonetheless, I saw TruckCraft bodies on the lot of a Ford dealer in Washington, so I know they get around.

This is a very interesting product.

I'll let TruckCraft tell you the news:

"The new TruckCraft Metro will convert your single rear wheel pickup to a handy, aluminum dropside flat with over 56 sq ft of enclosed deck space that can be accessed cleanly by a forklift from any side. A typical 8 ft pickup box has around 32 sq ft of flat deck that can only be accessed from the rear, over the tailgate. The METRO’s extruded 6061 T6 alloy dropsides and tailgate are instantly secured with rugged, load-rated latching hardware that allows a completely open access with no corner posts.

Need a dump truck? The Metro can easily be converted to a sharp, three-way dump with the optional double acting hoist kit. That’s right – switch to dump left, right or rear in a matter of seconds by re-positioning two tool-free pull pins.

Other options include: A canvas cargo top complete with sliding bows; a set of 36” high hinged screen sides; a rear ladder rack, and a center belly pan for ramp storage.

Ask for the TruckCraft METRO when you order your next truck, or when you need more from your existing truck.

Features:

• Flat Floor- No edge to hang up material
• Bulkhead has window protection, hand grips, and goalposts on top for securing long loads
• Removable 16" anodized drop sides
• Removable 16" anodized tailgate
• Side access steps
• 6 recessed S.S. tiedowns
• Marker lights, LED, with harness
• Tailboard with LED STT, license plate lights & harness
• Floor, rubrails, tailgate, dropsides, stringers constructed of 6061-T6 heat treated alloy aluminum
• ICC bumper with class III hitch
• White TruckCraft logo mudflaps
• Mounting brackets for 2009 Ford, Chevy, or Dodge (must specify)
  

Options:

• Three way dumping hoist
• 36" high hinged screen sides
• Belly pan for ramp storage (not available w/ hoist)
• Rear ladder rack
• Canvas top kit
• Fold down step for sides and/or tailgate
• TC-130 D-ICER adapter kit"

TC-502 Metro Brochure Download

Find A Dealer

I think this is an awesome product well suited for light duty work and looking great in the process. The lightweight aluminum body is still super strong--just look at the underside photo! And, best of all: TruckCraft appears to be quality all the way. What I have seen has demonstrated this. We reviewed their gorgeous Zeus Aluminum Dump a short time ago. Here's the link to that piece: Zeus Dump.

You can reach TruckCraft at 717-375-2900. Check out all their offerings at their informative website: www.truckcraft.com.

Maintainer EnPak Mechanics Series By Miller

Maintainer EnPakTM by Miller

Sheldon, IA – March 4, 2009 – Maintainer Corporation of Iowa, Inc. introduces the new EnPak by Miller – a fully-integrated diesel engine / air compressor / hydraulic pump / generator unit designed for the crane body mechanic’s truck. Unlike other crane body truck systems, EnPak retains full functionality with the truck engine turned off. This revolutionary power source is integrated into the truck’s electrical and fuel systems to ease serviceability.

EnPak saves fuel (21-32% more fuel efficient than a traditional truck with a hydraulic driven air compressor), runs quiet (10 dB quieter than a traditional truck with a reciprocation compressor), increases truck chassis life and reduces greenhouse gas emissions.

Features and options include:

- Kubota 27 HP diesel engine / shares the trucks fuel supply & charges the battery
- Variable displacement piston pump / 8.5 GPM @ 3,000 PSI w/ max. 20 GPM
- Rotary screw air compressor / 40 CFM @ 100 PSI w/ max. 175 PSI
- Brushless generator / 6,000 watts, 120/240 volts of auxiliary power
- EnVerterTM Power / up to 2,400 watts of 120 VAC at all engine speeds
- Weld Capabilities – powerful enough to run Miller’s inverter welding machines
Maxstar® 150, Maxstar® 200 and Millermatic® Passport Plus
- Maintainer crane remote control / either wireless or tethered
- Remote panel / monitors and displays engine and compressor status
- Truck space / two mounting options – bed mount or side pack
- Serviceability / easy to access engine and other component service items
- Same great quality you expect and deserve from a Maintainer product.
- Powerful, Reliable, Fuel Efficient & Operator Friendly

Turn Off Your Truck… Turn On Your EnPakTM

Maintainer has been building premium quality standard and customized service bodies, lube bodies and cranes since 1976. For more information on other fine Maintainer products, call 1-800-831-8588 for the dealer nearest you or visit our website at www.maintainer.com.

Another Sweet Red Truck

I was just looking at a bunch of photos and admiring the colored trucks. I had forgotten about this sweet rig. This is a Harbor CraneMaster body with an 18" work platform, outriggers and a very nice array of drawers. You have to be pretty tall to look in the upper drawers, but it sure looks great. I especially like the fact the drawers are painted the same color as the body. Many times that is not the case. The drawer in the horizontal compartment may be the best thing.

This gorgeous Dodge was put together by Cascade Truck Body in Eugene, Oregon. These folks build some great looking pieces! Check out their very nice website at www.cascadetruckbody.com.

A.R.E. DCU Commercial Truck Cap

A.R.E. DCU TRUCK CAPS AVAILABLE FOR

NEW 2009 CHEVROLET SILVERADO, GMC SIERRA

MASSILLON, Ohio – Leading truck cap and tonneau cover manufacturer A.R.E. has expanded its Deluxe Commercial Unit (DCU) truck cap offerings to include the 2009 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra.

A.R.E.’s DCU is available in four height configurations – 23 inches, 26 inches, 29 inches and 36 inches – with several rear door options. In addition, truck owners can choose from optional roof racks, various toolbox configurations, a selection of window and door sizes and a polyester fabric liner designed to prevent condensation from collecting on the interior of the cap.

“With more than 200 options to consider, Silverado and Sierra owners can tailor the DCU to complement the exact style and utility needs of their truck,” said Bryan Baker, director of marketing, A.R.E. “All of those choices make our DCU perfect for a variety of industries, including construction, forestry, pest control and landscaping.”

DCUs feature an exterior skin constructed of .35-white aluminum material. Additionally, DuPont® base coat/clear coat paint is available to match the truck’s color code for an original equipment look. The truck cap also comes with Strattec® OEM automotive grade lock cylinders in folding T-handles on all doors to protect valuable tools and equipment as well as cam action deadbolt lock rods with a center point lock to provide trouble-free operation. A.R.E. DCU caps come with a three-year warranty on materials and workmanship.

Truck owners can custom build and view the DCU on their vehicle by visiting www.4are.com and selecting the “Build/Quote Your Own Truck Cap” link. Using this online feature, customers can virtually choose from different lighting arrangements, window options, door sizes and more, all to develop a DCU that suits their individual needs.

A.R.E. has been a leading manufacturer of fiberglass truck caps and hard tonneau covers for the past 38 years, with more than 500 employees at its ISO-9001:2000-certified manufacturing facilities and a network of more than 600 independent authorized dealers.

For more information, contact A.R.E. at 400 Nave Rd. S.E., P.O. Box 1100, Massillon, OH 44648, call 800.649.4ARE or visit www.4are.com

Transfer Flow's New Midship Dodge Chassis Tank

Transfer Flow Introduces Midship Fuel Tanks For Dodge Ram and Sterling Bullet Diesel Chassis Cabs

Transfer Flow, Inc. has introduced midship replacement diesel fuel tanks for the 2007-2008 Dodge Ram 4500/5500 chassis cabs and 2008 Sterling Bullet CONV45/55 chassis cabs. Designed to fit 84”, 108” and 120” cab-axle models, Transfer Flow’s 48-gallon fuel tank will also fit on Jerr-Dan's carrier bodies with 108” and 120” cab-axle lengths. A 40-gallon tank is also available for chassis cab models with a 60” cab-axle length. These midship tanks replace either the midship or aft axle fuel tank, and are manufactured from 12 and 14-gauge aluminized steel for maximum strength and corrosion resistance. Fully baffled to prevent fuel slosh, the replacement fuel tanks are powder coated black and come with all hardware necessary for installation.

The fuel systems come with a 3 year/60,000 mile warranty.

Features and Benefits

• 40 and 48 gallon midship tanks replace either an OEM midship or aft axle fuel tank
• Made from 12 & 14-gauge aluminized steel
• Mounts inside frame rails on driver's side
• Fuel tanks are baffled
• Available for diesel chassis only
• Complete fuel tank systems
• Tanks are powder coated black
• 3 year/60,000 mile warranty
• Meets all federal and state emissions regulations

Air Lift Suspension Systems

The Air Lift Company has been developing air spring suspension products for more than 50 years. The original product, a rubber air spring inserted into a car's factory coil spring, was developed and patented in 1950. Today, Air Lift Company is a leader in aftermarket air suspension products which are an evolution of the company's engineering excellence and breakthrough development programs. Air Lift products are sold throughout the world and can be engineered to fit almost any coil or leaf spring suspension.

The products shown above are the AirCell, designed to reduce sag on heavily loaded vehicles with three-stage ride comfort and load support. Next is the LoadLifter 5000, which is their heaviest-rated kits for hauling or towing heavy loads. Then, the RideControl Series, designed to keep your truck, van or SUV level and riding comfortably when hauling or towing. Last is the WirelessAir and SmartAir management systems.

Check out all the great innovative products at www.airliftcompany.com.

CM Truck Beds - Great Display, Great Selection

This was one of the best displays that I saw at the NTEA Work Truck Show. It was so interesting how CM Truck Beds got so many bodies to show off in a relatively small space. As you can see in the photos, they did that without having a truck attached to them. I think they did an outstanding job of displaying these trucks and even having them have the appearance of being on a chassis with the lights lighted, polished up and sweet looking. Great job CM!

They also make some great trailering bodies and have several standard models to give each owner something that is right for them. I think my favorite is the TM model which has a lot of storage and looks a little like a very modern service body. I love the aluminum flatbed at the top of the photo array.

This company also manufactures a wide selection of trailers. In addition, they have some very nice websites. Check out the truck bodies at www.cmtruckbeds.com. You can catch a link to their trailer site or go to www.cmtrailers.com.

Getting Through the Blizzard

We took a job for a dealership and after a long day of looking at the blizzard of whiteness, I looked through my files for a respite from the whiteout of the day. Here's an older unit built for Mark Christopher Chevrolet by Harbor Truck Bodies from 2004. It is one of my favorite trucks to look at besides the one at the top of our blog and on our website.

Red service bodies is my favorite color for sure and they have to have some nice aluminum wheels to finish it off. This truck has a 56" high Combo Body and built on a GM4500 chassis. This baby will haul some cargo! But, I just like looking at it. I've owned a couple of gorgeous guitars like that where I would just take them out of the case and look at them for a while with much admiration and then put them away.

In a sea of white this is a great attention getter and I have sold a pile of units like this by stocking this kind of unit. There's just something about it. Maybe it's the fire engine color. Whatever it is, it is a nice change to look at.

Cleared For Landing On A Body Near You

Building truck bodies can be very interesting. For example, it is not every day that you get to build a "helicopter body." Notice the extra length, the specialized support structure, and the special posts to hold on to the rotor blade. Notice also, it is mounted on a cutaway chassis. Keeps it low to the ground and tighter turning radius, I'm sure. Now, that's a picture going down the road! It's not every day the public gets to watch a helicopter go by on a truck. Kind of looks like it could just take off any time.

Thanks to North Bay Truck Body and Bob Dias for this great shot. Bob specializes in custom flatbeds and much more. This one is pretty custom--or, at least the cargo is.

Prospecting Tools Can Be A Big Help

This is a prospecting tool developed by Bill Stephenson at Ron DuPratt Ford in Dixon, CA. I love this tool. He got some cups with the dealership name, slogan, phone numbers and logo. By the way, I love this cup. It is a great size--not too big, and not too small. It is ceramic and inexpensive, yet of all the cups in my cupboard, I choose this one first.

Bill fills the cup with some small candies and has his wife help with wrapping them in some clear cellophane with a nice little bow, then they are stored ready to go out with him when he is out prospecting or just calling on some businesses. It is a great attention getter and a wonderful leave behind gift. It may turn out to be their favorite cup as well. You never know.

Who can resist a friendly face bearing gifts? It is the perfect introduction piece. You might also try notepads. When I was at Harbor Truck Bodies, our customers favorite of the things we gave out was the sticky note pads (4"x6" roughly) that had the Harbor logo on top and phone on the bottom, but 90% of the pad was blank. They were a hit year in and year out.

Another one our customers loved was the mouse pad with the current year calendar on it. They couldn't hardly wait for the next years mouse pad. Ink pens are always a good one, if the ink pen is worthy of use. You go too cheap here and it will be a total waste of money because they won't use it. A few cents more per pen for quality will make the difference.

There are hundreds of things you can use and you will find what works better than others, yet all of these things can be a great way to help keep your name in front of the customer, and used as prospecting tools can help you earn some new customers!

Unicell SRW Update

Update:

This is an update to a blog post in March. I have uploaded new photos and the most important is the top photo which shows the Aerocell SRW in real life on Hwy 99 in Central California. I took this shot through my truck windshield. This one is owned by Huff Construction Company, Inc. and it shows how nicely graphic signs can go on this body. It really is a travelling billboard! And, the best part is that it looks great. It shows this company is a bit ahead of the crowd and is willing to be unique and special.

Here is the original post (with all new photos above) from March 28, 2009:

This is the Aerocell SRW from Unicell Body Company. This baby was quite a sight as we cruised the NTEA Work Truck Show. The hatchback rear opening was a real eye-catcher. Of course, Ryan and I had to try opening it and closing it a few times. It is really quite easy and smooth. But, look at the opening!! Yeah man! 435 cubic feet of storage! It is also available with swing-out 180 degree doors for you traditionalists.

It is cool to look at the outside of the super smooth, glossy body which is absolutely perfect for graphics with no seams, rivets, caulking, etc. The integral roof fairing and flowing body contours offer fuel-saving aerodynamics and visual appeal. (You could tell that last line came from their literature, right? Who talks that way? I know, I know, brochures do.)

This is a product I would put on my lot. It is new and different and interesting. It has a host of features that can benefit a large number of customers. It is great looking and fully functional. It is a great improvement on the single rear wheel cargo van or cutaway van body.

Unicell Body Company is located in Buffalo, New York. They are an approved bailment pool company for Ford, GM and Isuzu. You will find their website at www.unicell.com.

Take A Plumber Body and Make It A SWAT Body!

This is an interesting job and twist on a popular theme. Take a plumber style body (at least it has been popularized by plumbers, but is great for hundreds of uses), and make it work well for a S.W.A.T. Team vehicle. Harbor Truck Bodies recently got an opportunity to do this (they've done it several times before. . .) and here are some secret inside shots from my secret source, Kimberly.

The top photo is a standard Harbor 12' WorkMaster Body mounted on a cutaway chassis. The SWAT modification is a standard 12' WorkMaster mounted on a Ford Crew Cab F550. What's really interesting is how Harbor has customized the interior.

The next two shots show a gun storage area with a sliding, lockable expanded metal door using the same type of locks that are on the exterior of the body (probably a different key though. . .). I'll bet that big metal door is gliding smoothly and almost effortlessly on Teflon (R) slides. They use that on all of their Cargo Bed Enclosures and it is far better than wheels with bearings.

Next is a long shot of the interior showing special storage areas that are unique to this body and fold-down seating when they need the team inside for a short trip. I love the compartments that have been made instead of the standard long shelves. It makes it so much more useful. I think I would be asking them to do that on my standard bodies as well. Plumbers would love it at least as much as SWAT Teams.

The last shot is of an escape hatch in the roof. The roof is specially reinforced in this particular body to accommodate and support this need. You can see much of the reinforcement in place.

I just love taking something common and making it special. This is a great case to show that happening. This type of body should work extremely well for this application and at a most reasonable cost compared to some totally custom job. With all the service body storage on the outside and all this special storage on the inside, this truck can handle a lot and the choice of chassis gives them all the support they need to make it all work together.

Dump Body with Liftgate and L-Pack

These shots are from Cascade Truck Body in Eugene, Oregon, courtesy of Lyndi Costello. I've featured several selections of their fine work in this blog before. They also have a great website!

This is an interesting truck to show off because there just aren't very many dumps with a liftgate and even fewer with a liftgate and an "L-Pack" storage box in front of the dump. This is a Rugby Fold-down side dump and the Lift N Dump Liftgate from Tommy Gate. It also sports a tarp and it looks like a multi-hitch. Oh, and don't forget that lovely yellow light up there like a mast on a sailboat! This unit was built for the City of Eugene, Oregon.

Thank you Lyndi for sharing these photos.