The Great Bright Green ServPro Truck Keeps Them Visible

I don't think anyone will miss this truck on the road. Saying that this color stands out is an understatement. It glows! And, of course, that is desired and gets the attention of anyone near it's green sphere of influence.

Thank you to Tom Swain of ServPro of Fairfield for letting us get some shots of his green cutaway unit. It is a common size of about 15' with FRP walls and includes a furniture attic and aluminum ramp. Another great feature is the large roll-up side door. This is a great type of unit for their use and carries larger items as shown.

ServPro specializes in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage situation. ServPro also mitigates mold and mildew from your home or business. I can attest to their professionalism, courtesy and swift service from a small fire we had a few years ago. They did a great job with a huge mess.

Call Tom Swain of ServPro of Fairfield at 707-207-0122. For more information on ServPro, visit the corporate website at www.servpro.com.

Prodigy Bus by Starcraft Bus and MFSAB Direct

This is a brochure of the Prodigy by Starcraft Bus from MFSAB Direct, LLC in Johnstown, New York. They build a wide variety of buses in single rear wheel models and dual rear models mounted on cutaway van chassis. They build units in sizes that will accommodate up to 46 children or 28 adult and many models for smaller groups.

Here is the mission of MFSAB Direct, LLC:

"MFSAB Direct is proud to offer the highest quality MFSAB and School Bus products across the U.S.A. All of our New Buses are manufactured right here in the United States of America and designed with the goals of Child Care, YMCA's, Churches, Schools, Camps and Head Starts in mind. MFSAB Direct, Inc. strives to deliver the most dependable, safest, reasonably priced School Bus or MFSAB** making it easier to replace those unsafe passenger vans. With a dealer network nationwide, we can accommodate your specific needs. Select our "Get a Quote" and a local GM, Ford or Bus Sales Dealer will be glad to discuss your Bus Transportation needs. When it comes to child safety and transportation, don't settle for anything less!"

I got to see one of their single rear wheel buses in person this week and I have to say that I was most impressed by the size, great looks, roomy interiors and quality workmanship. I was also impressed with their very reasonable pricing. Give Eric Sebast, Director or D Ralph Cox, President of MFSAB Direct a call at 888-244-8701. They will be very happy to get you all the information that you might need to help your customer or organization. Also check out their website at www.mfsabdirect.com.

**MFSAB stands for Multi-Function School Activity Bus. An MFSAB meets the same Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) as school buses, but is not required to have stop arms or traffic control lights and in most states is not required to be yellow.

LOADSRITE Drop Down Ladder Rack from Adrian Steel

This is the LOADSRITE Drop Down Ladder Rack from Adrian Steel. This drop down ladder rack feels extremely solid and I just get the sense that this item would last through several vans even getting used multiple times daily. I didn't have that sense with some other drop down racks I've tried. The parts that get the hard use are heavy cast pieces instead of thin sheet metal. When you push this rack back into the locked position, it has just the right sound and feel of high quality and durability. I like that considering this kind of accessory will get a lot of use.

The LOADSRITE Drop Down Ladder Rack is available in single or dual side drop down configurations, as well as other configurations to suit virtually any need. And, of course, it comes from a quality company: Adrian Steel. Check out this product and the wide range of other products that Adrian Steel has to offer at www.adriansteel.com.

New Royal Truck Body Six + Plus Utility Body

New from Royal Truck Body: The Six + Plus Utility Body

The Six + Plus is a compact package that increases the functionality of your standard pickup truck. This 6' 8" body enables you to organize your tools and toys, with the unparalleled security provided on every Royal Truck Body by the exclusive Royal Fortress 5-Point Locking System.

This new body is loaded with features designed to save you time and provide the ultimate in convenience. These features include Dual Rotary Latches on open top lids; Rust Free Fender Flares that continue to look good even in the harshest conditions; 1900 Emulsion Undercoating surpassing the 1400 industry standard; Portable and Removable Trays that allow for easy access and organization; Push Button Barrel Locks for extra longevity and security; and 4 Flush-Mount Tie Downs standard in the bed area ready to secure even the heaviest loads.

In addition, the Six + Plus is loaded with features, such as: gas shocks on vertical doors and open top lids; aluminum Tred-Bright on open top lids; Tred-Bright gravel guards; Royal Super Seal weather stripping; and the industry's only locking tailgate.

For more details, Royal Truck Body has four locations to supply all of your upfit needs:

Paramount, CA 562-633-9951

Sacramento, CA 916-921-2639

Phoenix, AZ 602-426-1774

Ft. Worth, TX 817-319-5108

Visit Royal on the web at www.royaltruckbody.com

Celebrating 500 Posts!

500 Posts!!!

Celebrating 500 Posts. Today's post with Stellar Industries Tire Trucks was our 500th post since we began the Commercial Truck Success Blog in mid-April, 2008.

I want to take this moment to thank all of our readers and contributors as well as the companies and their interesting products that didn't even know they contributed. It has been my pleasure to share this forum with you all around the world and I look forward to another 500 posts. Thank you all who have responded with encouraging comments. It is my pleasure to serve you.

Tire Trucks by Stellar Industries

There is only one trouble with Stellar Industries Tire Trucks. Where do you start? Stellar has the most complete line of tire trucks I have seen. I am only showing a few photos! They take you from the pickup with a little backpack, to a monster truck capable of lifting huge industrial tires and rims from a distance!

Here's more about Stellar Tire Trucks:

Stellar Tire Trucks use state-of-the-art design and materials to produce the most modern design tire trucks available in the North American market. Since the purchase of the tire truck Collins division from David Manufacturing in 1993, Stellar Industries, Inc. has literally reinvented the tire service truck. Our tire truck bodies, cranes, and compressors include features not found on competitive tire service trucks. These features include:

• Extruded Aluminum plank floors for greater strength and longevity
• Extruded aluminum body liners
• Stainless steel hinges with stainless steel automotive-style slam latches
• Innovative work lights.....that REALLY work
• Direct-drive hydraulic driven air compressor systems. No more loose or worn belts.
• Unique crane and compressor on a common base. Frees up valuable tool storage space and eliminates rusted drive shafts and U-joints.

For more information, call Stellar Industries at 800-321-3741 and visit their great website at www.stellarindustries.com.

Some Thoughts On Business: Opportunity

I have become an opportunity seeker. Here's the really interesting part: the more I become an opportunity seeker, the more opportunities I see. In the past I might have seen mostly problems, and now I see so many solutions.

It really is attitude and attitude has become a bad word. People don't want their attitude discussed or used as a judgment, yet other people pick up on our attitude immediately and there is no possible way that it cannot influence others.

When I first began studying sales at the age of 22, I was told to have a positive mental attitude. I tried and tried and tried and even succeeded from time to time, but the problems were always being presented to me or I was finding them and creating them myself. It seemed like so much work to have a positive mental attitude when the world was so screwed up! It makes one feel like a loner.

Now, over 30 years later, I find that the world is still so screwed up or maybe even more so. There is so much to complain about from business to the economy to the government to the neighbors to the kids and . . . well, you get the idea. I am convinced that the world will never be without a lot of problems. Yet with all of this, I've found a way to overcome the world.

It's opportunity. It is everywhere, all around me, all the time. As I have become an opportunity seeker, I have made a choice to accept the fact that the world has problems and not be concerned about that. When I focus on the problem, all I get is more problems. It's funny how that works, but it works. When I focus on the opportunity, I get more opportunities.

Here's another thing. Now, I cannot stand to be around complainers. I used to lead the pack at one time or another. It's kind of like quitting smoking which ruled my life for too many years. When I quit, I didn't hang around smokers anymore. When I decided to stop complaining, I don't hang around complainers anymore. I want more out of life now. I want inspiration. I want encouragement. I want joy. Complainers want validation and commiseration. It's like a train going around in a circle forever. It goes nowhere.

Yes, it is a change of thinking. And, here is the greatest part: You can do it. If I can do it, anyone can do it. Stop listening to complaints and stop yourself when you hear it come out of yourself from habit. Stop focusing on the problems of life and focus on the joys instead. Can you be broke and full of joy? Absolutely! Joy is a choice, not a result of circumstance. Circumstance is the complainers' favorite topic. Joy will chase them away. That's right. If you start talking about joy, the complainers will run and hide. I guarantee it. They hate joy. They love problems and circumstance.

I have become an opportunity seeker and now I seek it every minute of every day in some way. There are plenty to go around. No shortage of opportunities. Come on in, the water is fine.

X-Tra Lift Offers Smart Solution

The complete X-Tra-Lift pick-up loading devices are a giant leap in the truck accessory market. With the use of hydraulic technology, advanced engineering and the use of aesthetically pleasing materials the X-Tra-Lift will make your pick-up truck more useful.

The X-Tra-Lift Model 2000 has the capacity to lift 2,000 lbs. while remaining level through the entire cycle and the X-Tra-Lift Xchange can lift an amazing 3,000 lbs. All X-Tra-Lift models will operate from any stable loading level (such as the ground or a loading dock), into the existing box of the truck, all by the press of a button. It takes about a minute to run the lift from the ground into the stored position. It's perfect for loading and hauling items that are bulky and heavy.

The X-Tra-Lift system has literally hundreds of uses. It allows you to easily and quickly load and haul your motorcycle, ATV, personal water craft, or other recreational vehicle. But recreation isn't the only use, deliver appliances and furniture, haul pieces of small construction equipment or lawn and garden equipment up to 3000 lbs. even use it to deliver portable toilets, video games and vending machines! Also haul small loads of gravel or mulch and dump it right where you want it. The X-Tra-Lift carrier quickly detaches from the lifting unit, this allows you to use several different types of carriers or it simply lets you use the existing pick-up box, if so desired.

See all the features, videos and information at www.xtralift.com or you can call them at 800-321-3741.

Great Looking, Hard Working Hillsboro Aluminum Flatbeds

Hillsboro Industries has been manufacturing great truck bodies and trailers for over 40 years. They have also been number one in the aluminum truck bed market for the past 15 years. Hillsboro Aluminum Truck Beds are the ideal combination of lightweight versatility, heavy duty construction and flexible installation on both single rear and dual rear wheel trucks.

Benefits of the aluminum flatbed are a 40% weight savings vs. comparable steel models (Hillsboro builds steel flatbeds as well. . .), corrosion resistance, 3-year warranty and much more.

Call them at 800-835-0209 and please check out their comprehensive website at www.hillsboroindustries.com.

The Service Body Before the Service Body

When I first got into the auto business in 1972, this photo was a common product. It is a stepside pickup where the outside fender has been removed and a set of boxes mounted in its place. I worked at a Chevy dealership then and we could order this same job straight from the factory. You could also order certain plain flatbeds back then. Bailment Pool body companies as they are today, did not exist then except a very few nationwide. I just happened to have my camera out and was able to catch this view back to the past. It has been a lot of years since I have seen one.

Medium Duty Rollback from Ledwell & Son Enterprises

Medium Duty Rollback from Ledwell & Son Enterprises, Inc. of Texarkana, Texas and Fayetteville, North Carolina. These great rollbacks are available in 20', 22' and 24' lengths and have steel construction with 20,000 lb. capacity. They are available in 96" and 102" widths and come with full headache rack with chain rack, work lights and turn signals. A powerful hydraulic winch is included. Bed area is diamond plate steel over wood deck or hardwood deck with heavy duty side rails with stake pockets or key hole slots. The unit has a sharp tapered tail for easy loading.

See this and other rollback models along with a complete line of other products at their website: www.ledwell.com. You can call them at 888-533-9355.

Custom Drawers In Custom Cabinet by Brutus Bodies

This is a great cabinet and it is loaded with a great set of drawers. What is really nice about this group of drawers is the various sizes, especially the largest drawer. It is perfect to have the flexibility to carry different size things securely in drawers. Brutus Bodies makes some great custom cabinets and drawers to satisfy any market and they can ship them directly to your location. See all the great options on their website at www.brutusbodies.com.

Great Red Low Pro Service Body

I ran across this shot and just had to add it to the blog. I think it is a 2000 Ford 56" CA box delete chassis with a Harbor 9' Low Pro Service Body. This unit has a 2-pc cargo bed enclosure, master lock system, tapered material rack (used to be 1"x2" tubing like this, but now most are 2"x2" or 2"x3"), aluminum treadbrite lid covers, stainless steel vise bracket, and more. The chassis is an XLT uplevel trim with nice Alcoa aluminum wheels from the factory.

It is so rare to see low pro service bodies in dealer inventory and especially a dually low pro, but I gotta say that this truck is awesome! I think it works extremely well. It is also very nice to be something other than white. Here's to more low pro bodies!

An Extreme Dump Truck Value: Valew

Valew Dump Trucks are built with keeping in mind quality, innovation, and service. We offer not only both Elliptical (Tub) and Box Dump Bodies in three different sizes: 10' 5 Yard, 12' 7 Yard, and 15' 10 Yard, but we also offer a variety of Brand New and Pre-Owned two and three axle chassis to choose from that these bodies can be mounted on such as Ford, Freightliner, Kenworth, Peterbilt, and Sterling. In addition to multiple Dump Bodies, chassis and engines (ranging from 190 hp to 430 hp) to choose from, Valew Dump Trucks can also be custom painted the color our customers want and built with a variety of options to suit our customer's needs.

Valew Dump Bodies

• Valew Dump Bodies are offered in two styles, Box Dump or Elliptical (Tub) Dump.
• Bodies have been specifically designed for extreme use.
• All steel gauges have been increased for greater durability.
• Box Bodies are constructed with our Double Wall Design, so any beating on the inside won't appear on the outside.
• Board Slots are Standard and we offer optional Steel Boards.
• All necessary Warning and Maintenance Stickers placed where appropriate

See all the great bodies that Valew builds at www.valew.com. You can call them at 760-246-4878, or send an email to sales@valew.com.

Hillsboro G II Steel Truck Bed

Experience the next generation in Hillsboro Steel Truck Beds with their rugged construction, innovative features and superior quality. The new G II Hillsboro Steel Truck Beds offer the ultimate in quality features and options. Stake pockets and tie rails let you secure loads quickly and easily. The PPG epoxy primer and polyurethane paint finish provide enhanced aesthetics and service life.

Optional, weather-resistant toolboxes add protected storage for tools and other equipment. Constructed from 14-gauge steel with a 10-gauge steel door, the box features a locking, stainless steel t-latch and recessed door with weather seal and greaseable hinges.

Standard Features

• Two-year warranty
• Epoxy primer
• Black polyurethane paint
• Louvered headache rack w/ sealed beam lights
• 1/8-inch steel treadplate deck
• Mounting plate with 26K ball & flush mount lid
• 5" structural long sills
• 2 1/2" crossmembers
• Sealed beam lights (6) stop, turn & tail and (4) back-up
• Sealed beam I.D. lights in rear of bed
• Dual tag lights
• Inboard stake pockets
• 6" fold-down sides w/ multiple tie locations
• Sides have greasable hinges, slam latch & rubber bump stop
• Rear tailboard with receiver hitch
• Board holders across front and back of bed
• Hillsboro mudflaps
• Enclosed wiring harness
• 7 wire trailer socket
  

Please visit Hillsboro's website to see all the truck beds and trailers they manufacture. Their website is www.hillsboroindustries.com. You can also contact them at 800-835-0209.