A Safeway.com Delivery Truck in the Hood

I captured this Safeway.com delivery truck cruising through my neighborhood and had to get a shot of it. Why? Because it is different and special.

I don't have the specs in front of me, but I can see that though this is a single rear wheel Ford cutaway chassis, it looks like a 50/50 application in that it is about a 12' long bed. Normally, this size chassis might have a 10' unit on it. I can see that they aren't carrying pallets of food, so not an issue about load and more an issue of space for light loads. I can also see that it is a relatively light weight composite design with a low roof, so it all works well together.

The rear doors are barn style doors rather than roll up doors. Again, rare in van-land. What is the coolest thing to me is the aluminum slat roll-up shutter door on the curbside with the long and useful step. Awesome. Makes me want to order one of these for stock on the lot. Just think how useful that would be for florists, parts delivery and just about any other retail type deliveries. Then, you have the single rear wheel cutaway chassis with a great turning radius and nice compact overall size, yet with this great sized body with all these awesome features. It's a home run. No wonder Safeway.com ordered so many of these and it is a testament that I see them all around.

Of course, in this case the refrigeration unit helps everything keep its cool on its way to a home near you. And, I am sure it is available without refrigeration for those other delivery needs.

This unit and many, many others were built by Supreme Corporation for Safeway.com. Looks like a great partnership!

New Harbor Contractor Shown By Cascade Truck Body

Cascade Truck Body in Eugene, Oregon is showing off the new Harbor Contractor Body. It is new because Harbor Truck Bodies is now manufacturing their own line of flatbeds which is the base of the Contractor Body. Cascade Truck Body has added their typical high quality, tasty touches to make it their own as well, such as the tasty little gates that look so nice, the mud flap holders that do a wonderful job that many don't think about and many other touches.

What is also interesting is that this Contractor Body is not the typical white. In a sea of white this baby stands apart. A sweet red chassis with black bed and black boxes and black rack. Sweet! I really like Cascade Truck Body and I've never even met them. I've seen their work though, and they do it like pros and everything I've seen exudes quality and attention to detail. What more could you ask for in a body company? Oh, I know. . . timeliness, right? My understanding is they achieve that with style as well.

If you're in the Oregon area--forget that! If you're on the West Coast and you want a quality body, you need to call Cascade Truck Body at 541-342-5317, and please take the time to view their awesome, very well done website at www.cascadetruckbody.com.

Knapheide TSR and Raised TSR from Carter Industries

This is the Knapheide 8' Service Body with the Telescopic Sliding Roof (TSR) in the standard height (bottom photo) and the 10" raised height (top 3 photos). The raised unit comes with barn style rear doors for more stability and security and includes a 2-piece sliding top opening about half of the bed area.

This is a great unit to keep in stock. Some customers want to be able to carry larger items and keep them out of sight and out of the weather. Of course, you would think that in the winter time, but these sell all year round. Out of sight, out of mind, you know. You might also consider a bed slider to make getting the cargo in and out of the bed much easier. Your customer will love it.

These photos are courtesy of Carter Industries in Union City, CA who is a large distributor of Knapheide products. You can contact them at 800-310-6390, or visit their constantly improving website at www.carterind.com. Tell them the Blog sent you! By the way, they are great people to deal with!

New Carter Industries Contractor Body

The New Carter Contractor Body. Carter Industries has revolutionized the Contractor Body on more than one occassion and now they are introducing another. Storage boxes can be closed with one hand using slam handles. Doors can fold all the way down if desired. Composite flooring , removable plastic bin boxes in open top section of the top box, exclusive "shovel box" rear door at rear of flatbed.

Here's a link to a closeup shot of the new upper bed boxes: New Boxes

Here's a link to see the well designed aluminum dividers: Dividers

Here's another of the upper box showing the plastic bins: Bins

Besides being very clean in appearance, it is more functional than ever! Great job Carter Industries. Check out their great website at www.carterind.com, or call them at 800-310-6390.

Just in case you needed them:

SPECIFICATIONS FOR NEW CARTER INDUSTRIES CONTRACTOR BODY

• 12' 3" Long x 96" Wide platform
• Composite flooring
• 4" Crossmembers on 12" centers
• 5" Channel longsills
• Steel sides and tapered rear apron
• Steel flip top boxes 96" x 18" x 18" with double drop down doors
• Removable bins and aluminum dividers for flip top compartments
• Steel under body boxes 60" x 20" x 20" (one on each side)
• Lift out bed divider at rear of topside boxes.
• Fold down steel stakes with 3 rows of apitong slats
  

Overcab forklift style material rack

• 2" X 3" Construction with removable center and rear crossbars
• Platform, rack, and boxes powder coated (white)
• Heavy duty receiver hitch and 7 blade plug
• Shovel box integrated into the rear apron
• Stainless steel hinges and fuel bezel

More Highway Products Custom Creations!

My first glance at this wonderful unit and I'm sold. Look at all the great storage spaces in this lightweight aluminum body. Just slightly taller than the cab of the truck, this gives a bit more space inside the body.

The front compartment is full transverse compartment since you can see all the way through. Very nice for long objects. The connecting wheel skirt really makes the body look great on the chassis. I would add some gas shocks to the doors, but it is nice that the middle doors open all the way.

Just think of all the things that can go inside the body. A nice RollerCoaster bedslide would be a great addition in there! No climbing in and out, just roll it out.

Now, the compartment I like the best is the top compartment. You could park a Cadillac in there! It's huge! There are always those things that just don't fit in the regular spaces. It could also be for lightweight supplies that are used all the time, or parts that are commonly used in the field, etc. Great space!

This is another awesome project from the Creative Ones at Highway Products! Check out their website at www.highwayproducts.com.

Sweet Thing From Highway Products

I was looking at some of Highway Products great bodies and boxes and remembered this wonderful piece. As I look at it, it appears the headboard is designed for the GM medium duty, or any manufacturer tilt cab truck because it looks higher than it would be on a typical conventional cab 1 ton. I love the upper bed box and on top of that the mesh box. I'm thinking this would be one awesome body for a lot of landscapers. Maybe throw some short gates around the back, perhaps a nice aluminum liftgate. Lots of storage for stuff. Great built in steps and handle to climb up to the bed.

Then again, maybe we shorten the headboard, lose the mesh box, throw on a nice aluminum rack, short gates and we have a contractor body for the elite. Add one more upper box and its a dream deal. Make the first box transverse with drawers and you're the king of the contractors. They talk about legends like that.

I love how the underbed boxes work together and add to the picture along with the steps. Nicely done. The upper box has got to be a really great choice for carrying those larger items. The whole thing works. You know, a work truck is a work truck, but having one that is knock-your-socks-off great looking at the same time? Priceless!

Contact my friend, Jim Lenford, Sales Manager at 800-866-5269, or email him at lenford.jim@800toolbox.com. Check out their great website at www.highwayproducts.com.

50th Commercial Truck Success IdeaLetter

We have just sent our 50th Commercial Truck Success IdeaLetter that goes to commercial truck sales teams, body companies, suppliers and others throughout the United States and Canada as well as other countries. Our first issue was published to a very small group on October 8th, 2007. The IdeaLetter is published every other week via email and typically sent on Monday.

We have been encouraged by the response of the subscribers to the IdeaLetter and thank all for their comments. It is our pleasure to serve you and will continue to grow and expand this resource.

For those who have not subscribed, here is a link to see past issues and if it looks interesting to you, you may subscribe here: IdeaLetter

Thank you for the opportunity to serve you!! We look forward to #100!

Smith Electric Delivers Commercial Electric Trucks

First Next Generation All-Electric Commercial Vehicles Delivered on Capitol Hill to Fortune 500 Companies

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T, and Kansas City Power & Light receive keys to new Smith Newton

July 28, 2009 – Washington D.C. – Four Fortune 500 companies and two utility companies took delivery of the first in a series of next generation all-electric commercial vehicles in an automotive industry changing event hosted at the Capitol Reflecting Pool on the National Mall by Missouri Senator Kit Bond and attended by Carol M. Browner, Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E), Coca-Cola Enterprises, Staples, Frito-Lay, AT&T and Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L) were presented with the keys to all new Smith Newtons, the world’s largest commercially available battery-electric-powered truck. The Newton is the first commercial all-electric truck to achieve new vehicle emissions certification in California.

“The next generation electric vehicles Smith is producing demonstrates exactly the kind of technology we need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and end our dependence on foreign oil,” Senator Bond said. “Missouri is a growing leader in exciting new battery technology making it an ideal partner for all-electric vehicle manufacturing.”

“AT&T, Coca-Cola Enterprises, Frito-Lay, KCP&L, PG&E and Staples are demonstrating their commitment to environmental sustainability and green fleet vehicle technologies that will drive the future of the automotive industry,” said Bryan Hansel, CEO of Smith. “As more depot-based truck fleet operators come on board and adopt all-electric vehicles, battery technology will advance and manufacturing costs will be driven down, spurring new growth in the commercial electric vehicle industry, creating new high-tech jobs, and reducing fuel emissions and our dependency on foreign oil.”

The Smith Newton is fuel-emissions-free, runs without noise or vibration, and actually stores electric energy during stopping through a process called regenerative braking. The Smith Newton has a top speed of 50 mph, a range on one battery charge in excess of 100 miles and a payload of over 16,000 lbs.

Smith Electric Vehicles U.S. (Smith), a Delaware corporation headquartered in Kansas City, Mo., is a privately held company owned by Private Investors Management and The Tanfield Group Plc, based in the United Kingdom. Tanfield is the parent company of Smith Electric Vehicles in the U.K., the leading manufacturer of zero-emissions battery-electric commercial vehicles in Europe since the 1920s.

Smith Electric Vehicles has produced the Newton truck in Europe for more than three years and has sold vehicles to major fleet operators in sectors such as mail and parcel delivery, logistics, retail, highway maintenance and airports.

Smith is initially focusing production on all-electric vehicles for depot-based predictable-route delivery and service fleets, and is bringing a proven next generation electric-drive technology to the American marketplace. Smith vehicles will feature the latest in Lithium-ion battery cell technology, power management and direct drivetrains. Smith has licensed the proprietary knowledge from Smith Electric Vehicles in the U.K. and has brought it to its new production facility in Kansas City, where for the first time all-electric trucks will be assembled and distributed by American workers.

Smith Newton Truck Specifications:

• Motor – 120 kw Induction Motor
• Battery – Lithium-Ion Batteries Payload – 7,392 lbs to 16,280 lbs
• Gross Vehicle Weight – 16,535 lbs, 23,148 lbs or 26,455 lbs
• Range – In excess of 100 miles (one battery charge)
• Top Speed – 50 mph • On-board Battery Charger
• Full Battery Recharge – 6 to 8 hours

For more information, visit www.sev-us.com.

Great Drawers From Brutus Truck Bodies

Brutus Truck Bodies Brutus Drawer Pack - Brutus Drawer Systems

I do love great quality, smooth sliding, heavy duty drawers in service bodies. There is nothing quite like the convenience and usefulness of a drawer system. It provides excellent access to tools, small parts and other needed items at ones fingertips. I've seen a number of great drawers and these are top of the line. I especially love the top photo with two sets of drawers together and it is so interesting to have the smaller size drawers right there alongside the wider ones. This is the first I have seen quite like this and I love it!

Brutus has taken the best features and designs from the leading drawer suppliers of North American and created its own custom aluminum drawer cabinets. These new drawers have the following features:

• Aluminum huck-bolted construction
• Full side and rear panels with bottom riser for a rigid structure
• Stainless “easy open” handles with key locks
• Stainless “easy close” slam latches
• Stainless replaceable striker plates for latch wear
• One step removable drawers for easy drawer cleaning or to take
  all tools directly to the jobsite
• 300 lb roller bearing sliders (extended capacity)
• Huck-bolted slider and drawer mounting so parts can never
  come loose
• Adjustable aluminum dividers included
• Expandable aluminum top shelf to prevent parts and tools from
  falling alongside or behind cabinet

Contact Brutus Truck Bodies at 866-344-6480 and visit their informative website at www.brutusbodies.com.

Brutus Boxes Is Aptly Named

Brutus Truck Bodies by Nor-Mar Industries, Ltd. of Penticton, BC, Canada builds some over the edge tough bodies starting with the Brutus Box. This is a pickup bed replacement that is built for some serious work under severe conditions. Loggers in the area needed a pickup that could take the stresses and rough tough environment and back in 1981, Gerry Turchak, the company founder decided to heed the call. It was an immediate success! Soon customers wanted cabinets and other customizations to give them more flexibility.

Today, Brutus Truck Bodies by Nor-Mar Industries, Ltd. builds a great line of bodies in addition to the Brutus Box that are designed for the harsh forestry, construction, mining, and oilfield sectors of the rugged Canadian environment. All their bodies utilize the finest materials, construction standards, and equipment so your truck body will give you a long and trouble free life.

Contact Brutus Truck Bodies at 866-344-6480 and visit their comprehensive website at www.brutusbodies.com.

Thiele Chor-Boy Dump Bodies: Experience the Difference!

The Thiele Chor-Boy Dump Body is available in 8' to 13' lengths and available in steel, aluminum and stainless steel models. Thiele Truck Body has been in business since 1901 and started building steel dump bodies in 1930!! There's nothing like experience!

When it comes to light-medium duty dump bodies, Thiele's Chor-Boy has no equal. Built with the same tough materials and quality workmanship that have made Thiele's Titan and Model 12 famous, the Chor-Boy will provide years of dependable performance load after load. The Chor-Boy is the perfect choice for contractors, landscapers, and municipalities. Popular available options include fold-down sides for easy loading and unloading.

Call Thiele Manufacturing at 888-884-4353 and visit their website and download brochures and see all their products at www.thielebody.com.

Slip-In Bodies from Gichner Truck Bodies

Gichner Truck Bodies offers a versatile and lightweight, heavy duty pickup truck slip-in body. Panels are made of lightweight Therma-Lite TM increasing fuel mileage and maximum payload by decreasing the weight up to several hundred pounds from typical units on the market.

Some features of the Gichner Slip-In Body:

• Fully insulated rear doors and a full 3" of insulation in the entire box and doors.
• All aluminum exterior providing no rust and long-life durability
• Aluminum interior liner
• Military tough: Gichner has taken their expertise from military shelter development to create one of the strongest and lightest truck bodies available.
• Exterior height: 72", Exterior Width: 78", Exterior Length: 98", Interior Height: 66", Rear Door: Single Opening 34"x60".
• Options include Interior Centered Dome light w/3-way switch, 3-way control switch in cab, Clearance lights (not required for DOT).

Call Gichner Truck Body experts at 1-888-378-5510 and check out their website at www.gichnertruckbodies.com.

Aluminum Curtainside Car Hauler by Sliding Systems

This is the Aluminum Curtainside Car Hauler from Sliding Systems, Inc. with manufacturing facilities in Haslett, MI. The curtainside gives quick and easy access from three sides as well as becoming an excellent moving billboard. It features a secure automobile tie-down, as well as ramp sections for easy loading.

The curtainside system is lighter weight and yet loads are well protected from the elements. SSI Curtainsides are designed for user-friendly operation. Open and close the entire length of the trailer within minutes. Call Sliding Side Systems at 517-339-1455 or 877-339-2223 at their Haslett, MI manufacturing plant, or 414-258-2070 or 800-236-6655 at their Corporate Offices in Wauwatosa, WI. Look also at their informative website at www.slidingsystems.com.

More Eye Candy From Certified Truck Bodies

While admiring the service body from Certified Truck Bodies & Equipment in Santa Fe Springs, CA, I couldn't pass up pointing out a couple of their beautiful and extremely useful Contractor Bodies.

It is rare to see a contractor body without a rack, yet the photo at the top is a great design for a contractor body with or without a rack. I love the tall front compartment and the way it is mounted is a bit more costly probably, but keeps the overall height relatively low, yet it is a large compartment and that increases its usefulness. It is a thing of beauty the way they have blended that compartment with a fender skirt and a rear compartment. It just flows so nicely and looks great. Even the way the rear compartment is set back ever so slightly, adds to the beauty of this design.

Then when we get around to the rear, the bumper and rear end design is absolutely gorgeous. Notice the rounded corners and the rounded end. The taillamps are nicely tucked in there so it all flows. Think also of the useful space in the compartments and on the top of the bed. To make this even better, I might try to angle that front box just enough toward the cab to give the front end of the body a bit more appeal.

Now for the next photo below. This is an awesome workhorse of a body! The dual raised front compartments just rock! Add to that the wheel fender skirt and rear box while adding another upper bed box behind the two raised compartments. This has a nice rack with some J hooks and lighting. Just think of all the things that could be carried in and on this truck. Make sure and get a HD chassis to handle all that stuff.

See more great bodies from Certified on their website at www.certifiedtruckbodies.com. Or, you can call them at 562-777-9855.

Beautiful Service Body Is Eye Candy!

This is one of the nicest looking service bodies I have ever seen. I absolutely love it! Here's what I noticed about this:

• Notice the 8' or 9' SRW body here with split lids. It really pumps up the look and they are not even covered with diamond plate, etc. Very clean looking.
• It is a low pro version so the top of the lids is near the bottom of the rear window.
• A rack can easily be added, yet this body looks so good as it is.
• The little rounded end work shelf at the rear is very tasty and effective.
• Notice how the rear bumper is not quite as wide as the body and it looks like it is sculpted into the body. It just flows like a work of art and flows especially with the shelf above it.

Who says work trucks have to be so square. This great example of beauty in a service body is by Certified Truck Bodies & Equipment in Santa Fe Springs, CA. You can reach them at 562-777-9855 or visit their website at www.certifiedtruckbodies.com.