Utility Body Vs Van

[jwiehagen76]

Good for installs Not so good for service. Purchased a new utility truck in 05 not enough room for all service stock had to add boxes to make room for all of it.

[Tool-Slinger]

Yes a trailer is in my future, installs are less common for me at this point it is a load the night before unload the night after kind of deal at this point.

I am a one man show, so one vehicle has to do the trick for now.

I think you will be happy with the utility bed, just so many times you cannot get stuff in a van. I cannot imagine a one-truck operation and having only a van unless you have a trailer and intend to use it often.

You will little doubt end-up wanting [if not require] a job-box to stick up near the cab. Trust me. I ran service in one for about 4 years and had by company policy an exceptionally well-stocked truck for resi and light comm service. I liked it better than any van I have ever worked out of. I have never worked out of a cube-van, just the usual style vans. I personally would not want to drive one of those in my local traffic, might consider it elsewhere.

DesMech made an excellent point about the open bed problem, but there is a solution. get a custom made tarp from a tarp and awning shop. I do not know what they call the material, but it is good stuff that will last for 10+ years. They can make it size/color to order, bolt near cab and bungee chord near tail-gate. I am guessing a hundred or 2 dollars but worth every single penny. Keeps stuff dry, secure, and out of sight. Seriously worth every penny. Friggin leaves

If you find yourself running very tool-heavy [lotta commercial work and long commutes can force you to carry every tool you own] you might get a little short on storage for those residential parts. If it ever became a problem you could probably stick one of those "rat-pack" sliders in the bed.

If I was doing residential and found a good deal on a truck with a utility-bed, I would snatch it up without hesitation, lift-gate is a nice bonus.

[t527ed]

one thing i would do again if i was to go back to a utility body is bolt a set of the side body pick up boxes on top of the cabinets. it made it a little high to get some stuff out of but the extra storage space and the extra height in the bed for hauling tall items were worth it.

[mgould2]

The truck I drive is a 5500 GMC with a KUV181DHK. It is by far the best thing on the market for me. The RV air unit on the roof and electric heat in the back keep things climatically controlled. The engine driven rear unit help when on the road. I made a bracket to carry a generator on the rear bumper vice mount. We had to send it back and installed the powered ladder racks. I could not reach the old ones from the ground.

[DesMech]

The truck I drive is a 5500 GMC with a KUV181DHK. It is by far the best thing on the market for me. The RV air unit on the roof and electric heat in the back keep things climatically controlled. The engine driven rear unit help when on the road. I made a bracket to carry a generator on the rear bumper vice mount. We had to send it back and installed the powered ladder racks. I could not reach the old ones from the ground.

Now that's a truck! Not only could I not afford the truck, but I couldn't afford to stock it.

[mgould2]

Not that bad was cheaper to operate than buying fuel to fetch parts. Also allows use to reduce inventory at the main office. We have no local supply house. The closest is nearly 2 hours round trip.

We think tools and stock are about 200-250K. We have others newer units

[t527ed]

The truck I drive is a 5500 GMC with a KUV181DHK. It is by far the best thing on the market for me. The RV air unit on the roof and electric heat in the back keep things climatically controlled. The engine driven rear unit help when on the road. I made a bracket to carry a generator on the rear bumper vice mount. We had to send it back and installed the powered ladder racks. I could not reach the old ones from the ground.

got any pictures of that beast??

[2story]

thanks guys, I appreciate the input I am still somewhat amazed by the amount of threads concerning trucks, but it is one of our most used tools!