Public Works Load'N'Go Service Bodies

Americans like to build stuff and go places. But how do they get there? On the roads, highways, and bridges built by other Americans of course. Last week we celebrated National Public Works Week to honor the professionals across the nation that serve the public good everyday.

NPWW is sponsored by the American Public Works Association and has been celebrated since 1960. The Presidential Proclamation affirming National Public Works Week was signed by John F. Kennedy in 1962. The importance of public works to our daily lives comes in the form of planning, building, and managing local communities in order to provide safe streets, parks, traffics, and infrastructures. These tasks are not always a "walk in the park" because public work professionals have limited manpower and finances. So to those who take on the challenge, the least we can do is honor you and educate the public on the importance of public works.

Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies provide the tools necessary for public work professionals to keep up and running. Load'N'Go service bodies are easily transferred from one pickup truck to another in minutes fully loaded. Whether you're a concrete worker paving our highways, a construction worker building the a parking structure, or a landscaper creating a park for recreation, Load'N'Go service bodies are perfect for the job. Go to www.Fleetwest.net for more information or to get a quote.

Load'N'Go Sportsman

Load'N'Go Powerbody

Work Truck Disaster Relief

The past decade has been riddled with natural disasters from tornadoes to hurricanes and tropical storms. A nation still feeling the effects from catastrophes such as Hurricane Katrina in 2005 can use all the disaster relief available. Organizations such as First Response Team of America have been forming to do just that with the use of work trucks and service bodies.

The First Response Team of America, created by former millionaire Ted Agoglia, is a non-profit organization that most recently assisted tornado victims in Oklahoma. In fact, the team has assisted in 12 cities nation-wide from West Liberty to New Orleans. Gathering 18 Dodge Ram pickup truck owners near Moore, OK Agoglia led the disaster relief effort by hauling supplies. Ram Advocate Manager stated of Ram pickup truck owners that "It is in their DNA to help their neighbors when disaster strikes" (ProPickupMag.com).

Service bodies like the one pictured below can be made into emergency response units. The Durashell by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies is high-quality, rugged, and made of light-weight fiberglass composite. The Durashell is perfect for disaster relief efforts because it can handle rough terrain which is often the case when amidst a catastrophe. There is between 90 and 370 cubic feet of storage space (depending on the model) for supplies and tools. Side compartments are also available for secure tool storage and slide out decks or pull-out drawers can be added for convenience (demonstrated in this one minute YouTube video).

Service Body Emergency Response Unit

Slide-out Decks

Service Bodies Go Off the Grid

“A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu  

Want to go off the grid? Whether you're an avid traveler or simply need a family vacation, service bodies can be an excellent alternative to expensive, gas guzzling RV's or over-priced hotel rooms. Bob Wells' featured guest article on the Durashell 165 by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies  is a great example of how service bodies can be used for leisure. The Durashell was installed on a 2004 Toyota Tacoma, and later easily transferred to the 2008 Tacoma Access Cab for the trip of a lifetime. 

Check out the full blog and see how the Durashell 165 began one man's journey:  http://cheaprvlivingblog.com/2013/03/living-an-adventure-in-a-toyota-tacoma-camper/

Durashell 165

The Durashell service bodies offer anywhere from 90 to 370 cubic feet of storage depending on the model. Travelers can utilize storage for sleeping space, personal items, or jobs on-the-go to fund their adventures. Security comes in the form of stainless steel locking rear doors (and side doors if applicable) so your personal belongings are safe from theft or damage. Finally, no holes drilled installation provides versatility. The ability to easily move your service body from one pickup truck to another makes traveling convenient, whether you're going on a weekend get-away or retiring cross country.

Telematics for Work Trucks

Fleetwest Transferable Service Body customers save money within their fleets. The Durashell and Load'N'Go service bodies will outlast multiple trucks and are completely transferable, slipping on and off your pickup in minutes, creating a more versatile fleet. No-holes-drilled installation preserves the condition of your pickup and increases resell value for both the service body and truck.

Transferability: Economical and Versatile

 
So what should you buy with all the excess money you'll save? Telematics GPS enabled systems are one option, and a hot topic right now. There are many benefits to utilizing telematics within your fleet, and a pending mandate for electronic logging may be required for trucks covered by the hours of service rules. However, there are also liability concerns that you should be aware of also.

Benefits

Telematic systems record and transmit information about company vehicles through computerized maintenance reports. They provide remote vehicle diagnostics and fleet management opportunities as well as vehicle tracking and loss prevention. Different telematic companies offer options such as temperature sensitive freight monitoring (useful in the Durashell service body), satellite navigation, and emergency warning systems. Drivers will have the convenience of talking to operators at the push of a button. Fleet management will have the opportunity to reduce gas expense, vehicle wear and tear, insurance cost, and potential liabilities by re-educating unsafe drivers. What's not to like about this new technology?

Caution

While telematics help companies to avoid the chance of certain liabilities, the systems can also cause them. Laws and regulations regarding telematics have yet to catch up with the technology and they vary from state to state. It is important to do your research regarding these laws if you decide to implement a system into your company. Privacy issues may occur because of the GPS tracking system. Some states require employee notification that informs the drivers that they may be monitored or if video surveillance is involved. Another negative aspect to telematics is the data management. Sifting through all the data can be time consuming, and also makes you responsible to report unsafe driving incidents to avoid legal issues such as vicarious liability.

The best way to smoothly implement a telematic program into your fleet is through training and driver education. It is important to have a no cell phone policy for drivers and to ensure they will not use technologies unless they are safely parked. Management should develop comprehensive policies, investigate each driver before hiring, and regularly review the telematics data for safety. Like with all technology, companies need to ask themselves if the benefits outweigh the risk.

Transferable truck bodies are a risk-free investment. Get a quote at Fleetwest.net or call toll-free: 866- 497-7200

Fuel Choices for Work Trucks

There's no ignoring alternative fuels as gas prices are increasingly on the rise and every automotive company, big or small, is developing new ways to power our vehicles. With so many options out there, the decision for your next work truck can be daunting. Gone are the days where comparisons are limited to size, power, and payload capacity. Now work trucks come in the form of electric, hybrid, and natural gas powered.

• Natural Gas Vehicles - a newly competitive power source, natural gas sustains 240+ years of consumption, is environmentally friendly, and economically attractive. The downfall: refueling infrastructures for natural gas are lacking.

• Good Ol' Fashion Oil - while alternative fuels are quickly developing, gas powered vehicles aren't going anywhere, just take a look at profits for any major oil company. The convenience of gas powered vehicles will keep them in business; however, the downfalls are apparent at the pump. Gas is expensive and can have a major impact on the budget of fleets. 

• Electric and Hybrid - Automotive companies are increasingly producing battery electric vehicles. Amp is an example of a company that is taking it a step further with vehicle-to-grid technologies that allow vehicles to take in or give up excess energy to power girds. After countless amounts of time and money put into R&D, electric vehicles are finally starting to turn a profit. The downside: electric vehicle driving distance still doesn't compare to gas.

• Propane Autogas - a by-product of natural gas and petroleum, this alternative fuel lowers greenhouse emissions and the cost of operation. It has recently been used in a new line of school buses and can power larger vehicles.

With all these options to take into consideration, one choice that isn't complicated is your service body. Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies slip on and off the bed of your truck fully loaded in minutes. Load'N'Go steel service bodies and Durashell light-weight fiberglass composite service bodies are a universal fit for all major long and short bed pickup truck brands such as Ford, GMC, and Chevy. Whichever power source you choose for your next work truck, Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies will work for you.

Transferability Changes Everything

Agricultural Service Bodies

The agricultural industry has a unique set of needs when it comes to service bodies. Jobs range from welding fences one minute to hauling hay or livestock the next. Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies offer numerous work truck solutions for the agricultural industry. In order to meet agricultural needs, a good service body will provide:

• Tool storage - Durashell service bodies have 90 to 370 cubic feet of secure storage space, depending on your needs. They are high-quality, rugged, and light-weight at the same time. Great for hauling produce, live-stock, or other temperature sensitive cargo with the addition of an A/C unit.

• Welding and power options - The Load'N'Go Powerbody (as seen on the SPEED Channel's Truck U) has a 4-in-1 built-in generator, welder, compressor, and battery booster for on-the-job support and use of all your power tools anywhere. Save time by welding a fence or repairing machinery on the site without disassembling.

• Transferability - All Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies slip on and off your pickup truck in minutes with no holes drilled. Agriculture is a versatile business, and your work truck should be too. 

Load'N'Go Powerbody

Durashell 365 with A/C Unit

Extreme Truck Service Bodies

The V-370 service body pictured above mounted on a Dodge Ram flatbed pickup truck is a welcomed break for BP oil workers. Literally. This service body has been converted into a break room at the Prudhoe Bay oil field located in Alaska.

Prudhoe Bay is the largest oil field in North America, discovered in 1968 by ARCO and Exxon, and now solely operated by BP. More than $25 billion went into developing the BP exploration field and transportation which drills about 400,000 barrels of oil every day.

The field was awarded for tremendous achievement in occupational safety and health, no doubt due to features such as mobile break rooms for freezing workers. With 370 cubic feet of storage space, there is plenty of room for seating, a coffee maker, and heating. The Durashell service body is made of a light-weight fiberglass for fuel efficiency (ironically), weighing in at 700 pounds.

The Durashell 370 by Fleetwest Transferable Service Bodies can easily be mounted onto a flatbed pickup truck, shown pictured below on a F550 Dually. Its lightweight and durability makes this service body versatile and ideal for any type of industrial work or recreation.

Durashell 370

Service Truck Body of the Week

Durashell 365

The Durashell 365 by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies is the Service Truck Body of the Week because it has 365 cubic feet of storage space. Industry workers with big jobs know how important that is. There's enough room for all of your tools, materials, and parts in a secure setting. An air conditioning unit can be installed in the Durashell enabling temperature sensitive cargo to be transported. Pickups are transformed into work trucks serving multiple purposes from Emergency Response Units, HVAC vehicles, and even food trucks with the Durashell 365.

You may think this spacious service body is packing on the pounds, but because it is made of a light-weight fiberglass composite, the Durashell 365 will only add 700 lbs to your payload.
A light-weight service body will decrease your fuel cost and carbon footprint.

Don't let the Durashell's light weight fool you. This service body is extremely durable and will outlast multiple pickup trucks. The secure locking rear doors and optional side access doors (pictured above) will protect your expensive cargo from theft and damage. The white gel coat finish is not just for aesthetics; it also protects from weather damage and corrosion.

Van Alternative

If the Durashell 365 is more storage than you need, or you would like an even lighter service body, check out the Durashell 170. With 170 cubic feet of storage space this service body weighs in at just 385 pounds. All Durashells are a universal fit for popular pickup truck models such as Ford, Dodge, GMC, Chevy, Toyota, and Nissan.

Interested in this weeks service body? Contact Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies by clicking Get a Quote.

Service Body Life Cycle Cost

Transferable vs. Bolt-on 

What are the benefits of getting a transferable service body over the traditional bolt-on option? There are many but the overall theme is saving money, increased flexibility, and creating a "greener" fleet.

Load'N'Go Transferable Service Body

• A transferable service body has a higher residual value than bolt-on bodies. Go to the life cycle comparison page at Fleetwest.net for details.

• The Fleetwest Transferable Load'N'Go and Durashell truck bodies will outlast multiple pickup trucks. You would have to sell a bolt-on service body with every pickup truck your company goes through or attempt to remove the body which will cause damage. Transferable truck bodies can easily be removed and placed on a new truck or resold separately from your pickup.

• The resell value of your pickup truck won't be compromised when you chose transferable truck bodies. With a bolt-on truck body you have to either sell the body with the truck, losing it for your own use, or remove the body causing damage and lowering the value of your pickup.

• The total vehicle requirements of a transferable truck body are lower than bolt-on bodies. Less trucks are needed because your service body can simply move from one truck to another. Not only does this provide flexibility, but fewer trucks makes for a "greener" fleet. Improve your company's sustainability initiative with transferable truck bodies.

• Cost of technician downtime is virtually eliminated with transferable truck bodies, making for increased productivity and profit. With bolt-on service bodies, when a truck needs to go in for repairs or a mechanic calls out from work, time and money is lost. With a transferable service body, simply move the unit from one pickup to another and continue on with business. 

• Short term leased pickup trucks can be utilized with transferable truck bodies because no damage will be done to the truck and it is not a permanent fixture. 

• The upfit time to install a transferable truck body is much less than a bolt-on truck body. Most styles of Load'N'Go or Durashell service bodies are ready to ship and can be on your truck in no time. Whereas the bolt-on service body will have to be fitted and installed taking time and the use of your pickup truck away.

• Technician satisfaction is guaranteed with transferable truck bodies because they are able to organize their tools and equipment exactly how they want in order to optimize organization and consequently productivity.

• Durashell and Load'N'Go service bodies are a universal fit to all major brand pickup trucks such as GMC, Ford, Chevy, Dodge, Nissan, and Toyota. Check out the Fit Guide to find the best transferable service body for your truck.

Service Body Wrapping

How can you market in a traffic jam? With vehicle body wrapping. The average American driver has gone 302 miles in the past seven days. With all the time we spend in our cars, your company could be making between 30,000 and 80,000 impressions daily.

Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies offers both Load'N'Go and Durashell service bodies that are ideal for body wrapping. The benefits to wrapping your work truck and service body are:

• Your company logo and graphics stay with the service body when the pickup truck is sold, traded, or damaged

• Body wraps are inexpensive and easily changed, much more so than a new paint job

• The company saves money as body wraps are a relatively inexpensive way to advertise and a wrapped transferable service body is versatile, moving from one pickup truck to another in minutes

• Your ad will not be compared side-by-side to competitors like in traditional advertising settings such as newspaper or online banners

• The advertisement acts as a moving billboard and will reach all audiences/markets

• There is no special maintenance necessary or damage to the paint of your pickup truck and service body

Wrapped Durashell 370

** Click here to see a 2 minute YouTube video of the wrapped Durashell 370 pictured above.

Attention Crane Riggers

 Service Truck Body of the Week

The Crane and Rigging/ Industrial Crane and Hoist Conference was held at the Indianapolis Marriott North last week. Safety and risk managers, fleet managers, construction, and heavy industry workers gained valuable insight on the industry trends, changes in standards and regulations, new technologies, and shift in labor demands for the crane and rigging industry. 

The CRC-ICHC is an opportunity for crane and rigging professionals to network, visit exhibitors, learn from speakers on innovative topics, and break away from their daily routine. Exhibits are hosted by contractors, engineers, insurance providers, crane rental companies, and health and safety professionals to name a few.

The Security Top by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies is named Service Truck Body of the Week because it is suited for the crane and rigging industry. The removable top along with an 1000 lb capacity drawer provides more than enough versatile storage for large rigging supplies such as slings, hoists, and chains. Transferability is the key feature on the Load'N'Go Security Top. The service body can slip on and off your pickup truck in minutes to allow flexibility from job site and back, virtually eliminating downtime.

Load'N'Go Security Top

Fleet Challenges and Solutions

Top Challenges Facing Fleet Managers

• Increased fuel costs: the impact is much more than the price at the pump.
• Fuel reduction strategies turned into corporate sustainability initiatives have been growing tools used to reduce corporate greenhouse gas (GHG) and of course reduce fuel costs.
• Solutions:
• Modify the fleet program
• Switch to light-weight, fuel efficient vehicles and service bodies
• Implement driving programs to reduce fuel cost

• Pressure from management to reduce fleet costs:
• Every department is receiving pressure to reduce costs and spending, and fleets are no exception. 
• Solutions:
• Cut liability through driver training programs
• Utilize transferable truck bodies as an alternative fleet solution: Most companies replace 1/3 of their fleet vehicles each year. This number can be reduced significantly with transferable truck bodies that outlast multiple pickup trucks
• Examine route efficiency, vehicle payload, miles driven, and fraud management programs

 Vehicle training programs can also be utilized to increase fuel efficiency. Driving habits such as fast starts, hard stops, and excessive idling can be reduced and/or eliminated, providing significant results in fuel usage. Driving the speed limit also increases mpg.

Downsizing is a growing trend in fleets. Many fleet managers have found that they can do the same job with smaller vehicles. Downsizing from a large truck or van style vehicle to a pickup truck with a service body will improve corporate sustainability and fleet versatility.

Consider the Load'N'Go or Durashell by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies. The Durashell is made of light-weight fiberglass composite that will reduce your overall payload. Load'N'Go service bodies are completely transferable on and off your vehicle fully loaded. You can downsize your fleet with transferable service bodies which allows for flexibility. Personal vehicles can easily be transformed to work trucks, temporarily.

Load'N'Go Sportsman Available at Lowes.com

 *Business conditions for fleets are more than likely to improve in the coming year, according to Automotive Fleet.

Powder Coated Service Bodies

Benefits of Powder Coating

What exactly is powder coating? It is a process where a mixture of finely ground particles of pigment and resin are electrostatically sprayed onto a surface to be coated and baked. The result is a uniform, durable, high quality finish. Powder coating is resistant to chipping, scratching, fading, and wearing. It provides excellent hardness and abrasion with impact resistance, making it a growing trend in the automotive industry. 

• Powder coating makes for a better overall aesthetic because there is consistent color and appearance. 
• You will also have weather protection because powder coating is corrosion resistant. 
• The process is protective of the environment because there are no volatile organic compounds (VOC) released.

Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies offers the Load'N'Go Open-bed, Security-Top, Powerbody, and TSS  in a powder coated finish. These service body options will outlast multiple pickup trucks, as shown in the life-cycle comparison.

Powder Coated Load'N'Go Security-Top

Side Compartments, 1000 lb Capacity Drawer, and Ladder Rack

Truck U Demo Model Service Body

The Load'N'Go Sportsman by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies was featured on the SPEED Channel's Truck U. The Sportsman featured in the video above is a demo model for sale that comes fully equipped with a headache rack, 1000 lb capacity 70 percent extension pull-out drawer, and an 100 percent extension bed slide. All Load'N'Go service bodies are fully transferable and slip on and off your pickup truck fully loaded in minutes, as demonstrated at the end of the video. To see the Sportsman and other Fleetwest service bodies on Truck U TV, visit the Video Library.

Pictured below is the same Load'N'Go Sportsman TV demo model on 2000 lb capacity lifting jacks (sold separately).

Load'N'Go Sportsman

Service Body for Electricians

 Bright Ideas

Power conservation is a hot topic since the transformation of our power grids to achieve greater energy efficiency and improve service reliability. The theme seems to be reducing operations and maintenance costs, decreasing the impact on the environment, and increasing reliability for customers which means less costly power outages. These tasks may seem daunting but companies such as GE, ABB, and Full Spectrum are tackling them.

• GE's Power Conservation business, known for delivering advanced motor, drive, and control technologies, has been awarded new contracts for orders of electric power worth around $80 million in the last six months (including liquid natural gas carriers and a Floating Storage Regasification unit). They focus on simplistic technology to increase reliability and lower maintenance costs, resulting in a lower life-cycle cost of ownership.

• ABB, a leading global supplier of solar inverters,  is acquiring Power-One in order to create value for customers, employees, and shareholders. Solar inverters are one of the fastest-developing innovative technologies in power electronics and the combination of these two successful companies will create substantial growth.

• Full Spectrum announced a new version of its wireless communications software designed to reduce the impact of power outages. The self-healing smart grid is especially important for industrial and commercial power users such as hospital complexes who rely on electricity for life support equipment. Power outages can cost the economy billions of dollars annually and new technologies will decrease this impact.

• 'Energy Smart Florida' is an example of how states are benefiting from advanced smart grid networks. The Florida Power and Light Company successfully continues to deliver long-term innovation to their customers, enabling a multitude of smart energy services for use and increasing reliability, reducing operation costs, and lowering maintenance costs.

• Mitsubishi Electric Transformer Factory opened in Memphis occupying nearly 100 acres in the Rivergate Industrial Park.  The facility is a reliable energy infrastructure that significantly increased transformer manufacturing capacity. The new factory will be able to produce more than one large transformer each week and is capable of producing the largest power transformers in the world. The Memphis economy will benefit from the job growth due to the factory.

• Old Dominion Electric Cooperative announced approval for the construction of a natural gas fueled electric generation facility in Maryland that will provide environmentally balanced and reliable electricity. It will also create jobs and a steady source of revenue for Cecil County by replacing electricity bought on the market with a cost-effective source of locally produced electricity. An aging power plant fleet will be revamped.

• Canadian company Prolucid LocalGrid Technologies partnered with National Instruments funded by grants from Canada's ecoENERGY Initiative to distribute intelligence technology and manage renewable energy generated by the community onto the power grid. The effects will include reduced greenhouse gas emissions and reliability and efficiency across the electric power system. The LocalGrid is addressing the challenge of clean energy incentives; alternative sources of energy such as solar panels and wind turbines generate more power than the existing infrastructure can handle, so valuable electricity is wasted. 

The theme of power conservation is reliability, lower maintenance costs, and being eco-friendly. With such growth for electricity companies, service bodies should be considered that accommodate their fleet needs. The Security Top by Fleetwest Transferable Truck Bodies is perfect for electricians because the top slides half-way back to provide full access to the pickup truck bed. The Load'N'Go Security Top (pictured below) is also transferable fully loaded from one pickup truck to another. The secure double locking toolboxes with stainless steel T-handles and padlocks provide security for expensive electrician tools and supplies.

Load'N'Go Security Top