Box Truck Configurations

From contractors to electricians, small companies all over the world have one thing in common. Many of these companies need a working truck to haul around their products or tools in. Now some of these businesses choose to have a regular truck bed to do this. Others have special trucks adapted to their own needs. Many, though, have a box truck, because of its versatility and storage space free from the elements. Although these trucks are great, typically, when you buy a new box truck, there is nothing on the inside. If you work in construction, a box truck is particularly helpful for your business. But you need to decide how to configure your box truck for your construction company.

This can be difficult due to the variety of different products and configurations that can be used with a box truck. Due to these being commercial vehicles, there are many companies that make different products to design the interior storage space. The following will show different ideas and tips to help the average construction business set up their truck.

Interior Shelving

One of the most needed features a construction worker needs in a box truck is an efficient way to carry their tools. Construction workers can have a ton of tools, many of which can be of varying shapes and sizes. So, they’ll need a way to hold these tools in the truck, increasing the amount of work that is accomplished.

When customers see that you have a clean and efficient truck, they are more likely to hire you to do work the same way, neat and efficient. The first thing you’ll want to do is to measure the interior and exterior dimensions of your truck. This is especially important if you’re going to be building your own shelving unit. This will help you get a general idea of how much workspace you’ll have, and what you want to do with the space.

The best thing to do is to either call the manufacturer for the measurements or go to your local dealership and get the measurements. This will ensure you have a perfect fitting shelving unit that lasts you for a long time. The type of shelving unit is crucial for proper use in your particular job.

Types of Shelving Units

After the measurements are received, it’s time to pick the type of shelving unit. This is a two-part step. The material of the shelves and the type of that material shelving will need to be picked. There is a decent amount of material options out there to choose from, lightweight aluminum, heavy but rigid steel, wood, etc.

Generally, the DIY shelving units mentioned later will all be made out of wood. The reason being that wood can be cut and shaped easily, at home, without the use of major tools while being reasonably priced. Due to the fact that it can be difficult to bend steel and aluminum to a perfect degree for shelving, it’s best to buy premade tool shelves made out of those materials.

Wood is a great option for the DIY expert. Construction workers tend to have a lot of screws, nails, and small tools. With wood, you can design little storage bins that hold those smaller items. This video has some interesting ideas on making wood shelving for your box truck. They discuss building shelving for a trailer, but the idea can still apply to box trucks.

Watch the video here:

If you don’t have the time to design a shelving unit, premade steel or aluminum shelves are a great choice. They are designed perfectly to the box truck you own and don’t require a ton of time to install. Aluminum is a popular option because it is super durable and lightweight. Because of this, aluminum shelving can be quite expensive.

You need to ask yourself if you need a lot of storage space. Or if you need just simple storage, due to the amount of wood or bigger products you haul. If you decide the latter, then there are awesome folding options available.

If you need some major storage, then there are some great options, although they can be quite pricey. The brand called Ranger Design has some really cool shelving dividers.

They can be found here:

What’s the Damage?

For many contractors, price can make or break the purchase of a certain shelving unit. Due to its versatility, durability, and aluminum will always be the more expensive route. Heavy-duty aluminum shelving can cost upwards of $1,000 dollars. So, if you found the right shelving units you want, and they are aluminum, make sure you get a good warranty. Faulty screws or shelves can ruin your day. So, make sure that your warranty covers those things. You’re paying for premium products, so make sure you’re getting the premium treatment.

If you need metal for your shelving, and on a budget, look through some steel options. They are typically less expensive than their aluminum counterparts with the same type of durability. You’ll just lose some of the weight-saving features of the aluminum — still a good option for those looking to save a little bit of cash.

Brands, Brands, Brands

The brand you choose can determine how long you use the shelves before needing to buy a replacement. You want to make sure you pick a brand that has a reputation that backs up its products. The company referenced earlier, Ranger Design, display a giant array of shelves to choose from and are easy to install, while made out of good quality material.

There are other brands, too, like Sortimo, Adrian steel, and Weather Guard. Each has pros and cons; your job is to find out which brand will work for you. The internet has tons of reviews by users on each brand, so do your research and pick the best one for you. But what about installation?

Shelf Installation

Typically, the metal shelves have come with an easy to follow manual on installing them into different box trucks. But in case customers are more of a visual learner, then some manufacturers produce videos online that are designed to help through the install. Ranger Designs has a great array of videos on YouTube.

Here is an awesome video of a Ranger Design shelf install:

What Do You Need?

Every construction business needs a truck to transport their tools and products to different jobs. The box truck is great for construction companies because it is super versatile. It can adapt to the needs of the worker; this, of course, depends on the worker choosing the right shelf type and unit. Doing the research and applying the tips in this article is crucial in order to be successful with your choice. In order to apply what’s in this article, a box truck is needed in the first place.

If you’re in the market for a box truck in Cincinnati, then stop on down to McCluskey Chevy. Then have an awesome staff that can help you get into the perfect truck that’s perfect for your construction company.