Choosing the right truck for your business is an important investment. Business owners today realize that a truck is a business solution rather than just a company vehicle. Regardless of the truck box, or utility bed you opt for, it should fit your company’s specific needs and be dependable. It’s important to consider things like lifetime value of your truck body (always choose aluminum), and the long-term use of the vehicle.
Types of Truck Bodies and Truck Beds
Understanding the different types of truck boxes and beds is important for you to make an informed decision. Start by exploring each type and its benefits. Even though many of our truck body types can handle a wide variety of applications, they typically specialize in a specific use.
Platform Body
- Designed to efficiently and safely transport large bulk materials and equipment to and from a job site.
- Ideal for contractors, landscapers and a variety of other hands-on trades that want easy cargo access from all sides.
- Numerous available upgrade options to customize for your specific needs (such as floor materials, toolboxes, etc.)
- Explore our platform bodies »
Hauler Truck Body
- DuraMag Hauler Bodies are designed for hard work.
- Integrated steel sub frame that includes both a gooseneck hitch and a rear receiver, you’re ready to haul from day one. Our hauler sub frame is a superior strength Steel Box Tube – no C channel. (compare)
- Explore our hauler bodies »
Dump Body
- Typically used in construction, landscape, and demolition fields of work.
- Our HD Models are designed for heavier commercial use.
- DuraMag HD Dump models are tougher than steel dumps.
See our live test, below: - The DuraMag Eco Dump Body is a light-duty body that’s an affordable option for residential or light commercial use.
- Explore our dump bodies »
Landscape Body
- Landscape bodies are dumping bodies used for hauling/dumping landscape materials.
- Attractive in appearance—Strong in the field.
- America’s first choice in aluminum landscape bodies
- Explore our landscape bodies »
Service Body
- Service bodies are used by tradesmen.
- Defined by doors on both sides.
- Either enclosed on the top or the traditional open style.
- DuraMag aluminum service bodies come standard with a huge safety advantage: roll up doors vs. doors that open out into the road or sidewalk.
- Explore our Service Bodies »
DuraMag produces the finest aluminum truck boxes and beds. Benefits of an aluminum truck bed include:
- Corrosion resistance
- Lighter weight than steel, meaning less fuel costs
- Increased Payload with lower body weight
- Less noise and vibration than clunky steel bodies
- More environmentally friendly than steel
Consider How your Truck will be Used
After exploring truck types, it’s time to review how your company plans to use your vehicles. Consider the materials hauled, maximum payload needed and more to get started. Ask the key members of your team about the below considerations:
- Maneuverability. Do you need to operate your trucks on busy city streets or mostly highways and back roads? Consider the loading and unloading process you frequently go through. Also, consider turning radius. “If you need to get more weight up front, say for a crane application, you may need a heavier axle and larger tires and that could affect your turning radius” (Work Truck).
- Materials Hauled and Maximum Payload. What types of material will you be hauling regularly? Tools and equipment or gravel and sod? Also, what is the maximum load capacity you need to be able to handle? Furthermore, will you be hauling a consistently heavy load or will your loads vary in weight throughout the day/week/month?
- Drivability. Consider whether you’re going to need to frequently haul a trailer or not. If so, what length? “… You may assume you know how your employees use your fleet vehicles, but it’s worth the time to double check…It could make the difference between investing in a costly custom body, when instead, your team would have been sufficient with a standard platform body” (Automotive Fleet).
When investing in a new truck body or bed, first consider the various types available. Next, consider things like type of materials and equipment hauled, the maneuverability of the vehicle and drivability. Explore our product types, review our blogs on industry topics, or give our team a call today to help make your decision easier.