More and more it has become a service economy and those service businesses need a vehicle that can carry a wide variety of tools, parts, and equipment to and from jobsites in the field. A pickup doesn't make sense for that, nor a van body, but a service or utility body is the perfect answer for millions of businesses. Here are some great reasons why:
Safety: Your cargo is compartmentalized and even if loose within the compartment, you are safe from that movement in the truck. Again, because it is compartmentalized, it is good to keep certain equipment away from other materials that could damage expensive equipment.
Security: Your valuable tools, parts and equipment is kept out of sight and each compartment has a separate and secure locking mechanism. In the case of our Knapheide service bodies, they are among the most secure on the planet with their heavy duty rotary latch and heavy D-ring assembly, along with the stainless steel piano style hinge. Add the optional master locking system to that and you have the ultimate in security. In addition, add the TSR, or telescopic sliding roof which encloses the cargo bed area with a separate locking mechanism, while it can open and slide back to access the bed area. These are two great security options.
Productivity: Service bodies are all about productivity. Being able to carry the tools you need, the parts you use often, and equipment to and from the jobsite in a weather resistant and secure manner is a very productive way to get the job done. They are all about productivity because they go to the jobsite rather than the job needing to come to you. This opens up a wider market and increased profit possibilities. There are many option features, compartment sizes, compartment types that can make your next service body even more productive. Some examples can be horizontal compartments, transverse compartments, wider compartments, taller compartments, and much more.
Flexibility: Service bodies or utility bodies (to most the names are interchangeable, though we normally use service body) come in a wide variety of sizes and configurations from about 6' for small trucks, to 16' for bigger medium duty trucks. The most common sizes are single rear wheel 8' and 9', dual rear wheel 9', 11' and 13'/14' models. The most common heights are about 40"-42" or where the top of the lids comes to about the middle of the rear window on the chassis, then a low-pro version is about 33"-35" and the lids come to the bottom of the rear window. This model is great for shorter people and also to have it look more like a pickup truck. Then there is the cab high model (about 54"-56"), and the high roof enclosed service bodies that allows you to stand up inside the middle section.
In addition, there is single rear wheel and dual rear wheel widths, along with even wider depths if needed. The wider compartments allow for larger tools and equipment, or more storage area for smaller items, as well as being on a heavier duty chassis allowing extra weight to be carried safely. Then, of course, there is compartment configuration options, and much more. Service bodies are among the most flexible of bodies and that is why they are so popular.
Below are some examples of service bodies with many options and different configurations.
