Many people would like to do a little more with their light-duty trucks. Maybe you have a small truck you're no longer using. Perhaps you want to add more utility to one of your trucks or improve your business offerings. You can certainly outfit a smaller truck with a truck body that adds features and utility. Here's what you need to know.
1. You Need to Know What Type of Truck Body You Want
There's a ton of options when it comes to truck bodies for light-duty trucks. It's a good idea to know what type of utility you want to add to your truck. It also helps to have a plan for how you expect to use the new utility. There are various types of truck bodies and even subcategories for the different types.
For example, if you wanted to add a dump body to your truck, you need to understand the different types' limitations. A flatbed dump body serves a far different function than a hauler dump body. Knowing precisely what kind of work you will put your truck to will help you narrow down your choices considerably.
2. You Need to Know Your Truck's Class and Capabilities
Light-duty trucks receive a class designation based on their gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR). The GVWR tells you how much weight your truck can carry in total. That number will include the weight of the vehicle, cargo, fuel, and passengers.
- Class 1. GVWR of 6,000 pounds or less - accounts for small pickup trucks and many SUVs.
- Class 2. GVWR of 6,001 to 10,000 pounds - accounts for many full-size pickups.
- Class 3. GVWR of 10,001 to 14,000 pounds - accounts for heavy-duty pickups and smaller box trucks.
For example, a Class 1 truck will have a weight limit of up to 6,000 pounds. If your light-duty truck weighs 4,000 pounds but has a GVWR of 6,000 pounds, you can add up to another 2,000 pounds. This is important when figuring out what type of truck body you want to add to your vehicle.
Manufacturers give their trucks a GVWR, so all you need to do is look it up. Make sure you check to see if the GVWR they give is for a truck with the types of features you have. Remember, the GVWR encompasses all possible weight, including accessories and passengers.
3. You Need to Know Which Truck Bodies Match Up to Your Truck's Dimensions
Truck bodies aren't one-size-fits-all. Once you know the type of truck body you want, you will have to find one that will perform best for you. This is important for the business aspect of using your truck body and for safety reasons.
Your truck's measurements will play a large role in the type of truck body you can add. Even within the same class, some trucks have wider or longer beds than others.
The loads a truck bed can handle will not always line up with the truck's total GVWR. Once again, you will have to look to your truck's manufacturer or online. There you will find specific dimensions and measurements for your particular truck.
4. You Need to Know Where to Find Experts and Quality Truck Accessories
A lot can go into choosing a truck body for a light-duty truck. At
Diamond Truck Body Mfg. Inc., we have decades of experience and can help you choose the right truck body for your vehicle. We can even fabricate a custom truck body for your specific needs. To learn more about what we can do for you, contact us today.
