Looking for some input, opinions on this service body. Most truck builds I’ve researched don’t have an enclosure like this one does. This is a local contractor truck for sale and I know the company, they take care of their equipment really well. Long story short, I’m considering buying this but I’m wondering if I can make this service body work the way it is or if I’m going to have to remove it and replace with either a flat bed or another service body that doesn’t have the top enclosure. The top enclosure is welded to the bottom portion so it can’t be removed “easily”. Any thoughts, ideas on making this work the way it is?
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We have 1 service body…TBH, I’d do away with it and convert to another 8’ bed skid, but our top tech is used to it, and I can’t see spending the money to make him less efficient…but enough about our issues, lol.
I’d say there’s no reason that you couldn’t use it as is. I think guys that use the enclosed trailer/box truck setup would have better insight, but I’d bet on some kind of vent(s) in the roof, and probably an access door(s) on the side where you run your reels, etc.
Just make sure those wheel enclosures don’t mess with you on water/SH tank placement, or you’ll have to raise those up that 6" to make it work well.
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You want it to work because it’ a nice truck and they are hard to find but It’s just going to be a headache. Everything has to go out the back unless you do some modifications. It’s going to get very hot in there, the fumes and spills are going to rust everything, and any maintenance is fixes are going to be a pain. I would pass.
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Which makes me think…have you looked into what you could get in terms of net cost to sell the box and buy a bed for it? Then you get the deal, and the “used but well-maintained” truck, w/o all the headaches…
The top being welded on may make removal easier, IDK…pick it right off with the forklift…
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Think about placements of tanks and fillings the sh tank. Sh vapors are corrosive. You may need some lateral openings. Looks good but a flat bed is better
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Many things have crossed my mind.
- Altering the existing body to “make it work”,
- Selling existing service body and replacing with an “open top” service body.
- Selling existing service body and replacing with an aluminum flatbed.
All of it costs $$, but I just don’t want to “waste” this service body if it can be used & used efficiently.
All options are on the table, was just seeing if anyone used anything like this or had any ideas for this that I haven’t really thought of yet.
Check out Southeast Softwash on YouTube. They have a similar setup.
They have a vid where they walk through their plumbing.
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That’s a cool truck 
. Install some horizontal side doors on struts and call it a day.
Definitely sell or replace it… can’t see a good way to make that work
Its like a box truck without the space and convenience. I think repairs are gonna be a pain and the fumes will destroy stuff fast. Everything in my enclosed trailer has surface rust from sh fumes after one year but I can access everything.
Even having a properly vented SH tank your having surface rust and or corrosion issues in your enclosed trailer?
You will need to define properly vented for me. My trailer has vents but I didn’t drill out a chimney.
He probably means venting the tank with a hose outside the box truck or enclosed trailer. Even with that, you’ll get rust. So happy to not have either anymore, but they served their purpose until I got a shop big enough to park everything inside.
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Thats where I am at, trying to buy a place with a shop to park a flatbed with a skid. Even then, I have 10-12’ of rain annually to deal with so I will still pull a trailer in the winter.
Whats your opinion on replacing the plywood floor with 2x6 for strength and durability? You ever do that?
The way I see it, this is probably the best option if I keep this body.
Going to a few local places that sell flat beds & utility bodies to see if there is a market for used utility bodies.
Pulling the trigger on the truck today!
nope, but I added crossmembers on one trailer when I replaced the floor. Just went back with marine plywood
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I bet that helps a lot
You will regret that purchase
I appreciate the response and opinion because that is what I asked for, but do you think you could elaborate? @Firefighter4hire
You are going to hate that thing. They are just to hard to work out of. And even harder to work on. Plus you are eating up the cargo capacity of that truck with all that extra stuff thats just going to rust from the inside out. Why spend all that money on something like that. Look around the industry and see what guys who wash everyday are using i promise that truck isn’t it. You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.
Why would you spend that much money on something that is going to hinder your business. What is the actual draw to tradesmen truck anyway?
