3 Considerations When Equipping A Contractor Truck

If you do any contracting work, your truck is your lifeblood. This vehicle doesn't just need to get you and your crew to jobs, but it also needs to haul your tools, equipment, and supplies. Choosing the right truck equipment and parts is crucial to accomplish these goals safely without spending too much money in the process.

While every contractor's needs will be different, the essentials of building a work truck are usually the same. This guide will go over three common considerations to help you choose the best gear to build a contracting that can support your business needs.

1. What Do You Haul?

If you use a truck with a traditional bed instead of a service body, it's worth considering what you need to haul for daily jobs. Do you typically bring along heavy materials such as lumber, or do you primarily use your truck to transport tools or products you install for customers? How much protection do you need for the items you usually store in your bed?

For heavy loads, such as lumber, metal, or scrap, it's worth considering a heavy-duty bed liner. These liners will help protect your truck bed from scratches that can leave it vulnerable to rust. On the other hand, a carpeted bed liner may be more appropriate if you haul fragile gear or equipment. In these cases, the softer liner will protect the items in your bed from bumps and damage.

2. How Much Storage Do You Need?

The options for storing tools in a pickup truck bed are nearly limitless. When deciding on your specific needs, consider your daily balance between hauling supplies and hauling tools. Do you typically have a bed full of tools and gears that you need for a job, or is most of your bed space occupied with material that you need to haul to a job site?

If you need to keep space free for materials, consider toolboxes that install against the back of the cab or over the wheel arches. These options provide a reasonable amount of tool storage while still leaving most of your bed free. If hauling is less critical, drawer-style toolboxes that span the entire bed width can provide room for more tools and more manageable, cleaner options for organization.

3. Do You Travel Offroad?

If you frequently travel to job sites located on unpaved or poorly maintained roads, you may want to consider upgrading your truck to make it safer and more capable under these conditions. At a minimum, you should install tires rated for off-road use and may also want to upgrade your suspension components for heavy-duty usage.

More crucially, any truck that operates off-road for prolonged periods should include a complete off-road safety kit as well as self-recovery gear. This equipment may not seem glamorous, but it can keep you safe and moving even when conditions turn hazardous.


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