For fleets operating vocational and work trucks, meeting specific body requirements can represent a significant investment. An investment in time by a fleet manager to ensure that bodies are specified and installed correctly can pay dividends in lower operating and maintenance costs, as well as improved productivity.

“Your decisions deserve some serious forethought to ensure you get the optimum value out of your company’s investment,” says Bob Johnson, director of fleet relations at the NTEA. “You should take the time to analyze current requirements and consider advances in truck body and equipment designs.”

The information gathering process that Johnson advises includes determining vocational requirements for the vehicle. This means listing all the tools and materials that will be carried, including items that will be mounted on the truck such as aerial lifts, snowplow attachments, generators, welders, air compressors, winches, etc.

Once the size, weight and operational requirements of the body and equipment are known, it is easier to match a chassis that can carry the intended load. Johnson also points out that recent safety and environmental requirements may have added weight to a chassis used previously. The result can be that a new truck with the same equipment could now be overloaded.

“Before making any final chassis type and style selection,” Johnson relates, “identify the weight of the body, including all optional equipment and add the weights of all components that will be mounted on the truck. Then add the weight of required tools, equipment and supplies to determine gross payload. This amount, along with the dimensions of the body and any special equipment mounting requirements, determines the type of chassis.

Johnson lists a number of things to consider when reviewing specifications:

• Ensure proper weight distribution on the chassis, be sure that none of the axles are overloaded and that total truck weight or length requirements are not exceeded.

• Make sure the chassis has the required clear CA (cab to axle) dimension. The overall CA length and the clear or usable CA are not always the same due to intrusions by the engine/transmission on low cab forward models or by the exhaust if it is vertically mounted behind the cab. Exhaust intrusions on diesel powered trucks with the most recent emissions systems can’t be moved or modified.

• Other potential clearance issues on trucks include the location of fuel tanks, frame mounted battery boxes and air tanks. If the body you are considering is mounted above the frame rails these items are usually not an issue, but if you are considering a service body there may be interference issues.

Johnson notes that truck dealers, body suppliers and equipment upfitters can provide assistance to fleets, and that NTEA offers a number of resources that fleets can take advantage of to learn more about designing a work truck.

As an NTEA member, fleets have access to staff engineers who can help with vehicle and equipment design, body and installation, and compliance issues. A Technical and Engineering Support Hotline offers personal assistance and solutions. Detailed technical publications and information can be accessed 24/7, as well. (For more information, visit www.ntea.com)

“Buying a new tuck is a significant investment and you will have to live with your decision for some time,” Johnson adds. “The process can take a lot of time and effort, but that investment will pay off in the end.”