Other than a starring role in movies when the intelligence squad seems to need a fictional landscaping company’s van to do surveillance from, vans really don’t have the function that they used to. They are seen as the go-to for professions like HVAC technicians, electricians, plumbers, landscapers and more, but will they continue to be in the future? That’s hazy.
It’s not that they can’t continue doing what they have been doing for years: carting around machinery, delivery parcels, plumbing tools and more. They still can. However, all those things a pickup truck can do better.
It’s true that just a pickup truck can’t really perform all the functions that a van can with the same utility and security. However, paired with a truck body, especially one customized to your needs, there’s really nothing that can beat it.
There are all sorts and sizes of fiberglass truck bodies, and each can be tailored to what you need it to do, whether that’s hosting your command center or organizing your equipment so that you can reach it swiftly and securely. No matter what you get though, here are some standard features that will make it a better option than a van:
A Truck Body is More Versatile
A truck body can be removed in whole from the truck within a few minutes, without having to rearrange the contents inside. That means that it can be used interchangeably on a whole fleet of trucks, something that’s useful whether you have one or a hundred trucks. Even if one truck is getting some work done at a fleet maintenance center like Ferguson Truck Center, or is being replaced, the body can be where you need it to be, exactly as it is set up to be. It also allows you to park the body and use the truck to ship oversized loads that would not otherwise be able to fit into the body or into a van.
A Truck Body is Easier to Use
Truck bodies allow for more access points than a van, which traditionally can only open in the back and sometimes from the side. A truck body allows you to get things without having to enter inside, something that can save a lot of time and hassle when working at a site. At the same time, these can be secured with a lock and key so that you don’t have to be worried about the contents being ruined by the elements or picked up by robbers. Truck bodes are also more easily customized for your use, and it’s an investment that you can take with you to your next vehicle, unlike investing into a van that could just break down the next day.
A Truck Can Get You Nearly Anywhere
Trucks are known for their ability to travel in difficult conditions, including ungroomed roads and winter weather. Vans are more “urban” vehicles with their low axels and limited engine power. If you are doing jobs in more remote areas with difficult access, knowing that you can actually get there along with all your things is a necessity. Also, simply having the relief of knowing that you can enhance the security of any cargo and equipment that you have in the back of your truck, via these covers that you can get from somewhere like Peragon, is another reason why having a pick-up truck is a much better option than a van. It’s guaranteed to win any battle. Though it doesn’t make as much of a difference when moving within a city, intercity travel is easier with a truck over a van. But you won’t have the same amount of security that a truck can provide you with.
Even if vans might still be a more affordable solution and Hollywood’s darling, don’t be surprised if you see fewer and fewer of them on the road. With all the features available through the combination of pickup trucks and fiberglass truck bodies, vans will have to really innovate in order to remain a viable option for those needing a bigger vehicle for their personal or professional needs.
