Here is a quick list on 8 items to look out for when ordering medium-duty box trucks. Whether the body is too short or too long, the truck sits too high, or the chassis is too light are just a few examples of where the specs on a medium-duty box truck can go wrong. It can only take on mistake to significantly halt employee productivity and drive up vehicle costs. To correct the mistake after the fact with premature maintenance problems caused by trying to operate in an “as-is” state.
Avoid these top eight things when ordering a medium-duty box truck.
Tip 1 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Selecting an Underweight Chassis
The goal is to achieve a balance between required cargo space and weight.
Put a large body on a 28,000lbs GVW chassis. This allows for more room for cargo. However, before you even fill the box all the way, the weight limit could be exceeded. More than required space goes into the deciding factor. Ensure that the chassis is compatible with cargo weight at full load.
Tip 2 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Match the Chassis with the Box Lengths
When mismatching the chassis and the box lengths of medium-duty box trucks is improper, weight distribution to the rear axle can be stressful for the vehicle.
When the mismatching of the chassis and box length occurs the box will overhang the rear wheels by a varying amount. When overhand occurs, the risk of wearing out the rear tires quicker is possible. Incorrect weight distribution cause more stress on the rear tires instead of even distribution across all the tires.
Tip 3 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Box Height
Remember the box height when ordering CMVs. Warehouse with low ceilings and low hanging conduits is common so consider the box height. Productivity issues will occur if the box is unable to properly mount to the facility.
Tip 4 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Interior Lighting
For those who deliver primarily at night, it is necessary to make sure that the box comes with interior lighting. However, for those who deliver primarily in the daylight, having a translucent roof can help provide the box with natural lighting. Without interior lighting it could take drivers longer to find a place where they can safely unload the cargo.
Tip 5 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Floor Type
Neglecting the floor type can cause problems for certain types of industries. For example, those who work in the food industry and purchase cargo boxes with hardwood floors can run the risk of encountering mold. If food residue gets everywhere and it’s necessary to clean the floor with some sort of liquid, and the wood is not properly dried, mold and rot can occur, thus making unsanitary for the food that travels within it. However, if an aluminum floor was chosen for the job, the chance of mold occurring is drastically decreased.
Tip 6 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Cargo Containment Considerations
Think about how you will secure cargo in the loading area. How many rows of tie-down, slats, or e-tracks will there need to be? In order for the cargo to be loaded securely and transferred from one place to another without anything slipping or falling, the ways of securing the load will need to be thought of.
Tip 7 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
Efficient Dock Delivery
Consider 3 things if the vehicle isregularly unloaded and loaded at docks:
- Rear door type: Roll-up doors are most efficient for docking areas. This eliminates, the risk of throwing open swinging doors.
- Chassis wheel size: Light-duty trucks typically have small tires, which means that the body of the vehicle sits lower to the ground, making it too low for dock loading and unloading.
- Forklift packages: Is a forklift necessary for the loading and unloading process? A class six or larger truck with 22.5 inch tires is needed. A forklift package will reinforce the floor with added cross members, a threshold plate, and reinforced read end plate.
Tip 8 Ordering Medium-Duty Box Trucks –
“One-Size-Fits-All” Truck
Fleets that try to accommodate different types of loads can run into the problems. For example, if a fleet manages a truck that is too small to do large loads the truck overload risk comes into play. For trucks that are too large, costs go up when purchasing, licensing, operating, and maintaining. If the truck primarily transports little things, with the occasional big things, ask yourself what is the point of maintaining a large truck?
For more information on what you should think about when you purchase a medium duty box truck give Truck-n-Trailer a call at 405-912-5800. Our educated staff will be more than happy to assist you in finding the right kind of truck for your business.
