There is a lot to think about when purchasing a mechanic truck for your business. Deciding on body size, crane capacity, additional accessories or fuel type are just a few of the considerations when finding a truck to meet the needs of a specific job.
To avoid feeling overwhelmed by decision-making or to get a truck faster, some fleet managers may consider purchasing a pre-built mechanic truck rather than ordering a fully custom unit. But is that the right call? Can you get more out of a custom-built truck? Let’s break it down.
What Is a Work-Ready Mechanic Truck?
A work-ready, or standardized, mechanic truck typically refers to a pre-engineered body and crane package that is configured for common applications such as general maintenance, utility service or light-equipment repair. These trucks are built on a widely used chassis (often Class 3 through 5), outfitted with standard options and delivered complete from the manufacturer.
Work-ready trucks can be thought of as a “turnkey” solution: Tested, reliable and ready to be deployed quickly with minimal lead time. Additionally, because the packages are standard on a work-ready mechanic truck, the pricing is known upfront.
When to Choose a Work-Ready Mechanic Truck
Immediate Need: If you need to replace your service vehicle quickly, work-ready mechanic trucks provide the fastest route to the jobsite. Because they are pre-configured and often in stock, they can usually be delivered within days rather than months.
Simplified Procurement: Work-ready models make quoting and ordering easier, especially for fleets operating under tight procurement standards.
Easier Training and Fleet Standardization: Using a common configuration across your fleet can help simplify training operations and parts inventory. Technicians know where everything is, how it operates and what to expect no matter what truck they are working out of. This reduces ramp-up time for new hires and makes in-house maintenance more efficient.
What Does Full Customization Look Like?
Full customization is exactly what it sounds like — a truck that is built from the ground up to meet the specific needs of your fleet. Working with a distributor or directly with a manufacturer, you can choose what accessories are added to your mechanic truck and how you can configure those accessories within the body.
From integrating lube skids and compressors to specifying lighting and decal details, a fully customized mechanic truck can be designed to meet the demands of the job while aligning with the overall vision of your fleet.
When Full Customization Makes Sense
Highly Specialized Work: For example, if your crew is welding in the field, lifting oversized components or working on unique jobsites, a standard build may not cut it. Customization allows you to engineer a truck around your workflow, rather than needing to adapt your workflow to fit the truck.
Environmental Factors: When you put your truck to the test, you want to be sure it can weather any storm. For operations that take place in harsh weather conditions and rough terrain, a truck that is custom-built with the material that is most applicable to your needs is a smarter bet.
Maximized Storage and Productivity: Custom trucks give more flexibility in how tools, parts and equipment are stored and accessed. That translates to utilizing every square inch of your service vehicle in a meaningful way and less time accessing what you need.
Differentiating Your Brand: Some companies use custom builds as a branding opportunity through paint or decaling. If you want your truck to stand out fine-tuning those cosmetic details might be right for you.
The Hybrid Option
One growing trend is the rise of semi-custom mechanic trucks. These are work-ready trucks that offer select customization. For example, operators might be able to place an order for a truck in inventory but still select additional accessories to personalize the truck to meet their needs. This hybrid approach allows fleet managers to get the benefits of customization without having to go through the entire process of a ground-up build.
The Right Truck for the Right Job
Choosing between a custom, standard or hybrid mechanic truck comes down to one thing: what is going to be the best option for your team, your workflow and your long-term goals. There is not a right or wrong answer, it just takes thoughtful evaluation to determine what equipment is going to best support your success. Finding a truck that is going to keep your crew productive, your downtime low and your investment paying off for years to come is worth it every time.
Lift & Access is part of the Catalyst Communications Network publication family.
