If you’ve viewed any of the popular car and truck makeover shows offered on cable television these days, you might get some wild ideas for decking out your company workhorse vehicle. DeLorean-style gull-wing doors, StreetGlow purple neon lighting beneath the cab, and an in-dash video gaming station are one way to go, but you might consider options that can actually lead to improved safety, less down time, and ultimately, improved profits.

The beauty of the box truck
Tony Bass, along with his father Buddy Bass, founded Super Lawn Trucks in Fort Valley, Georgia, in 1998. Bass describes his vehicles as mobile warehouses and rolling billboards.

Ascribing to the “time is money” theory, Bass maintains a properly outfitted truck can eliminate a lot of squandered time. He says his trucks range from $30,000 for a single cab with 12-foot open body system up to $80,000 for a crew cab with 16-foot cargo body and top-of-the line options. Bass perfected his durable, functional truck body system during 19 years spent as owner of his own landscape design, installation and maintenance business.

“I used my landscape company as the research laboratory,” Bass says. “That’s where I did all the research and development. Dad and I would build stuff and then put it to use in the field and see if the guys could tear it up. If they did, we’d build it differently the next time.” Bass says most of the bodies his company builds go onto Isuzu chassis, but he also uses Ford, Chevrolet, GMC, Sterling, Mitsubishi/Hino and UD. His company matches the right medium-duty cabs and chassis with the appropriate body system, Bass says, so landscape companies can effectively transport people and equipment. He also retrofits people’s existing trucks.

While many landscape trucks are spec’d with a less-expensive open metal grate dovetail bed, closed cargo space provides the added benefits of security, protection of equipment from the elements, advertising opportunities, and the safety of securing debris and equipment while in transit. Another thing to consider: police are cracking down on improperly secured equipment and debris on open trucks and trailers and issuing hefty fines.

With a closed cargo box truck, equipment inside can be locked up while on the jobsite and back at the shop for the night, so no time is wasted unloading equipment only to reload it the next morning. Bass says most landscape managers report saving one hour per crew member per day by leaving the tools on the trucks. On-truck storage also reduces the need for shop space, which keeps overhead costs down.

Tool and parts storage
Like other truck body manufacturers, Bass offers a host of arrangements for organizing tools and parts. Utility shelving, adjustable bins for irrigation parts, mounts for shovels and other hand tools, and overhead racks for long items such as ladders, pole pruners and irrigation pipe, are common requests. With a designated place for everything, crews are less likely to leave tools behind. Bass recommends placing fire extinguisher, first aid kit and water cooler mounts at the rear of the truck for quick access. High-use items, which will be different from landscaper to landscaper, also are placed near the back.

Side door
A personnel entry door, such as Super Lawn’s 36-inch roll-up door, helps maximize productivity. Bass says landscapers who work on large sites may prefer to lock the truck and issue a key to each crew member who can retrieve tools when necessary. Landscapers who maintain accounts in urban areas or where they do not mow, often want the benefit of the personnel door to access hand-held equipment without removing mowers. Side cargo doors are also available for easy loading and unloading of palletized material by forklift.