Aluminium Service Body Combos: Build It To Your Specs

What to look for in a service body, and common custom upgrades.

When it comes to setting your business up for success, it’s all about having the right tools. It’s why roofers invest in 4000 psi gurneys that rip through caked-on mould and sparkys buy drills with more torque than a Hilux. The time you save with the right tools, and the money they save from replacing cheap equipment, makes the investment worth it.

It’s important then to provide your staff (and yourself) a service tray that’s well equipped for the precise jobs they will be carrying out. That means one where the layout has been well thought through so there’s a place for every tool you use. For example, a hose reel in the most practical place for easy use and retrieval. What’s more, your most commonly used equipment will be in prime position to quickly get on with the job.

So what should you look out for?

Choose Australian. If you’re on a budget, cheap international imports can be tempting, but it’s often not worth it. You want a tray that’s hard-wearing. It should have quality-controlled welding. The accessories – the seals, hinges, drawers – should be chosen for their strength and reliability.

Australian workmanship is first rate, and we know how hard-wearing our equipment needs to be. Perhaps most importantly, when you speak to a local with trade experience you’ll better customise your service body to improve your overall workflow.

Questions to think about:

• How important is durability in my industry?
• Do I need well-secured storage for weather and theft protection?
• How much time would I save with a layout suited to the jobs I do every day?

Think about your trade. Is your trade an electrician, plumber, mechanic, heating & air installer, general construction, mining? The best service bodies are completely customised to keep hundreds of items carefully organised so you know exactly where they are instantly. Or maybe you don’t need that, and a completely open service body leaves more room for bulky pest sprayers and chemical tanks.

Questions to think about:

• Will an off-the-shelf canopy fit everything I need for my trade?
• Do I have trade-specific equipment that doesn’t fit in my current tray?
• Would shelving or drawers help me keep everything organised and easily accessible?

What loads are you carrying? Your vehicle will have a maximum load weight. Even if you don’t reach that, excess weight will cost you in fuel. Check the carrying load of your truck or ute, as well as the equipment you need. In fact, this is a good time to itemise all your equipment (it’ll help you choose a layout later on) to estimate your load weight.

Aluminium service trays mean you can carry more – they can be 30-50% lighter than steel, and very strong. They’re also corrosion-resistant, making them a better investment.

Questions to think about:

• What is the load capacity of my vehicle?
• What equipment do I need on a daily basis?
• How much does all my equipment weigh?

Customising A Service Body For Your Needs

Now that you’re thinking about what you need, let us show you your options.

Storage

Equipment

Hose reels, jacks, tanks, pumps, cranes, internal lighting or wiring – anything you need can be designed to put your more important tools in easy reach.

Appearance

Standard or square – both options work well. When designing your service body we’ll discuss which is more suited to your trade.

Choose a finish that suits your trade and your vehicle – checker plate is hard wearing, powder coated is popular in white to match the colour of your car, or choose a smooth metal finish.

Both Utes and Trucks

No matter the vehicle, no matter how large, you can choose a service body shaped to your needs.

As you can see, there are plenty of options. But for the moment, all you need to do is give Austates a call. We’ve seen it all before and are more than happy to discuss it with you. For a quote, or to find out more, visit the AusBox site now.