WHAT’S BEST FOR BUSINESS: PRE-BODIED OR CUSTOM?

WHAT’S BEST FOR BUSINESS: PRE-BODIED OR CUSTOM?

Whether you’re in the market for a single truck or an entire fleet, a little extra homework can prove extremely valuable when it comes to choosing the right vehicle body type.

Every business is different with its own unique strengths, differing levels of staff experience and most importantly, different challenges to meet while on the job.

Some will need a very specific truck for a very specific purpose, while many other businesses will need a more versatile transport option that will work as hard as they do.

In this blog we will take a look at the advantages and possible disadvantages of selecting a pre-bodied, turn-key vehicle or customising a truck for your exact needs.

PRE-BODIED PROFESSIONALS

Pre-bodied trucks have come on in leaps and bounds over recent years.

In fact, according to Isuzu’s Future of Trucking (FoT) Report, no less than 65 per cent of business owners feel it is more important (and more efficient) for new trucks to be pre-built and ready to drive away, compared to custom-built trucks.  

This has been reflected by the popularity of ‘ready to go’ products being manufactured to meet demand, from tray bodied trucks, tippers, curtain-side trucks and some with bodies heavily specified for trade applications.

While you may not be able to get the bespoke fit-out of a custom truck, a pre-bodied model can work well for a business by slotting in seamlessly.

More critically perhaps, is the notion that pre-bodied models are also the result of years of research and honing a particular body specification, based on significant sales data. This is informed by volume sales across the country—not just one dealer or a talented body builder.

A customer of a factory-backed, pre-bodied truck can also benefit from its proven on-field performance without much worry that they won’t be getting bang for buck.

But let’s dive further into some of the advantages and possible disadvantages.

Advantages:

• Quality truck brands and dealerships will offer a wide range of pre-bodied models, with different configurations and in some cases, industry-specific features, meaning there’s a good chance you’ll be able to find a truck to suit your trade or business.
• Pre-bodied trucks that are built to industry specifications can help meet Chain of Responsibility (CoR) obligations without any extra stress or intervention. 
• Finance and insurance for a pre-bodied truck can be straight forward to organise, as there are usually no additional costs to factor into the driveaway price (excluding any extra mods).
• A pre bodied truck is a turnkey solution intended to be driven from the showroom straight to the job site and put to work with minimal fuss.
• If you run into complications with parts and componentry, you’ll likely be dealing with only the manufacturer, or the manufacturer’s preferred local body builder.
• Standard configurations in body and cab can be helpful for businesses with multiple drivers, making training and truck-swapping easier.
• A pre-bodied truck such as one from Isuzu’s Ready-To-Work range offers a superior warranty on all of the supplied body equipment, giving peace of mind.

Possible Disadvantages:

• Your options and flexibility for body type are limited to the manufacturer’s pre-built model range.
• If you’re in an industry that requires you to work in a very specific way, a pre-built truck could be limiting and could mean that you do not operate as efficiently as you’d like.

A KILLER CUSTOM JOB

For work that requires industry-specific modifications, there’s no getting around the need for a custom designed truck, such as vacuum-pumpers, waste services, water cartage, crane trucks and concrete agitators, just to name a few.  

But if you’re working in an industry that doesn’t necessarily require these speciality body builds or modifications, what are the advantages of building a custom truck? 

Advantages:

• If you have cargo or equipment that is not a great fit for standard size trays or bodies, a custom-build can give you flexibility for going wider, longer, or deeper to better suit your load.
• If your cargo or equipment is unusually heavy or oddly weighted (a crane, for example), it can impact a truck’s centre of gravity whilst in transit. This is another situation where a custom-built body will be more appropriate.
• A good look is good for business. Custom trays, beds, racks, ramps, vans, roll-offs, bullbars, toolboxes, custom curtains, colour schemes… the list goes on, and they can make your name and trade really stand out from the crowd.
• A custom truck can be built to offer the best access to your cargo, tools, or machinery, which can help your business and your staff work efficiently. 

Possible Disadvantages:

• Extra expense for unique specifications and mods can be significant and can end up being more expensive to maintain and repair over the long run.
• Ongoing vehicle insurance and warranty issues may come into play, depending on the specifications of the custom build and its bearing on the cab chassis.
• The long wait time (which can extend into months) to have your custom truck built and ready for work can have an impact on earning potential.
• If you run into any complications with parts or componentry, you could be dealing with multiple suppliers for warranty replacements and repair (adding further unexpected costs and downtime). 

THE TAKEAWAY

When all is said and done, the choice remains yours and it’s a decision that should reflect the needs of the business as much as possible.

A custom build can have you standing out from the crowd and be your pride and joy flashing past on the road.

On the other hand, pre-bodied models have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years and it’s easy to see why: shorter wait times, less hassle and greater consistency across a fleet and across multiple drivers—and still with the option of making a statement with a unique wrap or paint job.

It’s also no secret that we are in the midst of a labour shortage and it’s worth considering the advantages of a truck that can often be driven on a car licence and that doesn’t require extensive driver training.

Pre-bodied trucks with automatic or Automated Manual Transmission (AMT) that come in at or under the 4.5-tonne GVM mark may be an attractive option here. 

If you think you have a pretty slick truck, why not enter it in the Isuzu Truck of the Year competition?