Buying The Right Utility Or Service Truck

From transporting tools and materials to helping you with any number of tough jobs, a utility or service truck goes a long way. But what’s the difference between the two, and how do you get the right one? We here at 56 Auto Sales know the process of buying a truck can be difficult, whether it’s for your use or to add to a fleet, so we’ve put together a brief guide to buying the right utility or service truck below. To learn more, or to see the utility and service trucks we have for sale, contact our store in London, Ohio, today!

What’s The Difference?

Utility and service trucks both fill similar roles, but the main divide between them is in size. Utility trucks are built for a specific job and are lightweight trucks, meaning they tend to weigh up to 14,000 pounds. They basically look like pickup trucks with many extra cargo compartments in and throughout the bed.

Meanwhile, service trucks are commercial vehicles and tend to be heavy trucks, meaning they weigh between 26,000 and 33,000 pounds—sometimes more. They also have significantly more specialized beds, often with tools like cranes attached. Dump trucks, garbage trucks, and cement mixers are fine examples.

Bed Type

Utility and service trucks are complicated trucks, and there are many different beds available to each. Utility trucks are most often used for work relating to utilities like HVAC, electrical, so you’ll want to go through the options with many small compartments. If you need to haul large vehicles or heavy equipment, you’ll want a service truck with a flatbed large enough to carry it.

Plan ahead with your uses as much as possible, and you’ll find a truck body that meets your needs.

Chassis Type

Separate from the bed, you’ll need a chassis that can handle your cargo. This largely comes down to Gross Vehicle Weight Ratings, or GVWR. That number is the total weight your truck can carry, including the weight of the truck itself, any attachments or addons, passengers, supplies, and cargo. 

You’ll also need to decide whether you need a Power Take-Off, or PTO. This is a method of powering attachments or accessories. Finally, you’ll need to consider if you want rails, and whether they should be removable or fixed. 

Dimensions

You’ll need to be careful about how tall, wide, and heavy the truck is. Consider any clearance issues you may run into, like low bridges, parking garages, and tunnels. Think ahead about parking as well. Even the turn radius is important, especially if the truck will be navigating confined worksites, and ground clearance will be vital for any off-road work or for working in a flood zone. 

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect utility or service truck! For more information, or to see the utility and service trucks we have for sale, contact us at 56 Auto Sales. We proudly serve the people of Springfield, Dayton, and Columbus, Ohio—let us serve you today!