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Buying A New Work Vehicle? 2 Truck Bed Features You Should Ask About

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Life as a busy general contractor can get hectic—especially when you are juggling multiple worksites and managing a large crew. When you aren't bidding on new jobs or inspecting handiwork, you might be taking care of paperwork or payroll. Fortunately, doing something as simple as upgrading your truck might reduce your workload and keep you on the ball. Here are two truck bed features you should ask about when you are shopping for a new truck and how they can make your life a little easier:

1: Built-In Wheel Hub Storage Boxes

In the old days, adding truck bed storage meant taking your vehicle into a customs shop and ordering chrome boxes that would be bolted into the back. Fortunately, modern truck manufacturers understand that just about everyone could benefit from a readily accessible storage bin in the back of their rig. To make better use of truck wheel wells, some trucks come along with waterproof, locking wheel hub storage boxes that are located on both sides of the truck. These storage spaces are larger than you might suspect, with some models offering boxes as large as four feet long and eighteen inches deep. Here are just a few ideas for ways you can use these handy storage spaces:

  • Go-To Tools: Because these storage spaces are relatively shallow and water tight, you can store anything from power drills to saw blades—without worrying about rust damage and lost parts. Also, since the spaces lock, you won't have to worry about strangers making off with your tools.
  • Paperwork: Wheel hub storage spaces are also perfect for stashing clipboards, paperwork, and recent invoices. In addition to making paperwork easy to access, you also won't have to worry about those invoices getting crumpled or stepped-on inside of your cab.
  • First-Aid Supplies: If one of your workers is hurt on the job, it might be your fast response that saves a finger or restarts their heart. To improve worksite safety, you can store your first-aid kit right in the wheel hub storage space. In addition to being accessible from the outside of the truck, that cargo area will be large enough to stash everything from bandages to an emergency defibrillator kit.

If you are worried about things in your truck bed storage rolling all over the place, you shouldn't be. Some manufacturers even offer handy separators and custom-made organizational caddies for their storage compartments, so that you can keep those storage areas impeccable.

2: A Sprayed Bed Liner

That drop-in bed liner might look nice now, but how will it look a few years down the road? When it comes right down to it, drop-in bed liners are made of plastic, which can fade, crack and shift. However, sprayed bed liners, which are made of a polyurethane elastomer, are sprayed directly to the truck bed itself and adhere to every nook and cranny of that bed. In addition to providing a custom fit for any make and model of truck, sprayed bed liners also offer these powerful benefits:

  • Slip-Free Texture: To keep expensive equipment and loose materials from sliding around the back of your truck, sprayed bed liners are made with aggregates that offer a slip-free, textured finish. This means that you won't have to worry about things moving around as much, which can keep your things—and the drivers around you—safe on the way to your next job.
  • Avoid Long-Term Damage: Drop-in liners might seem rugged and weatherproof, but because they are bolted in, moisture and dirt can collect underneath that plastic protector. Dirt can create friction that can rub away protective enamel, and pooling water can prompt rust development. However, since sprayed bed liners are seamless and watertight, you won't have to worry about these issues.

To top it off, sprayed bed liners are available in a wide array of colors and textures, so you won't have to stress about that liner affecting the look of your brand new ride. Also, since sprayed liners are seamless and contain materials that flex slightly, they don't require any maintenance and will stay looking perfect for the long haul. Work with a truck bed manufacturer to see if a sprayed liner would work for your rig.

By finding a vehicle with a truck bed that works as hard as you do, you can stay organized, haul larger loads, and avoid long-term damage that can drive up repair costs. 


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