Service bodies

[vtfireman85]

Looking at DuraMag, they seem well built, have no experience with aluminum bodies from Reading or anyone else. My current body is knapheide , but its steel, fairly standard body, 28 years old. I like that I can order the DuraMag powder coated already in Race Red . Not sure about the others. 
anyone have any input? 
https://duramagbodies.com/product/s-series-service-bodies-traditional-swing-doors/

[Gearclash]

Two names to look at, built locally; STI (Service Trucks International) and Maintainer.  Supposedly some skullduggery happened at Maintainer  years ago that resulted in STI starting up.  Maybe neither have what you want.

[jeeper61]

The Mag-loc would be handy in the hood

[vtfireman85]

4 minutes ago, jeeper61 said:

The Mag-loc would be handy in the hood

Yeah, reliability would give me cause for concern. I am hoping to get more than 1 truck out of this. Honestly as much as i lock the door i am thinking the rod system would be best. 
need to find out how they handle trailer hitches on these, perhaps the box delete models (8’6” ) aren’t an issue, I intend to add a lift gate and still want to tow a trailer. 

 

[vtfireman85]

33 minutes ago, Gearclash said:

Two names to look at, built locally; STI (Service Trucks International) and Maintainer.  Supposedly some skullduggery happened at Maintainer  years ago that resulted in STI starting up.  Maybe neither have what you want.

Those look nice, neither seem to offer a SRW offering. 

[nomorejohndeere]

diy

 

[Paystar5000]

6 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

Those look nice, neither seem to offer a SRW offering. 

Maintainer does for sure.  It’s aluminum. At work we have a 2011 knapeheide that I think held up really well.  Doors and hinges still work really well.  We have a reading classic 2 that is 2018 vintage.  Not impressed.  Door latches never worked all that well.  Seems to be starting to rust everywhere now and have some cracking.  At work I am using a 2015 maintainer crane body we bought used and put on a new truck.  It is built like a tank.  https://www.maintainer.com/products/trucks/service/signature-series-aluminum/

here is the link for the maintainer for the single wheel pickup.  The nearest dealer to you is probably the one in Maine.  That dura mag actually looks pretty good.  The twist latches on the compartments look like they would work good.   We got the rod locks added to the used body at work.  They work good and are simple.  

[vtfireman85]

5 hours ago, nomorejohndeere said:

diy

 

I was planning to, might still, but as it is my extra curricular activities have been much curtailed, my days of spending all weekend on a project i want to are gone, at least for now. 

[12_Guy]

We have a Knapheide that was new in '20 that I'm not really impressed. Paint peeling on the external hinges. Rust starting on the edges of doors. One compartment had water standing in it when delivered, I guess the door gasket didn't quite seal. The chains on the lay down doors cannot be adjusted to hold the door level. I usually want to use the door as a bench when loading but it is sloped down. One link tighter is too high. It needs a half link. Just not impressed overall. 

[Lars (midessa)]

11 minutes ago, 12_Guy said:

We have a Knapheide that was new in '20 that I'm not really impressed. Paint peeling on the external hinges. Rust starting on the edges of doors. One compartment had water standing in it when delivered, I guess the door gasket didn't quite seal. The chains on the lay down doors cannot be adjusted to hold the door level. I usually want to use the door as a bench when loading but it is sloped down. One link tighter is too high. It needs a half link. Just not impressed overall. 

How about pushing two links together, then put a small bolt thru it? Called  ‘A hillbilly half-link’.

[12_Guy]

4 minutes ago, Lars (midessa) said:

How about pushing two links together, then put a small bolt thru it? Called  ‘A hillbilly half-link’.

That would probably work too. Just aggravated that it wasn't level from the factory. 

[Gearclash]

10 hours ago, vtfireman85 said:

Those look nice, neither seem to offer a SRW offering. 

Come to think of it, in all the countless times I have been past the STI plant I have never seen an SRW truck there.

[ChrisNY]

Stonewellbodies.com

Built here in NY, very nice custom built bodies

[hippy5488]

not sure i would have one powder coated if was planning to keep it a long time. one little scratch or rock chip it starts rusting under powder coat. with paint u can sand and repaint to repair a damaged area. powder coat not so much.

[nomorejohndeere]

1 minute ago, hippy5488 said:

not sure i would have one powder coated if was planning to keep it a long time. one little scratch or rock chip it starts rusting under powder coat. with paint u can sand and repaint to repair a damaged area. powder coat not so much.

I agree

 

 

 

[vtfireman85]

3 minutes ago, hippy5488 said:

not sure i would have one powder coated if was planning to keep it a long time. one little scratch or rock chip it starts rusting under powder coat. with paint u can sand and repaint to repair a damaged area. powder coat not so much.

if i did anything i would probably just strip it bare and go with it. 

but i agree powder coat is not the greatest, with steel bodies the painted ones hold up for years, powder coat white are streaking down the side in 6 months. 

 

[EquipmentJunkie]

Have you checked out an Eby Renegade?

https://www.mheby.com/product/renegade-service-body

I know little about service bodies, but I know theirs is aluminum and we’re happy with Eby’s flatbed’s & trailers.

[acem]

How  bout a flatbed with tool boxes?

[vtfireman85]

18 minutes ago, acem said:

How  bout a flatbed with tool boxes?

The front tall compartments are key, its a possibility i might still make my own which would be a semi hybrid. 

[nomorejohndeere]

notch the flatbed to mount tall cabinets 

 

[acem]

If long will work instead of tall, I've seen trays placed under the flatbed. They are accessed from the rear and either extend front to back or side to side.

[vtfireman85]

8 minutes ago, acem said:

If long will work instead of tall, I've seen trays placed under the flatbed. They are accessed from the rear and either extend front to back or side to side.

No, my current truck works well, my tool box with my tool belt etc, bag full of cordless tools and bits and my bag with pliers and drivers and stuff goes in the driver’s side and I have a top box from a rolling garage tool box in the passenger side. The narrow laying down doesn’t work well

this is the current setup. 

[nomorejohndeere]

nothin beats a yeller toolbox

 

[hobbyfarm]

3 hours ago, EquipmentJunkie said:

Have you checked out an Eby Renegade?

https://www.mheby.com/product/renegade-service-body

I know little about service bodies, but I know theirs is aluminum and we’re happy with Eby’s flatbed’s & trailers.

I like eby but I can't imagine what that costs.  Any idea?  You think $15,000 buys it?

[EquipmentJunkie]

9 hours ago, hobbyfarm said:

I like eby but I can't imagine what that costs.  Any idea?  You think $15,000 buys it?

I am sure that you are very close.