If you use a van for work regularly, it’s time to think about upfitting. With the right modifications, your van can deliver superior results for your company and its customers. Here are some points to consider during this process.

3 Factors to Remember When Upfitting a Van

1. Operational Requirements

Commercial applications often depend on having the right van and truck accessories. This can include items like ladders, cranes, pulleys, salt spreaders, and plows. Operational requirements can also impact the storage systems a van uses. Drawers are useful for tools of different sizes, such as socket wrenches. Cabinets are handy for longer items, like shovels or rakes.

2. Safety of the Crew

When a company puts safety first, both the employees and the customers benefit. Choose van and truck equipment based on whether it helps crews work safer and more efficiently. If a van is large, add running boards and grip handles to help workers get in and out easier, especially if they’re wearing belts full of heavy tools. If hefty units like pumps or generators are often loaded and unloaded, consider automatic lifts to make the process easier. Even the position of accessories can impact safety, such as how a side-mounted ladder is safer to lower than a top-mounted ladder.

3. A Light Approach

Upfitting isn’t just about adding objects to a van — it can also mean taking items away or replacing them. If a commercial business finds their vehicles have high payloads during jobs, lowering the van’s weight is wise. Consider removing unnecessary storage units from the cargo section. You can also replace parts of the body with lighter materials, such as magnesium alloys, aluminum alloys, and polymer composites.

For help upfitting your van, contact Kranz Body Co. in St. Louis, MO. They offer a full range of services, including custom metal fabrication, and their tradition of fantastic customer service dates back over 150 years. To get in touch, call (314) 776-3787. Explore their services online.