Building a business is no easy task. It requires discipline, capital, a business plan, faithful employees, and tons of other moving parts to become profitable. One of the aspects you shouldn’t overlook is your work vehicle. Whether you’re a courier, construction company, florist, or something else, you need a vehicle that’s as reliable and dependable as your business. If you’re searching for a new work vehicle or wanting to upgrade, use these tips to find the ideal truck or van.
Analyze Your Towing, Payload, and GCWR Needs
Towing, payload, and gross combined weight rating (GCWR) are the three most important components for individuals who fill their vehicle to capacity or tow trailers regularly. The towing capacity is straightforward, measuring how much the vehicle can pull from the hitch. For most contractors, this will vary between 3,000 and 10,000 pounds, although some vehicles offer towing capacities that approach 20,000 pounds.
Payload is the amount of weight a vehicle can carry on its frame. For most work vans and trucks, a payload of about 1,000 to 2,000 pounds is standard, although larger vehicles can handle even more.
Pay attention to the GCWR when purchasing a work vehicle. This measurement shows how much the vehicle can carry and tow at the same time. To get the maximum capacity measurement of the GCWR, take the GCWR and subtract the vehicle’s curb weight. This gives you the total weight the vehicle should carry at any given time.
By determining how much you tow or haul regularly, you can get a firm idea of the measurements you’ll need without purchasing a vehicle that’s too large or undersized.
Choose the Right Passenger Configuration
When you have a sole delivery driver or do most of your work solo, passenger capacity doesn’t matter all that much, but if you need to move workers from place-to-place, it’s certainly advantageous. However, the terminology behind cab sizes, specifically on pickups, isn’t all that easy to understand.
A standard cab has one bench seat in the front and no rear seat, making it ideal for solo trips or two-person crews. The extended cab usually comes with one or two extra doors and can fit up to four passengers. The largest of the bunch, a king cab, also known as a crew cab, can handle anywhere from five to six passengers, providing ample space for moving huge crews in businesses that are on the go such as landscapers or lawn care professionals.
Weigh Enclosed vs. Open Options
Choosing between a cargo van and a work truck is difficult, but the most important factor is right in front of you: open versus enclosed. Open vehicles (trucks) allow more room to haul your gear, as well as an easy-to-load bed and easy-access tailgate. On the other hand, a cargo van is more difficult to load, yet keeps your contents safe from weather and theft. In addition, it offers organizational solutions a pickup can’t match.
By applying these tips to each type of work vehicle on your list, you can narrow your search, and hopefully, find the perfect vehicle to fit your needs. Once you’ve found what you’re looking for, you can finally take your business and profitability to the next level.
Image by AOMSIN, used under CCO 1.0
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