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Choosing the Right Truck Body Starts With Understanding How You Work

Every business depends on efficiency. Whether your crews are maintaining infrastructure, servicing equipment, supporting municipalities, working in utilities, construction, rail, telecommunications, or industrial maintenance, your truck body directly affects productivity, organization, safety, and profitability.

One of the most common questions businesses ask when investing in a new work truck is:

Should I choose an enclosed service body or an open truck deck?

The answer isn’t always straightforward.

Both configurations offer significant advantages, but the right choice depends entirely on your workflow, equipment, operating environment, and long-term goals.

At General Body & Equipment, we’ve spent more than four decades helping businesses across Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Western Canada choose truck bodies that maximize productivity while standing up to Canada’s toughest working conditions.

This guide compares enclosed service bodies and open truck decks so you can confidently determine which solution best fits your operation.

Why Your Truck Body Matters More Than You Think

Many businesses focus on purchasing the chassis first.

In reality, the truck body often determines how efficiently technicians work every day.

The wrong body can create:

• Lost productivity
• Poor tool organization
• Increased equipment damage
• Longer service times
• Safety concerns
• Reduced payload efficiency
• Higher maintenance costs

The right body, on the other hand, becomes a mobile workspace that supports every job your crew performs.

When properly customized, your work truck becomes one of the most valuable assets in your fleet.

What Is an Enclosed Service Body?

An enclosed service body is designed around secure, organized storage while maintaining excellent accessibility.

These truck bodies typically feature:

• Multiple exterior compartments
• Lockable storage
• Shelving systems
• Drawer packages
• Tool organization
• Integrated lighting
• Compressor systems
• Power systems
• Crane compatibility
• Custom accessory mounting

Instead of placing equipment on the deck, everything has a dedicated location.

This allows technicians to work faster while protecting valuable tools and equipment.

Benefits of an Enclosed Service Body

Superior Organization

Everything has a designated place.

Technicians spend less time searching for tools and more time completing work.

This improves productivity across every service call.

Improved Equipment Protection

Canadian weather is demanding.

Snow, freezing rain, dust, road salt, gravel, and mud all take a toll on expensive equipment.

Enclosed compartments protect:

• Power tools
• Electronics
• Diagnostic equipment
• Hydraulic components
• Batteries
• Specialty tools

Proper storage extends equipment life while reducing replacement costs.

Enhanced Security

Theft continues to be one of the largest hidden expenses for mobile service operations.

Lockable compartments provide significantly better protection than exposed equipment.

For businesses carrying thousands of dollars in specialized tools, secure storage quickly pays for itself.

Professional Appearance

An organized service truck creates confidence.

Customers immediately notice clean, organized equipment.

A professionally designed enclosed body reflects the quality of your business.

Better Technician Efficiency

When every tool is exactly where it belongs, technicians spend less time walking around the truck or climbing onto decks.

That translates directly into more productive hours.

What Is an Open Truck Deck?

An open truck deck provides a flat working platform with minimal enclosed storage.

These bodies prioritize:

Maximum cargo space
Easy loading
Flexible hauling
Crane compatibility
Material transportation
Oversized equipment
Open decks remain one of the most versatile truck body configurations available.

Benefits of an Open Truck Deck

Maximum Loading Flexibility

Open decks easily transport:

• Pallets
• Pipe
• Lumber
• Construction materials
• Large equipment
• Bulk supplies
• Building products

Without enclosed side compartments, oversized loads become much easier to secure.

Better for Changing Cargo

Some businesses haul different materials every day.

An open deck allows crews to quickly adapt without storage limitations.

Easier Forklift Loading

Loading from the sides is simple.

Forklift operators can access materials without maneuvering around enclosed compartments.

This improves efficiency at warehouses, suppliers, and job sites.

Excellent Crane Integration

Many crane-equipped trucks use flat deck configurations because they provide unrestricted lifting space.

This allows operators to position loads more efficiently.

Simpler Maintenance

Open decks generally require fewer storage components, making inspections and maintenance straightforward while offering long-term durability.

Which Industries Benefit Most From Enclosed Service Bodies?

An enclosed service body is often the preferred choice for businesses where organization, security, and technician efficiency are critical.

Common applications include:

• Mobile equipment maintenance
• Municipal service fleets
• Utility contractors
• Telecommunications
• Electrical contractors
• Mechanical service providers
• HVAC contractors
• Fleet maintenance teams
• Industrial maintenance
• Railway maintenance support

These operations rely on organized tools and quick access throughout the day.

Which Industries Benefit Most From Open Truck Decks?

Open truck decks are ideal when transporting materials is the priority.

Common users include:

• Construction companies
• Building maintenance
• General contractors
• Infrastructure contractors
• Crane operations
• Municipal public works
• Landscape contractors
• Equipment delivery
• Material handling operations

Businesses that regularly load oversized cargo typically benefit from the flexibility of an open deck.

Can You Have Both?

Absolutely.

Many of today’s custom truck bodies combine enclosed storage with open deck functionality.

Popular hybrid configurations include:

• Service body with rear cargo platform
• Crane service body
• Partial enclosed deck
• Custom side-pack designs
• Utility body with flat deck section

At General Body & Equipment, every build begins with understanding how your crews actually work.

Rather than forcing customers into standard configurations, we customize truck bodies around your daily operations.

That often means combining the best features of both designs.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Your Truck Body

What Do Your Technicians Carry Every Day?

If your crews transport hundreds of specialized tools, enclosed storage provides unmatched organization.

If they primarily move materials, an open deck may be more practical.

How Often Are Tools Left in the Truck?

If valuable equipment remains inside overnight, security becomes essential.

Enclosed compartments dramatically reduce theft risk.

What Weather Conditions Do You Work In?
Western Canada’s climate presents unique challenges.

Rain, snow, ice, road salt, and freezing temperatures can quickly damage exposed equipment.

Enclosed bodies help protect investments year-round.

Will You Add a Crane?
Many businesses benefit from combining cranes with either body style.

General Body designs truck bodies to integrate cranes, compressors, lighting, hydraulic systems, and specialized accessories without compromising functionality.

Do You Need Future Expansion?
Business needs evolve.

Choosing a modular truck body allows future upgrades as operations grow.

Planning ahead reduces replacement costs later.

Why Customization Matters

No two businesses work exactly alike.

Even companies in the same industry often require completely different layouts.

General Body & Equipment works closely with each customer to understand:

• Daily workflow
• Equipment requirements
• Technician preferences
• Safety considerations
• Payload requirements
• Access needs
• Future expansion plans

The result is a truck body built around your operation rather than forcing your operation to adapt to the truck.

Built for Western Canada

Businesses across Alberta and Saskatchewan face unique operating conditions.

Heavy snowfall, freezing temperatures, rough roads, and demanding job sites require truck bodies designed for durability, reliability, and long-term performance.

General Body & Equipment manufactures purpose-built commercial truck bodies that perform in these conditions every day.

From our facilities in Edmonton and Saskatoon, we support businesses throughout Western Canada with custom truck body manufacturing, repairs, warranty support, accessories, and ongoing service.

Whether you need an enclosed service body, an open truck deck, or a completely customized solution, every build is designed around your operational requirements.

Call Us: 1-800-410-1613

Request A Quote: www.generalbody.ca/request-a-quote/

Visit Our Website: www.generalbody.ca

General Body & Equipment Headquarters
3707-97 Street NW
Edmonton, AB T6E 6J2

Saskatoon Branch
3410 Millar Avenue
Saskatoon, SK S7K 5Y7