DIFFERENCES BETWEEN CARGO VANS AND BOX TRUCKS

If your business depends on cargo vehicles to operate, you may wonder which type of commercial automobile is the best choice. When comparing box trucks vs. cargo vans, there are several things to consider for your Texas company.

What Are Box Trucks & Why Should I Use One?

A box truck is a two-piece vehicle. It has a box-shaped cargo area that is entirely separate from the cab. These commercial automobiles are also sometimes called box vans or cube vans. The cargo area sides are straight, and you can only access the interior from the rear of the vehicle. Most of these trucks feature roll-up doors at the back. You can add other essential components, such as a hydraulic liftgate for raising and lowering heavy loads.

Due to the shape of the cargo container, box trucks typically hold larger loads than cargo vans. Moving companies, food, package, or furniture delivery services, party planners, and independent contractors often use this kind of truck for their business operations.

Box Trucks Benefits

When deciding between box trucks vs. cargo vans for your Texas business, consider the advantages of each. There are several benefits to using a box truck, including:

• The rolling rear doors provide easy access for loading and unloading large items.

• These trucks are available in various sizes, ranging from 10 to 30 feet in length.

• The cargo area of a box truck has more space than a cargo van, making it ideal for hauling big or bulky items, like appliances or furniture.

• The shape of the cargo compartment allows for easy stacking of products and supplies.

• The flat sides of the cargo area offer an excellent opportunity to add your advertising to the vehicle.

What Are Cargo Vans & Why Should I Use One?

A cargo van is a single-piece vehicle in which the passenger area and the cargo area connect. In this van, you can access the cargo space from the inside of the automobile. The exterior of a cargo van looks similar to a passenger van. It has a sliding side door and large rear doors for loading and unloading things.

Roofers, plumbers, electricians, and painters often use this type of vehicle for their businesses. You can add partitions to separate the passenger cab from the interior cargo area if desired. Other custom options include drawers or shelves for organizing items and hydraulic liftgates for lifting freight into the van.

Cargo Vans Benefits

Cargo vans have many advantages, depending on your needs:

• Driving a cargo van is similar to handling a traditional automobile, making it easier to operate than other commercial vehicles.

• Accessing your tools, gear, and equipment is easy with a cargo van.

• Maneuvering and parking a cargo van in crowded areas is more manageable due to the smaller size.

• Purchasing a cargo van is a more affordable option, as this type of vehicle is generally less expensive than a box truck.

• Handling a cargo van offers good visibility and front-end clearance.

• Customizing the interior of a cargo van is easy, with many available add-on features for storage and organization.

• Advertising with your vehicle is easy if your cargo van does not have windows in the back.

What Equipment and Maintenance Do I Need for a Box Truck?

You aim to do your job quickly and efficiently. Setting up your truck with essential equipment and add-ons is a necessary step toward this goal. How much cargo you can store and how you access it depends on the features you install.

Box Truck Equipment

Your truck requires unique components to improve the efficiency of the cargo space. First, decide if you want roll-up doors that move up and down or double doors that open outward. Determine the best way to access oversize loads. It is beneficial to install a liftgate to help you get heavy items in and out of your truck. Utilize open space around the cargo area by adding shelving for storing supplies and tools. You may also want the addition of a translucent roof to provide good lighting inside the cargo compartment.

Box Truck Maintenance

Routine preventative maintenance helps you avoid costly repairs and breakdowns. Regularly checking your brakes, fluids, tires, and electrical systems keeps your truck in top condition for extended service life.

Your liftgate also requires routine maintenance three to four times per year. It contains many essential components and works with electrical and hydraulic systems that you need to check often to ensure proper functioning. Regularly scheduled tune-ups prevent potential performance issues and maintain the efficiency and safety of your system.

What Equipment and Maintenance Do I Need for a Cargo Van?

Equipping your cargo van with accessories can provide essential features that improve both safety and efficiency. Adding the right components can directly affect your business productivity.

Cargo Van Equipment

Depending on how you use your van, you may want to invest in LED lights, van running boards, a front-end grille, and towing capabilities. Consider adding strategic shelving, complete with drawers and boxes for storage and organization, making it easy to find the necessary tools when you need them. The addition of a hydraulic liftgate system from top manufacturers makes it easy to get heavy freight into and out of the cargo area.

Cargo Van Maintenance

Preventative maintenance for your fluids, tires, brakes, and vital systems helps you avoid the need for expensive repairs and replacements down the road. Don't forget to schedule proactive maintenance for your liftgate to keep your system in top condition and troubleshoot any problems you are experiencing.

Who Installs Liftgates on Cargo Vans or Box Trucks?

At Texas Hydraulic & Equipment, LLC, our experts can install, service, and maintain hydraulic liftgate systems for your commercial vehicles. Our family-owned service company has been the preferred liftgate repair shop in Texas since 1945. After comparing box trucks vs. cargo vans to find the right commercial vehicle for your business, you want to ensure optimal functioning and efficiency. Contact us in Texas to outfit your truck or van with a top-quality liftgate system, giving you the lift you need for a successful service operation.