Taking the Leap from Truck to Service Utility Van

When you think of a durable and versatile vehicle with ample storage and the ability to handle difficult weather conditions, you’re probably thinking of a truck. That’s what Head Property Manager, Juan Alvarez thought when he purchased his first work vehicle: a Ford F-250 with a ladder rack. Being responsible for things like general maintenance, building engineering, and electrical work meant that his work vehicle needed to be tough and adaptable. As his business and staff grew, Juan realized that trucks were not able to carry enough supplies and he needed something bigger. He decided to make the switch to a service utility van. 

“So we’re driving all over the place, all the time. If you pull up somewhere and you don’t have what you need, you have to drive all the way back to get it.” Juan Alvarez, Head Property Manager

Juan isn’t the first person to realize that despite its general popularity as a work vehicle, a truck has its limitations. “We manage several buildings all over Denver,” said Juan. “So we’re driving all over the place, all the time. If you pull up somewhere and you don’t have what you need, you have to drive all the way back to get it.” In a vocation that requires tools to always be on hand for a large variety of jobs, you need storage space, and you need it to be organized. Every trip back and forth wastes precious time and gas. A service utility van maximizes both storage and organization opportunities. 

Service utility vans come in all shapes, sizes, makes, and models. While only a few years ago there were limited options, today the market is flooded with big-name companies trying to provide the perfect service vehicle for workers everywhere. Juan chose a 2016 Ford E-350 Cutaway upfitted with Knapheide’s KUV Body and a ladder rack. This may seem like a lot for a property manager, but Juan admits that making the switch from a truck to a service utility van made his job much more efficient. 

The Ford E-350, while not exactly a hybrid, offers decent gas mileage. The majority of Juan’s work takes place in downtown Denver and he often found it difficult and stressful to park on the narrow streets. The service utility van is smaller and better for close quarters, and the KUV Body greatly improved his storage capabilities. The lockable side storage compartments provide him with a way to organize his tools by the type of job while leaving the center aisle clear. Juan used to worry about leaving tools unlocked in the toolbox in the truck bed, but the locked storage compartments in Knapheide’s KUV Body allow him to do his job without worrying if his tools will be there when he gets back. His only storage concern when switching to the service utility van was where he would store the many ladders he uses daily. Adding a ladder rack to the top of the KUV Body turned out to be an easy solution. Juan says that it’s extremely rare that he has to turn around and go get a specific tool these days, and he owes it all to the service utility van. 

By switching from a truck to a service utility van, Juan gained better storage options and improved his gas mileage without losing any of the capabilities that his previous truck possessed. His new service utility van also handles Denver’s icy roads just as well as his old truck. 

Trucks have their place, but service utility vans have a distinct advantage for many occupations. The storage options are unsurpassed by any other work vehicle, and the upfit options are endless. It’s worth doing some research to find out if your job could be made easier with a service utility van.