March 26, 2026
The type of truck body you choose directly affects how your crew stores equipment, protects materials and operates on the jobsite. Open and enclosed bodies each offer distinct advantages depending on your workload, environment and security needs. Knapheide provides customization options to help you configure the right solution.
To support efficiency, consider how your storage is organized. Your truck body should allow you to access what you need without digging through equipment. With a designated place for everything, there’s less wasted motion and fewer delays. This is where the difference between open and enclosed bodies becomes significant — each supports workflow in different ways depending on your crew’s priorities.
You’ll also need to consider how your equipment is protected, both on the jobsite and in transit. Security concerns, exposure to weather and overnight storage all influence whether an open or enclosed body makes more operational sense.
What's the Difference?
A service body has an open cargo area, similar to a pick-up bed. A utility body has an enclosed cargo area, similar to a cargo van. The side compartments offer additional storage. Your storage needs would be influenced by factors like weather, theft, organization and accessibility.
When choosing your truck body, ask yourself these three questions:
- Do you regularly transport large or oversized materials? (Ladders, pipe, conduit, wire spools, water heaters, HVAC units, etc.)
- Is theft prevention a priority for your operation? (Generators, compressors, welders and other large equipment may be exposed in an open cargo area.)
- Do you frequently work in harsh or unpredictable weather? (Rain, snow or prolonged exposure to the elements can damage unprotected materials.)
If you answered “yes” to these questions, an enclosed body may be the better fit for your operation. If not, an open body could provide the access you need at a lower cost.
EXPLORE KNAPHEIDE'S WORK TRUCK BODY LINEUP
TO FIND THE RIGHT CONFIGURATION FOR YOUR OPERATION.
