5 POPULAR TYPES OF TRUCK BODIES ON THE MARKET

A truck body is the rear section of a truck, designed for holding and transporting goods. The market today offers a wide range of truck-body types such as open-top (low-sided), tarpaulin-covered, closed box, and dump bodies, etc. The article below provides detailed information about these truck body types so customers can choose the option that best matches their usage needs.

Common types of truck bodies today

Open-top (low-sided) body

An open-top body is uncovered at the top, lacks a roof, and features low sideboards around the perimeter. These bodies are typically made from high-grade materials for superior durability, aesthetics, and corrosion resistance compared with conventional materials, including:

– Stainless Steel: Affordable, durable, corrosion-resistant in harsh environments.
– Stainless Steel: Easy to fabricate, heat-resistant, durable, aesthetically pleasing.
– Stainless Steel: Premium grade; excellent load resistance, low magnetism, low thermal/electrical conductivity, and superior corrosion resistance.

Open-top bodies are manufactured from premium materials to ensure durability and a professional appearance.

Open-top bodies are commonly available on the market and are used to transport items such as steel sheets, electrical cables, water pipes, and various construction materials.

Advantages:

– Lower cost compared with closed box bodies.

– Easy cargo loading/unloading and straightforward cleaning.

– Suitable for bulky goods that are difficult to transport in closed bodies.

Disadvantages:

– Not ideal for long-distance transport.

– Cargo is more exposed to weather conditions.

Open-top body with mounted crane

This body shares the same design as an open-top body but adds a crane boom to facilitate moving cargo. It is widely used in construction, for transporting industrial machinery and building materials, and in recovery/rescue operations.

Advantages:

– Saves time and labor when transporting goods.

– The robust structure of the crane-equipped open body enhances safety and reduces risks during loading/unloading.

Disadvantages:

– Higher purchase cost for the crane-equipped variant.

– Limited transport distance.

Tarpaulin-covered body

A tarpaulin body uses the same lower structure as an open-top body, with an upper stainless-steel or steel frame and a surrounding tarp cover to keep cargo protected. This body type is a popular choice thanks to its convenience for carrying goods.

Tarpaulin materials for truck bodies include:

– Polypropylene (PP) tarpaulin: Rigid tarp with resistance to harsh weather at an economical price.

– Polyethylene (PE) tarpaulin: More advanced than PP; besides withstanding severe weather, it also blocks UV rays and offers effective flame resistance.

– Canvas Tarpaulin and Polyvinyl Chloride: The most premium tarp options, with excellent resistance to harsh weather, fire resistance, and superior shielding from harmful external radiation.

Advantages:

– Affordable cost.

– Suitable for transporting many different types of cargo.

– High durability; withstands severe weather to help prevent cargo damage.

Disadvantages:

– Heavier curb weight than some other body types.

– Maintenance can be difficult when damage occurs.

Closed box body

For goods requiring optimal transport conditions, a closed box body is the best choice. The body is designed as a six-sided rectangular box with doors at the rear or on the sides for easy loading and unloading. It is typically made from high-quality, durable materials such as inox 201, inox 304, or composite.

Closed box bodies are divided into two types with distinct functions:

– Insulated box body: Features insulation foam between inner and outer wall panels for thermal and acoustic insulation. Wall materials vary and can include inox 430, inox 201, inox 304, or steel sheet (tôn).

– Refrigerated box body: Shares the same structure as the insulated type but adds a refrigeration unit. It is widely used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, and electronics, ensuring safety and quality for temperature-sensitive products.

Advantages:

– Shields cargo from weather and external impacts.

– Suitable for perishable goods that require cold storage.

Disadvantages:

– Higher cost than open bodies.

– Limited airflow (for insulated non-refrigerated boxes).

– More challenging to load certain types of goods.

Dump truck bodies

Dump bodies are typically used to transport materials that are difficult to handle manually, such as sand, aggregate, soil, coal, etc. With a hydraulic hoist mechanism to tip the load to the rear or sides, they enable much faster unloading than conventional bodies.

Dump body classifications:

– By tipping style: Side-tip, rear-tip, three-way tipper.

– By payload: Light-duty, medium-duty, heavy-duty dump bodies.

Advantages:

– Enables quick and easy unloading.

– Can transport many kinds of loose bulk materials.

Disadvantages:

– Higher cost than standard truck bodies.

– Requires more frequent maintenance and repairs due to the complex mechanism.

THACO INDUSTRIES – Vietnam’s leading mechanical engineering & supporting industries corporation

THACO INDUSTRIES is Vietnam’s leading corporation in mechanical engineering and supporting industries

With a modern R&D Center, a Mechanical Center and Automotive components manufacturing plants that are equipped with advanced production lines, THACO INDUSTRIES provides high-quality solutions that meet international standards and serve global markets including North America, Europe, Australia, South Korea, and Japan.

Featured technologies include: ten fiber-laser cutting machines, a line of 100 welding robots, a 1,000-ton hydraulic press, 5-axis gantry milling machines, robotic paint lines, 3,200-ton injection molding machines, and fully automated heat-treatment lines, etc.

THACO INDUSTRIES offers a variety of high-quality truck bodies, ready to be customized according to the needs of domestic and international customers. Contact THACO INDUSTRIES via hotline: (+84)348620063 for quick consultation and support.