SERVICE SPOTLIGHT
Mechanic Trucks
Maximized Storage and Productivity: Custom trucks give more flexibility in how tools, parts and equipment are stored and accessed. That translates to utilizing every square inch of your service vehicle in a meaningful way and less time accessing what you need.
Differentiating Your Brand: Some companies use custom builds as a branding opportunity through paint or decaling. If you want your truck to stand out finetuning those cosmetic details might be right for you.
The Hybrid Option
One growing trend is the rise of semi-custom mechanic trucks. These are work-ready trucks that offer select customization. For example, operators might be able to place an order for a truck in inventory but still select additional accessories to personalize the truck to meet their needs. This hybrid approach allows fleet managers to get the benefits of customization without having to go through the entire process of a ground-up build.
The Right Truck for the Right Job
Choosing between a custom, standard or hybrid mechanic truck comes down to one thing: what is going to be the best option for your team, your workflow and your long-term goals. There is not a right or wrong answer, it just takes thoughtful evaluation to determine what equipment is going to best support your success. Finding a truck that is going to keep your crew productive, your downtime low and your investment paying off for years to come is worth it every time.
Customization allows you to engineer a truck around your workflow, rather than needing to adapt your workflow to fit the truck.
Key Questions to Ask When Selecting a Mechanic Truck
What kind of work will my truck be doing every day?
For general maintenance and field service, a standard truck may be enough. If the job at hand requires specialized lifting components, hauling heavy loads or powering multiple accessories, a custom solution may be better.
How much will the truck be used?
A truck that is used all day, every day under harsh weather conditions should be built to meet that demand. Vehicles that aren’ t used daily, or backup vehicles, may not require the same level of specialization.
What local laws need to be considered?
Whether it’ s Gross Vehicle Weight Rating limits, emission regulations or CDL licensing requirements, local laws are sure to have influence on the truck you purchase. Sometimes a work-ready vehicle can meet those needs and other times a custom build is necessary.
Do my operators have unique storage requirements?
If the tools that your technicians use are unique in shape or size, then custom storage configurations might be necessary. Additionally, if you’ re trying to reduce lifting, strain or steps during a job, those considerations can be made with a unique build.
How often do I want to replace my fleet?
If you plan to rotate trucks out every 5 to 7 years, a truck built for immediate deployment and tailored to serve most market needs could be the most practical choice. If you’ re purchasing a service vehicle with the goal of 10 or more years of service, then investing in a custom truck that is designed to reduce wear and maximize efficiency may be a better fit.
What’ s my budget and how much time do I have?
Cost and delivery timeline play a big role in choosing the right mechanic truck. Custom builds often require longer lead times and more planning up front, but for the right operation, that investment will pay off in performance.
How can I compare custom-made and work-ready?
Explore manufacturers’ websites to see how their specific work-ready trucks compare to custom builds. Some manufacturers may even offer tools such as 3-D configurations that allow you to virtually build a truck to see what the price and lead time of the specifications you’ re interested in might be. This can be a good way to compare actual truck options for your business and determine the right path to a purchase.
Chris Rycroft is the director of sales, mechanic & service trucks at Stellar
14 l September-October 2025