It’s a historical truth that the label “Made in America” carries a lot of weight internationholland.servicebody.01ally. It implies a product that has been built the American way: meticulously researched, carefully built, and produced by a company that will stand by it’s product.

That’s why in Holland, Mario Van Maldegem is so proud to show off his collection of American made vehicles. “I love American machines,” said Mario during a phone interview. “I’ve got Fords and Cadillacs, including a Lincoln and a Coupe Deville.” An item of his collection he finds himself particularly proud of is a 70’s era Ford F350 Ranger. What makes this truck particularly special is the custom Douglass Truck Body, which was manufactured right in Bakersfield, CA.

IMG_0759Mario’s two passions are restoring old vehicles, and collecting fine American products. His garage is a testament of his love for US culture, with multiple American flags proudly displayed, and symbols of Americana such as old street signs and logos from US companies decorate the walls. It was here that Mario took on the job of restoring his Douglass bed. Mario has restored the original cream-colored paint job and black finished paddle latches. He’s replaced the original decals that was added to the truck when it was originally operated by Cowboy Auto Services of Houston Texas, including Lucas, STP,and Snap-On stickers.

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With the finishing touch of some new Douglass Truck Bodies mud flaps, Mario’s project is now complete. ”I don’t plan on working out of it,” said Mario. ”This truck is going to be entered into shows now!”

So when you’re putting together your next Douglass service body, you’re not just getting one of the finest and rugged bodies on the market. You’re designing the next piece of an American history that stretches back to 1958.”A dealer here in Holland imported it from the United States,” Mario explained. The dealer acquired it from a third party that specialized in bringing over American vehicles to sell in Europe.

ServiceUtilityBodyBodies00149.jpgIf your considering the option of an 8′ service body, you might be relieved to learn that you don’t have to settle for a basis cookie-cutter unit. The 8′ body is the most popular type we sell and it isn’t because they lack features. On a Douglass body you will find cranes, fluid systems, wet wells, work platforms, air systems, on-board power, and more. So don’t settle for mediocre improvements get a Douglass; and have a built for your needs solution.

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At the back of the body is a 18” deep “Flat” work platform, the ¼” steel deck gives alargeand robust work space. Work platforms are a great way to reduce worker strain because the need to service items on the ground is removed; also increased efficiency is achieved by keeping workers closer to their tools and on-board services such as, air, power, and hydraulics. A tapered cab protector holds (2) LED flood lamps providing 600 lumens each for low light conditions. The body also has a two package and LED tail/back-up lights.

In the cargo area you can see a custom made 40 gallon wet tank that offers the flexibility of in the field fueling. Advantages of on-board fuel systems arenumerous including, increased service radius, road side out-of-fuel emergencies, and even parts cleaning. The wet tank is protected by a secondary cargo area headboard, allowing the main cargo area to take all the abuse of the typical work day. The cargo area is protected by a Roll Cover, an extruded aluminum retractable bed cover thatkeeps the entire cargo area safe from weather and theft.

Outfitting a service body with mechanic drawers is the perfect way to keep tools organized, easily accessible, and from unnecessary damage. This unit has (6) mechanic drawers (250lb capacity each) mounted in the driver and the curb side front compartments. Additional small parts and tool storage is provided in the driver side horizontal compartment, where (1) mechanic drawer with removable steel dividers is located. ….. .. .. . . ..  .. .. .. . . . . . . . .. . … .. . .. .. . … .. .. .. . . . . . . . . . . .

The environment your service body operates in is rugged, therefore a body protection packages is a great way to protect your investment. Some peoplethinkaluminum diamond plate is added just for looks well this is far from true. Aluminum is light weight, durable, and wear resistant, perfect for locations that take to the most abuse. This body has aluminum rock/splash guards to protect from road debris. Spray on bed liner was utilized inside the cargo area, tops of the flip top lids, work platform, bumper, and secondary headboard to further protect from working conditions.

Start your workday with everything where it’s supposed to be is going to make your day go easier and it’s also going to help keep you profitable. The Douglass 8’ service body has a variety of applications from roadside repair to agriculture and can be outfitted with options ranging from cranes to on-board hydraulic systems. Give Douglass Truck Bodies a call at 661-327-0258 to get a body built to fit your needs. Visit our web site www.douglasstruckbodies.com to see completed trucks and options available for your custom built truck body.

Working conditions are not always perfect and problems rarely occur between 8am and 5pm Monday through Friday. For this reason, investing in quality lighting solutions is important, because when you need to work in low light situations, your lights better be thereand the better work. Golight builds some of the most robust lights we have found. Offering several lighting options, Golight has a solution for almost any application, oil fields, heavy equipment, service units, Ag industry, military, police and fire departments, RV’ers, and hunting/fishing. Douglass Truck Bodies has been offering Golights to customers for years and with proven success, find out why Golight might be the best lighting option of you.

The advantage the Golight’s offer over other portable lights is their versatility; all Golights have motorized bases, giving you 370 deg rotation and 137deg tilt, so you can adjust your light where you needed it, something you can’t do with typical solid mount lights. Most Golights have options for wired or wireless controllers and permanent or temporary mounting letting you use your Golight where ever it is needed.

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Golight is probably most well known for their motorized  light that was first produced in the early 90’s, since that time Golight has continued to improve their product and expand their market with the development of additional lighting solutions. Currently the most powerful light is the Stryker HID unit. HID stands for High Intensity Discharge, this light adds visibility at a mile away and only draws 3.5amp from your power supply. If you’re looking for the brightest spot light Golight makes this it. One key note about the new HID unit, Golight makes an upgrade package for your existing Stryker.

The Golight standard spotlights are a great solution for back-up lighting needs because of their portability and power. The Golight search lights boast a hefty 250,000 candle power and are designed to keep the light focused meaning at 656 feet from the bean source the light spread is only 88 feet wide. Keeping light directed in a narrow field means you’ll be able to spot objects faster and easier at greater distances.

Also on Golight’s product menu is the Helios, a heat sensing unit with remote dash mount screen. The Helios uses a 320 x 240 resolution FLIR Camera the system can easily see man sized targets from over 1500 feet. The Helios can connect toexisting monitors such as back-up camera monitor or a laptop. The Helios is a great solution for vehicles in remote areas dealing with diving in, fog, smoke, precipitation, and low light, especially around livestock and wild animals. In thedisplay heated objects are shown as ‘white hot’,   if want to be creative, you can even use it to monitor running motors on equipment from distance. The coolest part on the Helios is the internal core heater that prevents lens icing, thisshows that Golights are built to be used anytime and anywhere regardless of the weather.

If you’re looking for an area light for your work site, Golight makes the Smithlight a portable and rechargeable LED light. The Smithlight has 144 LED’s per side emitting 1480 Lumens in two directions has a 60° Adjustable Tilt Light Head boasts aRuntime of 10-12 hours 1-side, 5-6 hours 2 sides, the battery recharges in only 8 hours and can be charged from either 12v or 110v power source. Smithlights are portable and can easily be fit into a service body and the LED lightswontdamage during transport. The Smithlight is both UV and saltwater resistant and built from ABS.

To learn more about Golights and accessory options give our sales team a call, we can help you find the right light for your application. If an upgrade is what you’re looking for that isn’t a problem we can help you get you parts ordered and on their way. Call our office at 661-327-0258 or visit our web site for other truck body ideas and options. www.douglasstruckbodies.com

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In agriculture, you never know what to expect from day to day; you could be changing a gear box one minute and welding a fence panel the next. Because the need for flexibility is so great, the agriculture environment has a high expectation for what options are available on their service bodies. Douglass Truck Bodies has worked in the Ag industry for decades and understands the versatility that is required to make a service body a true time saver. To show case this, we would like to highlight two hauler bodies we built for Ag industry service.

These bodies were designed to facilitate either fixing or hauling almost anything found on the farm or ranch. Built for Freightliner chassis these bodies were completely custom from their 94.2”cab-to-axle lengths to their on-board water and hydraulic systems. Behind the cab a custom large thru-compartment allows for storage of large items and a welding unit; additional access to the compartment is provided via a large  flip-top lid in the center. For gas welding or torch cutting the curbside front compartment was fitted with rings and clamps for oxygen and acetylene bottles and a stainless steel louver for air ventilation. The compartment also has a divider that allows for welding supply storage on adjustable shelves in the same compartment.

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With the on-board water, hydraulic, and air solutions this body is designed to be as efficient as possible. The curb side rear compartment houses an 11 gallon hydraulic reservoir for use with a PTO driven hydraulic pump. Auxiliary hoses plumbed to the rear of the body operate the client’s trailer, which is equipped with hydraulic rams to adjust the trailers height and slope.

service.body - tow.body.007The on-board water system is powered by a Shurflo 2.8gal water pump with auto shut-off and stainless steel 18.5 gallon water tank; both mounted in the driver’s side rear  compartment. The water is plumbed from the pump to the enclosed hose reel mounted behind the bumper.The hose runs through the bumper, guided by a 4-way roller, making the water easily accessible at the rear of the truck. Also at the back, a Cat-V tow package was installed, with a 50ton max GWT air actuated pintel; the pintel is plumbed to and powered by the chassis air system. In the cargo area a versatile setup was installed for both 5th wheel and gooseneck trailers. The fifth wheel hitch can be removed and a custom recessed box on the cargo floor houses and covers the gooseneck ball. One feature that is a functional as it is esthetical is the custom “spoiler” style cab protector, fitted with (4) additional LED oval tail lights and two additional white LED oval back-up lights. The cab protector serves the purpose of increased visibility when hooking up equipment or trailers.

service.body - tow.body.010To endure the farm environment a body protection package was provided. Aluminum tread plate protection was added up front with rock/splash guards and aluminum side rail caps. Spray-on bed liner was added in the cargo area, hitch compartment, compartment interiors, behind doors, inside all mechanic drawers, Oxygen /Acetylene rings and clamps, and the top of the bumper. Lastly, a pair of Douglass mud flaps in the back finishes it off

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To meet the needs of the Ag industry a service body must offer not just tool storage, but also, welding, towing, and power options; such as air, water, and hydraulics, because on a farm or ranch you never know what you going to encounter. When working with Douglass Truck Bodies, we will ensure your body has the right options to meet your needs, making you as organized and efficient as possible. To get started working with our team of truck body experts give just give us a call at our office, 661-327-0258. To research more hauler beds, visit http://www.douglasstruckbodies.com/fifth_wheel where you  can lean more about the Douglass difference and find ideas to help you design the perfect truck body.

If you are looking for more than just an air solution, but also a generator and welder, Multi-Process Machines are also offered at Douglass Truck Bodies. Instead of having to sacrifice valuable cargo space for three separate machines.

This entry is the final part in a four part series about the wide variety of compressors Douglass Truck Bodies offers our clients.

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Vanair’s Air-n-Arc line offers a range of combination units that span a large range of air delivery, AC power generation, and welding needs. Their smallest model, the Air-n-Arc 150, offers 20cfm @150psi, 5kw generator, and 150amp DC/CC 100% duty cycle welder. Their largest, the New 300, offers 40cfm @175psi, 7kw generator, and 300amp CC/DC, CV/DC at 100% duty cycle welder. It is also available with a 300amp 12v batter charger, 12v/24v boost, and Kubota Diesel motor option.

All Air-n-Arc’s have optional remote control panels for complete unit control access eliminating side mounting of the unit.

The team at Douglass Truck Bodies understands that deciding on the right machine is difficult, and we’re here to help. When you call our sales team we will walk you through where your compressor will be mounted, how your controls will integrate into the body, and most importantly we’ll make sure everything is designed with your needs in mind.

When high-cfm delivery and and space requirements are critical to your work truck design, Off-Deck Air Compressors are the solution for you. They offer up high air delivery, virtually no wasted cargo space, and are nearly impossible to steal.

This entry is the third part in a four part series about the wide variety of compressors Douglass Truck Bodies offers our clients.

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The underhood compressor from VMAC offers incredible CFM for their size. Available in 70 cfm and 150 cfm configurations, both VMAC models are 100% duty cycle and offer up to 175psi operating pressure. VMAC’s are installed and powered by the vehicle engine, allowing it to be completely contained under the hood of your truck. Another benefit to this is that in harsh winter climates, the engine heat keeps the compressor from icing.

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Vanair’s under deck compressors are mounted between the frame rails of your vehicle and are driven via PTO by your transmission. They can be configured to produce between 50 cfm and 1,000 cfm, while operating between 100-150psi. The Vanair line also offers an optional add-on generator system.

In a service body that already has a hydraulic pump, such as to power a hydraulic crane or post-puller, Hydraulically Driven Air Compressors are a great option. Hydraulic air compressors offer a high cfm air solution, but also benefit you because they take advantage of the hydraulic power you already have, and eliminate additional equipment maintenance.

This entry is the second part in a four part series about the wide variety of compressors Douglass Truck Bodies offers our clients.

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One such compressor we offer is the VMAC Predatair. These rotary screw air compressors come in two configurations, either 40 cfm or 60 cfm at 150 psi.

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Also available at Douglass Truck Bodies is the Autocrane line of hydraulic compressors. These compressors are available in both a 48 cfm @ 145 psi, and 60 cfm @ 150 psi configurations. Both Autocrane compressor units utilize rotary screw compressors design to achieve the high flow and 100% duty cycle.

Hydraulic compressor systems are a complicated setup to design. If this is what you need, a member of the Douglass Truck Bodies sales team will be ready to walk you through your transmission requirements and PTO needs, spec out the right hydraulic pump to maximize oil flow with your transmission/PTO combination, and make sure your hydraulic reservoir is big enough to allow your hydraulic oil ample time to cool. We can also suggest cooling systems, if necessary. Give us a call today to start building your custom hydraulic compressor system.

Designing the right onboard air solution system for your work truck can seem overwhelming at times. From air delivery needs for your specific tools, to space requirements, to cost, there are a lot of factors that go into picking the perfect compressor for you. Luckily, viable options available for on-board air systems have advanced tremendously in the last decade, and Douglass Truck Bodies has worked hard to maintain a wide selection of options to make sure we can build an air system that fits YOUR needs.

This entry is the first in a four part series about the wide variety of compressors Douglass Truck Bodies offers our clients.

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On the lighter side of onboard air systems, compressor systems from VIAIR offer great air availability while staying compact enough to minimize impact on your valuable cargo space. Run on a 12/24V electric motor, this model is popular with everyone from fire departments to RV enthusiasts who need to be prepared for everything from airing up a flat, to operating pneumatic jacks, to running small pneumatic tools, to inflating rafts and camping mattresses. Pictured here is a 10005 system we’ve installed, featuring a 33% duty cycle 400C compressor with 150 PSI capabilities and a 2.54 CFM maximum flow.

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Bed mounted air compressors by Ingersoll Rand are ideal for mobile mechanic and field service applications. The IR2475 is a two-stage, gas-powered reciprocating air compressor offering 24cfm @ 175psi and a 100% duty cycle. They serve a wide variety of needs, and are our most popular air system. These compressors are available with either Honda or Kohler motors, can be fitted with optional remote starting capabilities, and come in either a standard 30-gallon or a low profile 4-Gallon version.

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If engine driven is what you looking for but need a higher air volume the Vanair Viper may be right for you. The Viper is a gas powered air compressor that uses a Kohler 25hp gas motor and offers 60 – 80cfm @100psi. The Viper delivers its high air volume through a 100% duty cycle rotary screw pump. The high output of the Viper supplies the power to do full-time repair work and constantly run heavy air equipment such as jack hammers and 1” impacts.

The Viper can also be ordered with add-on generator option that can be mounted in the same foot print.

ISO NO 4Protecting the equipment you keep in the cargo area of your service body is an important concern. Whether at night in hotel parking lots while traveling, or while working on construction sites in high theft areas; your tools are expensive, and downtime from loss is even more expensive. Douglass Truck Bodies offers a great solution to these concerns while maintaining durability, space, and overall protection: the Rollcover brand utility bed cover.

Made from interlocking extruded aluminum slats, the advantage of the Rollcover is its self-retracting, self contained, lockable design. Every Rollcover is made custom; your Douglass team will measure all the dimensions of your service body’s cargo area and determine the best fitting size for your particular application. Once built, your Rollcover will be shipped directly to Douglass Truck Bodies, where our team of experienced technicians will install the Rollcover for you. We make sure the cover works smoothly and is weather-resistant.

IMG 003611One attraction to the Rollcover is its compactness. Each Rollcover is built into its own storage box where the cover is rolled away into while not in use. The containment box is made of aluminum and is constructed to keep the cover and self-retracting mechanism safe. To operate, the cover is simply pulled from the enclosure along its guiding track into the closed position. When opening the Rollcover the user has two positioning options: either moving directly to the completely open position, or opening by using several incremental “pull-release” movements, thus engaging a series of preset open positions. The concept is that in bad weather, the entire cargo is not exposed to the elements when only a small portion of the bed needs to be accessed. The sleek look of the aluminum cover can not be mistaken. The cover is anodized to give the finish a long-lasting life cycle even in extreme elements.

iso lft 1The Rollcover is guided along two tracks mounted on each side of the cargo area. These tracks not only give the Rollcover its water resistant seal, but also provide positive guiding to ensure the cover doesn’t get wedged along its way to any of the closed positions. Notable in the design is the interlocking aluminum slats; each slat is connected to the next with a rubber, water tight link. These links combine each slat making up the entire cover.

Since each Rollcover is made custom, any Rollcover can be built up to 5’-6” wide and as long as 13’. The Rollcover not only looks great, but can be applied in multiple service body configurations; from standard service bodies to custom specialty bodies.

090520110909380ServiceUtilityBodyBodies00125[1]Building custom truck bodies is about fitting customers with the right products, not just in terms of options but also in terms of usability and durability. Douglass Truck Bodies represents this idea in every body we build and every option, we offer our customer. The custom built Rollcover offers added protection to loss due to theft or weather damage in an application where few good solutions exist. To investigate this option further and get a Rollcover protecting your investment, call our office at 661-327-0258.

300320101010img017[1]When crews show up on job sites, time down for unexpected situations can be a costly oversight. Over the years, Douglass Truck Bodies, has worked with clients to produce truck bodies that can handle almost any situation. This truck is the combination of customer preparedness and Douglass ingenuity to produce a time saving service set-up, while at the same time, maintaining all the advantages of a standard service body.

This 9’ Mechanic’s Body is nothing short of a fully mobile, complete repair shop. It was designed with front and rear work platforms, a 5000 lbs. capacity crane, oil service setup, pressure washer, an onboard air system, and an AC power setup. It was designed to be able to lift equipment, such as motors and pumps, up and out of their locations, where they can be easily repaired and maintained.

300320101010img019[1]Mounted on top of the front platform is a IR 30gal air compressor (12.5hp, 24cfm at 175psi), with an easily-to-reach remote starter. It is plumbed to the back of the truck, where a 25’ capacity, fully-enclosed hose reel is mounted under the back work platform. This durable setup keeps the hose reel safe,  and the air supply fully accessible. The fresh-oil tanks are mounted under the front work platform, both equipped with valve guns on a 5:1 ratio oil pump system, and self-retracting 50’ capacity hose reels. Fresh oil stays on-hand and easily accessible during routine service.

Built into the rear platform is a waste tank to make transportation of oil to a disposal site easy.

300320101111img007[1]In the cargo area a Hotsy hot-water pressure washer and 125gal water tank is mounted. The pressure washer unit is protected by a secondary headboard. The water tank is covered by a custom aluminum diamond plate cover. It not only protects the tank, but keeps it out of sunlight and reduces algae growth in tank. The hose reel for the washer is mounted in the curbside front compartment, and is used to clean machinery whose muddy or greasy condition might have otherwise made them impossible to be maintained on-site.

The onboard AC power system consists of a 3,000watt power inverter, with direct wiring to the rear platform’s two (2)GFI receptacles. This provides on hand AC power for tools and lighting.

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Lifting on this truck is a breeze with the 5,000 lbs. capacity hydraulic crane, power hydraulic outriggers and FM crane remote control. Additional springs are added to assist in lifting and load management.

Other equipment includes: Four 6,000lb capacity weld-in tie downs, 2-point latches, chrome grab handles, tow package, Oxygen/Acetylene rings & clamps, fourteen 250lbs. capacity mechanic drawers, eight “Equipto” pull-out parts trays, and 55w halogen work lights, color back-up camera system, tinted windows and aluminum rims.

300320101010img014[2]By using Aluminum tanks, covers, and rims, approximately 800 lbs was saved from the total weight.

Douglass Truck Bodies wants to be sure you get the most from your investment. We understand that being prepared is a primary goal when ordering a service body; your team at Douglass has the time and expertise to help you find the equipment to accomplish this goal.

To get started give our office a call; 661-327-0258 and one of our experienced salesman will help you get started.

To learn more this crane body, type 298 into the Unit Search box at the top left-hand corner of this page.

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