ForConstructionPros.com

Class 5 and smaller mechanics trucks have been around for a long time, accounting for as much as five to six times the unit sales numbers of larger mechanics bodies, according to Jason Ollerich, Feterl Mfg. While the size of this market hasn't changed much, there are several companies offering new, smaller, mechanics truck products.

"Our customers are increasingly concerned about fuel economy," says Tim Worman, product manager for commercial vehicles at Iowa Mold Tooling (IMT). "With the price of diesel being what it is these days, everyone is looking for better fuel efficiency. Smaller mechanics trucks offer better fuel economy than bigger versions, and they also fill the niche need for customers who don't require a full-sized mechanics truck." This includes customers who have lighter lifting requirements.

Smaller mechanics trucks offer economies of scale. "The smaller trucks are less expensive to purchase up front, typically have better fuel economy and are better suited for preventive maintenance jobs," notes Walt Van Laren, Service Trucks International. "Class 5 trucks don't require a commercial driver's license to operate, thereby increasing the number of employees that can operate the unit. The size of the truck seems to be relative to the size of the equipment being serviced and the size of the business."

Their advantages make smaller trucks particularly attractive to the first-time buyer. "First-time buyers will get into the Class 5 truck first to understand how a service vehicle works in their business," Van Laren notes. "Construction companies that buy Class 5 trucks often shortly realize — depending upon the equipment size they work on — that the truck is not big enough for their needs."

"Class 5 chassis will continue to be a great option for customers who service small to mid-range equipment, including those in utilities, rental markets and equipment dealers," Worman says. "Class 3 and 4 chassis are generally best for customers who service compact equipment. We do not foresee this truck going into other industries that primarily use heavy equipment. Contractors who service heavy equipment are still going to need larger mechanics trucks. "