Markets We Serve - Government
Press Releases
- State of Idaho - Department of Transportation - Classic II™ Service Body
- West Brandywine Township - Custom Classic II™ Service Body
- New Holland Borough - Classic II™ Service Body
- South Florida Water Management - Custom Classic® Service Body
- City of Coppell - Custom Classic® Service Body
- City of Birmingham - Custom Service Body
- Maryland Department of Environment - Custom aluminum panel body
- Town of Wrentham Department of Public Works - Deluxe Ready Van
Articles
- Public Works magazine article on the Aerotech® service body.
- Trailer/Body Builder magazine article on the Aerotech® service body.
Testimonials
- Kenny Warren, Town of Williamston Fire & Rescue, 108ABDW Classic Service Body
“Well built body. So far a shelter has fallen on it and it has been sideswiped by a car and has suffered only paint damage each time. Overall we have been very satisfied with this unit.”
- Craig Wentling, Manhattan Airport, 98 FABSW-R Standard Bodies
“Good unit - no problems. No improvements needed - we like it as is.”
- Ralph Staton, Town of Columbus, U98ABSW-R Standard Bodies
“Your company makes a fine line of bodies for trucks, keep up the great work.”
- Richard Strabla, Green Township, 4884F Rev Pacs
“This is the second unit we have had and we really liked the first one so when it needed replacing we wanted the same thing.”
- Don Rainard, City of Plant City, LP98ABSW Classic Series low profile service body
“Very good body, great storage.”
- James Touhey, Boston Water & Sewer Corp., U36B Underbox
“Reading has done a great job for me & my company. Keep up the good job. Thanks.”
- Greg Harris, City of Wyandotte, H12D Platform
“The D.M.S. Electric Dept. is very satisfied with the two current Reading bodies we have now and are looking forward to doing business in the future with our next new vehicle.”
- Town of South Windsor, SC75GSEC Space Cap
“Very good product from a maintenance view! Drivers seem to like your equipment. Good availability and service after the sale is important to us. Thanks.”
- Richard Melius, Town of Kernersville, 4884 Rev-Pac
“Ken Hart at Ford Body Co. Inc. in Greensboro should be congratulated by Reading for the exceptional service he provided me: outstanding product knowledge, professional, courteous, friendly, made me feel like I was the only customer he had! Great follow-up too, called me two weeks after delivery to see if everything was satisfactory.”
- Jefferson City Housing Authority, U98ABSW Classic Series Service Body
“Keep up the good work on bodies.”
- Bob Johnson, University of NC, 132ABDW Classic Series Service Bodies
“Being a state agency we are required to buy our vehicles through state contract which at present is Ford Motor Co. However, when our pick up came in we insisted utility bodies on some and bedliners and tool boxes on others. For my division at this university which is the utilities division I arrange with Ford Body Co. to remove the pick up bodies and install and paint a Reading utility body or in other cases a bedliner and Reading tool boxes. While the cost is higher, the quality is much higher and Ford Body Co. gives us very good service.”
Reading Body Built for Maximum Usage
Company Name: West Brandywine Township
Reading Products: Custom Classic II™ Service Body
Type of Service: Primary Maintenance Vehicle
Tom Eells of West Brandywine Township describes the kind of truck his municipality needed was one with a “multitude of uses”. One-dimensional trucks need not apply. Good thing too, because they wouldn’t stand a chance against a custom Reading body that offers more versatility than you can imagine.
As the Director of Public Works for the township of 7500 residents, Eells purchases have to fit within the budgetary guidelines of the township. “With today’s budget restraints, it makes sense to get the most vehicle for your dollar,” he explained.
This custom Reading body is evidence that he got a lot for his money. Mounted on a Ford F550, the low-profile service body is custom equipped with a TrackCraft aluminum dump insert with a central hydraulic system, a welding deck, a removable bulkhead, a 100-gallon fuel tank, and pedestal mounted strobe light.
West Brandywine purchased it for use as their primary maintenance vehicle and to do everything from street sign and guide rail repairs to salt spreading in the winter and general hauling of everything from stone and mulch to blacktop and debris. “This truck was built for maximum usage,” said Eells, adding, “It gives us a lot of options. The versatility of the truck allows us to do everything.”
Asked why they purchased a Reading, Eells said that it made sense to “lean on a proven name. Reading obviously did their homework on corrosion protection and overall quality.”
West Brandywine purchased the body through Crest Truck Distributors, an authorized Reading distributor, located in Bowmansville, PA.
Standard features include construction of two-sided A60 galvannealed steel and Lectro-Life® immersion priming for complete rust protection. Other standard features include automotive-quality rotary locks for secure protection of tools and equipment; stainless steel bolt-on hinges keeping the compartment doors operating smoothly in all weather conditions; and double paneled compartment doors offering greater durability.
Reading Classic II™ has Room to Spare
Company Name: New Holland Borough
Reading Products: Classic II™ Service Body
Type of Service: Wastewater Treatment Plant Maintenance
Strength and space. Two concepts seemingly at opposite ends of the spectrum. Reading’s Classic II™ service body, however, combines strength and space with ease.
Just ask Rocky Spitler, Assistant Plant Operator and Maintenance Mechanic for the New Holland Borough Wastewater Treatment Facility. With a job title like that, it’s no wonder that Rocky wears many hats and does a variety of tasks. He asks the same of his truck body.
He uses virtually every inch of his Classic II™ for storage. In his body compartments, everything from tools to a portable hydraulic jack are stored. Spitler said there is enough storage space with “room to spare”.
With an Auto Crane 3203 mounted on his Classic II™, it’s obvious why strength is just as important a feature as space.
“To have a crane like we do, you need a body strong enough to support it. It makes work simpler and safer, and saves a lot of man hours,” explained Spitler.
The Reading body, mounted on a Ford F350, is also customized with cargo lights, a ladder rack, a bikini tarp to protect a generator from the elements, a vice mounted on the tailgate, and a Class 3 hitch to pull portable pumps.
The plant handles 1 million gallons of wastewater a day, utilizing 2 pump stations and 1 treatment plant. Spitler uses the Reading body to help maintain the collection system along with maintaining and operating the wastewater treatment plant. He is often called on to replace manhole frames. This is the perfect example of where the symmetry of strength and space of the unit interact effectively with each other. The Classic II™ affords him the luxury of using the cargo area to store manhole covers as he uses the crane to replace the manhole frame.
Strength and space. They may not seem destined to be commonly linked within the framework of a utility body, but the reality of how a Reading body links the two is undeniable.
The Reading Classic II™ body was purchased through Crest Truck Equipment, an authorized Reading distributor, located in Bowmansville, PA.
Standard features include construction of two-sided A60 galvannealed steel and Lectro-Life® immersion priming for complete rust protection. Other standard features include automotive-quality rotary locks for secure protection of tools and equipment; stainless steel bolt-on hinges keeping the compartment doors operating smoothly in all weather conditions; and double paneled compartment doors offering greater durability.
South Florida Water Management Buys a Reading... Again
Company Name: South Florida Water Management
Reading Products: Custom Cranemaster
Type of Service: Heavy Equipment Maintenance
There are few certainties in life: taxes, the Yankees winning the World Series, and South Florida Water Management buying a Reading body.
They recently purchased their 75th Reading body, a custom Cranemaster, for use as an on-site maintenance vehicle for heavy equipment. “It’s a mobile shop,” is how Mike Grace, Director of Fleet Management, describes it.
The body has been customized to utilize their welding equipment, crane and cutting torches more efficiently. The street side “A” compartment was cut out so they could house a Miller Bobcat welder, allowing the welding technician easier access to the equipment.
The Cranemaster also features Grip ‘N Glide® drawer units, compartment dome lighting, Master Locking, an extended rear bumper with two vice plates and a recessed towing hook. The bed of the truck features recessed tie downs and the front of the body is covered with aluminum tread plate to protect it from rocks and debris.
Mike said that one time he had a self-described “sanity lapse” and purchased a competitor’s body. Big mistake. “I was unhappy the day it was delivered. In fact, every day I look at it, I’m unhappy about it.” He said he’ll never make that mistake again. “Reading’s overall product is better,” explained Mike. “People look at Reading as the industry standard.”
South Florida Water Management employs 1700 and has been in business since 1949. They cover a 16-county area from Homestead to Kissimmee.
The Cranemaster body was purchased through Rayside Truck & Trailer, an authorized Reading distributor in West Palm Beach, FL.
Standard features include construction of two-sided A60 galvannealed steel and Lectro-Life® immersion priming for complete rust protection. Other standard features include automotive-quality rotary locks for secure protection to tools and equipment; stainless steel bolt-on hinges keeping the compartment doors operating smoothly in all weather conditions; and double paneled compartment doors offering greater durability.
Reading Custom Service Body Aids in Traffic Safety
Company Name: City of Coppell
Reading Products: Custom Classic® service body
Type of Service: Daily Maintenance
The City of Coppell, TX recently purchased a Reading custom Classic® Series Service Body model 132ABDW. The body features exterior storage compartments with an open cargo area.
The custom Classic® Series Service Body was mounted on a Ford F550 chassis and will be utilized as their daily maintenance vehicle. According to Per Birdsall, Sign & Signal Technician, “Reading offered the features I wanted, like the size and all the options.”
The City of Coppell customized the body in numerous ways. Grip N’ Glide® drawers were installed in several compartments, and “they are as handy as I thought they would be,” remarked Per. Grip N’ Glide® is a unique drawer unit for storage of smaller parts, and utilizes a J-latch system which allows the user to open and close the drawer with one hand. Other options include lighted compartments, for exceptional interior illumination that can be critical during after hour (night) responses; aluminum chock block holders and an aluminum recessed fuel fill box (Aluma-Fill®), that not only accents the vehicle but will not rust after repeated use; and deck plating on the top of the compartments for added strength and slip resistance. The driver side full length compartment with the access door at the rear, typically known as a hot stick box, serves as storage for sign poles and other long materials and tools.
The custom Classic® Series Service Body also features a grab handle and a cable stirrup at the rear partition in addition to masterlocking which locks all side compartments simultaneously to save time and keep contents safe and secure. A platform extension with a thru box stores their long handled tools such as shovels, and a receiver mounted pintle/ball was added to the truck. The body was reinforced to mount a telescoping aerial lift, and an emergency lighting system, including a custom headache rack, was later added to the vehicle.
Standard features include construction of two-sided A60 galvannealed steel and Lectro-Life® immersion priming for complete rust protection. Other standard features include automotive-quality rotary locks for secure protection to tools and equipment; stainless steel bolt-on hinges keeping the compartment doors operating smoothly in all weather conditions; and double paneled compartment doors offering greater durability.
This vehicle is assigned to the Traffic Control Division of Public Works who are responsible for the maintenance of signs, traffic signals, and markings. They also provide maintenance of some luminaries and provide emergency response after hours due to equipment failure, accidents, and storm damage. Their service area covers five square miles. The custom Classic® Series Service Body is an efficient vehicle for the three man operation in their division, as it transports all the necessary tools and materials needed to perform each job.
The spacious compartments are utilized to carry hand tools for working on signs and traffic signals, hardware, electric spare parts, connectors, hydraulic tools, a vice, and safety gear. Hooks were also mounted in the compartments to hold hats, safety harnesses, chains, extension cords, and other articles. The cargo area is utilized to transport transitional materials such as signs, concrete mix, thermo-plastic, and other materials.
All three employees of this division are certified members of IMSA (International Municipal Signal Association).
The Reading custom Classic® Series Service Body was purchased through Commercial Body Corp., an authorized Reading distributor located in Houston, TX.
Reading Custom Service Body is Ideal Setup
Company Name: City of Birmingham
Reading Products: Custom service body
Type of Service: Repairing Fire Hydrants
The Water Works & Sewer Board of the City of Birmingham recently purchased a custom Reading Classic Series® service body model LD-168ADW to utilize as their service vehicle. The Reading Classic Series® service body offers weathertight exterior storage and an open cargo area.
The Birmingham Water Works Board chose to have the custom Classic Series® service body mounted on a ‘99 F550 chassis. It’s their “fire hydrant truck” for hauling, installing, and repairing fire hydrants. The spacious body compartments are utilized for carrying tools, repair parts, and other specialty tools that work off the hydraulic system. The cargo area is used for carrying hydrants that will be installed or that are in need of repair. A spare tire carrier was also mounted in the cargo area.
The Birmingham Water Works Board customized the Classic Series® service body in various ways. The rear compartment was reinforced to support a 4,000 lb. capacity crane, while still allowing full compartment space. The crane aids them in lifting fire hydrants and placing them in their permanent positions. Outriggers were installed to maintain stability while the crane is in operation. Hydraulic equipment was installed to run the crane and to power hydraulic tools such as a paving breaker and a jack hammer. A fan was installed behind the vertical high compartment to cool the hydraulic system. Stainless steel T-handle rivet-on locks securely lock the compartments with a twist action. In addition, a solid steel bulkhead with a window provides protection to the cab.
According to Barney Mann, Superintendent of the Vehicle Department, they chose a custom Reading Classic Series® service body because “it was the lowest bid, and we have several different types of Reading bodies in our fleet of 215 vehicles.” The custom Classic Series® service body is the ideal setup for their special need and application.
The Birmingham Water Works Board is a public utility providing more than 100 years of service to a five-county area. They employ 470 personnel.
The Birmingham Water Works Board purchased their Reading custom Classic Series® service body through Alabama Truck Body & Eq., Inc., an authorized Reading distributor located in Oneonta, AL.
Standard Reading features include two-sided zinc coated A-60 galvannealed steel construction and complete rust and corrosion protection with Reading’s exclusive Lectro-Life® immersion priming process. In this process, the bodies are immersed in a vat of electrically charged primer for complete coverage of every nook and cranny. Double-paneled compartment doors with stainless steel bolt-on hinges provide smoother operation and increased security. Flange-mounted automotive rubber door seals insure weathertight protection to valuable tools and equipment stored in the compartments.
Reading Panel Body Helps Protect Environment
Company Name: Maryland Department of Environment
Reading Products: Custom aluminum panel body
Type of Service: Haz-mat response
Maryland’s Department of the Environment recently purchased an 11 ft. customized aluminum Reading panel body. The department’s Spill Response Team uses the unit to respond to oil and hazardous material spills throughout the state of Maryland. Mounted on a Freightliner extended cab chassis, the unit was purchased through Baltimore and Washington Truck Equipment, a Reading distributor located in Mt. Airy, MD.
The department replaced a smaller Reading panel body with this new, larger one. They found they needed more room for all of the equipment they have to transport. The majority of the calls are transportation-related spills including overturned tractor trailers. But, the team also handles industrial and residential calls. Covering a vast territory means the team must have a variety of equipment on hand.
Having both exterior storage compartments and an enclosed cargo area allows the department to neatly store all of their equipment, making it easily accessible in emergency situations. Necessary equipment stored in the panel body includes absorbents and containment systems, chemical suits, breathing apparatus, air monitoring systems, a hydraulically driven generator and much more.
The team customized their Reading panel body by extending the width of the upper body to be flush with the width of the lower portion, increasing the interior storage space. They also opted to increase the overall body height to 72", and added a high bottle compartment.
Standard Reading panel bodies feature heavy gauge all-steel or aluminum construction for optimum durability. Each panel body is then primed with Reading’s exclusive Lectro-Life® immersion priming, providing the most complete rust and corrosion protection in the industry. Other standard features include bolt-on locks and stainless steel pin hinges ensuring smooth operation and securely locking all compartments. Die-formed seamless wheelhouse panels prevent areas where water build-up can lead to premature rust and corrosion.
Reading Ready Van Keeps Water Running
Company Name: Town of Wrentham Department of Public Works
Reading Products: Deluxe Ready Van
Type of Service: Water service
Because they needed a truck body that keeps all tools and equipment mobile and easily accessible, the Town of Wrentham recently purchased a Reading Deluxe Ready Van for use by their Water Department.
Covering 22 square miles and providing service to 10,000 people, it is important that the Town of Wrentham have a vehicle that is able to transport a variety of tools and equipment. The Water Department uses their Reading Deluxe Ready Van to respond to service calls, especially water main breaks.
The Reading Ready Van combines the storage space of a service body and the stand-up room of a full-size van to offer a work ready vehicle. Weathertight exterior storage compartments, some of which are accessible from the truck’s interior, and walk-thru accessibility from cab to body with an expanded metal screen to protect the driver and passenger. Also, rear opening double doors provide convenient access to the cargo area. The Reading Ready Van is like a complete workshop on wheels.
Reading Ready Vans are constructed of two-sided zinc coated A60 galvannealed steel and are immersed in Reading’s exclusive Lectro-Life® primer for complete rust and corrosion protection. Other standard Reading features include a bright overhead dome light in the cargo area for ease in locating tools and parts any time of the day. Seamless wheelhouse panels prevent rust from catching hold by eliminating places where water can collect. And, flange-mounted automotive rubber door seals provide weathertight protection to tools and equipment stored in the compartments.