Truck Upfits That Sell Well
Upfits are important because they equip your vehicle for the work you need to get done, but they can potentially increase its market value when it’s time to put it up for sale.
Of course, there’s also the possibility that you’re looking to sell the upfit, especially if it’s no longer the “right fit” for your work requirements.
No matter which situation you’re in, here’s a better look at the upfits that sell well, along with some tips for how to advertise your vehicle.
Upfits on Vans
Shoppers are searching for a variety of commercial vans on the marketplace, often customized based on industry demands and the needs of specific professions. These are the upfits you’ll often find that become quick selling points for listings.
Shelving and Interior Storage
There are so many different businesses that need these, from delivery to service vans, which makes these upfits so very popular. There are so many different styles and industry-specific types, so you need to provide a lot of information when advertising them. In addition to size, specify if the shelves are solid or mesh, and if they fold or are adjustable; the dimensions of any bins or drawers; if there is locking storage; and any item-specific racks or holders. Also mention what they’re made of, whether it’s steel, aluminum, or composite, so buyers can estimate its effect on payload; and if you know the weight, include it.
Exterior Racks
These include roof or side ladder racks, roof decks and cargo racks, conduit carriers, and roof access ladders. Indicate any special features, such as clamp-down racks or drop-down ladder racks.
Other popular upfits can include running boards and steps, partitions and bulkheads, non-slip flooring, and power inverters for running tools.
Upfits on Light- and Heavy-Duty Pickup Trucks
This is a prime category for those selling upfits or trucks with them, because so many items can appeal to regular consumers as well as those using them for a specific industry.
Bed Upfits
Several choices that are popular with consumer and industry buyers include hard or soft tonneau covers, rear-window “headache” racks, tie-down rails, and flip-down bed extenders. For pickup trucks used as work vehicles, industry-enticing upfits can include specialized truck caps, toolboxes, ladder racks, slide-out bed trays or drawers, winches, extra lights, and even modular storage systems that fit under the tonneau or cap. As with vans, strong but lighter-weight materials have less of an effect on payload or towing capacity, so be sure to indicate this with upfits made with these.
Cabin Upfits
While most truck upfits concentrate on the bed, there are also interior items that can add to the truck’s usefulness. These can include locking consoles, under-seat storage, auxiliary switches, cameras, and telematics. Many automakers now offer these as standard or optional equipment on their vehicles, so if you’re selling a truck so equipped, be sure to mention them in your ad.
Chassis Cab Bodies
While some are very industry-specific, others can be useful for a wide variety, such as box trucks, buses or shuttles, dump bodies, or flatbeds. Be sure to include special features in your ad, such as refrigeration.
Upfits on Medium-Duty Trucks
Medium-duty truck upfits tend to be industry-specific, including bodies and boxes, cranes and buckets, dump boxes, flatbeds, large snowplows, PTOs, towing, and more. Since there’s unlikely to be much cross-shopping, you need to target these industries in your advertising and give them as much information as possible to distinguish your offering from other ones out there.
Specify any special features the upfit has, such as refrigeration, drop-down tailgate, storage options, traffic safety lights and beacons, power inverter, or other items. Provide the name of the upfit manufacturer or the company that installed it, especially if it’s one that’s well-known within that industry.
Upfits on Class 8 Trucks and Trailers
If you know what to consider with service body upfits and have made your own upgrades, your vehicle listing stands out as a specialized model within a broader class of trucks on the market. This is certainly the case with Class 8 trucks and trailers.
Aerodynamic Upfits
These are obviously popular because they help save fuel. There are numerous factors for their effectiveness, but overall, it’s estimated that different aerodynamic upfits can save as much as 7% or more with fuel consumption. Aerodynamic items can include fender skirts, tractor roof fairings, trailer nose cones (gap fairings), trailer boat tails, and wheel covers and mud flaps.
Exterior Upfits
These can include toolboxes or saddle boxes, deck covers, racks for hoses and chains, fenders, and cab racks.
Interior Upfits
Some of these can be very popular with long-haul drivers. These can include ergonomic seats, sound-deadening, locking storage compartments, laptop or tablet mounts, and quick-access mounting panels for items such as flashlights or tools.
Selling Your Trucks and Upfits
There’s no such thing as “too much information” when advertising an item for sale. If there’s something special or particularly attractive on the upfit, mention that first, and make a big deal out of it to differentiate it from other ads in the category.
Take photos from every angle, including in places where the item may not be in a “like-new” category condition. If you’re willing to show the warts, people will be far more inclined to believe you when you’re honest and you tell them what’s been cared for. Include pictures of any applicable mounting points and fasteners, along with dimensions, if buyers are going to be installing these on their own vehicles. If there are engines or motors on the upfit, outline any maintenance you’ve done on them.
When it comes to pricing, look at what sellers are asking for similar items. Take into account factors such as seasonal use—for example, snow-removal equipment may sell better as winter gets closer—and where you’re advertising it, such as landscaping upfits that will sell better in suburban areas versus rural ones. Price it competitively but with a cushion that allows you to negotiate. Then let the online marketplace get your for-sale items in front of the people who are ready to buy.
Jil McIntosh
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