Pest Control Power Spray Equipment & Your Truck

There are many factors to consider when purchasing a truck for a pest control or weed control business.    One issue to consider is how your desired power spray equipment configuration works in your truck. Many new trucks have features that can impact installation and use of power spray equipment.  There are fewer issues with installation of new equipment since there is more flexibility in selecting and locating new equipment versus existing equipment.

Some factors to consider:

Payload Capacity – The truck must be able to safely haul your equipment. The heaviest component is your chemical tank when full of water.  Water weighs approximately 8.4 pounds per gallon. Too big a truck means higher up front cost and higher insurance and fuel bills.  Too small a truck can mean increased expenses for tires, brakes and transmission repairs.

Truck Bed Size – Obviously the bed must be big enough to hold your equipment in the configuration you require.  It is not a good idea to assume that equipment that fit in your old truck will fit in the current year make and model of the same truck.  Manufacturers do change bed dimensions.

Truck Bed Depth – Manufacturers sometimes change the depth of truck beds, e.g., Ford’s  F150 beds are deeper than they were a few years ago.  This can impact technician access to engine pull start, hose reel handles, or electric switches.

Bed Construction – Some smaller trucks have beds made entirely of plastic.  Plastic ribs on the underside of the bed provide bed strength.  More care is required when fastening equipment to the bed to ensure stability and strength.  Piercing a rib can impact bed strength.

Gas Tank – The size, location and position of gas tanks on some models has changed.  For some smaller trucks it is not possible to access the bed above the gas tank.  This can impact installation.  For example, it may not be possible to install your water tank directly above the gas tank because there is no access to tighten bolts above the gas tank.  In this case, the water tank must first be mounted to a metal frame, which can be fastened elsewhere in the bed.

Clearance – Ground clearance in some smaller vehicles is reduced.  Getting under the truck to tighten bolts or wire electrical spray components can be more challenging.  These trucks must now be put on a lift to gain access for installation.

Electrical System – The electrical system of many vehicles is becoming more complex.  Many vehicles have computer controlled electrical systems that makes wiring more complex and time consuming.

None of these issues is a showstopper.  They are factors for you or your equipment provider to consider in layout, installation and time and cost budgeting for equipment installs.