While SUVs are best-suited for accomodating more passengers, for tradesmen, utes are the best way to go. They are efficient and allow for more cargo when needed – or you can seat people in the truck bed behind if that is what your business demands. Tradie businesses rely heavily on the tools you use for cargo transport – and what better way than to use a cost-effective ute? They don’t cost as much, have a lot of cargo space, can bear more volume, have high tow and haul capacity, and of course, are more fuel-efficient than trucks or SUVs. But again, there are a number of factors to consider before buying a ute. This article will look at some of the most important elements to consider before you buy a ute for your tradie business.
Finding The Best Ute For Your Tradie Business
Finding the best use is highly dependent on your business. Even if you are a Ford fan, depending on whether you are running a contracting, electrician, woodworking, or plumbing business, you will need to go for different Ford Ranger models because of their different truck bed designs and capacity.
Choosing a Ute for Carpenters
For carpenters, the best use is the one that has a canopy and roof bars. This is because wood has a way of absorbing the elements. It can get warped from moisture or even lose integrity when exposed to the sun – and if there’s anything we have in abundance in Australia, it’s the sun.
You should be able to place the wood and your power tools within the canopy. If you are going to haul the wood, however, make sure you go for a ute that has enough power to hold its own – even when going uphill. If possible, go for factory options when choosing the canopy.
A single chassis with a tray may be more suitable for you if you carry wood sheets more often. You can even ask manufacturers for a rear bar to help you place longer planks on the vehicle’s roof. When buying a ute, carpenters should consider going for one that has a longer and wider bed. The Volkswagen Amarok is well known for being one of the most spacious UTEs.
Choosing a Ute for Electricians & Metalworkers
While carpenters may be able to get away with a canopy that doesn’t lock, an electrician relies heavily on tools. A lockable factory canopy would be more suitable for you. If the canopy has windows – especially with clear glass – it is best to pick a ute with a canopy that supports security grilles. If possible, go for an all-metal canopy.
You may need to modify your canopy and create racks in it to organize your tools better – but this may be going a bit over the top for some electricians.
Metalworkers should consider a truck with a load-bearing truck bed. Ford and Toyota are well known for their truck bed capacity and reliability. You can also go for heavy-duty canopies, such as those made by GTWorks. Toyota Tundra has proven to be particularly resilient for metalworkers who load up heavy metals on the bed.
A canopy without windows and fasteners would be best if you have cutting and/or welding ga containers. When buying a ute, metalworkers and fabricators should consider going for one that has a deeper bed.
Choosing a Ute for Plasterers & Painters
In this trade, you need to keep dust, plaster, and paint off the upholstery. The best way to do that is to either go for a ute with a rugged plastic in its bed, metal, or dedicated cab trays. While you may need to get the latter built yourself, Ford’s utes are known for being available in a wide range of materials from the factory itself.
Go for a ute that has a washable tray to avoid having to change the upholstery again and again or destroying the look of your ute.
Choosing a Ute for Mechanics
As a mechanic, the best use is powerful enough to act as a tow truck when needed and has additional lighting in the back, should you need to work at night. The concept of having well-lit ute trays is becoming more popular now, but most of these lighting options are aesthetic only.
Mechanics should also go for a dual cab, if possible. Kia is about to introduce several dual-cab utes designed to be extremely powerful and suitable specifically for the Australian terrain. When choosing the ute, mechanics must make another very important consideration is to make sure that the upholstery is stain-free – especially from oil and grease.
