Designing a service body for your fleet can feel overwhelming—especially if it’s your first time. With so many options, opinions, and configurations, where do you start?
We spoke to Alex Williams, National Sales Manager at Hidrive, to boil it down to the top three tips every fleet manager should follow when planning a new fit-out.
1. Start With Fit-for-Purpose, Not the Wishlist
Before talking drawers, fridges, or rooftop racks, take a step back. What does the vehicle need to do?
“It’s not about wants—it’s about needs,” says Williams. Instead of copying a previous build or going straight to the accessories, sit down with the people who’ll be using the vehicle and map out their daily tasks. Whether it’s carrying battery packs, servicing equipment, or towing loads, the service body should support the job—not get in the way of it.
2. Bring the Right People Into the Room
Don’t spec the body in isolation. Williams recommends involving team leaders and operators early in the process. “They’re the ones using the vehicle every day—they know what works and what doesn’t.”
At the same time, too many voices can slow things down. So keep the core group small, focused, and led by someone (usually the fleet manager) who can filter feedback and drive the decision-making process.
3. Use the Experts—Don’t Design Alone
Even if you’ve got a clear idea, partner with a trusted bodybuilder who knows how to turn that idea into a safe, compliant, and practical solution. Hidrive uses engineers, designers, and modular systems to avoid costly mistakes and delays.
“Most of the time, we don’t need a full custom build—we can configure something that’s already proven,” says Williams. The trick is asking “why” at every step, so the final result is functional, safe, and built to last.
Final Tip? Don’t rush – A bit more planning upfront saves a lot of rework later.
Need more advice? Reach out to your bodybuilder early and ask for examples that match your application—they’ll often have a ready-made starting point you can tweak, rather than reinventing the wheel.
