Utility bodies
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Joined: Apr 2007
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Utility bodies
Hi all, I am doing some research on getting a utility body for my 08 F350. I would like to know your experiences with utility bodies, what manufacturer you have , how you like it, etc etc... I would prefer an enclosed model, but all are invited to share thier experiences. Thaks for your help.
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: CT
I have a Knapheide and like it a lot. A friend has a Reading on the truck he has now and he does not like it as much as the Knaphiede on his old truck. Mine is enclosed with a short top that is flush with the top of my cab.
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Joined: Apr 2005
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I have has a Reading for about 3 years. I looked around a lot before buying. Would choose Reading again. I got the low profile version. It is about 5 inch lower and is easier to see over when backing up. Reading (and ouhers possibly) offer a remote lock. GET THE REMOTE LOCK. I did and would not be with out it. My brother does not have the option and he has to lock / unlock each door everytime he get to a job. I was able to find the wiring diagram for the remote lock system and installed a open / close button inside the cab. I actually bought a pedal adjust button and rigged it to open / close. I don't like keeping up with a key fob. Don't rmember, but the utility box was about $3500 - $4000 and the remote lock was about $500 more. John
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Joined: Dec 2007
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From: somewhere in CT ?
I have owned alot of bodys, knapahide is a good body, but I like the reading bodys better. I would not however, buy another reading aero style body (kinda rounded). The doors fit like crap,closed and latched poorly, and leaked. The older square type is the best body Ive ever had.
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I too have been leaning toward the Reading bodies. Rocdril, I have also talked to others that do not like the aero style, lack of space, poor fitment of the doors and leaks seem to be issues on most of those bodies. Royal Body co. used to make the same kind of aero body but they don't because of the same problems that Reading has. Royal were the ones who made the body for Superduties that almost looked like a stock bed, which was a good idea just didn't work out too well for them. I also like the idea of fiberglass bodies, they don't rust and from waht I have heard , they last longer than a steel body.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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From: NW burbs of chicago
They make great stuff, we used em at the conservation district I worked at, top quality product. They're made in quincy IL, And my father in law works there
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I have had several readings and a couple of knapehiedes ,they both were great,the readings did crack out behind the fender wells,mainly from excessive weight on my part,the K beds the piano hinges on the doors wore with time are a pain to change,and the doors don,t line up well with the worn hinges,the readings use bolt in hinges and are a snap to change.
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Joined: Aug 2008
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We've got Stahl, Reading, and Knaphiede at work. The five year old Stahl body on my work truck hasn't held up very well. Most of the doors are warped and leak, the locks gum up all the time, and the cables on the horizontal doors are a joke. IMO, the Knaphiede is the best built, then Reading, then Stahl.
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Joined: Mar 2006
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From: Fredericksburg, VA
I've never had a utility body, but I know that most of them are designed for the chassis cab model which has a flat frame. The pickup bed models have a frame which goes up and over the rear axle. Do the various companies make bodies for the pickup frame units also?
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