Author Archives: Cassidy White

Vertical Integration in Action: How Custom Truck One Source and Load King Are Revolutionizing Rail Truck Body Manufacturing

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In the high-stakes world of rail maintenance, speed, safety, and reliability are non-negotiable. For crews working on Maintenance of Way (MOW) operations, having access to high-performance equipment can mean the difference between smooth daily operations and costly delays. That’s why Custom Truck , in partnership with Load King Manufacturing, is raising the bar with a vertically integrated approach to building rail vocational truck bodies.

What Vertical Integration Means for the Rail Industry

Vertical integration means that Custom Truck controls every step of the truck body manufacturing process—from design and fabrication to finishing and assembly. By eliminating third-party delays and streamlining the workflow under one roof, Custom Truck ensures faster turnaround times, better quality control, and greater customization. This hands-on, in-house approach is a game changer for rail professionals who need reliable equipment on tight timelines.

Inside the Kansas City Hub: A Facility Built for Precision and Scale

At the heart of this operation is Custom Truck’s new state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kansas City—Building H. Purpose-built to support the needs of the railroad industry, this facility features cutting-edge fabrication technology including a Messer Plasma Table, Trumpf Fiber Laser, press brakes, band saws, and HAAS vertical machining centers.

The powder coating and wet painting areas are equally advanced, boasting 30-foot powder booths, a 100-foot wet paint booth, and dedicated curing ovens to ensure top-tier finish durability. With integrated assembly lines and rigorous quality control protocols, the entire operation is designed to deliver consistent, high-performance truck bodies on a dependable schedule.

Purpose-Built Rail Bodies for Every Job

Thanks to our in-house capabilities, Custom Truck and Load King offer four dedicated rail vocational truck body models engineered to meet the varying demands of rail crews:

Light Duty Track Inspector Body – 315
Compact, nimble, and built for daily inspections, this 8-foot body features anti-slip walking surfaces, fold-down tool trays, and integrated safety features like cab protectors.
Medium Duty Section Body – 422
Ideal for gang crews, this versatile body includes a bolt rack, gas bottle compartments, and spare tire storage—ensuring tools and materials are always within reach.
Heavy Duty Welding Body – 538
Built to support thermite and electric welding in tough conditions, this model offers specialized storage like thermite pot compartments, bolt bins, and rail tie-down systems.
Heavy Duty Section Body – 609
Custom Truck’s most comprehensive solution for complex jobs, the 609 features fall restraint systems, rear walk-up access, material racks, and full-spectrum compartment storage—making it ideal for bridge work and large-scale field operations.

Safety, Customization, and End-to-End Support

Safety is a driving force behind every decision Custom Truck makes. From fall protection systems to anti-slip surfaces and thoughtful control placement, every rail body is engineered to help crews work confidently in challenging environments. Add in Custom Truck’s dedicated engineering, customer service, and aftermarket support teams, and you’ve got a full-circle solution designed to meet the evolving needs of the rail industry.

The CTOS Advantage: Built for Rail. Built to Last.

By investing in vertical integration and building a world-class facility, Custom Truck One Source has redefined how rail vocational truck bodies are manufactured and delivered. Faster lead times, unmatched quality, customizable designs, and a relentless focus on safety all combine to offer an unbeatable advantage for rail operations of any size.

Revolutionizing Rental Fleet Logistics: How SFT & HFT Trailers Drive Safer, Smarter Hauling

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Rental houses face a unique set of challenges, including tight turnaround times, varying equipment needs, and the demand for safe and efficient equipment handling. That’s where purpose-built trailers like Sliding Folding Tail (SFT) and Hydraulic Folding Tail (HFT) models come into play. These workhorses are designed to simplify loading capabilities while increasing safety and minimizing load time, making them ideal assets in the high-paced rental industry.

Built for the Rental Business

Whether you’re hauling compact loaders, skid steers, or mid-sized utility trucks, SFT and HFT trailers offer the flexibility and ease-of-use that rental houses need. Their design supports fast loading processes and accommodates a wide range of equipment sizes. For rental fleets, this means less time training operators, fewer delays in the yard, and more time meeting customer demands.

In fast-moving environments where time is money, these trailers deliver both performance and reliability.

SFT vs. HFT: Which Trailer Fits the Job?

While both trailers serve a similar purpose—hauling equipment efficiently—they have key differences that suit different needs:

- Sliding Folding Tail (SFT): Designed with a sliding axle to allow the tail to fold down, SFT trailers are a great choice for quicker loading times. They’re typically simpler in design, with fewer hydraulic components, making them easy to maintain and cost-effective for day-to-day hauling.
- Hydraulic Folding Tail (HFT): These trailers feature a hydraulically powered tail that folds and unfolds at the pull of a handle. Ideal for larger or taller machines, HFTs offer faster deployment and enhanced safety by reducing manual input. When speed and automation are top priorities, HFT trailers are the clear winner for your heavier machines without 40-ton ratings.

Innovation That Makes a Difference

Modern SFT and HFT trailers come packed with features that make everyday operations smoother and safer. Low-load angles reduce the risk of equipment damage. Non-slip surfaces and strategically placed tie-down points keep loads secure. Hydraulic systems eliminate the need for manual lifting, and LED lighting improves visibility during early morning or late evening pickups.

These features don’t just add convenience—they add real-world value for rental operators and customers alike.

Designed for Today’s Demands

Trailer technology has evolved significantly from traditional ramp setups. The evolution of folding tail designs represents a broader shift in the rental industry: smarter, safer, and faster equipment solutions. As safety regulations tighten and customer expectations grow, investing in trailers that can meet these standards is more important than ever.

Why Custom Truck One Source?

At Custom Truck One Source, we understand the rental industry. Our 35-ton Sliding Folding Tail and Hydraulic Folding Tail trailers are designed for rugged use, with a focus on operator safety and efficiency. Additionally, with nationwide support, custom builds, and flexible financing, we’re here to help rental houses obtain the necessary equipment—when they need it.

Ready to Upgrade Your Trailer Fleet?

View our current inventory today and discover how our SFT and HFT trailers can enhance your rental business.

Lift Planning Best Practice: How to Use Custom Truck’s Pad Load Calculator

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When you’re working with cranes, ground pressure is an important, yet often overlooked, element of a good lift plan. When a high level of precision is necessary, it is advisable to involve a civil engineer, and the Load King team can assist with calculations. When ground pressures just need to be estimated, the calculations can be simplified. We’ve provided a free tool on our website to make these estimates available quickly. Our free pad load calculator is similar to other operator aids, and the Qualified Operator has the final say on the lift plan.

Why Pad Load Calculations Matter

Outrigger placement and support are crucial components of the lift plan. The outrigger position affects the stability region of the chart and changes ground
pressure. Our simplified calculations only use the full outrigger spread. Contact the factory if you need to make estimates with mid-span or narrow-span outriggers. Outriggers stabilize the crane by spreading its weight—and the weight of the lifted load—across a larger area. But not all ground surfaces are the same. Soft soil or uneven terrain may cause a crane to shift if the outrigger load is too high.

Failure to survey the area where the crane operates could result in an accident from ground instability.

Meet the Custom Truck Pad Load Calculator

Available on the Custom Truck website, the Pad Load Calculator is a free, user-friendly tool designed for quick field estimates. You can input specific lift parameters—like boom length, load weight, pad size, and more—and the calculator does the heavy lifting to estimate how much load each outrigger will carry.

What’s great is the calculator lets you choose from Custom Truck’s chassis types and pad shapes (round or rectangular), and even factors in whether you’re doing a 360° lift. It’s essential to note that while this tool provides helpful estimates, the Qualified Operator remains responsible for verifying the information and consulting the crane’s official load chart.

How It Works

Start by selecting your chassis from the dropdown menu, then enter key specs like:
• Boom length and radius
• Pad size and shape
• Counterweight (if applicable)
• Total lifted load
• Slew configuration (fixed or 360° rotation)
Once you plug in the data, hit “calculate,” and the tool estimates the load per outrigger. It’s
a quick way to double–check your setup before lifting begins.

Best Practices Beyond the Calculator

Even with tech at your fingertips, ground conditions and operator experience still matter.
Make sure to:
•Assess soil conditions to avoid sinking or instability
•Inspect your outrigger pads and equipment regularly
•Always refer to your crane’s manual for specific guidelines
•Stay current with training and certifications

Tools That Support Smarter Work

The Pad Load Calculator is just one way Custom Truck supports best practices in lifting. From new and used crane inventory to rentals, financing, and service locations across North America, we’re here to help you get the job done right. Try the Pad Load Calculator today, and take one more step toward a smarter worksite.

2024 Tradeshows

Custom Truck One Source has laid out an ambitious tradeshow schedule for the year 2024, highlighting our presence across various key industry events. The year kicks off with the NRC-REMSA event in Scottsdale, AZ, starting January 3rd, where industry professionals can connect and see the latest offerings from Custom Truck One Source.

Another significant event is the ARA Rental Show in New Orleans, LA, starting on February 19th. This event caters to the rental industry and is a perfect platform for Custom Truck One Source to display its versatile fleet options.

Notable is the double-header on March 6th, where Custom Truck will showcase both the NTEA (Work Truck Week) and the Green Truck Summit in Indianapolis, IN. These events are essential for those in the utility and construction sectors.

For those in the forestry sector, ArborFest in Asheville, NC on April 5th, and the Trees & Utilities event on September 10th in Fort Worth, TX provide focused opportunities to explore Custom Truck One Source’s tailored solutions.

At the beginning of May, Waste Expo will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The expo offers an interactive conference program with themes of technology and innovation, covering topics like recycling, landfill management, fleet management, organics, safety, and food recovery.

SCTE Cable-Tec Expo 2024 is the premier event for professionals in the broadband telecommunications sector. This expo, renowned as the most influential learning and networking event in the Americas, celebrates 40 years of industry leadership and technological transformation. The show takes place on September 23rd in Atlanta, GA at the Georgia World Congress Center.

TCI Expo, set to take place in Baltimore from November 7-9, is the world’s largest tree care industry trade show and conference. This event is a hub for professionals in the tree care industry to discover the latest in tree care technology, network with peers, and learn from industry leaders. Attendees can look forward to a variety of educational sessions, demonstrations, and exhibits.

The year wraps up with Custom Truck One Source making its last few tradeshow stops at the Lineman’s Rodeo on October 16th in Overland Park, KS, a fitting end to a year of connecting with customers and showcasing lineman’s specialized vehicles and equipment.

With a full slate of events, Custom Truck One Source is set to reinforce its position as a leader in providing specialized truck and heavy equipment solutions across industries. Whether you’re in utilities, construction, trucking, or forestry, there’s an event on the 2024 tradeshow schedule where you can meet the team and learn more about our products and services.

2023 Custom Truck Tradeshow Recap & Sneak Peek at Q1 Tradeshows

This year has been phenomenal for Custom Truck One Source. Our active participation in these major trade shows not only enhanced our visibility but also cemented our reputation as innovators and leaders in the industry. The feedback from attendees across all events has been overwhelmingly positive, especially regarding the diversity and quality of our equipment. We’re excited to build on this momentum and continue to lead and innovate in the coming years.

WWETT Show – Feb. 21-23, 2023, Indianapolis, IN

Attendees: Over 12,000

Exhibitors: 600+

Custom Truck sponsored the Welcome Party with Tornado Global Hydrovac at The Grand Hall @ Downtown Union Station and hosted a Booth Happy Hour featuring Cesar, a skilled cigar roller.

As a key event for wastewater and environmental service professionals, the WWETT Show was a fantastic opportunity for us to showcase our latest products and services. Our active participation, especially in the social events, helped in creating a memorable experience for the attendees.

Waste Expo – May 2-4, 2023, New Orleans, LA

Attendees: Over 13,000

Exhibitors: 500

We hosted a booth happy hour and participated in the National Waste & Recycling Association Women’s Council “Carts on Display 2023”. Our Women’s Empowered Group took the lead in decorating a trash cart, symbolizing the growth of the Waste & Recycling Industry.

This event was a significant platform for us to engage with the industry professionals. Our involvement in the Women’s Council event particularly underscored our commitment to diversity and innovation in the industry.

CONEXPO – March 14-18, 2023, Las Vegas, NV

Attendees: A staggering 139,000

Exhibitors: 2,400

We had a total of 15 Custom Truck units at the show, with 4 in supplier booths and 11 in our main booth. We also hosted a Booth Happy Hour.

The scale of this event, being the largest tradeshow in North America, provided us with an unparalleled opportunity to engage with new clients. The sales of several units and the initiation of substantial deals, especially in the western construction and refuse markets, marked this event as a significant success for us.

Utility Expo – September 26-28, 2023, Louisville, KY

Attendees: Over 21,000

Exhibitors: 900

Showcased 83 Custom Truck units, with 43 in our main booth including 20 LK units.

We hosted an Ice Cream Social, a Custom Truck VIP Party attended by 775 guests, featuring live entertainment by Uncle Kracker, cigar rolling, bourbon tasting, and numerous prize giveaways.

Custom Truck was recognized as one of the Top Exhibitors, as well as solidifying our position as a leading OEM in the utility markets. The diversity of our equipment and the volume showcased were particularly well-received by the attendees.

TCI Expo – November 16-18, 2023, St. Louis, MO

Attendees: 4,500

Exhibitors: 250+

We introduced our new forestry bucket with ePTO in the Demo Dome, a unique offering in the market. The Forestry ePTO received immense interest, mirroring the success we had at the Utility Expo. As the only OEM with this technology in the market, this expo was a testament to our innovation and leadership in the industry.

Early 2024 Tradeshows

NRC Conference

Dates: January 3-6, 2024
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Venue: Fairmont Scottsdale Princess Resort

MTWFA Conference

Dates: January 9-10, 2024
Location: Sturbridge, MA
Venue: Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center

WWETT Show

Dates: January 25-27, 2024
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Venue: Indiana Convention Center

IRE – International Roofing Expo

Dates: February 6-8, 2024
Location: Las Vegas, NV
Venue: Las Vegas Convention Center

The ARA Show

Dates: February 19-21, 2024
Location: New Orleans, LA
Venue: Ernest N. Morial Convention Center

NTEA – Work Truck Week

Dates: March 6-8, 2024
Location: Indianapolis, IN
Venue: Indiana Convention Center

PCCA Convention

Dates: March 7-12, 2024
Location: Kahuku, HI
Venue: Turtle Bay Resort

Mid-America Trucking Show

Dates: March 21-23, 2024
Location: Louisville, KY
Venue: Kentucky Expo Center

BUILD24: AWCI Expo

Dates: March 26-27, 2024
Location: Lake Buena Vista, FL
Venue: Walt Disney World Swan & Dolphin

ArborEXPO

Dates: March 27-28, 2024
Location: Edison, NJ
Venue: New Jersey Convention & Expo Center

Join Custom Truck at Utility Expo 2023 – Booth E#1035

Come see Custom Truck One Source at Utility Expo 2023 in Louisville, KY September 26-28. We are exhibiting a full breadth of utility, construction, and waste equipment in our booth (E#1035).

Make sure you stop by and check out the new Lightning PTO, an electric PTO built to supercharge hydraulics. We have paired with Peterbilt and Battle Motors to manufacture an EV220 Versalift VST-52 aerial, a complete electric chassis with the Load King ePTO, and the Battle Motors chassis with the Terex C4047 digger derrick which performs electric operations from start to finish.

Click here to view a full list of units that will be at our booth (E#1035).

From the Wheels Up: Fuel Tanks

The earliest version of tankers was a horse-drawn carriage. Oil barrels were used to transport oil and fuel in bulk by wagons. In the 1880s, wagons became a more popular means of transportation. Wagons were deemed a safer option as well as more efficient. Soon, railroads would pick up this idea and use it for long distances.

By the early 1900s, the dominant means of transportation for oil and fuel. The first recorded modern tankers were made in 1905. Angelo American, a subsidiary of standard oil, was the company, headquartered in London; England, to build them. Tankers were created in round or rectangular shapes and transformed into elliptical shapes after the war.

The modern tankers were popular first in urban areas while rural areas used wagons.

Backstory

About 30 years later, standard oil started using motor tanks.

In 1920, Angelo American Oil introduced underground tanks to the UK. In other parts of the country, this development was slower. New Zealand got these tanks in 1927. Tanks ranged in capacity from 5,500 to 11,600 gallons (about half the volume of a one-car garage). These tanks were distinguished by their shape. Typically, the cylindrical tank on the vehicle was built horizontally.

World War II

The war threw the fuel and transportation industries into overdrive. The constant use of tank trucks meant that they wore out and broke easily. During the war, tires were hard to come by. Because of this, once the tires died, the truck was out of commission.

The Motor Carrier Act of 1935, which was signed into law right before the war, called for legislators to regulate trucks, as well as buses, as common carriers. A common carrier in common law countries is a person or a company that transports goods (I.e., fuel) and is responsible for the possible loss of the goods during the time of transport.

During World War II, petroleum trucks were significant in carrying oil to overseas operations. Before the war, about 90 percent of oil was moved by oil tankers. These tankers moved at a slow pace, making them the perfect target for the Germans. Due to the Germans’ targeting oil tankers, prompted the need for petroleum trucks.

Overtime regulations were modified to allow maximum use of tank trucks. Perhaps the most crucial modification was ODT Directive #7: Tank Trucks will be used in petroleum movements of less than 200 miles. This Directive freed aging rail tankers to move oil for longer distances. 2,000-gallon tanks were upgraded to 8,000-gallon-sized tanks. States urged the need to waive size and weight laws.

Without a doubt, the petroleum industry and its advances during this time helped win the war.

Aftermath

After the war, the desire for tank trucks to deliver fuel to gas stations and planes increased. It was discovered that tanks made from aluminum cause material to prevent sparking if a truck was to roll. Also, aluminum weighs less.

Tanks today can carry multiple types of liquid at once such as diesel and other industrial chemicals. Bobtails are typically used to carry less than 5,000 gallons (about twice the volume of a storage unit) of fuel for shorter distances. Arguably, the biggest improvement in the industry is the safety and training drivers must complete. The specialized training that drivers must complete if they are transporting hazardous materials keeps not only the truck driver safety but all on the roads.

At Custom Truck One Source, we have 3,000; 3,200 and 3,400-gallon Propane Bobtail Trucks as well as a wide range of Refined Fuel Tank Trucks. We design, install, test, and certify each unit for optimal performance, drivability, and safety. Our propane units are in high demand, so contact us today to reserve your units!

From the Wheels Up: Dump Trucks

In the early 1900s, tipper trucks, or as we know them today — dump trucks, were first invented for farms in western Europe. John Isaac Thornycroft was a British Naval Engineer that created the dust cart. Thornycroft’s dust cart had the idea of a tipper, to empty its own content, which eventually lead to modernized dump trucks.

Thorncroft’s design was simple with a cart attached to the back of carriages. When the dump detached, it tilted backward to release materials inside. He went on to create a modified version in 1896 that added 6 cubic yard tipper body that manually detached from the hitch.

John Isaac Thornycroft

Galion Buggy Co.
A U.S. company, Galion Buggy Company based in Galion, Ohio, developed the first motorized dump truck back in the early 1900s. They made a machine similar to Thorncroft’s design, however, Galion’s contained a motor. Soon after, hydraulic beds were introduced by Wood Hoist Company. This revolutionized the automotive industry to this day. In 1910, Galion Buggy Company changed their name to Galion Allsteel Body Company.

During the company’s growth, they built all the bodies offered by Ford on heavy duty AA and BB chassis during the 1930s.

To this day, Galion is the oldest company that manufactures dump trucks within the United States.

Mid-century companies in the industry increased payload, horsepower and other features such as tight turning circles.

World War I & II

Word War I created a significant demand for heavy hauling equipment as the war efforts increased. During the time of the war, automotive manufacturers flourished in their businesses. After the war, automotive companies grew more. Dump Trucks offered no limits on usage. Many variations were made to dumps, such as size. Larger trucks were beneficial to the military.

For World War II, hydraulic trucks were designed with anti-aircraft machine guns. Later, side boards and seats were introduced to transform the truck’s design furthermore. Winches and lift gates were made hydraulic.

Galion Buggy Co. Started offering smaller bodies that were easier to install.

After the War

In 1956, President Eisenhower signed into law the Interstate Highway Act. This legislation built the national highway system. During the construction of this project, dump truck sales kept increasing and soon became the truck that developed the American industry.

R. G. LeTourneau

Modern Day

The first articulated truck was accepted much later, in the 1970s, dating back to Thornycroft’s roots.

R. G. LeTourneau designed the truck. He designed a rear dump wagon that was dumped by taking the trailer axle toward the tractor, causing the front of the dump to tilt upwards. The largest truck LeTourneau designed could carry as much as 50 tons.

Today, some of the most common types of dump trucks include standard dumps, transfer dumps, side sumps, highway tractors, winter service vehicle dumps, roll offs.

Here at Custom Truck One Source, we offer Load King dumps, Roll offs, and Rotary Dump trucks. If you are interested in renting or purchasing a dump truck, please contact us today to speak to a member of our team.

Sources:

Construction Equipment

Wikipedia

Galion Godwin

From the Wheels Up: Bucket Trucks

In the early 1900s, cherry pickers, or bucket trucks as we know them today, were based off of Roman applications that allowed the creation of modernized lifts to reach higher up. Jay Eitel invented the cherry picker out of anger after spending long, hot summer days picking cherries. While maneuvering his ladder, Eitel was determined to invent a smarter way to work.

Jay Eitel

A Brief History

It wasn’t until after Eitel founded Telsta Corporation, located in Sunnyvale California, that his invention took off. Bell Telephone Company, founded in July of 1877 in Boston, Massachusetts, started using the cherry picker. Soon, the cherry picker was adapted by the telecommunications industry and widely known.

As you can probably guess, the name cherry picker came from the fact that the trucks were used to pick cherries from cherry trees. These trucks had many advantages – they were safer than climbing a ladder, they did little damage to the tree itself, and the trucks made it easier to move from tree to tree.

As the popularity of the cherry picker began to grow, industries tweaked the truck to their advantage. For example, the utility industry saw this truck with the means of being modified and used to fix utility lines. This opportunity made early lineman work faster as well as safer. Soon enough, the forestry, mining and construction industries picked up on how this truck could benefit them and started using it.

Today

Today, some aspects of the original cherry picker truck are still in use. On newer models, the boom is in a position so that it can be multifunctional throughout different industries. Outriggers are a newer, and more popular, option to add more stability.

Looking Ahead

As fuel prices are on the rise, so is the cost of purchasing a bucket truck. In response, the truck is evolving, again, to be greener. This evolution will not only be kinder to the environment, but also allow the saving of operational costs. This new design will prompt the smaller size of the bucket truck making it more compact.

Here at Custom Truck One Source, we offer a wide range of bucket trucks. If you are interested in purchasing or renting a bucket truck, please contact us today and our team will help you navigate the proper equipment for your next job site.

Sources:

KHL Group

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