How much does it cost for a tow truck body?

[Christian Orban]

Hi I am thinking about purchasing 18 or 19 ft carrier or a wrecker unit for a cab and chassis that I have already. The truck is a 1996 Chevy 3500 HD with a 15000 lb GVWR manual transmission diesel engine. The truck has the super long wheelbase option from the factory. I have been looking around at different manufacturers and bodies but it seems like the entire industry has made the prices a secret. I have my own shop and I could probably install the body by myself but I'm wondering what the price range is or a new one. I would like to be educated before I call different dealerships because I would have no idea if they're quoting me a fair price or not. Has anyone purchased a body recently that they could give me an example of what the going price is. the repo style units I have been looking at or jeer Dan mpl40 but that's only because there's a dealer very close to my house and that's what they have out front. Someone else suggested they are Vulcan 882 which I really do like as well and have seen on other similar trucks to mine. Strapless wheel lift seems very convenient. If a new body is out of my price range then I'm a search for something used but I really need to no where the price have a new body starts before I go that route. Thanks for any and all info

[goodmichael]

Look on the Website of yhe manufacturer once you select a bed. I would NOT get a 19' bed. I would put a vulcan 882 with a tunnel box on that cab and chassis. Personally, I prefer the Vulcan beds. The 882 is a twin line. It is a beast. You might consider attending a tow show close to your are as well. There you will meet dealers who can give you a locked in price. You will also get a real feel for whom you are dealing with.

 

[TowZone]

Can anyone explain why they even continue to manufacture 19 ft beds in the US. Doesn't seem like they sell as many as to 21 and 22 ft beds. Seems the options should be 20 or 22 foot beds. But, then what do I know...

[Christian Orban]

On 7/7/2020 at 3:12 PM, goodmichael said:

Look on the Website of yhe manufacturer once you select a bed. I would NOT get a 19' bed. I would put a vulcan 882 with a tunnel box on that cab and chassis. Personally, I prefer the Vulcan beds. The 882 is a twin line. It is a beast. You might consider attending a tow show close to your are as well. There you will meet dealers who can give you a locked in price. You will also get a real feel for whom you are dealing with.

 

I found a 1993 3500 HD long wheelbase with a Vulcan 894 wrecker body that has been fully restored. The truck looks like brand new. The guy is asking 16500. The truck is nice but it is a 1993 and it has about a hundred and sixty thousand miles on it. I looked up the specs on this wrecker body and I'm surprised they put something so heavy duty on this chassis.

[GRUMPS The Towman]

12 hours ago, Christian Orban said:

I found a 1993 3500 HD long wheelbase with a Vulcan 894 wrecker body that has been fully restored. The truck looks like brand new. The guy is asking 16500. The truck is nice but it is a 1993 and it has about a hundred and sixty thousand miles on it. I looked up the specs on this wrecker body and I'm surprised they put something so heavy duty on this chassis.

That was the way things were back in the day. A lot of units were overbuilt on chassis that they werent meant for really. It wasnt till the 5500/550 chassis came about that they were more equally matched.