Transporting large, specialized equipment often requires more than a standard truck body. When a customer approached Marion Body Works with a 10,000-pound directional boring unit, they were looking for a solution that would protect their investment while simplifying transportation between job sites.
Traditionally, equipment like this is transported on an open trailer, leaving it exposed to weather and road conditions when not in use. The customer wanted a better option—one that would keep the machine protected from the elements while maintaining easy access for loading and unloading.
Engineering Around the Equipment
Working from the customer’s initial concept, Marion’s engineering and production teams collaborated to create a custom dry freight body capable of accommodating the large directional boring unit.
The biggest challenge was designing an elongated dovetail that would allow the equipment to be loaded into the enclosed body safely and efficiently. The custom design provided the clearance and loading angle necessary for the machine while maximizing the usable space inside the body.
By incorporating the extended dovetail into the dry freight body, Marion was able to create a solution that combined the protection of an enclosed truck body with the functionality needed to transport heavy equipment.
Protecting Valuable Equipment
Directional boring machines represent a significant investment for contractors. Keeping equipment protected from rain, snow, UV exposure, and road debris can help extend its service life and reduce unnecessary wear.
The enclosed body gives the customer the ability to transport and store the boring unit under cover, eliminating many of the drawbacks associated with traditional trailer transportation. The design also provides added security and peace of mind when equipment is parked between jobs.
A Custom Solution That Delivered
Projects like this highlight the value of custom truck body manufacturing. Rather than settling for an off-the-shelf solution, the customer worked with Marion to develop a body tailored to their specific operational needs.
From the initial design concept to the engineering of the elongated dovetail, the project required close collaboration across multiple teams to ensure the finished product performed exactly as intended.
Custom projects often require close collaboration between the customer, engineering team, and production floor. That’s where our sales team comes into play. From the initial conversation to final delivery, our sales representatives take the time to understand each customer’s unique needs and translate those requirements into a workable solution. By coordinating with engineering, production, and the customer throughout the build process, they help ensure the finished product performs exactly as intended. By working together throughout the design and manufacturing process, Marion was able to transform an idea into a fully functional solution.
Most importantly, the finished truck solved every challenge the customer brought to the table.
“For me, it always starts with listening and really understanding what the customer is trying to achieve,” said Josiah Pooler, Regional Sales Manager-Wisconsin, Marion Body Works. “On this build, there was a lot of back-and-forth with the customer and our internal teams to make sure we were getting it right every step of the way, but that’s what it takes on a project like this. At the end of the day, being able to deliver a truck the customer is genuinely excited about is what makes it all worth it.”
At Marion Body Works, custom solutions like this are what we do best. By understanding how our customers work, we can design equipment that improves efficiency, protects valuable assets, and helps businesses get more out of their fleet.
