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Comparing Gull Wing Trucks: Finding the Right Fit for Your Business

Gull Wing or curtain side truck. Compare transportation options.

In recent years, the Gull Wing truck has emerged as a leading contender in the transportation industry. Its unique design promises to revolutionize how businesses move materials. However, as with any major investment, it’s essential to consider all available options before deciding. In this competitive analysis, we’ll look at the Gull Wing or curtain-side trucks and compare them to similar options available worldwide.

Ledwell Gull Wing™ Truck:

The Gull Wing, patented by Ledwell, has garnered attention for its innovative design and versatility. Its distinctive feature is the hinged aluminum sides that lift with the push of a button, providing easy access to the cargo bay from both sides of the truck. This design streamlines the loading and unloading process and offers superior protection against the elements, keeping valuable cargo safe and dry during transit.

Additionally, the Gull Wing truck offers a range of safety features, customizable options, and advanced technology, making it a popular choice among businesses seeking efficiency and reliability in their transportation operations.

delivery trucks with hydraulic opening doors

The Competition:

Curtain Side Trailers:

Pros: Curtain side trailers offer similar accessibility to the cargo bay, allowing easy loading and unloading from the trailer’s sides. They are widely used in various industries and available from multiple manufacturers.

Cons: Unlike the Gull Wing truck, curtain side trailers may not provide the same level of protection against the elements. The curtains are susceptible to wear and tear and may not fully seal the cargo bay. Manually operating the curtains can be time-consuming and cumbersome.

Roll-Up Door Trucks:

Pros: Roll-up door trucks offer quick and easy access to the cargo bay, similar to the Gull Wing truck. They are commonly used in urban environments and are well-suited for deliveries in tight spaces.

Cons: Roll-up doors do not provide the same full-length access as the Gull Wing truck. The doors can be prone to damage, making it difficult to roll up, and are not guaranteed to fully seal the cargo bay.

Stakebed Trucks:

Pros: Stakebed trucks feature hinged or removable panels on the sides of the truck bed that can be lowered to facilitate loading and unloading. They are commonly used for transporting bulky or oversized items and offer easy access to the cargo bay.

Cons: While stakebeds offer excellent accessibility, they do not provide the same level of protection against the elements as the Gull Wing truck. The open bed leaves cargo exposed to the weather, and even using a tarp to cover materials does not provide the same level of protection. Additionally, the manual operation of the side panels can be labor-intensive and time-consuming.

Ledwell Gull Wing truck ready for delivery

The Solution:

While several options are available for businesses seeking efficient and reliable transportation solutions, the Gull Wing truck stands out as a top contender. Its innovative design, superior protection, and customizable features make it ideal for businesses seeking to streamline operations and protect their valuable cargo.

Ultimately, choosing between a Gull Wing or curtain side will depend on factors such as industry and usage. Still, for many businesses, the Gull Wing truck represents the future of transportation.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Government, Gull Wing, In The News, Material Handling, Transportation

Revolutionizing Logistics: How the Ledwell Gull Wing Truck Benefits Diverse Industries

With its unique design, the Ledwell Gull Wing truck is significantly impacting various industries. From safely moving goods to improving efficiency, the Gull Wing truck is changing how businesses handle logistics needs. We’ll look at the different sectors that can benefit from the Gull Wing truck’s capabilities and how it can enhance their operations.

Military and Defense:

The Gull Wing truck offers defense agencies, contractors, and suppliers efficient logistics solutions, especially in adverse weather conditions. Its water-resistant design keeps materials dry and protected, improving operational reliability in challenging environments.

Building and Construction:

Construction businesses benefit from the Gull Wing truck’s ability to transport long, bulky materials such as pipes, conduits, and fixtures. The truck’s design allows easy side loading and unloading, making it ideal for job sites with limited space.

Fleet Management and Logistics Services:

The Gull Wing truck can significantly benefit fleet management and operations businesses, including third-party logistics providers (3PLs), freight forwarders, and trucking companies. This innovative vehicle helps optimize delivery processes and enhance operational efficiency by offering specialized services that cater to various industries.

Wholesalers and Distributors:

For companies in the distribution industry, the Gull Wing truck’s specialized design protects products, allowing materials to be loaded at the end of a shift rather than the beginning. The side-loading capability facilitates quick and easy loading and unloading, reducing handling time and improving overall efficiency.

Delivery Companies:

Transportation and delivery firms, including courier services and e-commerce companies, can integrate the Gull Wing truck into their fleets for specialized deliveries. Its quick-loading capability and weather-resistant design ensure timely and protected deliveries, enhancing customer satisfaction.

Emergency Services and Disaster Relief Organizations:

Emergency response, disaster relief, or humanitarian aid organizations can utilize the Gull Wing truck to transport supplies and equipment, even in adverse conditions. The truck’s durability and weather-resistant features ensure essential items reach their destination safely. The Gull Wing provides not only transport but an on-site distribution platform.

Local Government and Municipalities:

Municipalities responsible for public services can use the Gull Wing truck to distribute materials and equipment efficiently within their jurisdiction. The truck’s design allows for quick loading and unloading, enhancing public service operations.

The Ledwell Gull Wing truck is a versatile and effective solution for many industries. Whether the military needs reliable transport in bad weather, electrical wholesalers seek efficient deliveries, or advertising firms need mobile billboards, the Gull Wing truck delivers. Its quick loading and unloading, weather protection, and customizable features make it a valuable business tool. As industries grow and change, the Gull Wing truck is ready to meet the demands of modern transportation, providing a reliable option for all.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Fire, Government, In The News, Material Handling, Rental, Service, Transportation

Maintenance Schedule Helps Achieve Peak Performance

Ledwell Maintenance Schedule for heavy duty loading ramp

Equipment can get run down just like we do. How do you feel without a bit of self-care now and then?

Tired?

Sluggish?

When our bodies aren’t taken care of, we tend to move less efficiently. The same goes for equipment. The wonderful thing about us and machinery is that we can become more efficient with some work.

That work looks different for everyone. For your equipment? It looks different for each product type. No matter which one you have, it will operate at peak performance when you have a maintenance schedule.

A proper maintenance schedule, including greasing, can keep your equipment’s operation points swift and smooth. Depending on the type, these schedules offer daily, monthly, and yearly service points.

Routinely performing these services will help the equipment operate more efficiently and maintain operation for longer. Reduce downtime. Reduce cost. Reduce stress.

In short, performing routine maintenance equals a lower cost of ownership.

Preventative maintenance schedules are readily accessible to you! You’ll find everything you need to know about taking care of your machinery and ensuring it’s in tip-top shape.

Download Maintenance Schedule

Ledwell Team In Construction, Government, In The News, Industry, Rental

From the ’50s to the 2020s, Rental One Grows with Ledwell Equipment

Truck body manufacturer - Ledwell and Rental One partnership lasts over the decades

Rental One is a Texas-sized success story. From its origins as a single store called A1 Rental in the mid-’50s, the company was sold to a national brand in 1998 and then reopened as Rental One in 2004 under third-generation family leadership.

“The core of our business is commercial and industrial contractors,” said Mark Lemons, Executive Vice President of Rental One.

Today, Rental One has 17 locations in North and Central Texas, with a service area stretching from the Red River to south of San Antonio. The company’s decades of renting equipment give them solid expertise that its customers can rely on.

“The knowledge level and industry experience we have at Rental One is unmatched, that I know of, anywhere,” Lemons said. “The years and years and years of experience—that’s what makes Rental One special.”

The original founder of A1 Rental, Ray O’Neal, knew Ledwell founder Buddy Ledwell, and the two started doing business in the late ’50s.

“When we started back up as Rental One in 2004, it was just natural for us to buy Ledwell equipment,” Lemons said. “There was already a relationship and a partnership we had built with Ledwell.”

Getting equipment to customers on time requires dependable transportation. That’s where Ledwell comes in.

“We purchase delivery trailers, delivery rollbacks, stake bed delivery trucks, and we’ve purchased some Lube Buddies and water trucks,” Lemons said. “We rent out the water trucks, but everything else is used for our own internal delivery fleet.”

Lemons said Ledwell’s stock of chassis and upfitting capabilities as a truck body manufacturer helped streamline Rental One’s truck purchasing process.

Rental One Equipment and Ledwell work together

Ledwell - Building relationships with Rental One

”One of the challenges in the past was that you had to buy chassis from a dealership, and then you'd have to arrange transportation to take it to the body up fitter," he said. "That created issues with weight ratings and warranty issues. With Ledwell, we can just purchase a truck and have it upfitted, which basically saves you from dealing with the issues and headaches of dealing with two different entities and risking mistakes with vehicle rating, warranty issues, and those types of things.
Mark LemonsExecutive Vice President, Rental One

Lemons said working with Ledwell has been an all-around good experience.

“I would rank Ledwell very highly,” he said. “One of the nice things about Ledwell is that they listen to us, they understand our operation, they understand what our use is for a given trailer or truck, and they’re flexible and tailor things based on our individual needs. They understand the product and what they’ve built for us. And if we have issues, they’re quick to respond and rectify those issues. They’re top-notch.”

He said Rental One values its relationships with vendors.

Ledwell and Rental One Equipment working together since 1950

“Sometimes it’s not all about price; it’s just about having a great relationship,” he said. “We truly look at our vendors as partners in our business. Ledwell is in the top tier of folks we deal with as far as relationship, fairness, willingness to look at a situation and help us out when needed. We want our vendors to view us as a company that has integrity, that is willing to work with them and look at the big picture, not just chasing the cheapest deal.”

Lemons said Rental One has a reputation of not changing vendors a lot.

“We really value that relationship,” he said. “We look for the top vendors, and when we build that relationship, we don’t move around. We’re proud to have a relationship with Ledwell that started in the 50s.”

Ledwell and Rental One Equipment Rental grow together

Ledwell Team In Construction, Government, In The News, Innovation, Rental, Transportation

Maximum Versatility: The Ledwell MaxTilt Trailer

The patented Ledwell MaxTilt Trailer is the powerful, versatile trailer you need in 2021.

When a rental client told us they needed a trailer that could more efficiently haul containers, we re-engineered our patent-pending HydraTilt Truck to take it to the next level.

The result? One of our most powerful, versatile hauling solutions with the added benefit of little to no breakover.

Highest Tilting Main Deck

Whatever angle you need, the Ledwell MaxTilt Trailer can handle it. This trailer goes higher than ever before with a main deck that tilts up to 32 degrees. But if you don’t need that much height, don’t worry —this trailer can stop at any angle along the way.

Unmatched in Hauling

The Ledwell MaxTilt Trailer is a powerful solution for transporting containers, trucks, and other large equipment. It’s perfect for anyone who plans to use their trailer to carry a wide range of loads, such as rental and construction companies.

Unified Hinge

We introduced our patented unified hinge with the Ledwell HydraTilt Truck, and it makes an appearance in the MaxTilt Trailer, too. This single unified hinge enables you to load and unload low clearance equipment thanks to little or no breakover.

And as always, we can customize your Ledwell MaxTilt Trailer to meet your specific needs.

“Our new MaxTilt Trailer is ideal for unloading containers or dead equipment. It extends up high enough to allow containers or equipment to slide off easily. Everyone needs a MaxTilt Trailer in their fleet.” –Jill Launius, Sales Coordinator

Learn more or request information.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Fire, Government, In The News, Innovation, Rental

Top 5 Qualities to Look for in a Water Truck

Water Truck Buying Guide

2000 Gallon Quality Water Trucks For Sale

Are you thinking about buying a heavy-duty water truck?

Shifting from renting to buying is a significant investment, and the vast options available on water trucks can be daunting. Whether you need a customized water truck or a stock water truck, you must consider several important qualities before you buy. Our water truck buying guide has the top 5 things to consider when purchasing a heavy-duty water truck.

1. Tough keel
Opting for a quad-bent design in the tank’s foundation ensures you’ll have a heavy-duty, stout truck. Also look for scalloped, interior-welded seams. This makes it harder for the seams to crack, making the tank last a very long time—possibly longer than the chassis it sits on. Internal piping should be welded before the tank is installed, and your manufacturer should test it to 120 psi before it leaves the plant.

2. Heavy-duty liner
The thicker the liner, the better. Our standard is a 30-millimeter finished thickness, which is the thickest in the industry. A good liner protects the tank’s interior from corroding, so the thicker the liner, the longer your tank will live. Look for a tank that’s blasted inside and out for a smooth finish. And pay attention to the type of liner you’re getting. If you’ll be carrying drinking water, your tank needs to have a potable compliant liner.

3. Strong pump and valves
A water truck’s pump is like the heart of the truck—it keeps everything moving. Selecting a water tank with an American-made two-bearing system with at least a 1.25″ input shaft and 3″ diameter driveline will help to keep water flowing. Incorporating in-cab air-operated controls is the best choice to work in tandem with the pump for maximum spraying.

4. Sturdy, well-protected hose reel
Keeping your water truck’s hose protected is key to making it last longer. A good water truck will have a rear internal hose reel mounted inside a frame that protects it from the elements. Mounting the hose reel inside of a frame also reinforces the reel to be sturdier. When it comes to your reel, extra storage is always a plus. Look for a water truck that has a storage box for side nozzles, suction hoses, and other accessories right where you need them.

5. Dependable service
Ask about the water truck’s warranty, and ask about service after the warranty runs out. Will you be able to get parts quickly? Will the company be able to repair your equipment at a reasonable cost? Will the service team continue to help you troubleshoot issues with your equipment for the duration of your ownership? These are essential factors to consider when you’re talking with references and peers in the industry.

We hope these top five qualities will help you when looking to purchase your next water truck. If you would like more information on a Ledwell Water Truck, be sure to reach out to us.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Feed, Fire, Government, In The News, Material Handling, Rental, Service, Transportation, Waste

Change in Season: Time For Preventative Maintenance

Season change means different behaviors for your trusted equipment. But you can make sure that this doesn’t affect your work on the job. There are a variety of actions you can take that your equipment needs to stay efficient and running. One of them is preventative maintenance. Not all equipment is as easy as your typical loading ramp – having to grease the landing gear only once a year. But maintenance is imperative for longevity.

We believe wholeheartedly that maintenance schedules will allow your equipment a long, happy life, no matter the piece.

We’ve devised several Preventative Maintenance sheets for your benefit. These outline how you can prepare your equipment for various conditions and what you must do to get the most out of your money. Preventative Maintenance checklists are available for the following equipment:

Ledwell manufacturer of equipment for sale

Bulk Haul Feed Trailer PM Schedule

Heavy Haul Trailer Manufacturer, Ledwell

HydraTail Trailer PM Schedule

Hydraulic Tail - HydraTail Truck manufactured by Ledwell in America

HydraTail Truck PM Schedule

Ledwell Rollback for sale - Manufactured in America

Rollback PM Schedule

You can also tune into our social media on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, or YouTube. We know it’s tough to remember when your equipment needs routine maintenance when you have a million other things happening on the job. That’s why we do our best to provide you easy access, like adding preventative maintenance questions and answers to those above-mentioned social media outlets.

If these aren’t enough for you, and you’re looking for something a little more specific, you can always check out our FAQ page on our website or give us a call. One way or another, Ledwell is determined to gain your satisfaction through equipment performance.

Ledwell Team In Construction, Government, In The News, Innovation, Rental, Transportation

Get Low With the Ledwell HydraTilt Truck

Ledwell custom hydraulic trail truck - HydraTilt Truck

What do you get when you take a HydraTail Truck and add a unified hinge and hydraulic tilt deck? Ledwell’s groundbreaking, patent-pending HydraTilt Truck

“We saw an opportunity to create a more versatile truck. One that takes up less space on the street, accommodates low ground clearance equipment, has a shorter bed height, and has a deck that tilts high enough to unload containers.”

“We’ve had a lot of success in the rental industry with our HydraTail truck, but even those customers were having trouble with getting some of their lower ground clearance equipment over the tail and hinge easily,” said Ledwell engineer Gary Gathright.

The truck’s innovative design centers around what the Ledwell team calls a unified hinge.

“When you hinge the deck and tail off of the same piece, when they’re parallel with each other, there’s no step-down like you’d get with two hinges,” he said. “It’s an easier loading situation, and you can more easily slide things off, like a container or non-powered equipment.”

Gary said the HydraTilt Truck can be positioned to result in a loading configuration similar to the rollback, but it’s 5 3/4 inches lower in transport mode.

“That makes it easier on the drivers loading the equipment and creates a lower center of gravity, so you have a more stable platform when you’re driving,” he said. “And you can haul larger equipment.”

The HydraTilt Truck’s smaller loading and unloading space makes it an asset in urban areas.

“When you’re on a crowded downtown street, you want to take up as little room as possible as you load and unload,” Gary said. “It makes for a safer environment for the driver unloading the equipment, and it’s safer for the public in general because you’re not taking up multiple driveways or blocking the street.”

The Ledwell team ultimately designed the HydraTilt Truck to make customers’ lives easier.

“This is simply an extension of what we have done for nearly 75 years, which is to take feedback from our customers and create the equipment they need,” he said.

Learn more about the Ledwell HydraTilt Truck

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Feed, Government, In The News, Industry, Innovation, Rental, Service, Transportation, Waste

Lube Buddy Provides Service On the Go

Ledwell Service Skid - Manufactured in America

When you’re on the go, working a time-sensitive job, or just looking for convenience, you need access to service equipment fast. Ledwell has your quick solution to perform in-the-field equipment PM service and maintenance with a portable service skid – Lube Buddy.

Our Lube Buddies provide an easy and efficient way for you to keep your equipment serviced and ready to go. This equipment can be utilized as a mobile unit or serve as a stationary portable maintenance center at the job site!

Our Lube Buddy, Jr. is suited for light-duty vehicles. Its smaller stature makes it lighter, and easy to move from location to location. Convenient to place. Allows for easy access to air, fresh fluids, and properly dispose of waste. This piece of equipment comes with spill and overflow pans to minimize mess, and non-corrosive pipe fittings to ensure longevity.

If you’re searching for something a little more heavy-duty, we’ve got you covered.

This Lube Buddy option can turn any of your medium-duty hauling vehicles into a skid-mounted, self-contained fuel and lube service center! Much like the Lube Buddy, Junior, the Lube Buddy Max is designed in such a way to prevent excessive spillover and ensure a long lifespan.

Easily move these units with a forklift. Place on a level surface to avoid any spills and to ensure proper operation. Be sure to always read the accompanying operators’ manuals in regard to all pieces of equipment you own.

To learn more about the Lube Buddy, Jr. or Lube Buddy Max and other service equipment, visit our Service Truck page.

Ledwell Mobile Lube Service Center with Compressor

Ledwell Team In Construction, Energy, Feed, Fire, In The News, Industry, Material Handling, Transportation, Waste

Top 5 Tips on Telematics

The future is digital, and that includes how we keep track of equipment. Whether in the rental industry or construction, you want to know where your equipment is and how it’s performing. Rental Equipment Register put together a few industry experts’ tips on utilizing the most out of telematics and software.

What is telematics?

Telematics is a technology that monitors and gathers the logistics of a vehicle or an entire fleet. Telematics utilizes computer systems to collect data from various operation points, including location, driver behavior, fuel, and overall health.

Why should I consider using telematics?

There is always room for improvement, and we think these tips on telematics are just the way to help you do your job better.

1: Make the right IT investment decision:

says Loren Carlson, operations manager, Star Rentals. “Once made, it is very costly to rectify,” Carlson says. “Make sure you have a clear understanding of the pain points of the current system, or lack of system. Establish a clear understanding of what you intend to improve, and how you will measure success. The best way to do this is to solicit input from every level and area of the company.” Once completed, this serves as the basis for evaluating IT options and helps to keep the evaluation discussion focused.

2: Create an implementation roadmap:

Once the IT decision is made, invest time in configuring it before it’s rolled out, to make the user interface as intuitive as possible, says Carlson. “It may be capable of great things, but if users struggle to adapt to it, your returns will be delayed while you waste time and energy pushing users to use it. The same applies with back-end system integration. Creating an implementation Roadmap ahead of time will ensure you realize the benefits as quickly as possible.”

3: Focus on impact, not just ROI:

As you evaluate IT options, think about who and what will benefit from technology first, says Martin Roath of ZTR Control Systems. “Some benefits will be easy to quantify, while others may be more financially intangible,” Roath says. “For example, technology benefits could affect culture or customer experience in undeniable ways that are difficult to measure in dollars.”

4: Consider application flexibility:

As time passes, requirements for IT can change so be sure to look for solutions that don’t limit your future, says Roath. “As you think about your people, processes, and other business systems, be sure to consider integration capabilities that connect your business systems together,” he says.

5: Develop a training support structure:

Make the structure accessible to everyone in the company. “This can be scaled to any size business, but the key is to have expert level assistance readily available,” Carlson says.

These five tips are just the beginning. Over two dozen experienced industry professionals helped put together 50 telematics tips. We hope these help your company become more effective. Learn how even the slightest change with telematics and software can make a world of difference.

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