Custom Upfitting: Build the right vehicle for your fleet

Custom Upfitting: Build the Right Vehicle for the Job

Not every job can be handled by a vehicle straight off the lot. 

The right vehicle is about more than the make and model. It’s about how that vehicle needs to work once it arrives on the job. That’s where custom upfitting comes in. 

At AP Fleet Management, we can source and upfit commercial vehicles to fit the job, from light upfits that add functionality to heavy-duty builds designed around specialized equipment and demanding applications. 

Light Upfits or Heavy-Duty Builds 

Not every vehicle needs a complete transformation. 

Some fleets need a light commercial vehicle upfit to make a standard vehicle more functional. Others need a much more extensive build with specialized equipment and components. 

AP Fleet Management can support both. 

Light Upfits 

Light upfits can add practical functionality without significantly changing the vehicle. Depending on the application, that could include: 

  • Shelving and storage 
  • Partitions and bulkheads 
  • Toolboxes 
  • Ladder racks 
  • Interior organization 
  • Towing equipment 
  • Basic cargo management 
  • Safety and visibility equipment 

These types of upfits can be especially useful for HVAC contractors, electricians, plumbers, landscapers, telecom crews, and service businesses that need their vehicles to function as mobile workspaces. 

Heavy Upfits 

Some jobs require considerably more. 

Heavy-duty upfits can include service bodies, flatbeds, crane systems, specialized equipment, and other configurations designed around demanding commercial applications. 

For industries such as oil and gas, utilities, construction, infrastructure, and storm response, the vehicle may be an essential piece of the job itself. 

That means the upfit needs to be considered just as carefully as the chassis. 

Multiple OEMs. More Options for Your Fleet. 

AP Fleet Management works with different OEMs and can help source vehicles based on your requirements rather than limiting you to a single manufacturer. 

That gives fleet managers more flexibility when determining what makes sense for their operation. 

Start the Conversation Earlier 

If there’s one piece of advice we’d give fleet managers considering custom upfitting, it’s this: start the conversation earlier than you think you need to. 

The earlier we understand what your fleet needs, the more time we have to help plan around those requirements. You don’t have to wait until you need the vehicles to start the conversation. 

Planning ahead gives your fleet team more time to evaluate vehicle options, determine the right upfit, coordinate the build, and prepare for delivery. 

Your Fleet. Your Job. Your Build. 

At AP Fleet Management, we can help source, build, and upfit commercial vehicles to your specifications, from light work truck and cargo van upfits to heavy-duty specialty vehicles. 

And because we offer rental, leasing, and financing solutions, the conversation doesn’t have to stop at the build. We can help you determine how to add those vehicles to your fleet in a way that fits your timeline and business needs. 

Have a fleet need coming up? 

Talk to an AP Fleet Management fleet specialist about sourcing and custom upfitting your next commercial vehicle. 

To learn more, watch our webinar episode all about custom upfitting here.