Frequently Asked Questions

Crenshaw Corporation has been in business for over 50 years. During that time, we have helped our customers solve problems and outfit their trucks to make their work easier and more profitable. There isn't much we haven't seen. Our salesmen are always happy to help you and answer your questions. Call us at (800)552-1930 or (804) 231-6241 and let us walk you through your project. We have the knowledge, experience and expertise.

Below are answers to questions our salesmen are often asked. You can scroll through the entire list or go just to the category that interests you.

1. What is a "CA" and why is it important?
C.A. (Cab to Axle) which is the distance between the back of the cab and the centerline of the rear axle on a single axle truck. On tandems it is referred to as "C.T." or cab to trunion (the center point between the 2 rear axles). This dimension dictates the length of body, regardless of type, that can be mounted on a truck.

2. When my truck dealer talks about wheelbase, what's he trying to tell me?
He is telling you how long it is between the centerline of the front axle and the rear axle on a single axle truck or the centerline of the front axle and the trunion on tandems. If you have the wheelbase, we can determine the CA or CT for you.

3. Can I get a longer body if I get a crewcab?
No. The "C.A." does not change. In fact, it may be that the body is shorter.

DUMP BODIES

4. What are some of the things I need to think about before looking at dump bodies?
First, you need to consider what type of truck the body will be mounted on. Then, you need to identify what you are going to haul and where you are going to haul it. You also need to consider whether you will haul the same thing all the time, or will you change as the market changes. Additionally, you need to consider the conditions such as roads and construction sites you could encounter during the hauling process.

5. Why do you need to know what I'm going to do with my truck?
This information helps us determine what body, hoist, sides, tarp system and axle configuration you need to do the job successfully and most importantly, profitably. As truck equipment specialists, we are charged with the responsibility to provide you with the most up-to-date and complete information available to us. Not all equipment is the same. Different applications or uses may require extra strength in certain areas or just the opposite. Some uses do fine with lighter weight equipment. The more information we have, the better able we are to recommend the best equipment for the job you have to do. We neither want to oversell nor undersell. We want all of our customers to know that the equipment they purchase from Crenshaw Corporation is recommended by utilizing all the information we have available to us at that time.

6. I know I need to have as lightweight a body as possible to be able to carry as much of my payload as possible, but is is worth spending the extra money up front and get an aluminum body?
Actually, no. We do sell aluminum bodies and in certain situations, it is the body of choice. Many think that aluminum bodies have less upkeep and have a tremendous weight advantage. However, aluminum bodies have to be reinforced for strength and durability. After this is done, the weight savings are very little. There are lightweight steel bodies designed to compete with the weight advantage of aluminum, but at a much lower cost. The aluminum bodies tend to require extensive repairs and maintenance after a while and are not recommended for heavy stone, demolition debris or anything else that is irregular in size or shape with sharp edges or projections. A special type of welder is required to weld aluminum. The advantages in our marketplace are very few and even through this type of body has certain applications where it excels, the advantages here are negligible.

In the Dump Bodies and Hoists Section we have included a special page comparing the weight of a lightweight Heil body with another lightweight body as well as a standard construction dump body. We have also calculated annual savings based on being able to carry more payload. Click here to view Weight Savings and Payback Chart.

CRANES

7. Does the size of my truck have a bearing on which crane I can use.
Absolutely! Crane manufacturers have minimum chassis GVW's and frame strength requirements that we, as the distributors of their products, must adhere to. They have set these guidelines in order to ensure that their cranes are mounted on chassis that have sufficient strength and weight carrying capacity to allow the crane to perform within its designed parameters.

VAN BODIES

8. What information do you need to know before I order a van body?
       We need to know what you are going to haul and where you are going to haul it.
      Is your load frozen or does it need to be kept warm?
        Do you need a tall body? side doors? lift gate? walk ramp?
        Will you be using a forklift to load or unload the body?
        What type of truck do you intend to put it on?
        What type of door works best for your application, roll-up, swing open or sliding?
        Do you need load securing equipment such as "E" track or tie rings?
        Do you need a special type of body construction?
        What types of interior and exterior lighting do you require?
        Do you need a body with a special height or width?
      By answering all of these questions, we can help you make the choices appropriate to your situation and what you will be hauling. Many options from type of construction and size to types of doors and bumpers are available. We do stock popular models, but van bodies can be made to order and the options are endless.

SERVICE BODIES

9. What are some of the things that you think about when someone comes to you to buy a service body?

       What type of truck do you intend to use? This dictates the length of body that can be installed on your truck.
       Do you need a lot of storage?
       Do you have the need to cover what you haul?
       Are people going to work inside the body?
       Is a crane type body a requirement to work on heavy equipment?
       Are you going to haul ladders or pipe?
       Are aesthetics and up-to-date styling important to you?
       Are you planning to tow anything? If so, about how much does your trailer and its load weigh?
       Do you use an air compressor or have oxygen/acetylene tanks to haul around?
       Are you interested in steel or aluminum construction?
       Do you need a liftgate?
       Are you interested in a remote control locking system?
     Is having diamond treadplate on compartment tops important to you?
       Which bumper option suits your needs?
       Do you need lighting in the compartments?
       Would latching drawer units make your work easier?

SNOW PLOWS

Important note: please call us before you buy your new truck if you are planning to install a snow plow. Today many trucks cannot be outfitted with a plow - even H.D. Diesels!

10. The truck dealer is trying to convince me to get a "snow prep package." How important is it for me to order this on my truck and can it be added later?
"No retrofits on prep packages." Many of today's truck suspensions and engine options are not recommended to have plows installed on them without the prep package. As distributors we are not permitted to install a plow on a truck unless it meets the vehicle's manufacturer's requirements.

11. What questions come to mind when someone wants to have a plow installed on his truck?
       Chassis manufacturers and snowplow manufacturers have set requirements that must be met before a snowplow can be installed. These requirements include:
       Does it have a snow plow prep package from the manufacturer?
       What type of fuel does it use? Gas or diesel?
       Is it 2 or 4 wheel drive?
       What type of cab does it have?
       What is the front axle weight rating?

DUAL WHEEL CONVERSIONS

12. What is a "Doolie Conversion"?
It is the process by which a 3/4 ton (6 or 8 lug) single wheel pickup is changed to have dual wheels at the rear. We use a "Budd" type wheel and can add factory style fiberglass fenders. These kits do not change the GVW rating of the rear axle, but do allow the distribution of the weight over 4 tires. This goes a long way in stabilizing a "swaying" truck. Kits are even available for a Suburban.

Yield Strength - The amount of resistance steel has against bending. The higher the number, the higher resistance the steel will have against bending.

Brinnell Hardness - The surface abrasion resistance to wear. The higher the number, the higher abrasion resistance the steel will have. Normally, steel with higher yield strength will have higher brinnell hardness.

Hi-Tensile - A low alloy high strength metal with minimum yield strength of 45,000 psi. and a Brinnell hardness of 150 to 180. Hi-tensile steel is similar to ASTM A-570, Grade E steel.

Cor-ten Steel - Steel which has a yield strength of 50,000psi. and a Brinnell hardness less than 150 to 180. Cor-ten is 4 to 6 times more resistant to corrosion than regular steel.

Stainless Steel - A corrosive resistant steel that is very popular with municipalities. The two most popular types are 304 and 409.

Plate Steel - 3/16 gauge or higher Hi-tensile steel that has a minimum yield strength of 50,000psi and a Brinnell hardness of 150 to 180.

T-1 Steel - Steel which has a yield strength of 100,000psi. and a Brinnell hardness of 250 to 300.

AR400 Steel - Steel which has a yield stredngth of 180,000psi. and a Brinnell hardness of 400.

100,000 Formable Steel - Steel which has a yield strength of 100,000psi, and a Brinnell hardness less than 250.

Steel Weight - No matter what alloy mixture, yield strength, or Brinnell hardness a steel has its weight remains the same.

Steel Gauge	Weight
10 gauge	5.625 lbs./sq. ft.
8 gauge	6.875 lbs./sq. ft.
3/16" gauge	7.641 lbs./sq. ft.
1/4" gauge	10.88 lbs./sq. ft.
3/8" gauge	15.282 lbs./sq. ft.