Your truck is your shop. For siding repair it has to carry ladders, long panels and trim, a small parts stock and your tools, and it has to look professional when you pull into a customer's driveway. Here's what works.
Pickup or van?
Pickup truck:
- Most siding repair guys start here, usually with a truck they already own.
- Pros: easy to load long panels and ladders on a rack, good for rough driveways, can tow a trailer.
- Cons: tools and stock are exposed to weather and theft unless you add a cap, toolboxes or a locking bed cover.
Cargo van:
- Pros: everything inside, locked and dry, with shelving for parts. Panels can ride inside on a long van.
- Cons: harder for ladders unless you add a roof rack, and less flexible if you also tow.
Ladders
You'll need at least one tall extension ladder for second-story work, plus a step ladder.
- A ladder rack on the truck or van roof is a must.
- Secure ladders properly; a ladder flying off on the highway is a disaster.
- Ladder accessories like standoffs and leg levelers make siding work safer.
Carrying long panels
Vinyl siding and trim are long and kink easily.
- A tube rack or panel carrier on the ladder rack keeps panels flat and protected.
- Inside a van, a long shelf or channel works.
- Keep it flat and out of the sun.
See stocking common siding colors.
Organizing small parts
- Bins or drawers for nails, trim nails, screws, sealant, vents and blocks.
- Label everything.
- A "grab bag" with the zip tool, snips, hammer, tape and nail punch for quick jobs.
Tools
Keep a core siding kit together so you're never hunting. Typical basics: zip tool, snips, hammer, nail punch, utility knife, square, tape, chalk line, level, and a brake for bending coil if you do trim work.
Look professional
- Keep it clean. Customers notice.
- Magnetic signs or a simple wrap with your business name and number. Your truck is a moving ad.
- Clean up the driveway when you leave.
Insurance
Tell your insurance agent you're using the vehicle for business. Commercial auto rules vary, and a personal policy may not cover business use.
Start simple
You don't need a $70,000 truck to start. A good used pickup with a ladder rack, a cap or toolbox, and a few bins will carry you a long way.
Inside Siding Pro Academy, members share photos of their truck setups.
Photo: from a real Siding Pro Academy repair job.
