Chap 2, Part 2: Body Length - Step Vans

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When people say, "I have a 22' step van", this means the official inside cargo area measures 22' long. This measurement is from just behind the seat to the rear door(s). Anything from the seat forward is not included in this number. This means you get added display area, a bonus, on the ceiling above the seat, on the walls, and on the shelf over the engine area. You could say a 22' is really a 23' or 24' when you include this extra space.

In a step van, there are rear wheelwells protuding into the floor space. They are typically 40" - 44" long and approximately 14" high. This takes a little floor space away where you cannot insert a drawer or have a box opening.

Compare this to a box truck. The 22' designation for a box truck body, for example, is an outside measurement. This means the inside is more like 21' 6". But the floor is flat, so you can put a drawer - or a tool box - anywhere you want.

To summarize, a 20' truck has 20'+ of usuable cargo area in a step van, and less than 20' of usable cargo area in a box truck. You can get the right amount of cargo area for your business needs by knowing how body length is measured.

Next time: Liftgates