What Is a Cargo Management System?

Key Elements of a Mobile Command Center

April 07, 2021

Key Elements of a Mobile Command Center

A mobile command center (MCC) is meant to serve as your main office on the road. You need to be sure that it is properly equipped and capable of handling all the tasks you need it to fulfill. Getting an MMC to this point is not an easy thing to do and often requires a lot of planning. The trick to getting a good MMC is to keep the key elements of a mobile command center in mind when getting your system or modifying it.

Communication

Every mobile command center needs constant communication with anyone deployed. You need to be able to stay on top of any problems that arise, and a good communication system is the best way to do this. Without a good system to communicate any issues or changes to people you have deployed, you will find it hard to coordinate and finish tasks. Getting a good communication system requires investment in gear and technology. However, this gear takes up space in your MCC. This means that you need an area that can handle such communication. If you will be in locations where cell coverage is limited, installing a satellite connection can be helpful in keeping a good connection and could be worth the investment. Consider getting a pneumatic mast to house all of your connections.

Power

Any good command center will require a lot more power than any regular vehicle. You will need to invest in a good power source to keep all of your tools and machines active. This includes any additional lighting and workers’ electrical needs. The most common way of providing power to a mobile command center is with an auxiliary battery that’s separate from the vehicle battery. Depending on the amount of power needed, a diesel generator can provide great and consistent power to your systems, but they do require a safe, insulated spot in which to be installed. Try to get a spot where the additional generator noise is reduced, or else you will hear it constantly.

Lighting

An MCC requires constant use no matter the weather or situation. It must be capable of handling dark areas while providing a useable workspace. To accomplish this, you will have to install good lighting to provide an area where people can work as they need. You should look for strong light sources that do not need constant replacing. LED lighting often fulfills this role and does not heat the command center’s interior. Be careful when you are looking into lighting for the outside of your MCC; some kinds of lighting are illegal in certain states, so make sure you are following all local laws on the kind of lighting your MCC can have. If you are using a slide-out MCC, make sure that all electrical cabling is installed through an energy chain system to protect it from getting cut while the unit is sliding in and out of the vehicle.

Storage

A mobile command center must be capable of handling a large amount of weight and items, all while fitting multiple people for extended periods of time. A command center is meant to handle all sorts of tasks and requires a lot of equipment to do that. It is key that you have the storage to carry everything you need. The best way to ensure this is with the use of storage modifications. Getting additional shelving added in is a good place to start, but the real way to add to storage is with modifications like custom truck storage boxes or roll out command centers with built-in storage. These additions will help you maximize your space usage and efficiency. They can even help with the organization of the whole area, which improves safety and productivity.

Workstations

Many command centers need an area dedicated to workstations. This is an area meant solely to provide a space for workers to do their jobs. Each workspace will be a bit different depending on your needs and industry. However, this is where your command center can shine. Getting a good work area will give your employees all the tools they need to accomplish their tasks. If there is room, having multiple areas is also a good call, as each area can be utilized by different people at the same time. For example, on a slide out unit you can have fold down tables on both sides and at the tailgate end. Do not be afraid to ask your workers about what needs to be in these areas. They know what is best for them and what tools they will need to get the job done.

Meeting Area

Just as every MCC has a need for communication systems, it also has a need for a central meeting area. This is a place to gather to discuss relevant issues and should also have access to all necessary information like MSDS and site plans, as well as your communication devices. It should include enough space to accommodate multiple people and be in a position to address everyone, if needed. Having a whiteboard with dry-erase markers is useful not only for incident planning purposes and sharing ideas, but a magnetic one can also be used to keep the badges of everyone on scene for employee tracking purposes. This area can also serve as a place to meet with anyone online and can function as an onsite “conference room”.

Air Conditioning

MCCs are constantly in use and they also have to function all year round and in all kinds of weather. That is why it is important to make sure that your MCC is able to handle these conditions and keep your employees safe. MMCs can be prone to overheating, and this can cause a host of problems for people in the vehicle. Making sure that the air conditioning is functional is key to keeping everyone happy. The same can be said for the winter months and the heating of the MCC. Keeping your MCC comfortable will keep those in it happy and productive.

Now, if you keep these key elements of a mobile command center at top of your mind when designing your MMC, you will be able to get exactly what you need, and you will turn your MCC into a vehicle that can handle all your operations.

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How To Transport Large Items in Your Pickup Truck

March 31, 2021

How To Transport Large Items in Your Pickup Truck

A pickup is the best personal vehicle for moving things—whether it’s small or large items, a pickup truck is a way to move it all in one go. However, moving large loads can be very dangerous and possibly damage the car or those driving it. That is why it is so important to know how to transport large items in your pickup truck. Try following this advice to get yourself what you need to be safe during these larger transports.

Ensure There Is Enough Room

The first thing you must do when moving any large load is ensure your pickup can handle it, both in size and weight. These large loads place a lot of strain on a pickup truck, and you do not want to have it fail halfway through the trip. You need to know the weight of whatever you are carrying before you load it on your truck. After you know the weight of the load, make sure it is not greater than what your truck can carry. Go with the recommended load numbers that you find in the manual.

The size of the load also matters; you need to be able to fit the whole thing into the cargo bed. Dangling or overflowing loads can fall off and cause damage. It can be beneficial to get a truck bed sliding tray, as they extend the back of your truck to accommodate larger loads and make it easier to load and unload your pickup bed. The sliding trays from M&M Extendobed can extend to over 110% of your current bed length, pas the taillights, and can handle heavy loads—even if they aren’t evenly distributed.

Lock It In

Once you determine that you can handle the large load, you need to make sure you can carry it safely. The best way to do this is to strap it down tightly. You will need to get some ratchet straps and some cargo nets to fully lock it in. The ratchet straps will hold down objects to the bed of your truck. Make sure you attach two ratchet straps in separate places per object you need to hold down. This will keep it from shifting during transport. A cargo net is also great for keeping everything tied down and catching anything that moves. However, a cargo net is not made to hold down larger loads—only ratchet straps will do that.

Now that you know the basics of how to transport large items in your pickup truck safely, we have a few more tips to share. Do not try to move a large load by yourself; it can be very dangerous to do so. Also, when you have finished the trip, do not stand in the way of any large items when you check on the truck bed. Make sure you are out of the way of any potential falling items or loads.

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How To Improve Efficiency of Service Technicians

March 12, 2021

How To Improve Efficiency of Service Technicians

Improving the productivity of a service technician is not an easy task. It requires detailed knowledge and an understanding of your workers to know how to improve the efficiency of service technicians. However, there are several areas you can look into and improve to help your technicians.

Prioritize Workers

The best way to improve productivity is to focus on your technicians. Often, the main problem stopping a good technician from working efficiently is not their own performance but a lack of the necessary resources and tools. Invest in things such as training courses to help your workers learn more about their trade. There are many things you can do to support your workers on the job as well. For instance, you can standardize an organization method for the technicians to help them navigate their workspace. One of the best organization methods available in this industry is vehicle slide out trays. Not only can they decrease the time it takes to unload and load materials, but they also help prevent injuries by providing easy access to the vehicle.

Improve Workload

A great plan is to focus on improving workload management. Making sure every worker has enough to fill their plate is key. You do not want to have a technician wasting time on tasks when they don’t apply their skills. It is very important that you process each service quickly to not slow down your workers. Along with this comes the necessity to make sure you are handling all your restock and other procedures smoothly. If you can accomplish these steps, you will know that you are not slowing down your technicians.

These are some of the broad things you should do to improve productivity. But knowing how to improve the efficiency of service technicians is only part of the battle. Implementing these steps will be an investment. However, the improvements to your productivity and your workers’ safety will quickly make up for any investment.

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Tips for Designing Optimal Storage for Fire Apparatus Equipment

March 03, 2021

Tips for Designing Optimal Storage for Fire Apparatus Equipment

More so than most, fire departments must have clear storage organization along with efficient and easy access to all their gear when responding to a situation. Carrying around heavy equipment and essential gear isn’t an easy task to do, especially in quick and tense situations. Achieving this goal of efficiency is not an easy task as each department has different needs to address and tools to carry. However, there are some tips for designing optimal storage for fire apparatus equipment that can help any department.

Planning

Before you can do any planning for your trucks you have to first know what you plan to bring. Do an in-depth inventory check and figure out what you need. Clearing out the truck and taking accurate measurements along with a good inventory is key to planning your storage. Once you know what you’re bringing, it’s time to plan out exactly where you’re putting everything. Remember one of the basic rules of storage: heavy things go on the bottom, securing objects to prevent movement when driving. Also, the most used items need to be quickly available. During this process you may discover you need more room, or you have space you can’t use. A way to better utilize this space is through the use of aftermarket modifications.

Modifications

There are many useful modifications you could add to a truck, from better wheels to additional storage. If you’re looking to increase your ability to carry equipment and gear, the best way is by using pull out truck bed storage. While you can get some premade and standardized, getting a custom one from us at Extendobed will serve you better. By getting a custom bed storage you can increase your storage by up to 200 percent more than premade organizers. Our custom organizers reduce injury risk and give full access to equipment due to our unique over-110% extension feature which brings the slide out past the taillights for full access or for mounting drawers, SCBA slide-out walls or sliding equipment trays at the back end of the custom pull out bed storage slide. .

One last tip for designing optimal storage for fire apparatus equipment is to plan for more than you currently have. You’ll likely need this extra room for additional gear or equipment that you get in the future. Having a bit of extra space to work with is always better than being short on room.

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Increasing Your Storage Capacity and Accessibility of a Work Van

February 18, 2021

Increasing Your Storage Capacity and Accessibility of a Work Van

Increasing the storage capacity and accessibility of your work van is not an obvious task, but there are clear steps you can take to start improving your vehicle. The name of the game is to plan and organize the layout of all the equipment and things you will need to carry. Installing what you need to carry everything properly while also keep your items secure for transport.

Storage

When it comes to organizing your work van, the best place to start is to figure out a better storage system. This means you should develop a system to store all your equipment and whatever else you need to bring in your vehicle. A great way to improve your storage is to install some shelving, a vehicle trunk organizer or even a slide out storage system in your van. These organizers not only increase your storage but also provide storage room for many different forms of equipment that you previously stored on the floor of the vehicle. These organizers keep worker injuries down as they provide better and safer access to equipment. You might also want to install smaller additions such as tool hooks or horizontal poles that can hold specific tools and cords for easy access.

Organization

Now, there are some practices you can put in place that will also greatly increase your storage efficiency. One thing to remember is to always store things with the heaviest items on the bottom and the lightest on top. This will keep everything more balanced during transport and will limit shifting. It is also advisable to keep anything you use frequently closer to the doors to make it easier to access. The last big step you can take is to clean everything daily. Wrappers and mud can quickly clutter up your van and make it harder to work. Cleaning a little bit every day can stop messes from accumulating and keep everything tidy for work.

By taking these steps, you will see that you are increasing the storage capacity and accessibility of your work van. Your productivity and efficiency will especially increase if you use an organizer for the van. Messes and poor organization won’t hold you and your workers back anymore.

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How To Organize Your Equipment in Your Truck

February 18, 2021

How To Organize Your Equipment in Your Truck

Trucks have some of the most incredible carrying capacity, and any truck driver will know that to be true. One of the biggest benefits of a truck is its ability to carry so much stuff. They function as great transport vehicles and can help any company or person who finds that they need to carry a large number of things. However, even with all this extra room that a truck has, it can often feel as though there is just never enough room. If you feel this way, it might be time to tackle your storage habits to try to get the most out of your truck’s storage. To help you, here is how to organize your equipment in your truck to squeeze out the most efficient use of your trunk.

Tips for Storage

These are tricks and suggestions that can help you maximize your usage of your truck’s space. These will help you keep everything organized a bit more and you can squeeze out some more room. However, these tips alone will not give you a huge increase in space efficiency or allow you to carry too much more than you already could.

Heavy Things on Bottom

The first tip you should follow is to always place heavier objects at the bottom of any stack. By doing this, you accomplish several things. The first is that the balance of the pile is better when a heavy object is placed on the bottom. A top-heavy stack of items is a lot more likely to fall or shift around during transport. The second thing that it prevents is crushing lighter objects. By placing the heavier objects on the floor, you don’t put pressure on lighter objects. This protects both the heavier and lighter items from damage.

Organize by Usefulness

Another tip to help you organize is to plan your equipment layout according to the usefulness of what you are storing. Equipment and tools that you use often should be nearest to the sides or the tailgate and should be readily accessible. Storing these items close to the access points will ensure that you don’t have to search for them and save you time. It can even be beneficial to store things in the door storage or add additional storage to the door.

Starting From Square One

If you are truly serious about organizing your truck, you should start by cleaning it out fully. Starting with a blank canvas is how you will get the best results for your efforts. That means you should not only clean up any wrappers; you should remove anything you have stored in there and really sweep out any dirt and grime that has built up during use. You should also temporarily remove any small modifications you made to the trunk or truck bed to get yourself a truly clean bed You can also think about getting new storage modifications that will help more than your current ones if you remove the ones you have installed.

Expand Your Storage

Another option to improve your organization and efficiency of your truck is to use aftermarket modifications to add storage systems and extra storage space. Some easy options for this include drawers and door storage that can hold any number of items or tools. Installing drawers and shelves can really open your truck up, especially if installed on a sliding deck, and give you a lot more space to use efficiently and keep yourself organized. There are also truck trunk organizers that can further add a lot of different features that help with storage.

These truck organizers are a great way to maximize your storage efficiency. The organizers add many different parts that are meant to increase the usability of your truck space. Additional drawers and holding areas for tools are not uncommon, along with a sliding tray to give better access to the storage. Cool features like writing areas and document storage can also come with the organizers. Now there are standard organizers, but Extendobed makes quality custom organizers that will fit your specifications and requirements perfectly. By ordering a custom one, you ensure that you are getting exactly what you need for your truck storage. You can change the number of drawers you will have and alter their size, along with including storage for unique equipment that you have, like traffic cone storage, generators, welders, air compressors or approved gun storage.

Gear That Can Help

One of the last things you can do to optimize your storage space is to invest in accessories that help keep your storage in order. You will want to look into things like cargo nets which help tie tools and equipment down to prevent sliding during transport. It is very important to prevent these bulky items from sliding around your truck, as moving items can cause damage to themselves and other items. Additionally, when items move around, it can become hard to find them again, costing time and energy to find the things you need.

Other great additions to trucks are things that add storage to the walls of the truck. You can add hooks or Velcro to the sides of the trunk to efficiently carry some tools or lighter objects. These kinds of add-ons are very good for commonly used items, as they can be installed near the doors of the truck. They can even add extra storage to the doors themselves if it is the correct type of door. You can also find a lot of success in adding a grate or horizontal poles to the top of a truck to allow you to hang things like cord or string to utilize some more space.

By following these tips on how to organize your equipment in your truck, you will find that you are able to fit more equipment and keep it better organized. You will see that once you have fully organized your equipment, you will have greater productivity. Now, if you are still lacking storage space after these tips, then our custom trunk storage systems from Extendobed are going to be your best bet. Our Extendobed trunk storage systems efficiently use the space you have and can even provide even more useful storage volume than the default truck.

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How To Maximize the Efficiency of Your Truck Bed Storage

January 28, 2021

How To Maximize the Efficiency of Your Truck Bed Storage

A large benefit in getting a truck is the pure utility it has over other vehicles. It can just carry so much more than other vehicles while still providing all the benefits that other cars bring. However, proper utilization of that extra storage space is key if you want to receive the full benefits of having a truck. To help you accomplish that, we have figured out some ways on how to maximize the efficiency of your truck bed storage.

The main and best way to maximize your storage space is to use aftermarket modifications. These are additional features you can purchase and have added onto a truck to change how its storage works. These can range from bed extenders to drawers. They can also add extra functionality to the truck with a worktable or writing boards.

Truck Bed Extenders

These are the simplest modifications you can get but they have a huge impact on your truck’s storage. A bed slide or bed extender works by mounting to the truck bed with a deck that can slide out the back, creating a platform that increases the accessibility of the items you might have in your bed. The slides come in different styles and are designed to carry different amounts of payload weight. Most slides extend 70-100%. However, there are even extenders that slide out over 110%, past the taillights, to give you full access to the entire truck bed slide.

It is not hard to imagine what you can do when you can access your things without ever having to climb into the back of your truck again — like carrying much more equipment and tools. If you get a high-quality truck bed slide tray deck, you will be able to carry whatever you need with easy access to it in a more efficient manner. However, the quality of the tray is very important as lower quality extenders are prone to bend and flex too much when loaded. For example, a low-quality extender has problems with weight distribution, as you need to distribute the weight of your equipment evenly across the bed, which is hard to do with tools and equipment. A high-quality slide-out tray will allow you to carry your equipment how you need without worrying about weight distribution.

Customized Storage Systems

These are another form of modification where a type of shelving unit provides extra space for storing tools and other equipment. Drawer modifications can come in a huge variety of options and designs. From long, single drawers to multiple stacks of smaller drawers, there is really no end to the possibilities. It all depends on what you need for organization and extra storage. It is not uncommon for drawers to combine with other modifications like shelves and multi-layered units, open cubbies or fixed or sliding mounting walls to create more variance in how you want to carry your items.

Depending on your needs, you can combine a drawer system, a storage system and slide-out tray(s). Slide-out trays can carry heavy items like welders, generators, air compressors or tanks for liquids. Drawers can be designed to slide out the sides or the tailgate end of the truck bed slide. Getting a sliding deck with over 110% extension allows you to put drawers and sliding trays on the sides, nearest the cab end, and still be able to open them and access their contents.

Other Modifications

There really is no limit on the different kinds of modifications to help maximize your truck’s storage. Specialty storage modifications also exist and can directly help with whatever special kind of storage needs you have. Modifications like traffic cone storage racks or drawer systems with fold-down work tables and dry-erase boards, or sliding mounting walls to mount heavy tools for easy access, can help change your storage to match your exact needs. Perhaps, as a construction worker you want a tray to help carry around a generator or air compressor. Or a pesticide company that needs access to hose reels and chemical storage tanks. There are all sorts of different types of modifications for just about every job that could use a truck over a smaller vehicle.

Now, there are some premade packages that might contain what a standard person might need for their job. However, these standard packages lack the customization that you will really want for your storage. It is so much better to build your own storage system because only you truly know what will benefit you the most. It is well worth the investment and time to get yourself a specialized modification system that will fit your needs as it will save you the most time and money in the long run. A customized sliding deck can also save you or your service fleet employees from unnecessary injuries due to lifting heavy items from awkward positions. It is also surprisingly affordable to get a custom set of modifications instead of a standardized set.

Additional Tools

Aftermarket modifications are not the only way to efficiently use your truck bed. There are also many other tools and small things you can pick up to help as well. Items like cargo nets will help hold everything in place. Preventing items from shifting around during transport is very important and well worth the investment. A truck bed liner is an amazing addition to your truck. This liner will help protect your truck bed from all sorts of wear and tear. Additionally, a truck liner can prevent the movement of objects and give the bed more traction when you stand or sit in it. There are so many other tools and items that can help increase your truck bed storage that we sadly cannot list them all.

Hopefully, we have given you some ideas on how to maximize the efficiency of your truck bed storage. Aftermarket modifications are really the best place to start, as we have talked about. If you can get a custom storage system, you will see marked improvements in your truck’s storage and your own productivity. You can also get other aftermarket modifications to alter your truck in other ways. Things like new tires and LED lights can be great additions to your truck. But when it comes to functionality and storage, a custom job will get you exactly what you need in your truck.

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Ways To Customize Your Vehicle Storage Solution

January 26, 2021

Ways To Customize Your Vehicle Storage Solution

When you are looking to upgrade your truck’s storage, it can be hard to know where to start, as there are endless ways to customize your truck storage solution. You have a wide variety of options to choose from, such as the simple modifications that extend the bed to more complex storage units. It all depends on what you need and how you want to satisfy those needs.

Truck Bed Slide-out Platform

A truck bed slide-out platform is a form of extender for the bed of your truck. It works as a sort of sliding floor that can lock in place to give the back of your truck more room and easier access. These types of modifications are the simplest in design but don’t let that fool you. The extra carrying capacity, the additional room they provide and the ability to customize them will be a godsend.

Drawers, Slideout Trays and Variants

A popular modification is to add a customized storage system. This addition allows you to hold numerous objects and tools in the bed of your truck without worrying about them getting lost or misplaced, and making them easier to access. Combining a drawer system with a sliding deck not only increases storage capacity but also makes it easier to access when needed. Generators, compressors or welders can be mounted on trays that slide out for easy accessibility. With this modification, you’ll no longer pile things on top of each other. Instead, you will keep everything neatly stored and readily accessible when needed.

Bookcase Enclosure

Another option is bookcase enclosures that come in many forms and can be put into different types of vehicles. They caneven mount to a truck bed slide. Although they’re called bookcases, they often function more as a type of storage for paper and documents. This means they are very useful for storing construction plans, MSDS or other such documentation, making it easily accessible on the job site. They can come with several shelves that carry all sorts of smaller objects, such as tools or duffle bags, and fold-down tables that provide a convenient work area. .

As you can see, there are plenty of ways to customize your vehicle storage solution to fit your specific needs. Specialized custom storage solutions can be designed for specific functions or come with additional features that can be quite useful. An example of this is a drawer modification with a fold down worktable that allows you to write and spread out your papers as needed. The fold down worktable can even be made of magnetic dry erase board for even better utility.

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How To Keep Equipment Secure in Your Pickup Truck

January 26, 2021

How To Keep Equipment Secure in Your Pickup Truck

One of the biggest benefits to having a truck is the extra storage space it offers. However, there’s a proper way to utilize this storage to avoid accidents and mishaps. You must have the proper gear and know the correct tricks to make sure nothing bad occurs. Here we have some of these tricks to teach you how to keep your equipment secure in your pickup truck.

Aftermarket Modifications

The easiest way to secure most equipment is to get aftermarket modifications that include storage management. A vehicle aluminum storage trunk fits this bill exactly. They come in custom designs, so it’s up to you to decide what you need. They often come with drawer and slide out options. With these numerous variants, you can easily store your equipment safely. On the other hand, if your equipment is too large it might be time to get a slide out tray that extends the bed size so you can fit more. Another option is to install a locking bed cover, either a tonneau cover or truck cap/topper. If you choose this option, a truck bed slide that telescopes in and out of your truck bed will make access to tools and equipment much easier.

Tools for Securing Equipment in Place

There are many tools you can get to secure your loads when driving. A good place to start is a cargo net. These nets can keep your cargo from shifting around while you drive. Another good purchase to help secure your things are ratchet straps. Designed to hold down any large objects you might be moving, ratchet straps can handle more than rope in terms of weight. Even so, it’s much safer to use at least two straps to hold down cargo so shifting and movement is limited.

Tricks for Securing Equipment in Place

Every time you pack your truck to keep everything secure, you must follow certain rules. First, make sure heavy objects are on the bottom and centered near the axel of the vehicle. This will give the cargo the most support possible. By placing lighter objects on top of the heavier ones, you limit the potential for unwanted movement. Always keep the weight of the equipment in mind since your truck has a weight limit of how much you can carry. It’s important to distribute the weight throughout the entirety of the trunk.

With this you should know how to keep equipment secure in your pickup truck. Make sure all your items are secure and held down in at least two places. Using custom aftermarket products will reduce the risk of moving equipment.

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