Many work truck owners and operators require aftermarket truck accessories to store their tools and improve jobsite efficiency. When those accessories improve the look and aid in protecting trucks—well, that’s a major plus! Eric Rivera from WEATHER GUARD shares insight on WEATHER GUARD products that do just that.
MWS: WE’RE TALKING ABOUT EXTERIORS THIS MONTH. WEATHER GUARD® HAS MULTIPLE TRUCK EXTERIOR UPGRADES, BUT WHICH PRODUCTS SHOULD BE MOST ON A FLEET OWNER’S RADAR TO IMPROVE THE LOOK AND FUNCTION OF THEIR TRUCKS?
RIVERA: For commercial fleet managers, finding nice-looking and functional equipment can often be a complicated process because the needs can be specific to the industry. The commonality though, regardless of trade or application use, is the need to securely store tools to and from a jobsite. The one WEATHER GUARD product that is practically a necessity for all trades is a truck box. WEATHER GUARD is the industry leader, and for good reason; we offer the consistency in functionality, durability, and protection that the market has come to expect when they see the WEATHER GUARD name. We’ve recently introduced new Saddle and Lo-side box models with a more modern appearance. Paired with advanced technology they’ll enhance the overall experience for the customer.
MWS: THESE PRODUCTS CLEARLY EXUDE STYLE, BUT BEYOND AESTHETIC APPEAL WHAT CAN TRUCK OWNERS EXPECT FROM WEATHER GUARD PRODUCTS?
RIVERA: Owners of our products are proud to display WEATHER GUARD, but it is not only because they look good on their trucks. Truck owners recognize WEATHER GUARD for durability, security, and weather resistance, but there are so many distinctive details worth mentioning. For example, our latest truck box designs include enhanced tiedown buckles to help properly secure lighter cargo in the truck bed. An easier-to-close lid with optimized latching system helps reduce the pounding your truck box (and truck!) will take when accessing your tools. And finally, there’s our integrated PowerSync™ lighting for customers who are working before dawn and after dark.
As for aesthetic appeal, we also introduced a new color this year: Gunmetal Gray. This is in addition to our current range of colors, including white, gloss black, textured matte black, and our most popular clear coat (aluminum).
MWS: BEING SUITABLE FOR TYPICAL ROAD AND WORK TRAVEL IS ONE THING, BUT CAN THESE PRODUCTS WITHSTAND THE BEATING TAKEN FROM WORK TRUCKS THAT OPERATE IN EVEN THE HARSHEST ENVIRONMENTS?
RIVERA: It’s in our name—WEATHER GUARD! We know our customers depend on our products to protect in all types of environments, which is why our truck boxes include double-welded seams, rugged weather stripping, higher gauge metal thickness, and high-security locks and latches that are stress tested to function on the most intense jobsites. And our locks are good for use in -40 degrees F to 185 degrees F (-40 to 85 Celsius), so they can withstand the harshest climates.
MWS: DO YOU RECOMMEND CERTAIN PRODUCTS THAT HELP THE MOST WITH MAINTAINING THE TRUCK’S EXTERIOR?
RIVERA: There are a variety of products that help protect the truck exterior, depending on needs of the owner. Truck racks are a great way to deliver ladders or long materials safely and securely without scraping the truck bed or cab. Our 12-gauge steel heavy-duty transfer tanks offer a safer mode of transporting as much as 110 gallons of diesel fuel to your jobsite. Additionally, PACK RAT® drawer units are perfect for maintaining bed space while allowing for secure, organized, and convenient storage.
MWS: WHAT IS IT ABOUT THESE PARTICULAR PRODUCTS THAT MAKE THEM STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION WHEN LOOKING AT THEM FROM A COMMERCIAL FLEET PERSPECTIVE?
RIVERA: For commercial fleets, dependability and value are extremely important. WEATHER GUARD offers ONE KEY SIMPLICITY that allows for coding multiple locks/boxes on a truck or entire fleet to the same Key Code, which will greatly help fleet managers reduce downtime. No more fumbling through stashes of spare keys to find the right one for each lock. WEATHER GUARD boxes are also finished with an ARMOR TUF® powder coat to extend the quality look and feel of our boxes above and beyond the competition.
MWS: SPEAKING OF COMPETITION, WEATHER GUARD ANNOUNCED A NEW MEDIA CAMPAIGN THIS FALL THAT ALIGNS WITH COLLEGE FOOTBALL. CAN YOU SPEAK TO THAT?
RIVERA: WEATHER GUARD recognizes the hard work and commitment it takes to become a competitive athlete. It’s similar to the dedication and work ethic of our core customers. We felt like the college football partnership and new campaign really spoke to our brand. The theme of the campaign is that “A Job Worth Doing is a Job Worth WEATHER GUARD.” We are known for attention to detail in our pro-grade truck boxes, and that aligns well with those who push themselves to become the best.
MWS: ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS?
RIVERA: In addition to our extensive portfolio of products, we are excited to launch some new products in the coming year. Check out weatherguard.com and our social media pages to stay up to date on all things WEATHER GUARD.
Whether you are a professional, DIY’er, or simply prefer WEATHER GUARD products for your trucks and vans, share your experiences on your social media posts with the hashtag #WEATHERGUARDnation!
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Eric Rivera is a product manager for the WEATHER GUARD truck category. With more than a decade of experience in product management and application engineering, he has spent the majority of his career understanding customer needs and ensuring products meet and exceed expectations. Before joining WEATHER GUARD, Eric worked as a product manager for a variety of leaders in their respective industries and helps inject a fresh perspective to the truck accessory market. Eric holds a mechanical engineering degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Find out more, visit www.weatherguard.com.
