Tag: CATO

B&W Trailer Hitches

Written by Josi Frahm on January 14, 2025. Posted in Product Spotlight.

American Made. Built to last.

It’s not just their motto, it’s their promise to you.

B&W are proud to be one of the last remaining hitch makers in America. While their competitors shipped manufacturing out of the country, they are committed to building their products here, where they can oversee every detail.

This is done because a premium towing product can’t be made of subpar materials.

The steel comes straight from the American Heartland, where it is forged in mills we know and trust.

They do this because the best labor doesn’t come from the lowest overseas bidder.

The craftsmen are some of the industry’s best and brightest. They are hard workers and innovative thinkers who push the limits of towing every day.

They do this because B&W knows what you tow matters—and so does what you tow it with.

These are some of the best hitches and accessories so you can focus on the road ahead and never worry about what’s behind.

B&W Tow and Stow

The tow and stow is one of our best sellers for our store! These hitches are adjustable, stowable, versatile, and secure! This is all you will need when pulling a trailer! It gives you so many options whether you are using it or wanting to store it!

B&W Companion Fifth-Wheel Hitch

The companion features a clean, level bed when it’s not in use. Installation is as easy as dropping the post in the hole in the bed, latch into place, and make sure to pin it! It’s that simple!

Features

Lifetime Warranty

We stand behind the products we build, but if something goes wrong, we make it right.

Made in the USA

Always has been. Always will be. We’re proud to be one of the last remaining hitch makers in America.

SAE J-2638 Certified

Tested for both strength and durability, our hitches meet the latest standard for fifth-wheel and gooseneck hitches.

Long-lasting Finish

The best in the industry, our super durable, UV-resistant powder coat paint will keep your hitch looking good for a long time.

Award-Winning

Voted favorite Fifth Wheel Hitches for 5 years in a row by over 10,000 RV (formerly Trailer Life) Magazine readers.

Only a 4” Hole Required

The Companion simply attaches to the Turnoverball’s discreet mounting system, which bolts to existing holes in your truck’s frame and leaves only a 4” hole in the bed. No drilling or welding required.

For more information give us a call at 501-993-0848 or visit B&Ws website – B&W Trailer Hitches | American Made Towing Products

Legend Fleet

Written by Josi Frahm on November 18, 2024. Posted in Product Spotlight.

The Upfit You Deserve for the Legends of the Road

Industry-leading floors, liners, and accessories for work vans and their people.

RIGID VAN FLOORS

The MOST touched piece of equipment in a work van. Whether it’s your feet or cargo, the floor is used all day long.

The Rigid Van Floor Liners can help prevent slip and falls. These liners grip to the van so it doesn’t move or roll up on someone.

You don’t have to worry about the van floor being uneven. These floor liners will help with that and make the whole surface even and one texture.

They also help with a tidy and professional workspace to build off of!

VAN INTERIOR LINERS

Prevent dents & dings, extreme heat transfer, and lost vehicle value.

No one wants to see a van with scratches or dents in it. They will always catch your eye! However, with the Legend Interior Liners they will catch your eye more than anything. But not just that. They will also protect your walls and help with the resale value of the van if you are wanting to trade it in and get something different.

RUBBER MATS

Legend’s most popular rubber mat for vans, box trucks, pick-up trucks, and more.

1/4” thick rubber mat is heavy-duty and long-lasting.
One-piece mat no matter the size of vehicle.
Very easy to install. Easy to clean.
Odour-free rubber mat. Resistant to chemical reactions and waterproof.
Ultra non-slip rubber with checker plate surface is ideal where extra traction and safety is needed.
Cargo will stay in place rather than shifting around as it would on smooth slippery steel surface.

VAN ACCESSORIES

Legend’s lineup of van accessories are designed to further enhance driver safety and productivity. It doesn’t stop with Floors and Wall Liners. Explore our other products that really take upfits to the next level – from grippy grab handles, to van locks!

SecuriLock Van Lock

The van lock that actually prevents cargo theft. We mean what we say.

Featuring hardened steel, an anti-cutting and anti-drilling body, with high-security keys extremely difficult to replicate, weatherproof zinc and nickel coating, these premium locks are working to fight theft across North America and Europe every single day.

For vans in high-crime urban areas and vocations holding expensive tools, equipment, and/or cargo, this European-made lock is designed to keep a van secure no matter how hard the burglars try.

VanFan Ventilation System

Keep your cargo space air clean.

With a unique push-pull ventilation system, the VanFan provides a healthy ventilation solution for your commercial work van.

Clear out harmful gases, mitigate extreme heat, and remove moisture all in one. The VanFan is designed to ensure your safety while on the road. The easy installation process can be done in as little as 10 minutes and doesn’t require an additional floor drain. Plus, the low-profile, sleek design works perfectly with ladder racks and overhead objects.

Motion Sensor Ceiling Lights

These extremely bright Motion Sensor Ceiling Lights, when triggered by motion inside the chassis, illuminate the workspace, even in the darkest locations. These lights come in sets of 2, 3, or 4. Very easy to install with their simple plug&play wiring with everything included – fuses, wiring, connectors, lights!

Motion Sensor Activated
Fast & Easy Installation
Extremely Bright Lights
Premium Quality & Long Lasting

Wheel Well Covers

Protection: Wheel well covers allow full protection of all bare metal panels. In a cargo van, the wheel wells are one of the first things to dent and damage quickly, because of cargo loading in and out.

Decrease Road Noise: Significantly deaden loud wheel and road noise by closing in wheel wells.

Thermal Barrier: With a layer of foiled insulation, wheel well covers complete the insulation of the van’s interiors.

Professional Appearance: Enhance your brand and mobile workforce appearance.

Vehicle entry

Enhance the durability and safeguard the high traffic sections of your van by adding the unparalleled protection offered by Legend grab handles, doorway thresholds, and sill plates. These premium accessories elevate the aesthetic appeal of your vehicle and provide a robust defense against daily wear and tear!

UpStep RS3

This revolutionary side step mechanically deploys as the door is open and closed. No electrical wiring – it’s automatic, but not electric. Superior legendary quality outlasts and outperforms fixed and electric steps alike.

Boasting almost 40 inches of non-slip resistance and advanced grip technology, the UpStep is the first-of-its-kind to fully eliminate fear of slips and falls. Thanks to a fully retractable design there is no potential for transit damage as the step stows away with the closing of your side door.

Grab Handles

Steel handles offer maximum grip for operators with high-visibility textured yellow coating.

SecuriGrip cargo van grab handles allow for easier mobility when moving equipment in and out of your van.

• Increase safety for operators reducing the risk of injury
• Increase efficiency by allowing operators to load in and out quickly/in all weather conditions
• Make brand statement with custom color coating

Steel Doorway Thresholds

Maximize safety in the areas of highest traffic. Available in black or high-visibility yellow.

Made from quality 14 gauge steel and coated with durable non-slip coating, these door thresholds are much more durable and cost effective than the factory alternatives.

Aluminium Sill Plates

Side and rear sills are used to protect the floor at the side and rear entrance to the cargo van where traffic is the highest. Made from high-grade aluminum material, these aluminum cargo van sills are good for any van application, especially when loading with a forklift and for increasing safety. A raised finish also ensures excellent grip.

For more information on LEGEND Fleet give us a call at 501-993-0848 or visit their website here – LEGEND

Crane Service Body Truck

Written by Josi Frahm on September 25, 2024. Posted in Blog.

At Central Arkansas Truck Outfitters, we continually strive for excellence, ensuring we meet all our customers’ needs for their work trucks or any other vehicles. With this commitment in mind, our customer came in to speak with our manager about his needs for a new service truck for their company. Having an established relationship with this customer, they confidently approached us. After gathering their requirements and quotes, we were able to compile everything. Given the size of the truck and the numerous components involved, it took some time to determine how everything would function and the layout for each piece of equipment we needed to install. Come on the journey with us as we display all of the different aspects of this build!

We recently installed an 84″ cab-to-axle Harbor crane-ready service body. This bed is equipped with numerous storage compartments to meet various needs. There are countless customization options available for these compartments, such as adding more shelves or hooks for hanging tools and equipment.

We take great pride in installing the Venturo ET12KX-15 crane on trucks, a service that truly sets us apart. This versatile service crane is perfectly sized for most lifting jobs, making it a favorite among municipal and public works companies for tasks ranging from lifting service equipment to fire hydrants. With a 12,000-ft-lb rating and a 3,500 lb. maximum capacity, the ET12KX-15 can be installed on trucks with a minimum GVWR of 8,800 lbs.

The next component needed for this truck is something we frequently install: the Weather Guard 100-gallon black steel rectangular transfer tank. We paired it with a GPI Industries fuel transfer pump and added a multi-plane hose swivel attachment. This transfer tank is perfect for anyone needing to fuel equipment on the go. It saves both time and space when it comes to fueling and storing fuel. Personally, I find it frustrating to stop a job just to go off of the jobsite for fuel.

The Miller EnPak A60GBW is indeed a game-changer for many businesses, especially those in the work truck and vehicle service industry. By integrating an air compressor, generator, battery charge/crank assist, chassis power, and a welder into one compact unit, it significantly optimizes space and efficiency.

This all-in-one solution not only saves valuable truck space but also reduces the need for multiple pieces of equipment, which can simplify operations and maintenance. Plus, with features like a 60-cfm rotary-screw compressor, 7,000-watt generator, and multiprocess welding capabilities, it meets a wide range of jobsite needs.

Absolutely, having gas cylinder bottles is essential for welding or using a cutting torch. That’s why we installed a bottle gas cylinder stand to keep them securely in place. Safety first!

ECCO is a company that offers a wide range of lighting solutions for work trucks and various other applications. We use their products daily and are consistently impressed by their quality. For this truck, we installed ECCO strobes, floodlights, and perimeter lights to ensure visibility and encourage others to maintain a safe distance.

Check out this GEN-Y Mega Duty Hitch with Pintle. This is a 5/8″ Receiver Hitch Lock. It has a 2.5″ Shank, Hitch, Versa-Ball and Pintle. This makes it so much easier to tow heavy duty equipment.

Here if you take a look at the bumper, we added a Fab Bumper extension for a vise to fit on the rear bumper. This gave us just enough room to put the Wilton Vise 10″ Jaw. This vise also is a round channel vise with a swivel base.

Our guys routed all of the controls to a box in the service bed. This makes it so much easier to work with and everything is in one location.

Here we have a custom bumper storage area. This would be a great location for extension cords and even straps. This truck has all of the storage anyone may need!

Lastly, we have installed many other things including steps, D-Rings and things of that nature. When we say just bring us your ideas and we will make it happen…. That is what we mean. We are always willing to help you brainstorm what you are needing. We would love for you to stop by, see us, and give us an opportunity to provide you with quality work we know you all deserve!

Ironstar Bed with Custom Mounted Tommy Gate Liftgate

Written by Josi Frahm on November 1, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Our customer came to us for one of their customers looking for four Ironstar flatbeds and all with a Tommy Gate Liftgates. They showed Jason what they wanted, and he and Mike got on it!

Jason then got all the parts together and gave them a quote on what they were looking at cost wise. They agreed to it and brought all the trucks to us at once. Once we received all the parts, we started to assemble them all.

The customer had already removed the regular truck beds from the trucks, so we were able to jump right in.

They began with a 3/8X3 Flat strap and drilled a half inch hole into it. They then secured the flat scrap to the truck using ½ inch bolts. Next the flat bed is placed with the lift onto the truck frame.

Ironstar Stake Side Bed
Bed Placed on Truck
Bed Placed on Truck
Bed Getting Ready for Liftgate

After the bed is placed and squared, we place the flat strap up onto the bed runners and Robert welded it into place.

Once all of those were done, he then had to run different wires along with a fuel filler neck.

To custom mount the liftgate Robert had to create different supports onto the bed to hold the liftgate. He then welded them on and then began installing the lift. Multiple people helped place it and he did just enough welds to hold it into place and then he completed it.

Finally, all of the wires and lights had to be placed in order for the job to be done.

The customer was extremely satisfied with the work that was done. So satisfied that they are now a repeat customer of ours!

Feel free to contact us here at Central Arkansas Truck Outfitters for all of your truck accessory needs and custom builds for your vehicle. We would love to help!

Completed Side Angel
Lift Gate Partially Open
Liftgate Opened
Backside of Truck

Box Truck Into Mobile Office

Written by Zak Jones on August 7, 2023. Posted in Blog.

I love working at this job because I get the opportunity to transform someone’s ideas into a reality. A very nice woman stepped into our showroom looking for a way to turn her Chevy box truck into a mobile office. She worked for a non for profit company that receives funding from the community and buys supplies for homeless and less fortunate people. Wanting to branch out her company and reach more people in need, they came up with a plan to bring the supplies to the people, rather than the other way around. The whole team came together and we yet again made the impossible, possible.

This is the space that we had to work with. Not a lot of room for a whole office, but just enough to really create something nice. We already installed a Maxon Lift gate on the truck previously, and now it was time to focus on the office space. We hoped online and began researching the best custom layouts that would fit in this box truck. We searched everywhere from weather guard, to Kargo master, to Adrian steel shelves, all over.. then we found EZ Stak.

EZ Stak is a company that offers many different designs and customizations of shelves to be mounted in box truck, vans, and even food trucks. With the help of EZ Stak, we were able to pick and choose the right parts that the customer found beneficial to their company, including this locker cabinet and 60″ long shelves. She also ordered a 48″ long shelf and a counter top with a 6 drawer unit underneath it for added space. These shelves aren’t just any ordinary shelf, they are steel 18″ deep shelves that were very heavy and durable. One of the best looking products I have seen in a long time. If you look at the first picture of this blog, you can see that we tapped off areas in the box truck. Once the customer found the parts she was looking for, we took some painters tap and measured where that shelf or cabinet would sit in the truck. We then labeled that tap according to what the part was and how long it was. Once the parts came in we looked at the tap and knew exactly were each shelf would go. It was now time to install the office.

The office space looked amazing once finished. Every shelf, cabinet, and drawer lined up perfectly to our measurements, and was secured to the floor and through the wall of the truck. The customer was so amazed by the professional look of the truck and she decided to include our logo in their wrap design. We were so happy to see her vision come true, and now she can travel outside her stationary office and help those who are maybe in your community.

Recently repaired utility bed on work truck

Damaged Service Bed Gets an Upgrade

Written by Zak Jones on August 7, 2023. Posted in Blog.

Here at CATO we are always striving to help out any customer who is in need. We are never to surprised about what comes through our door, but every now and again we are faced with some challenges.

here you can see where the service bed was damaged right at the filler neck position. This is also where two of the doors on the service bed are damaged as well leaving this side of the bed inoperable.

here is a better look at the damaged side with one of the doors removed. As you can see the top door will not close due to the damage above and below it.

With a lot of hard work we were able to unbolt the bed from the frame and jack up the bed in order to get our forklift to lift the bed off of the truck and begin preparing for the new bed.

Once we removed this bed from the frame, we were able to really see the damage caused to the filler neck, wiring issues, bent or cracked brackets, or any other issues we may come across when going through our checklist. The filler neck needed to be replaced, new wiring for the tail lights and 7-way harness, and a real good pressure wash on the frame and brackets for the new service bed.

With the damages fixed and the filler neck replaced, we then set the new service bed onto the frame.

Now that he new service bed is on the frame and bolted down, we could then start on the new bumper and wire all the tail lights, brake lights, and 7-way harness.

Here you can see Mike, our number one mechanic, installing all the wiring for the back bumper. You can also see where we decided to replace the hitch and kept the original brackets in place.

Here is a great close up picture of Mike heat shrinking the wires together on the 7-way harness.

In addition to completely replacing the service bed and bumper, the customer had a steel transfer fuel tank, diesel fuel hose, and a mega compressor that was all welded to the bed of the truck. All of these tools needed to be put back on the new service bed and welded into place.

Once everything is secure and ready to hit the road, we wanted to give the new and improved truck and overall wash. Making the truck look brand new the day the customer drove it off the lot.

Here is the finishing look to the new service bed with the transfer fuel tank in the back, the mega compressor in front, all securely welded, and the new bumper.

The complete look of the truck with a new service bed and washed clean.

This truck was a challenge for all of us, but nothing that we can’t handle. I loved that we all were ablet o work together solving critical problems and completing a task for a customer that was overjoyed to see his truck back in action.