The pickup truck is a large-scale, multi-tool-knife on wheels. It hauls tools and cargo, tows heavy loads and tackles off-road conditions.
On the jobsite, the mighty pickup has limitations when it comes to storage space and organization. Integrated tool chests in the bed and oversized bins in the cab can help, but those spaces fill up quickly with the array of construction tools and equipment hauled around. Added up, those tools and their many sizes and shapes can make for a cluttered nightmare of jutting handles, tangled cables, loose hardware and cumbersome stacks of gear that eat up valuable truck space, lead to wasted time hunting for the tool needed and create potential safety hazards.
Here’s where an unexpected small, but mighty, solution comes in: tape.
Modern tape technology is more advanced than you may think. Wide-ranging specialty tape products now offer far more utility than the simple MacGyver-esque quick-fix that duct tape is known for. Sure, today’s tapes can save you in a pinch, but they’re also reliable tools that can be used for organizing, mounting, waterproofing, hoisting, towing and even temporarily replacing jobsite gear.
And they can be especially helpful in tidying and securing the most valuable workspace: the truck. So keep a stash of tape on hand and consider these three everyday benefits in the truck and on the job.
1. Give it a Label
We all know duct tape comes in handy when it’s least expected—it’s not always needed, but when it is, it’s really needed. But it doesn’t always have to be about fixing or mending something that broke. Among duct tape’s many benefits is the fact that it comes in handy as an organizational tool. And because it comes in a variety of colors, it can be used to organize and color code spots for hardware, cables, hand tools and power tools. Bottom line? It’ll help contractors find what they need faster, day in and day out.
2. Don’t Get Roped In
The vast majority of construction workers aren’t hoisting heavy loads or towing heavy equipment every day. But now and again, a metal chain, heavy-duty rope or tie-downs come in handy on the jobsite. Instead of storing these items in separate containers—and inviting a twisted, heavy mess in the process—consider leaving them at the shop and keeping a roll of structural grade tape on hand.
Designed with extreme tensile cloth, weatherproof backing and a super-durable construction, structural grade tape is an innovative new tape category designed for the most ferocious jobsite situations. With capability to hold more than 700 pounds with one loop, it’s more of an engineering solution than a tape, so it can replace chain, rope or tie-downs typically used for hoisting or towing a load of construction material short distances or strapping and securing a heavy tool or appliance for transport. And a roll of tape is a much lighter and more compact solution than rope or chain.
3. Get a Grip
Construction deadlines and project budgets mean construction workers often find themselves working in all kinds of weather conditions. Extreme heat is the worst, but hauling materials outside in the rain or snow isn’t a picnic either. And when the truck’s surface gets wet, the risk of slipping during loading and unloading increases.
One of the easiest ways to boost the level of safety on a vehicle and prevent on-the-job accidents and injuries is to add tread tape. Made with durable, heavy-duty grit and an adhesive backing, tread tape offers traction, grip and improved surface friction for truck or trailer runner boards and ramps. Most come in pre-sized strips that can be easily peeled and applied. So peel it, stick it and help prevent productivity-killing injuries.
By eliminating just a few items from the truck and organizing it all with the help of simple tape solutions, contractors can save space and weight and increase productivity and safety on the job.
