At a glance
- Bare steel bodies wear quickly under heavy use, leading to higher maintenance, more downtime, and reduced operational efficiency.
- Lining with OKUSLIDE® minimises wear, shortens maintenance cycles, and improves unloading efficiency through a smooth, low-friction surface.
- The result is a longer-lasting truck body, lower operating costs, and more consistent fleet performance over its working life.
The truck body endures some of the highest mechanical stress of any part of a haulage vehicle. Whether carrying quarry aggregates, waste, or agricultural materials, the vehicle is exposed to constant impact, friction, and abrasive conditions. Over time, these stresses lead directly to higher maintenance costs, more frequent downtime, and reduced productivity.
Traditionally, steel truck bodies have been the industry standard as they are strong, affordable, and easy to fabricate. However, as operations become more cost-driven and efficiency-focused, lining systems such as OKUSLIDE® are increasingly proving their value. Manufactured from high-performance UHMWPE (Ultra-High Molecular Weight Polyethylene), OKUSLIDE® provides an ultra-smooth, low-friction surface that reduces material buildup and wear, enhances unloading efficiency, and extends service life.
To determine the real difference between a bare steel truck body and one lined with OKUSLIDE®, this article discusses the key cost factors to consider and compares the five-year ownership costs.
Factors Affecting Ownership Costs of Bare Steel Truck Body vs OKUSLIDE® Lined Truck Body
Understanding the drivers of long-term ownership costs is essential before comparing the options. Each factor, from initial setup to daily performance, plays a role in determining which approach delivers better value over time.
Initial Cost
A standard truck body comes with a steel floor, so there’s no additional upfront cost. On the contrary, installing an OKUSLIDE® truck body liner adds a modest initial cost. However, this extra investment is designed to pay for itself within the first few years of operation. The liner acts as a barrier between the load and the steel body, reducing abrasion, impact wear and corrosion that would otherwise require regular repainting, welding, or body replacement.
In high-use industries such as mining and construction, where trucks handle heavy daily loading, even minor surface damage can quickly compound to costly repairs and downtime. Lining early prevents this, reducing maintenance costs and extending the truck body’s service life. Over time, a truck body lined with OKUSLIDE® results in lower total ownership costs and improved fleet reliability.
Maintenance and Repairs
Bare steel is prone to abrasion, corrosion, and material build-up. Over time, this leads to pitting, denting, and rust, which require grinding, welding, and repainting, all of which increase material and labour costs.
An OKUSLIDE®-lined body, by contrast, is both self-lubricating and impact-resistant. The liner absorbs impact rather than transmitting it to the steel structure, minimising wear, deformation, and downtime. It also eliminates the need for frequent touch-ups and protective coatings. Operators often report significantly lower maintenance costs compared to unlined bodies.
Operational Efficiency
Friction has a direct influence on how efficiently a truck unloads. In bare steel bodies, sticky or cohesive materials such as clay, waste, or wet aggregates often cling to the surface. Operators are then forced to raise tipping angles or manually clear material, adding to cycle times, fuel use, and potential safety risks.
With an OKUSLIDE® liner, the low-friction surface allows loads to release cleanly at lower tipping angles. The result is faster, smoother unloading with less mechanical strain. Over five years, this consistent performance compounds, improving fleet productivity and reducing overall operating costs, particularly in high-frequency haulage operations.
Damage and Downtime
Unplanned downtime places immediate pressure on operating margins. Each vehicle sidelined for maintenance interrupts schedules and reduces fleet output. Bare steel bodies experience this more often than lined ones as surface wear, rust, and coating failures demand regular attention throughout their service life.
Installing an OKUSLIDE® liner reduces these interruptions. Its proven resistance to abrasion, moisture, and corrosive loads protects the body structure, extends service intervals, and significantly reduces unplanned downtime across comparable operating periods.
Depreciation and Resale Value
The resale value of a truck or its body depends heavily on its condition. A bare steel body often shows visible wear, corrosion, and structural fatigue after five years, all of which drag resale prices down.
A lined body, however, remains protected from direct contact with abrasive materials. Paintwork and structure beneath the liner stay intact, often appearing near-new even after prolonged service. Hence, lined bodies achieve noticeably higher resale values than equivalent unlined ones, reflecting their reduced wear and longer service life.
Ownership Costs Over Five Years: OKUSLIDE®-Lined vs Bare Steel Truck Bodies
To illustrate the cumulative impact on ownership costs between a bare steel truck body and one lined with OKUSLIDE®, let’s examine a realistic scenario.
For example, a quarry operator runs a fleet of five 20-tonne tipper trucks, each completing around 1,200 hauls per year. Each truck operates roughly 250 days annually, handling abrasive stone and clay materials under demanding conditions.
For simplicity, this analysis considers one truck and estimates all costs in Australian dollars over a five-year period.
| Cost Category | Bare Steel Body | OKUSLIDE® – Lined Body | Savings from Lined Body |
| Upfront Cost | $18,000 | $21,000 (includes liner) | Modest initial investment |
| Maintenance & Repairs | $20,000 | $7,000 | ≈ 65% |
| Downtime (labour + lost revenue) | $6,000 | $4,000 | 33% |
| Fuel Inefficiency (extra use due to friction) | $1,500 | $1,000 | 20% |
| Repainting / Corrosion Treatment | $1,000 | $200 | 80% |
| Resale Value (after 5 years) | $7,000 | $9,000 | ≈ $2,000 higher |
Based on this model, the total five-year ownership cost of an OKUSLIDE®-lined truck body is approximately $24,000, compared to $39,000 for a bare steel body, saving around $15,000 per vehicle.
Across a fleet of five trucks, that equates to roughly $75,000 in total savings over five years, alongside higher uptime and lower maintenance demands.
Read More: How Truck Bed Liners Can Help Maximise the Resale Value of Your Trucks?
Additional Benefits of Lining Truck Bodies with OKUSLIDE®
While the financial savings are significant, several additional benefits make lining your truck body with OKUSLIDE® a practical long-term choice.
- Safety Improvements: Lower tipping angles during unloading reduce the likelihood of rollovers and stability issues on uneven ground.
- Material Versatility: OKUSLIDE® performs consistently across a wide range of loads, from sticky waste to abrasive quarry materials, ensuring reliable unloading under varied conditions.
- Durability and Appearance: Lined truck bodies resist corrosion and wear, maintaining a cleaner appearance and reducing the need for repainting or surface treatments.
- Fleet Efficiency: Predictable unloading behaviour helps maintain steady cycle times and smoother scheduling across multiple vehicles.
Together, these advantages strengthen not just the financial case for lining but also the overall reliability, safety, and efficiency of haulage operations.
When viewed over five years, the economics of lining with OKUSLIDE® are clear. While a bare steel body may seem more affordable at first, recurring maintenance, downtime, and depreciation quickly erode any initial savings.
In contrast, OKUSLIDE® provides long-term structural protection and consistent performance under demanding conditions. By preserving the truck body’s integrity and reducing wear-related maintenance, it lowers the total cost of ownership and extends service life well beyond the initial investment.
To evaluate how a lining system could improve fleet reliability and cost efficiency, contact the OKUSLIDE® team and discuss a solution tailored to your operation.
FAQs
How does OKUSLIDE® reduce maintenance costs compared to bare steel?
Bare steel bodies suffer from constant abrasion, corrosion, and material hang-ups that require regular repainting and welding. OKUSLIDE®’s impact-resistant surface protects the steel beneath, preventing wear and rust, and reducing the need for ongoing surface maintenance. This long-term durability is one of the reasons that make OKUSLIDE® the Industry Leader in Truck Body Liners.
What’s the typical payback period for installing an OKUSLIDE® liner?
Most operators recover their investment within 12–18 months through reduced maintenance costs, faster unloading cycles, and fewer downtime-related delays. After that, the savings continue to accumulate throughout the liner’s service life.
How does the liner affect truck resale value?
A lined body shows minimal wear after years of service because the steel structure remains protected from abrasion and corrosion. This protection helps maintain a cleaner appearance and higher resale value compared to equivalent unlined bodies.
What types of materials cause the most wear in bare steel bodies, and how does OKUSLIDE® handle them?
Abrasive, sticky, or moisture-rich materials such as quarry aggregates, clay, compost, waste, and agricultural loads cause accelerated wear and sticking in bare steel bodies. OKUSLIDE®’s low-friction, impact-resistant surface prevents these materials from grinding or adhering to the steel, reducing surface damage and keeping unloading consistent over time.
