Planning Lead Time for a Custom Traffic Control Truck
A custom-built traffic control truck has more moving parts than an off-the-lot buy. Planning the lead time from spec to delivery keeps a project from stalling while you wait.
Ordering a custom traffic control truck is a sequence, not a single purchase. Chassis, upfit, attenuator, and signaling each have their own timeline, and they stack. Planning the lead time up front keeps you from bidding a job you cannot yet field a truck for.
The stages that add time
- Chassis sourcing or allocation, which can be the longest single item
- Spec and design sign-off on the bed, attenuator, and boards
- Upfit and attenuator installation to the crash-tested configuration
- Signaling install and wiring for arrow board, message board, and lights
- Final inspection, re-certification paperwork, and delivery
Ways to shorten the wait
If your timeline is tight, ask about in-stock chassis and standard configurations, which skip the longest sourcing step. Renting a unit to bridge the gap keeps crews working while the custom build finishes. Heartland keeps units in stock and works to short lead times, which helps when a project cannot wait.
Renting to bridge a build is often cheaper than delaying a project. Typical rental runs about $300/day, $700/week, or $2,100/month.
- Can I buy a truck faster if I take a standard build?
- Usually yes. Standard configurations on in-stock chassis skip the custom design and sourcing stages, which are the biggest drivers of lead time.
- What is the price range on a completed truck?
- Completed TMA trucks generally run from about $40,000 to $165,000 depending on chassis, attenuator, and signaling. A tighter quote follows from your spec.
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