As more automakers are building tall, unibody work vans to replace such dinosaurs as the now-extinct Ford Econoline, fleets are increasingly pairing their rolling investments with accessories that boost versatility and increase safety.
One area where the additional investment pays off is on the roof of the van. The newer, European-style vans, such as those built by Mercedes-Benz, can be far taller than conventional cargo vans—some high-roof models are now cavernous enough to accommodate a professional basketball player inside. That makes for easier storage but can turn the process of retrieving an extension ladder into back-breaking work and create new opportunities for slips and falls.