1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160 
Body talk
Page 41
Page 42
Page 43
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
With short lead times and competitive pricing, it's no wonder truck and van manufacturers off-the-peg body programmes are gathering pace.
Words: Sharon Clancy
There was a time when demand for off-the-shelf bodies was confined to plumbers, electricians and builders needing a no-fuss solution to get a vehicle on the road that suited their particular trades. Other than that, the only market was for one-size-fits-all rentals, Today, though, sales are increasingly healthy, helped by shorter build times, competitive prices, the attraction of an approved conversion and an inclusive or chassis manufacturer-backed warranty. Adding to the appeal, the one-stop-shop approach is no longer restricted to vans and 3,500kg chassis — vehicle manufacturers are targeting sales in the 7,500kg and 18,000kg-plus sectors as well.
Reduced lead times
Delivery dates can be a decisive factor in securing sales. In the 18to 26-tonne sector, overall volumes are stable, so competition is fierce and delivery dates are crucial. Having traditionally built to order, chassis manufacturers are now hooking production slots for bodied vehicles they know they can sell when they eventually roll off the line.
Reduced waiting times have helped Daf secure an order for 140 bodied LF and CF chassis from truck rental and contract hire company Ryder. -This will provide us with quicker. more reliable lead times. And, as a one-stop-shop ourselves, we appreciate the improved and consistent quality benefits these whole vehicles will provide,says managing director David Hunt.
Even when the chassis are bodied at a separate location. time can be saved because the fitter knows exactly when the chassis is arriving and can start building the body in advance. JC Payne does this on its one-stop service for MAN's Bodyline programme.
Bulking up
Delivery times are an increasingly important factor in truck-buying decisions. The conventional view has been that the higher up the weight range you go, the more customised the body needs to be. But that is now being revised. Chassis manufacturers have managed to identify operations where off-the-peg bodies are acceptable, so waste and bulk haulage have joined distribution in ready-for-the-road programmes.
Volvo's Ready-to-Roll range now includes tippers, and other variants are coming. The CitiPro is a factory-built, 12-tonne Volvo FL distribution truck with box body and tail-lift, a payload of five tonnes and capacity for 16 Euro pallets. The latest additions will be a mix of factory-fitted and UK-built bodies. "Initially, the range covers UK-built steel and alloy bodies for 8x4 tipper chassis,explains UK and Ireland truck manager Brian Smith. "However. skip loaders, hooklifts and concrete mixers are due to be included as factory-mounted units later this year. That will be followed by UK-built curtainsiders, boxes and insulated bodies.
Hookloaders might not seem the ideal vehicle for an off-the-peg body because they face a hard life. However, availability is paramount in winning sales, so Scania and Renault already offer such models, and Volvo is planning to join the party. Scania has teamed up with MuWO to offer a hookloader across its complete vehicle range, which also includes curtainsider, box and tipper variants, while Renault is partnering 1-flab. The Scania loader is based on a day-cabbed P-series 8x4 chassis and a Multilift XR26S.55 body. Equipment includes in-cab controls, combi-locks, tip-locks and rear-facing jaws. Options include PM Onboard weighing equipment, rear-view cameras, an auto lubrication system and three sheeting system options. Scania says hookloader chassis now have regular production slots, which ensures a constant supply, so there's availability at very short notice.
Renault's newly expanded range of off-the-peg bodies includes a Hiab hookloader, which is available on 8x4 Lander and Kerax chassis. Also on offer are a Hymix body on a 6x4 or 8x4 Lander chassis and a Thompson tipper for Premium, Lander and Kerax chassis.
'sum, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz and Mitsubishi Fuso have yet to enter the market. Iveco's activity has been curtailed since partner Boalloy went into receivership last year, while Mercedes-Benz's attitude has always been that off-the-peg bodies are not compatible with its promise to provide parts for W years after the last chassis leaves the production line.
Type approval
Some manufacturers see ready-bodied programmes as a stepping stone to EC Whole Vehicle Type Approval (ECWVTA). "The planned introduction of ECWVTA led us to develop our factory-bodied vehicle range," says Tony Pain, Daf Trucks' marketing director. "These are fitted to the chassis on a new line in the assembly plant."
Volvo's Brian Smith says that, depending on volumes and Europe-wide appeal, ECWVTA might be adopted for many of its Ready-to-Roll bodies.
Some operators are concerned that a lack of a typeapproved body could affect residual values, although, with a slow phase-in from 2009 to 2014, the chassismakers are playing that down. In any case, it will take time for the procedures to become established.
The issues for bodybuilders appear to be that when they move components — such as lights, sideguards and underrun bars they have to ensure documentation is present to prove the chassis still conforms to EC rules.
"By ordering from us, the operator gets a quality, approved body, plus traceability of materials and assurance the body conforms to the regulations," points out Pain. "We go beyond legal requirements by fitting sideguards for impact strength. and we pave-test bodies to check the rivets will stay in place.
Daf has sold 500 ready-bodied LFs since introducing the option in 2007, and has now added 18-tonne CF chassis to the programme. Both can be specified with or without a tail-lift, and there is a single certificate of conformity
Warranties
The warranty on factory-built bodies can vary from that of the chassis, so it pays to check. When off-the-peg conversions are done in conjunction with the bodybuilder, the latter typically guarantees the warranty. However, from the operators' viewpoint. the chassis manufacturer will handle any claims. •