Boalloy builds light weight body
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BOALLOY is about to begin production of a range of lightweight sliding-side bodies specifically for vehicles o13.5 tonnes gross.
Boalloy's new Miniliner range, based on a design from its French company, is an allaluminium construction with bolt-up sections.
Initially it will be available in Localiner (curtainsided) and later in Linkliner (sliding side door) styles.
From a prepared set of aluminium extrusions the front, rear, roof and subframe all bolt together with the Curtains or doors.
The new bodies will be produced initially in kit form for British, French and other European vehicle manufacturers to assemble on-line.
Boalloy is currently negotiating with Renault, Citroen and Iveco, but the first one, a Localiner, will be built on a Bedford CF2 long wheelbase chassis and exhibited at the Distribution Services Show at Wembley in October.
Prices have not yet been finalised but they are expected to compare with those of a highly specified box-van. Because of its mainly all-alloy construction the bodies are expected to weigh between 254 and 305kg (5 to 6cwt) and take •around 12 hours to build.
Despite its being a much lighter body design than those to which the Congleton company normally builds, Boalloy expects the body will outlive two or three chassis.