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Building for the future
Page 61
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The current downturn in construction means there are plenty of tippers in the marketplace with no quarry or building site to go to.
Words: Steve Banner
Eight-wheel tippers are struggling in the used market as a result of the problems besetting the construction sector.
"This time last year, they were fetching astronomical prices," says Anthony Wright of independent dealership European Vehicle Sales, -but we're now being inundated with owner-drivers panicking and wanting to sell them."
"In fact, we've had a number of operators come in with an eight-wheeler as a part-exchange and go out with an inexpensive tractor unit because there's not enough tipper work to keep them busy."
A prominent exporter, EVS can usually dispose of tippers overseas.
"Anything that's construction industry-related is facing difficulties," agrees Keltruck's Phil Holmes.
A lot of franchised dealers have got new eight-wheeler chassis in stock ready to be bodied which they ordered when the market was booming, says Wright. Long lead times mean they have arrived just as it going fiat, giving sales staff yet another headache.
Perhaps they should grit their teeth and hang on to them if they possibly can, because an upturn in demand may not be far away, at least according to TruckEast's Paul Prewett.
"I think the tipper market is about to come back with a vengeance," he says. "The construction work associated with the 2012 Olympics has yet to really kick in — and when it does, anything and everything with eight wheels and a body that will tip will be fetching mega money." •