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KITT 1 NG OUT
Page 56
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Bolted construction has transformed the DIY body kit market. In a win-win situation, operators and
bodybuilders both benefit. Sharon Clancy reports.
The days of operators self-building from kit bodies may be long gone, but kit body manufacturers have reinvented themselves as the bodybuilder's friend. Kits were once the cheap and cheerful downmarket option, but today they use the latest construction techniques to save time and result in a high-quality end product.
Operators win because they get customisation at an affordable price and with less impact on residual values (the base body is a standard height and length): bodybuilders win because they can extend their product ranges by buying in the required parts.
Market breakdown
The markc t for body kits splits into two sectors. On one side are traditional bodybuilders and trailer builders buying in specialised kit such as sliding roofs. Kit suppliers enable the bodybuilders to standardise products in order 10 keep costs down, while offering a degree of customisation without increasing production time and costs.
Body and trailer building is now organised on lean manufacturing principles. Bolted construction has enabled many components to he pre-assembled then fitted to the chassis, reducing lead times and costs.These new production methods suit the kit manufacturers: they are able to deliver subassemblies of items such as rear doors and roofs on a just-in-time basis:Trailer Systems will even sell you a complete suspension set up to a triaxle semi-trailer.The kits can be supplied in various pre-assembled stages according to the bodybuilder's requirement.
At the other end of the body kit market are small.local bodybuilders, for whom kits represent the chance to offer customers quality finished products with local aftersales support.These companies are being squeezed by the truck and van chassis manufacturers' online presence and the preferredbodybuilder partnerships that they have established in certain sectors such as tippers and temperature-controlled bodies,Tocompete.small bodybuilders have had to raise their standards. and kits are an ideal way to do this without compromising on specification.saysCVR,the Rochdale-based components firm.
No compromise
With kits there is no longer any need to compromise on specification. Most kits offer a choice of front bulkhead, i.ear frame,door types and roofs, and features such as sliding doors, roofs and captive-curtain sides are now available in kit form.
Suppliers say users prefer glass-reinforced panels for durability and low cost. but aluminium dominates where weight is an issue. Operators used to be put off by the rivets used on aluminium bodies, but the latest have clip-together aluminium panels, which give a smooth exterior and save construction time.
Stockport roller shutter producer European Van Company is part of the Aluvan group. the Belgian company that was one of the pioneers of aluminium prefabricated kits. Aluvan still believes aluminium offers significant advantages for light vehicles, such as appearance and recycling potential.The latest aluminium kits include the MondoVan, which has easy-lix assembly, redesigned corner profiles and a pre-mounted inner liner to protect the panels from damage caused by loads shifting in transit.The MiroVan is a glued construction supplied with an aluminium support frame.
Polyvan supplies GRP (glass-reinforced polymer) and insulated panel kits. FlexoVan is a curtainsider body designed for 35-tonners: it has an optional sliding roof and can be up to 6.5m long.The Pivo Plan captive-curtain kit is delivered with pre-assembled sides. eliminating the time-consuming task of tensioning the curtains.
Boyriven. the Peterborough-based French body component supplier. sells the Sofaco range of curtainsider kits.There are four roof models, four rear frames,three doors. three bulkheads and sliding side pillars. Designed for 3.5-tonners. the kits can also be used on 7.5-tormers.
Sliding roofs
Stronghold also otters a range of curtainsider kits. including the Freeslider buckleless design and the Easyslider captive-curtain model. In addition. the company is a main supplier for the Sesam sliding roof. The Sesam system comprises a synthetic folding plate with a specially designed hinge.The plate slots into the roof rail.
simplifying fitting and repair. The roof kit is supplied premounted (to enable it to be lifted into place on the rails using a forklift truck):as a flat-pack with pre-mounted roof arches and loose folding plates for manual assembly:or as knock down components.
There is also a Sidelifter manually operated lifting roof option. Gas struts n the roof by 40Ornm. either in all four corr or only in two corners.The kit includes front and rear pillars. and front and rear crossbeams with mounting plates and telescopic pillar. Roof heights from 2.551 to 2.9m can be accommodated.
European Transport Equipment Sysu (ETES). the Belgian company that manufactures the Sesam roof, is now owned by coupling manufacturer VBG. VBG is aiming to expand its services to truck and trailer builders and sees body components as a natural lit.
Tippers and dropsiders
Small tipper body manufacturers are divided over whether tipper kits are a go; idea. Both Ingimex and Tipmastcr prefet work with the chassis manufacturers' fas programmes than sell kits directly to operators or other hodybuilders."More calculation is required. including the positioning of the ram. when specifying z tipping body to ensure it operates safely,' says MatthewTerry,Tipm aster sales direc Fleet Tip's sales manager Chris Hawk says time counts."Sales at this end of the market are often dependent on fast delivery times.A skilled bodybuilder cal assemble one of our bodies in half a day.
Fleet Tip offers complete kits. includi rams and bodies. and parts of kits.
Light tippers have all-steel or steel and aluminium bodies. under-body multi-st or scissor-type lifting rams. Floors. fran and bulkheads are usually made of stee; for extra robustness.Tipping kits can eit be scissor action, multi-stage ram or froi end.The kits include the power pack. re hinges, hose, and all wires and switches.; are available for body lengths of up to 3.2m.The single-skin 41)1)mm-deep Eup panels are supplied with headboard, Flo tipping gear and rear corner posts. • CONTACTS Boyriven 01733 361 377 CVR 01706 356 800 Fleet Tip 01274 306 441 European Van Company 0161 433 55, Stronghold 01992 479 470 Tipmaster 020 8539 0611 VBG 01925 234 111 Trailer systems 01299 828 325