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DOING IT YOURSELF
Page 130
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On the face of it, DIY body kits seem a good idea — but quality control can be a problem. We've been reviewing the options.
• •frailer sales may have contracted in recent weeks because of the implications of the new length limits and the high interest rates, but the smaller truck body kit market remains quite lively.
In the main, panel manufacturers sell the kits direct to bodybuilders who prefer to assemble them onto the chassis to maintain quality control.
Many of the larger manufacturers who cater for the small kit/self-assembly market have dropped this side of the business saying it does not pay, and although a kit would pass muster at the production stage, fitting standards are in the hands of others.
The quality-control standards inherent in BS5750 have made many panel kit producers wary of supplying anyone other than their appointed distributors or fitting agents.
For most transport operators, the only benefit from buying a kit body is a lower price. Whether this initial saving remains after accurate fitting costs are evaluated is debatable.
The normal method of purchasing a vehicle, specifying a body type and preferred manufacturer and then collecting the completed vehicle ready for the road has much to commend it. There may be delays in delivery if the body manufacturer is busy, but presumably those delays also affect kit body
suppliers. In the final analysis. the body manufacturer is more likely to perform the fitting task more expertly.
READY MADE
The only compromise the manufacturer can make is to provide ready-made bodies to a distributor. This allows quality control on fitting and provides a fitting service that is local to the operator and possibly faster. Many of the manufacturers advertise this method as a 2-3-hour service; slightly longer for a retro-fit –body off-body on" situation, but this applies to a standard-type body for a standard chassis fitting operation.
Boalloy. for example. offers several ranges of bodies suitable for most popular rigids in the 3.5, 7.5 and 17-tonne brackets. They come mainly in curtainsider, box van, sliding door insulated and refrigerated styles. All are jig-built and supplied to selected truck chassis distributers for them to fit.
Other kit manufacturers take similar directions, but for the most part they are wary of selling direct to operators, although there are exceptions to this rule. Dawnpress has recently begun selling its Eurokit bodies complete to Cowie Interleasing, whose repair workshop is now assembling them with the maker's approval onto waiting chassis.
The largest segment of the specialised kit/self-assembly body market seems to be aimed at vehicles under 3.5 tonnes. Typically, it provides Luton-type bodies, tipping bodies and box van bodies for Transit-sized van chassis and smaller.
Another section of this market is aimed at retro-fit curtainsiders, demountahles, milk floats, and one-off hospitality bodywork. Apart from providing a "standard" type of kit/self assembly package, many of the smaller. specialised manufacturers will build to a customer's requirements.
The future prospects for this small sector of the bodybuilding industry is likely to decrease for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. With more and more operators leasing vehicles specifically provided to their specifications, the choice of whether to fit their own bodies des not apply.
As many are taking up an all-in leasing package — which covers maintenance, bodywork and replacement vehicles — operator workshops are no longer required. With no workshop staff, a financial saving on kit/self-assembly bodies is no longer possible.
With more and more aspects of transport and distribution requiring standard bodies and vehicles, the market for specialised bodywork is likely to diminish even further. There will still be a specialist and custom body requirement, but this demand is likely to be catered for by specialist one-off builders rather than kit suppliers.
As bodies become standardised, special selling features will also become standard. Eventually, body specification and manufacturer will probably be determined by price and locality, and the gap between the standard and the specialist bodybuilder will increase even further.
The following list covers some of the manufacturers who provide body panels, kits and specialist components such as milk float and roof structures.
E by David Furlong Tiptnaster: Rigg Approach, Lea Bridge Road, Lev-ton EIO 7QN. Tel 01-539 0611
Boalloy: Radnor Park Trading Estate, Congleton. Cheshire CW12 4QA. Tel 0260 275151 Aluvan Truck & Trailer Bodies: Glanrhyd Farm, Pen-y-Fai, Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan CF3 14H. Tel: 0656 650246
Osborne Motor Bodies: Station Road, Saffron Walden, Essex CB11 31-lJ. Tel: 0799 23313 Alloy Transport Bodies: Clifton Street, Miles Platting. Manchester M10 81-IN. Tel 061-205 7612
Commercial Vehicles Roofs: Jackson Street, off Mossbridge Road, Rochdale, Lanes 0L6 5PQ. Tel 0706 356800
Telehoist: Manor Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire 0L51 9811. Tel 0242 521355 Cargovan: PO Box 17. Bridgend Ind Est, Mid Glamorgan. Tel 0656 658021
Brimec (UK): Chapel Lane, Clay Hill, Bristol BS5 7TL. Tel 0272 659511
Meerkat Engineering: Richards Street, Dadascon. West Midlands. Tel 021-568 6642 James Cocker & Sons: 5 Priorswood Place, East Pimbo. Skelmersdale, Lanes WN8 90B. Tel 0695 50123
Power Bodies: Claydons Lane, Rayleigh, Essex SS6 7UD. Tel 0268 778326 W R Richards: Mabe Penryn, Cornwall Tel 0209 860461 Lawrence David: St Davids House, Bishops Road, Peterborough PEI 1YE. Tel 073347380 Perchford: Baynton Road, Ashton, Bristol BS3 2EH. Tel 0272 633610 Dawnpress: Sett Valley House, Thornsett Trading Est, Birch Vale. Via Stockport SK12 6AH. Tel 0663 47039 Camberhart: Unit 435, Walton Summitt Centre, Bantherbridge, Preston PR5 8AU. Tel 0772 628089 Pennine Bodies: 5 Kirkdaic Industrial Centre, Kirk Lane, Yeadon, Nr Leeds, West Yorks LS19 7LX. Tel 0532 505881