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However, if you are leasing the vehicles, monthly costs may
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not be noticeably higher, points out Moran; he says his leased Teardrops add up to just extra tens of pounds a month.
As with trailers, the benefits to an operator's image of opting for distinctively-styled bodies on rigicLs should not be discounted, particularly since a high street presence makes them particularly visible to the public.
"One customer, a brewery bought a couple of trucks with Bevarals mainly because the shape of the roof of the body matches the shape of the roof of the new brewery," says Lake. "As it's turned out, the company is also making a fuel saving of 5% on multi-drop work."
Aerodynamics specialist Aerodyne Equipment of Greenford. Middlesex, has worked closely with Bevan and believes the impact of air drag on vehicles travelling at comparatively low speeds is more severe than is realisedit contends that it is the most important factor affecting the fuel usage of a 3,5-tonner travelling at just 25mph.
Owens at Don-Bur remains convinced, however, that cutting the weight of trucks deployed on distribution work in built-up areas is likely to have far more of an inflUence on diesel usage than aerodynamics. "I'm thinking about the use of lightweight flooring and alloy bearers," he says "Firms might also consider using a curtainsider-style rear closure rather than a door."
John Cartwright, of Altrincham, Cheshire-based Cartwright Group, agrees with the importance of fighting the flab. It has translated the Cheetah aerodynamic package it offers for trailers to rigid& with success, he says Noticeable savings are more likely, however, if streamlining is combined with sonic weight-saving measures, he adds.
"We've been building rigid bodies using lightweight polypropylene panels, alloy floors and alloy roller shutter doors for some years," he says.
"'they've pmved durable, despite their lighter construction."
Aerodynamics puts 10% on to the body's cost, he calculates, while opting for lowweight materials adds another 10%.The latter will, however, give you a payload advantage of 300kg to 400kg at 75 tonnes. says Cartwright, although that pushes fuel consumption back up. Carrying more weight in each vehicle may give you the scope to reduce the overall size of your fleet, which may allow you to cut the overall spend on fuel and other costs, like drivers' wages •