Unibox vans —a joint development
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• A new range of semi-trailer vans has been jointly developed by B. Dixon-Bate Ltd and Arlington Bodybuilders Ltd. The new trailers, designed for use with either the Ford D300 or Bedford KC /KD tractive units, incorporate a Dixon-Bate chassis and an Arlington body.
Economies in operating costs and flexibility of use in long or short haul delivery journeys are two of the main advantages claimed for the new range. Marketed under the trade name Unibox the trailers are being produced in three lengths, 24ft, 21ft, and 18ft, with a plated weight of 7.75 tons. Of particular advantage to delivery fleet operators are the special low loading facilities offered by the Unibox units which have access roller doors fitted to one or both sides of the trailer body and at the rear. Platform height from the ground is only 16in., eliminating the need in most cases for tail-lifts or other mechanical loading aids. An interesting feature is the extra width between the wheelboxes achieved by the trailing arm suspension.
The chassis is of all-welded construction fitted with a 3 /5-ton D.S. type automatic coupling to BS AU 146.
The body is of external pillar construction in light alloy extrusions, with fabricated steel members at high stress points. Panelling is in 16 swg high-strength light-alloy sheeting overlapped with external pillars. Wheelboxes are of fabricated steel so that the whole construction forms a stress carrying structure. The roof is in translucent
glassfibre. • Maximum loading capacity is provided by the body design, which gives an internal width of 7ft 2in. with 4ft 10in, between wheelboxes within the overall width of 7ft 6in. A 5ft-wide rear roller shutter door and a 3ft 8in. nearside roller shutter door are fitted as standard, the additional offside door being supplied as an extra.
Standard interior fittings include Shorfast cargo control horizontal track—two rows each side with detachable sections across the side door.
The new Unibox trailer is to be marketed through the general motor trade.