12.04.2011

Lavendon orders King

UK based King Trailers has won an order for 39 ‘beaver tail’ truck bodies in a programme that upgrades and replaces part of the Lavendon Access Services (UK) delivery fleet.

Fitted to DAF chassis the order comprises 31 bodies on three axle DAF 26 tonne trucks and eight bodies fitted to four axle DAF 32 tonne trucks and feature built in fall protection systems.

The new low profile beavertail bodies are fitted with double folding ‘Mantis’ low angle ramps and a range of optional features designed to help with easier loading, load restraint and driver safety.

The new bodies will be fitted with fold-out handrails and walkways which will allow the driver to have safe access to the load even when it occupies the full width of the vehicle.

During transit handrails can either be closed within body width or retained in position alongside the load. The load bed is also being fitted with LED edge marking for safer loading in the dark. In addition when the ramps are deployed the vehicle’s rear lights are fitted to telescopic mountings keeping them visible from behind the vehicle

Due to the nature of the loads carried, bodywork is fitted with Expamet overlay to the flooring for maximum grip when loading in wet conditions and a tie-down pattern that ensures that the widest range of mixed loads can be secured with compliant tie-downs.

Loads can either be driven on to the trucks or loaded with the inbuilt five tonne hydraulic winch which can be remotely operated so that the driver can find the optimum line of sight whilst loading. Other features include a truck based charging system for ‘jump-starting’ equipment should the batteries be flat on collection.
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Mark Carrington (L) and Stephen Wright of King Trailers with the first of 39 Lavendon chassis to go into production

King says that its truck bodies include many of the features from its low-loader trailer range and are built from fully shot blasted material and painted in house in the customer’s colours.