The Northumbria based tipper operator runs some 80 eight-wheelers, but this is the first time Thompsons of Prudhoe has chosen its namesake bodywork.
"We are always looking to improve our tipper fleet specifications" explains transport manager Ronnie McGrouther, adding that it's hard to avoid Thompsons' reputation for building strong, durable and long lasting tippers.
"We buy trucks to run and keep in the long term, not just the first three years when most things are covered by warranty," comments McGrouther.
"Choosing the Loadmaster Lite model as the optimum body for our new Volvos wasn't that difficult. It has a totally proven reputation while still offering a very acceptable payload potential."
Specified with heavy-duty 5mm Hardox floors, higher than standard 1.225m single piece sides, electric sheeting and cab-operated Auto-Loc tailgates, the new 410bhp sleeper cabbed Volvo FMX trucks tare off at 13,270kg – meaning 18,500kg payload capacity.
"In the old days, our new tipper chassis were usually fitted with alloy bodies," recalls McGrouther.
"The, when these wore out and the trucks got older we'd fit them with steel bodies made by ourselves, as they'd spend the rest of their lives on heavy-duty work, such as site clearance and demolition.
Of course, we can't do that now, so ... we're looking for trucks that give us the best possible versatility, durability and longevity, all in a single package."
McGrouther says Thompsonsof Prudoe has great expectations for its new Loadmaster and FMX combination trucks.