Bensons’ first lightweight Bevan21s bedding in nicely 18 March 2013

Customers of retailer Bensons for Beds have begun receiving deliveries from the first of a new generation of 7.5-tonne trucks with streamlined bodies that are a full 500kg lighter than those they have replaced.

That achievement is thanks to dry freight bodybuilder Bevan Group, which says it shaved the weight from 7.22m boxes without compromising strength or structural integrity.

Mounted on DAF LF chassis, fitted with Sky Cab sleeper pods by Hatcher Components, the Bevan21 bodies have been manufactured from recyclable Polyfont composite panels and also have the aerodynamic curved roof profile, said to reduce fuel bills.

Bevan has also installed rear-mounted, pull-out platforms with safety rails, allowing Bensons to use every inch of the body's volume, stacking beds and furniture up to the back doors.

Bensons director of service operations Mark Harrison explains that the company prefers to run 7.5-tonners, rather than larger trucks, because they operate in residential areas, and because they can be driven on standard, rather than LGV, licenses.

"In addition to beds and frames, we're now delivering more bedroom furniture, which is relatively heavy," states Harrison.

"This has increased our requirement for payload as well as volume capacity… Despite also having pull-out loading platforms, these new trucks can carry upwards of 3.0 tonnes. That's a good half a tonne more than our previous vehicles."

The retailer operates approximately 100 home delivery vehicles, some of which work with demountable bodies – Bevan has also built a lightweight demount box that has undergone successful trials.

The first four trucks have entered service in Ayr, operating over long distances.

Author
Brian Tinham

Related Companies
Bevan Group Bodies Ltd
DAF Trucks Ltd

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