The organisation operates a dedicated transshipment service for the eight museums in the Merseyside area that together care for four million objects.
The 7.5t Isuzu N75.150 rigid is a specialist 7.5 tonne temperature-controlled truck designed specifically for object conservation.
According to David Crombie, senior painting conservator at National Museums Liverpool: “Everything about this conservation truck has been designed specifically to ensure that the load being carried has the maximum protection at every stage of the journey. For this reason alone, this Isuzu is specified to an extremely high level, covering everything from an optimum heating system and a chassis with minimal vibration, through to its ability to load and unload using a range of different access methods at each of our venues. Most importantly, it also fully meets the criteria of our GIS indemnity insurance for goods in transit.”
National Museums Liverpool and Isuzu dealer Warrington Vehicle Centre (WVC) devised a bespoke specification for this vehicle that provides a load space that can maintain a constant internal body temperature of between 18 and 20°C, adjusting automatically depending on the outside conditions. The insulated Bespoke Bodies temperature-controlled bodywork operates with a GAH J500 system that can compensate between the varying external summer and winter conditions. It also has the single-phase stand by option for running the temperature control system independently of the truck.
Internally, the temperature-controlled body features a system of rails and tie bars for securely holding crates or wrapped objects in position, as well as having a mix of padded rails, load lock and wooden rails, in both the floor and the ceiling, together with a lighting system that creates a well-lit interior working environment.
Externally, the vehicle also has been fitted with an Anteo 1000kg 2 metre cantilever tail lift that has the extra reach to accommodate larger crates and load boxes.
Crombie adds: “Our new Isuzu will play a really important role in the growing use of our transhipment service between all of our group venues, working on regular but short distance local routes, comprising of lots of stop/start running. However, the Euro VI specification will provide us with a future proofed vehicle for the impending ULEZ regulations that may come into play within Merseyside and other major conurbations in due course.”
Working in conjunction with WVC, the Euro VI Isuzu has been supplied with the Isuzu 6-speed Easyshift transmission, supported by a full five-year ITUK R&M contract.
Other ancillary equipment specified on the Isuzu includes a touchscreen satnav, Brigade all-round CCTV system, wide angle side view mirrors and a Maple Goods in Transit alarm.