Good to know: the advantages of box body vehicles
Panel van or box body vehicle? This is a question many companies ask themselves before purchasing a commercial vehicle. The apparently cheaper option of the panel van is often chosen, as the acquisition costs are lower.
We have researched the aspects and benefits for you that are important when making the right decision.
What is a box body?
Panel vans are often used as delivery vans but are also utilised by tradespeople and for other purposes. These vehicles are offered by manufacturers as a factory solution and are a good choice for many users. However, panel vans also have disadvantages: the design with a curved rear and sloping side walls reduces the possible load volume. In addition, the curved rear makes loading via a ramp more difficult or even impossible. Loading operations are more laborious and time needed for loading and unloading increases. These disadvantages can be avoided by using a box body.
Box body vehicle: An advantage in many ways
In terms of payload, usable volume and functionality, lightweight box bodies offer considerable advantages compared to panel vans. These advantages can have a major impact on operating costs. Pro tip: A significant payload advantage in a box body vehicle is achieved by using a lightweight box body and chassis. Companies that use tail lifts can gain well over 100 kg of payload with a lightweight low-frame chassis if a spring-loaded ramp is used instead of a tail lift. Tail lifts not only add weight: annual technical inspections and potential technical faults result in downtimes and therefore higher operating costs.
Depending on the industry’s requirements, hygiene can be a critical factor. For example, food transport must comply with HACCP. HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) refers to the hazard analysis of critical control points regarding all stages of preparation, processing, production, packaging, storage, transport, distribution, handling, and sale of foodstuffs. This means that, during transportation, food must be protected against contamination, for example from flash rust, wooden splinters or chipping from unsuitable surfaces. Of course, panel vans can be lined to allow food transport, but these measures are often disproportionately expensive.
Expert knowledge and an AL-KO VT chassis
Choose the right base
The final choice of a suitable vehicle should always be carefully considered on an individual basis. It is therefore worthwhile discussing meaningful vehicle concepts, for example, with the experts at AL-KO VT or with body manufacturers working in cooperation. An AL-KO VT chassis as a base allows for individual bodywork solutions. But innovative lightweight construction in commercial vehicles offers even more: the combination of maximum payload, outstanding functionality, the required driving safety, excellent driving comfort, and optimised operating costs.
Transporters with AL-KO VT chassis offer more possibilities. Fleet operators benefit from greater efficiency and reduced operating costs. Their own ideas for designing the vehicle can be realised in the best possible way. Low-frame chassis that can be lowered also allow an easy entry and a flat loading floor without obstructive wheel arches. This enables ergonomic and efficient loading and noticeably increases the usable volume – and all this with a permissible gross weight of up to 4.6 tonnes. This makes the concept ideal for numerous industry-specific solutions – for example for bakers, caterers, landscapers, delivery services, car transporters, municipal utilities, and local authorities. Cost reduction is the motto, which also applies to operators of smaller fleets. Key levers can include reducing the number of vehicles in the fleet, increasing deployment efficiency, and cutting fuel consumption. The resulting CO2 reduction is becoming ever more important, especially for environmentally aware and sustainability-driven companies.
Important: Always observe the legal requirements, for example, which driving licence category is required or what needs to be considered by law in terms of load securing. It is also essential not to exceed the payload and usable volume.
