Choosing the right truck body is one of the most important decisions you will make as a fleet operator or owner-driver, because the wrong set-up can mean wasted time, costly repairs and downtime on the road. At VN Truck Bodies in Keysborough, Melbourne, we have spent more than 20 years helping businesses find the body that suits their work, and this guide sets out the practical things we look at with every customer.
1. Start with the freight you carry
The first step is to be clear about exactly what you are hauling, because different kinds of cargo have very different requirements.
- General freight and palletised goods are well suited to a curtainsider (tautliner) body, which loads from the side and works very well for warehouse runs and multi-drop deliveries.
- Perishables and temperature-sensitive goods such as food, pharmaceuticals and fresh produce need a refrigerated van body (reefer) with proper insulation and a refrigeration unit, which a refrigeration technician supplies and fits.
- Construction materials, sand and soil are best carried in a tipper body, which unloads bulk and loose material hydraulically.
- General purpose loads suit a tray body or a pantech body, both of which work for a wide range of trades and industries.
2. Check your payload requirements
Payload capacity has a direct effect on how profitable a truck is, so always check the GVM (Gross Vehicle Mass) and GCM (Gross Combination Mass) of your chassis before you specify a body. A heavier body, such as a refrigerated unit with thick insulation panels, will reduce the payload you have left. At VN Truck Bodies we design and build our bodies with weight in mind, using quality materials that keep the tare weight down without compromising the strength of the structure.
3. Think about how the truck is loaded
The way your freight goes on and comes off the truck will have a big influence on the body type you choose.
- If you only load from the rear, a standard pantech or van body with a rear roller door or barn doors will usually do the job.
- If you need side and rear access, a curtainsider body with retractable curtains lets a forklift load from more than one side.
- If you load from above, an open tray body allows machinery and oversized items to be loaded by crane or hook.
If you do multi-drop deliveries across Melbourne, a body with side access can cut your loading and unloading time significantly.
4. Allow for Australian road rules and compliance
Vehicles must meet the relevant Australian Design Rules (ADRs), and trucks over 4.5 tonnes GVM are also heavy vehicles under the Heavy Vehicle National Law (HVNL), which applies in Victoria and most other states and territories. Between them, these rules cover the limits on length, height and width, load restraint and lighting. We build to the standards that apply to your truck, and when a build needs engineering sign-off, we work with registered engineers and certifiers who handle the approval. For the current rules, check with the NHVR.
5. Use a local Melbourne builder for a faster turnaround
A truck body builder based in Melbourne can usually offer quicker build times, easier communication and better support after the sale. VN Truck Bodies is based in Keysborough in Melbourne’s south-east, and we work closely with fleet managers and owner-drivers from the first consultation through to delivery and any repairs down the track.
We build and repair a wide range of truck bodies, including tray bodies, curtainsider bodies, refrigerated van bodies, tipper bodies and pantech bodies. Whether you are upgrading a single truck or fitting out a whole fleet, we will give you a written quote and a timeline before we start, and keep you updated as the job goes.
Talk to us about the right truck body
Contact the team at VN Truck Bodies for a free consultation, and we will look at your freight requirements and recommend the body that best suits your truck and your business. You can get in touch with us here or call us on 0447 452 222.