From 3.5 to 6 tonnes – VAN BODIES for the final stretch of the road!

Schmitz Cargobull plugs the gap in its product portfolio - As of now, van bodies for the 3.5 to 6 tonne light commercial vehicle sector complete the range of services from medium-distance distribution transport to the long-distance transport trailer.

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With the aim of offering new, future-oriented logistics solutions for the European transport market, Schmitz Cargobull will also deliver VAN BODIES, that is, bodies for trailers used in inner-city distribution, as from April 2017.

The steady growth of online retailing due to the changing consumption behaviour of customers presents new challenges for suppliers and service providers within the supply chain. This applies to both the food and non-food sectors. The reason behind this is the convenient and time-saving ordering of products via PCs or mobile devices together with the desire for rapid delivery. For these kinds of deliveries, certain requirements must be met by the supplier of transport units. Urbanisation, increased quality awareness on the part of discounters and consumers, and the possibilities of data networking, are thus changing the entire logistics sector. The challenges of ‘Last Mile Logistics’ are - and will continue to be - the combining of individual parcel shipments, economical and efficient route planning in the respective delivery areas, and the achievement of optimised transport or delivery costs.

Schmitz Cargobull is responding to these challenges as a supplier of high quality and functional bodies for light commercial vehicles, as KIT as well as ready-to-assemble boxes. With V.KO VAN BODIES, Schmitz Cargobull will be primarily a partner of OEMs at the European level. Modular bodies designed for use in the rapidly growing online retail market are the technical solution. Modular kits and box bodies will be rapidly and transparently available within 14 working days ex-works, enabling trailer body manufacturers to quickly meet market requirements.

Access to the very well-developed European Schmitz Cargobull service network (1,300 service partners) ensures a quick response to possible repairs or damage. The Schmitz Cargobull service network guarantees Europe-wide availability of original spare parts, complete spare part documentation and a complete after-sales programme.

V.KO DRY VAN box body kit 

The first body type for light vans from the extended Schmitz Cargobull product range is the V.KO DRY van box body kit. The customer benefits from Schmitz Cargobull’s standards for highest reliability and low total cost of ownership, derived from the decades-long experience of Schmitz Cargobull experts in the box body and dry freight body segment.

The V.KO DRY van box body kit consists of completely newly developed GRP sandwich panels. These are produced in the newly converted manufacturing plant in Berlin. The panels, which have a PU foam core, are light, robust, and at the same time are only 20 mm thick. The V.KO DRY with a translucent light roof and a two-wing rear doors as standard. A reliable and safe-to-operate handle as well as an access ladder can be optionally integrated in the rear module at the factory. The walls, including the high-quality aluminium corner profiles, are available for selection in various white tones. The position lights at the front and rear as well as the third braking light are integrated and protected in the profile. All electrical wiring is prepared at the factory. Likewise an LED light with a motion sensor is integrated in the basic equipment inside the cargo area.

The V.KO DRY van box body kit from Schmitz Cargobull is delivered to the trailer assembler as a complete kit for assembly. The walls are prefabricated - with all fittings and profiles prepared. The sophisticated and intelligent component joining technology makes for quick and easy assembly of the box body. In the assembly of sub-modules, a tested, special industrial adhesive ensures highly durable adhesion. The consoles, pre-mounted on l-beams at the factory, have already been prefabricated for the respective chassis. The appropriate certificates for approval by the manufacturer have been received or applied for.

The modules of the newly developed V.KO DRY van box body kit are joined together in specially developed profiles so that the acting forces can be optimally absorbed. With an unladen weight that is weight-optimised, the floor is fully loadable over its entire area. The innovative construction method offers an additional load capacity of more than one tonne, depending on the equipment and configuration, and thus enables a 10% increase in load capacity compared to the previously conventional sandwich designs - this being achieved without any compromises on production quality, load-bearing capacity and service life. The full integration of the connection profiles in the wall structure, which is only 20 mm thick, reduces weight and achieves a structural rigidity that reliably meets the specifications of DIN EN 12642 Code XL. Appropriate hydropulser tests with a load of 40 g in the company's own test centre confirm the result. This simulation corresponds to usage over several years.

Quick load securing

For integrated load securing, different options can be chosen. Airline rails are built as standard into the floor on the sides at the factory. Moreover other load securing elements, such as lashing bars or combo-anchor rails, can be integrated. Load securing rails can be ordered in a height of 900 mm or two rails in heights of 600 and 1,200 mm. A similar load securing rail at the bulkhead completes the optional equipment. For load securing, an ideal combination of lashing straps and load securing beams can thus be obtained quickly and reliably. Additional lighting for even greater load security can be optionally incorporated in the form of a second LED ceiling light with a motion sensor. An all-round 150 mm scuff plate can be integrated so that forklift trucks cause no damage to the walls. The body is usable over its entire length and internal width and also to its full height.

Light roof as standard

With the standard translucent light roof, uniform illumination of the interior can be achieved during daylight hours. The slight curvature of the ceiling element facilitates the draining off of water in the rain. At the same time this small design trick reduces soiling. For night-time operations in the box body, a bright, energy-saving LED interior light (standard equipment) with a motion sensor provides illumination.

‘Service as usual’

The supply of spare parts within 24 hours is also ensured via the Schmitz Cargobull EPOS online spare parts ordering portal. A Europe-wide service partner network of 1,300 specialist workshops is available for maintenance and repair. In the case of body warranties­ or workshop training courses for assembly and service, experts at Schmitz Cargobull VAN BODIES as well as the subsidiary Schmitz Cargobull Parts & Services are available.

Fast delivery time

The aim is to deliver the kits within 14 working days after receipt of the order. In this way, construction and delivery can be reliably scheduled. Due to optimised prefabrication the V.KO DRY van box body kit can be assembled safely and easily at the manufacturer's site. To assemble the kit, two technicians require less than two hours. The V.KO DRY van box body kit from Schmitz Cargobull is delivered as a complete kit with a maximum of seven prefabricated modules.