What Van? Britain's biggest and best van buyers' guide

CV Show: The best of the rest

Date: Thursday, May 9, 2019

Maxi-Low exhibited the Slimbo with a body held together by strong adhesive, including double-sided adhesive tape that requires 20kg of pressure to bond. Bonding saves 20kg to 30kg of mechanical fixings; a useful benefit given that 3.5-tonners can be tight on payload. Able to handle over 1.3t and with a 24m³ cargo area, the Slimbo can be ordered on a Renault Master or a Vauxhall Movano platform.

Maxi-Low is moving into the fridge van market with the Iced Box. The show vehicle was based on a low-height Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis, but the Iced Box can be based on a Master or Movano platform instead. The Load cube is up to 20m³ while payload varies at around 1.26-1.3t.

Not to be outdone, Maxi-Low rival MaxiMover showcased its PolarMax. Using Peugeot Boxer running gear married to an AL-KO chassis, and fitted with a GAH fridge unit, it can haul up to 1.3t.

At a glance

• Lex Autolease promoted its EV 1000 offer, which sees it offering £1,000 cashback for the first 1,000 electric vehicles it supplies from the start of this year on contract hire.
• BP used the Comercial Vehicle Show to tip off customers about a new combined fuel and electric charging card it is set to launch this summer, following its acquisition of EV charging firm Chargemaster last year. The company also passed on the findings of early adopters of its BPme fuel payment mobile app, which integrates with fuel cards. The users said it improved the quality of their data and made drivers more efficient.
• Weighing systems firm VPG revealed the second-generation of its VanWeigh axle overload monitoring system. The company said the new system is more user-friendly and 2.5% more accurate than its predecessor. By clearly indicating if a vehicle is overloaded, COO Richard Collins claimed the system delivers improved safety, compliance and efficiency, as drivers are able to load closer to the limit rather than leaving a large allowance, meaning fewer trips.
• Visiontrack highlighted the growing trend towards mobile digital video recorders (MDVRs) in telematics. Managing director Simon Marsh explained that with a large proportion of alleged incidents not reported within two weeks, unless a camera event had been triggered only an MDVR would retain searchable video and supporting data.
• Major focuses of the BT stand were its Final Mile service and the vehicle-check app. The former comprises a series of lockers around the country, allowing engineers to pick up parts within 15 minutes of their location. The app, meanwhile, guides a driver through a daily checking process and makes it easy for them to report any problems, with the option to submit photos of faults. BT said this improves safety and reduces downtime by flagging up minor issues prior to scheduled servicing.
• Load area racking specialist System Edstrom exhibited an electric Renault Kangoo Z.E. with a separate 100 amp-hour lithium-ion battery at the CV Show. It can be used to power tools and can be recharged through a 230V port and also receives an average 8A trickle charge, courtesy of a roof-mounted solar panel.
• Sortimo used the show to introduce its new-generation SR5 racking, which is supported by a single side profile at each end of a run of drawers and shelves rather than a framework. It saves both weight and space, according to the firm.
• Body-builder VFS is entering the racking market with a range of shelves and drawers made by Italy’s Baggio de Sordi. They use a mixture of high-strength steel and aluminium construction.
• YoYo Multidrops showcased an all-electric demountable body-frame system for 3.5t and electric 4.25t chassis able to handle box, Luton, dropside and fridge bodies. Lifting and lowering is controlled by the vehicle’s driver using a two-button handset and up to 1.5t can be loaded or unloaded in as little as 80 seconds, said the company, which claimed investing in three load frames accommodating three different bodies could save £120,000 compared with the cost of buying three vehicles.
• The Freight Transport Association (FTA) exhibited its new pre-use defect app, a vehicle-check application that it says helps drivers file reports remotely from home. It also obliges drivers to declare they are fit to drive, and not fatigued or under the influence of drink or drugs. Meanwhile, the FTA’s Van Excellence compliance scheme has teamed up with charity Calm for a mental health campaign, responding to how the biggest killer of UK men under 45 – a demographic most van drivers fall into – is suicide. The campaign puts leaflets in vehicles offering drivers support and details of Calm’s emergency helpline.