UK-based online retailer, AO.com, has taken delivery of 80 new rigid trucks that feature Tiger Trailers bodywork, replacing older vehicles operating in the business’ fleet.
Mounted to 7.5-tonne Mercedes-Benz Atego chassis, the Tiger Trailers design team were tasked with optimising the rigids to be more efficient, cost-effective and aerodynamic without compromising build integrity.
“We have been working with Tiger since 2014 and knew their design team would be up to the task,” said AO.com Fleet Manager, Jon Makin. “They look at things differently to other manufacturers, placing the efficiency of the design at the forefront of the process.”
To meet AO.com’s strict weight requirements, Tiger used aluminium in the bearers, chassis runners and in the panels of the rear roller-door – replacing wood – and ultra-thin Ecofont side panels.
“Significant weight saving was also achieved through the inclusion of a tuck-under tail-lift, a change from the heavier column lifts used previously,” Tiger Trailers said in a statement. “Without having to lower the tail-lift to access the load space, the tuck-under design also helps to increase the speed and efficiency of the loading and unloading process.”
Tiger Trailers has also said that to improve aerodynamic performance, the new rigid bodies are the first to feature a new aerofoil design, which is moulded to create smoother airflow around the vehicle, improving fuel efficiency to reportedly offer a significant reduction in operational costs.
“These trucks operate everywhere in the UK, from country roads to city streets,” said Makin. “The delivery routes we run require the vehicles to be flexible enough to access any destination. Each truck will clock up between 80,000km and 100,000km a year so the new aerodynamics Tiger has incorporated will make a significant difference to their fuel efficiency.”
Each vehicle is on the road seven days a week and is expected to make between 30 and 40 drops per day, primarily delivering large volume white goods.