The flatbed loads plenty of things flexibly

“The sometimes longer delivery times for box vans have triggered a slight change in the market,” reports Marc-Alexander Stachel from HEGLA Fahrzeugbau. “Whereas customers have to wait several months for some types of commercial vehicles, depending on the manufacturer, some flatbed trucks are available more quickly.” Therefore, in weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of both solutions, some customers take into consideration availability and hence opt for the flatbed variant.

“Depending on the type of use, the flatbed is a good choice,” the expert for vehicle bodies is convinced. Aside from its availability, this type of vehicle excels due its flexibility and good payload for everyday purposes. Equipped with an exterior rack, the flatbed solution offers all the loading options that a van with glass-industry attachment would also offer. The user can easily attach the load to the rack on the side – without having to climb into the vehicle or onto the flatbed. The windows, glass or structural elements can be secured with just a few manual steps and they are then ready to be transported. And generally, both types of vehicle offer practical advantages in comparison to variants that are not fitted out: the maximum possible dimensions are larger than when transporting loads in the interior of vehicles. Rapid access is also ensured on the rack, and this enables goods up to a maximum of 4.30 m to be conveniently unloaded without damaging them.

Admittedly, high-quality glass or structural elements on the flatbed are not so well-protected against external influences as they are on the interior rack of a van. However, depending on the intended purpose, easy access in everyday working situations proves to be practical. The load can be taken off a flatbed from both sides and it can be handled by a crane or fork-lift truck. “For more flexibility on the construction site and for tasks involving higher load volumes, we also install light cranes, which increase flexibility if customers require,” notes Marc-Alexander Stachel.

Typically, two types of flatbed are available. If the interior loading space is only intended to be used occasionally, compared to the side rack, the standard flatbed of the vehicle manufacturer will in many cases be sufficient. If, instead, repeated transportation of glass frames, tool boxes or long goods on the loading space is envisaged, the individual attachment offers additional possibilities. The specially adapted HEGLA low-loader flatbed is generally around 100 mm lower. This makes it both easily accessible and also enables a higher loading height. If you have to climb onto the loading space several times a day or delivery bigger formats, this difference is quickly noticeable. For maximum flexibility, C-rails are incorporated in the flatbed, so that clamp sockets can securely and firmly fix the load in almost any required position. This means that additional loading positions are available, apart from the exterior rack. Furthermore, the HEGLA attachment that is always manufactured in Germany has tool boxes integrated in the vehicle body, so that everything has its place and can be easily found.

“For larger volumes of glass being distributed, or if loads are being transported for different customers on several positions, the flatbed solution is an attractive alternative to the classic box van,” noted Marc-Alexander Stachel. “With up to 5.5 or 3.5 tons of permitted total weight, plenty of loading space is offered, and the option of loading and unloading by crane or forklift truck is appealing.”

HEGLA GmbH & Co. KG
37688 Beverungen

Carsten Koch
Telefon + 49 (0) 52 73 / 9 05 - 121
E-Mail: carsten.koch(at)hegla.de