Optional Equipment
All our bodies are offered with a wide range of optional equipment to suit particular customer requirements and references. By offering the widest range of ‘user – chooser’ options on the market, your body is always exactly the specification you really want.
Sheeting System
BIG ENOUGH TO COVER THE LOAD
There are three distinct types of sheeting system, and Thompsons offers them all.
The front to rear cantilever ‘flip’ sheet, pivoted from midway along the body, is an easy solution to cover any type of load such as muck or aggregates. Usually made from mesh, it’s job is purely containing the load inside the body.
Another front to rear sheet are the weatherproof PVC models that run down the body toprails to ensure a close and secure fit. These are also ideal for dry goods as well as providing good heat retention for hot tarmac. Front to rear sheets have the additional advantage of enabling the truck to be loaded equally easily from either side without risk of damage from the loading shovel.
Then there are the ever-popular side to side sheets, typically favoured by aggregates hauliers whether using rigid tippers or tipping trailers.
Whatever your need or preference, Thompsons will provide it.
Tipping Gears
EVERY GEAR TO SUIT THE JOB
A tipper body can be lifted from the front or from underneath, and there are good arguments for both.
Front end gears tend to be lighter. Located behind the cab, they are easier to access too. On the other hand, underfloor gears can offer the maximum stability and safety when tipping, and by being under the body they are fully protected from any incidental damage when the truck is being loaded.
As well as conventional underfloors, highly compact 3 – Way models allow for side tipping too – and you obviously have to have an underfloor if your tipper is fitted with a crane.
Tailgate options
THERE’S ONE FOR YOUR NEEDS
How the load leaves the body is important. For example, large rocks can easily damage a top-hinged tailgate. And as many working locations now prohibit drivers from leaving their cabs, we offer a choice of cab-operated tailgates as well.
First, there is the hydraulic AUTOLIFT system that raises the tailgate before opening it, giving approx 40% more body exit space, greatly reducing potential for damage. If you just want a cab – operated tailgate with standard dimensions, the air-actuated AUTOLOC is the one to choose. Whilst for the most awkward loads such as rubble and scrap, we offer the side – hinged BARN DOOR tailgate that gives a completely open aperture to the rear of the body.
For road planing work, a REDUCED HEIGHT BARN DOOR model gives easier access for the planing chute as well as greater visibility for the planing machine operator. Also for highways work, we offer standard height top hinged or SPLIT TAILGATES built with TAR CHUTES as well.
Cranes
FITTED TO YOUR REQUIREMENTS
Thompsons dominates the UK market for crane tippers. With a Loadmaster steel body, it’s the ‘Go – To’ tipper grab truck of all time.
Usually fitted with Palfinger Epsilon Classic crane and a Kinshofer clamshell bucket, our crane tippers work night and day with utilities, councils and rental companies – as well as all manner of privately owned tipper businesses.
Cranes are also invaluable when unloading other types of cargo such as bricks and blocks, and especially in limited spaces. We can supply and fit models from any of the leading crane brands to your vehicle, which can be important if you have long-standing parts supply and workshop experience with other makes. And as with every Thompsons truck, everything is sourced, built and finished in-house by ourselves, ensuring you full operability right from Day One.
The Final Details
WE’VE SO MUCH MORE
With an unrivalled range of accessories, we can make your tipper just perfect. For obvious reasons, on-board weighing is extremely popular. Then there are:
Camera systems and warning buzzers
Toolboxes and outside lockers
Side lighting, LED reversing lights, front flashing lights
Spillplates to front headboard
Fuel tank security device
Wacker racks
Pushbars and towing jaws
Removable bodyside extensions
Internal wear plates and bodyliners
Crew washbasins / full H&S equipment
Customer – specific rear nameplate / chassis infill
Plus, of course, complete top quality paint, signwriting and graphics.
