How often can a tipper body really be said to be new, either in its materials or in its design, features and method of construction?

Very seldom, but one that does tick all these boxes is Thompsons revolutionary new ‘Taskmaster’.

Lighter, stronger and even more durable than steel

Aimed very much at the 7.5 to 12 tonnes gvw tipper market, Taskmaster is the first UK tipping body to feature a plastic floor. Lighter, stronger and even more durable than steel, this new floor is but one part of Taskmaster’s highly innovative, fully modular construction.

At the beginning of the build process, the body’s frame is constructed in high grade steel, with all parts being laser cut to ensure optimal efficiency and use of material. Then, the frame is simply fastened together with bolts, with the only welding being used on the headboard and tailgate. In turn, the plastic floor is then easily accommodated onto the frame.

Practical, user-friendly features

Completing the basic specification, Taskmaster’s headboard is made from a combination of steel and alloy, whilst the four dropsides and tailboard are built from alloy extrusions, again using plastic for the panels sandwiched between them. A large number of practical, user-friendly features also abound in this new body design; such as high strength aluminium hinges fitted with steel bushes that make replacements quick and easy to fit, as well as bevelled top rails to the dropsides to ensure nothing can stick to them.

Similarly, Taskmaster’s tailgate says goodbye to the traditional full length locking bar, this being replaced by a simple, semi-automatic locking system, easily operated from the vehicle’s nearside.

Payload advantage of over 150kgs

In its standard specification of steel underframe, plastic floor and alloy/plastic dropsides, Taskmaster weighs in at just 850kgs complete with front end tipping gear. This gives Taskmaster a payload advantage of over 150kgs compared to an equivalent all-steel body.

However, thanks to its modular construction process, customers are fully able to specify their own individual preferences of component materials. The frame may be built from alloy instead of steel, whilst the floor may also be of steel or alloy in lieu of plastic.

Significantly reduces operational noise levels

That said, Thompsons sees a big future for the plastic floored body, especially in a general purpose tipping environment. With heat insulation properties much better than for metal, no additional insulation is required when using Taskmaster on tarmac work. Lighter than steel, the plastic compound employed is also much more resistant to abrasion. With tools, signs and other equipment often being thrown into the back of a typical low-height 7.5 tonner, plastic Taskmaster also significantly reduces operational noise levels too.

Scott Burton, Thompsons Group Sales Director comments:

"Taskmaster really does move light truck tipper bodywork a whole generation into the future. With its modular construction technique and revolutionary plastic bodywork, Taskmaster offers more payload, greater practicality, easier maintenance and significantly lower cost of ownership. As such, it’s the ideal product for everyone from a local builder to a major utility business or rental company.

For a fact, there’s nothing else like it in the UK today".