Robert Froud, managing director of the Dorset-based operator, says: “We wanted to fit the Scania with an Andover plant body when we bought the truck, but the dealer persuaded us that the competitor product would be just as good.
“Initially it was up to the job, but over time it became impractically expensive to maintain. The truck itself is still in great shape, so we handed it over to Andover Trailers and now we’ve got a body that we know will go the distance.”
Andover Trailers built the plant body to suit Robert Froud’s flexible load needs: it has seven pairs of lashing points, while 3.7m hydraulic ramps with knife-edged toes provide a shallow entry angle for loading and unloading.
“Andover’s build quality is fantastic,” says Froud. “They’ve given us precisely what we need, while making the ramps shorter than before. This has reduced weight and drag, while the build quality gives us every confidence that we could pretty much drive a tank up onto the body and the ramps would be fine. The quality of the bodywork is on a different level.”
The plant body joins Robert Froud’s new tri-axle step frame, which is primarily used to move forestry equipment and excavators. Andover’s design team has built the new trailer with 3.3m flip-toe ramps, SAF axles with rear-lift capability, 19.5-inch wheels with disc brakes – a specific request from Robert Froud to provide more consistent braking performance – and extra LED reversing lights.
“We’ve been ordering similar spec trailers from Andover for years: they never go wrong, they’re built to last and they do exactly what we need them to do. On top of the build quality they also retain their value like few other brands. We wouldn’t look to anyone else for our step frames,” he adds.