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For Further Tips, Insure with Acorn
Our top ten 3.5-ton tipper trucks guide is valuable for fleet managers and individual truckers, offering insights to help you choose a new vehicle. Did you know the global tipper truck market has witnessed significant growth in recent years and is anticipated to maintain this progression until 2031? This unexpected growth rate relates directly to an increasing demand for sustainable and innovative Tipper products.
At Acorn Insurance, we are committed to helping you find the right vehicle and insurance policy for your business. Whether you’re a lone courier or manage a convoy of tippers, we want our customers to be well-educated. With over 40 years of experience providing truck and other commercial vehicle insurance, we invite you to explore this beneficial guide which may help you pick your perfect tipper!
What is a tipper truck?
Firstly, a tipper truck is a heavy goods vehicle (HGV) with an articulated dump body or bed at the vehicle’s rear. Referred to as dump trucks in the US, tipper trucks are used in many industries, most notably in construction. Their large capacity dump bed allows materials to be transported quickly and efficiently. Additionally, other benefits include:
- Wide range of choices: Tippers come in various sizes to suit the needs of the job at hand.
- Agility as standard: Even fully loaded tippers can provide pinpoint accuracy when depositing a load.
- Deliver goods directly: Dropping off or picking up has never been easier with a tipper, which allows you direct access to your worksite.
- Efficient and economical: Hiring a tipper costs much less than the manpower required to shift materials manually. Many new models also offer greater eco-friendly fuel economy!
- Transport goods efficiently: The Tipper’s enormous load capacity and versatile bed sizes make it ideal for heavy lifting.
Emergency tip replacement
Acorn Insurance only insures small tipper trucks, up to 3.5 tonnes and below. Be aware that it is an offence to carry more than your tipper truck’s weight allowance! If authorities feel the excess weight could affect the safety of other road users, this could mean a fine, court summons, and being forbidden to continue your journey.
Knowing your required vehicle specifications before purchasing is crucial for success in your tipper truck activities. With that in mind, here are our top ten tipper trucks (in no order) available in the UK:
10. Ford Transit VFS
This lightweight Tipper has an Aluminium VFS tipper bed, making it easier to control than rivals on the market. Its solid build affords tremendous versatility with the option to tip left, right, and rear in sites where access points are limited. Max capacity: 1,064 kg.
9. Volkswagen Crafter Ingimex Tipper
This heavy hitter features a superbly converted tipper body by Ingimex and is as durable as it is hardworking. It is ideal for waste removal services, such as gardeners and construction workers. The maximum capacity is 1,081 kg.
8. Vauxhall Movano Scattolini
Utilising a superlight chassis but extremely heavy tipping gear, the Vauxhall Movano’s payload is limited to just 1,122kg. However, it boasts a genuinely impressive 50-degree or 5-stage tilt as standard! Engine size can be specified at purchase, and there is a choice of a short or long wheelbase.
7. Iveco Daily Ingimex Tipper
The Ingimex tipper is a premium-strength powerhouse with a market-leading payload capacity. Tested to the strictest European standards, it has various features and can be easily adapted to allow further modifications, making this customisable Tipper unique to every driver. Max capacity: 1,130 kg.
6. Nissan NV400 Scattolini Tipper
With just a 2.3-litre engine size available from Nissan as standard, you can specify a longer wheelbase if desired. Offering a very competitive product in both pricing and performance, the lightweight chassis is weighed down by the heavy 587kg tipper body, giving a total payload of 1,227kg.
5. Citroen Relay Tipper
Practicality and an impressive payload make this “Ready to Run” conversion popular with drivers. Its spacious cab, standard equipment, and fuel economy make this a top tipper. Max capacity: 1,235 kg.
4. Fiat Ducato VFS Scattolini
A Fiat guaranteed tipper offers peace of mind as standard and is available in three different options. Fiat has been providing quality tipper trucks for over 35 years, with a tipper suitable for any job. Max capacity: 1,250kg.
3. Renault Master Scattolini
The Master holds the distinction of being the lightest 3.5-tonne panel van. Achieving this remarkable feat involves a combination of a lightweight chassis and tipper body. As the flagship model in Renault’s tipper truck lineup, the Master offers solid build quality, responsiveness, and reliability. Max capacity: 1,349 kg.
2. Peugeot Boxer
The Peugeot Boxer Tipper combines road-ready features with additional extras for usability and comfort. With spacious interior options, nimble handling, and secure storage, it’s a desirable choice for construction specialists. Max capacity: 1,222 kg.
1. Mercedes Benz Sprinter Tipper
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter is generally recognised as the market leader, and this is especially true when it comes to tipper trucks. They may sell fewer than their competitors, but the quality you get for your investment means your Tipper will keep trucking long after others have hit the scrap heap. Max capacity: 1,069 kg.
Always consider whether the cheapest in the short term necessarily translates to the cheapest Tipper in the long term. With high reliability and low total cost of ownership coupled with impressive durability, we think that the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter Tipper truly deserves its seat at the top of the class!
For Further Tips, Insure with Acorn!
As commercial vehicle insurance experts since 1982, we at Acorn Insurance specialise in helping commercial drivers, such as tipper truck owners, find the right insurance. We understand the unique needs of ‘higher risk’ applicants, including those with driving or non-driving convictions, and can help you find the correct courier tipper insurance.
Whether you are a sole trader with a single van or a fully-fledged business with a fleet of trucks, it’s essential to secure the right insurance policy for you!
Our final tip? Request a no-obligation, hassle free van insurance quotation today and see how much you could save with an Acorn Insurance Commercial Vehicle Policy!
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Further reading…
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