Volvo says the local process will enable a more efficient body installation and delivery of Volvo truck models with 60,000 or 75,000 lb. Galfab roll-off hoist bodies to customers and dealers. The bodies will be delivered from Galfab’s headquarters in Winamac, Ind., to Fontaine Modification, located adjacent to the Volvo Trucks assembly plant in the New River Valley of Virginia.
“This new practice gives customers and dealers the option to order a Volvo truck with a Galfab roll-off body, which removes complexity from the body installation and delivery process,” says Andy Hanson, product marketing manager, Volvo Trucks North America. “Not only does this save a significant amount of time and money for our customers and dealers, but Fontaine assures a high-quality installation and integration with our chassis.”
According to Volvo, the most common model for this specification is the Volvo VHD, however it’s also offered on other Volvo Trucks models that meet the minimum chassis requirements for the application. Specific option codes containing all chassis preparation requirements make the ordering process easy. Volvo Trucks performs all frame drilling, corrosion resistance coating and paint applications on the chassis at its assembly plant prior to the body installation process at Fontaine, the company says.
Previously, a finished Volvo truck chassis was transported to Galfab’s Indiana facility, where the roll-off body was installed before being delivered to the customer or dealer. Volvo Trucks says the new process reduces logistics fees and delivery times for fully finished, quality commercial vehicles that arrive straight to the customer or dealer.
Roll-off applications are typically used for transporting large containers such as trash receptacles with a hoist. Galfab produces bodies that utilize Volvo Trucks’ rear engine power take-off (REPTO) mounted with an F1 piston pump as well as Volvo’s transmission-mounted PTOs. The hydraulic tank is mounted to the frame rail to ensure optimum oil supply to the pump. Galfab bodies also enable coded troubleshooting through Volvo Trucks’ Body Builder Module (BBM) in the dashboard, which simplifies the installation and testing of electronics and data components, the company states.
“We are proud to partner with Volvo Trucks North America as the body vendor for this initiative with Fontaine,” says Mike Miller, vice president of sales at Galfab. “As a premium OEM dedicated to the highest standards of quality, Volvo Trucks shares our commitment to industry-leading products and customer service.”
Volvo Trucks already has long-standing partnership with Fontaine, which completed an exhaustive training process to become a certified Galfab installer.
“Fontaine is excited to expand our long-term relationship as a body installer with Volvo Trucks North America,” says Jason Clark, director of Volvo operations at Fontaine Modification. “We look forward to working with Galfab to bring a new level of efficiency to the delivery of roll-off hoist bodies for Volvo Trucks customers.”
“Volvo Trucks has studied the market and created a standard truck-and-body spec that meets at least 90% of needs for a roll-off application, allowing our sales teams to respond to the needs of the industry quickly and efficiently, while also ensuring the best quality and service,” adds Hanson. “These trucks will either go into on-the-ground dealer stock inventory or straight to customers. Customers still have the ability to fully customize a truck/body combination that suits their specific business.”
