This article was published in the October 2017 edition of NTEA News.
FOCUS ON CHALLENGING BODY MOUNTS
Mitsubishi FUSO markets a full line of Class 3–5 medium-duty cabover trucks with class-leading fuel economy in single-cab and crew cab models. Most find use in fleet delivery and vocational applications. They feature a straight, ladder-type frame with industry-standard 33.5-inch spacing and a robust RBM-per-rail of 400,410 pound-inch. The most popular of these FE Series trucks is the Class 4 FE160, with a 15,995-pound gross vehicle weight rating.
FE160 is available in five wheelbases, ranging from 110.2–187.0 inches, accommodating body lengths from 10–20 feet (22 feet with FUSO review/approval). Mounting is generally straightforward, providing body dimensions fall within the recommended size for the selected wheelbase as outlined in the FUSO Body Builder Directives.
In addition to matching body length to an appropriate wheelbase, attention must be paid to front- and rear-axle loads. Those need to be calculated carefully to assure the rear-axle load does not exceed the maximum allowed and that the front-to-rear-axle load ratio is within recommendations. Keeping the front-to-rear-axle load ratio within recommended weights can also affect body rear overhang and liftgate availability and capacity.
FUSO FE 160 comes standard with a 30-gallon in-frame fuel tank mounted aft of the rear axle. Location of the filler tube required for the rear tank should be checked for accommodation by the planned body. If interference with body or accessories would be a problem, a left-side-mounted 33-gallon tank is optional. Clearances required for either the fuel filler for the in-frame tank, or the optional side-mounted tank, are listed in the appropriate FUSO Body Builder Directives.
Finally, for those with significant body-mounting challenges, FUSO offers support from its product applications department that includes help in load and center-of-gravity calculations, as well as guidance about unusual electrical or hydraulic line routing requirements, transmission power take-off integration, and similar issues.
For the latest product and application information, visit mitfuso.com. Readers can also follow FusoTruck on Twitter or like FusoTruck on Facebook.
BODY BUILDER RESOURCES
Our website, mitfuso.com, features numerous documents for body builders and upfitters. Click on Shopping Tools in the left-hand navigation, then on Literature in the secondary menu. Scroll down the Literature page to reveal the Body Builder Directives and supporting data as well as individual truck model specifications, and Body Builder Drawings.
CONTACT INFORMATION
W. Leighton Good
Manager, Product & Applications
856-467-3958
wlgood@mitfuso.com