Light Commercial Vehicles.

Our business is built on many years of providing the best solutions for customers, based on specific criteria and fully utilising the knowledge of our in-house experts.

While many vehicle leasing companies claim to be able to meet your business’s specific needs, few can match the track record and experience we have when it comes to understanding your funding, operational and general fleet management requirements.

Alphabet Light Commercial Vehicles. We are one of the most experienced providers of commercial vehicles to both private and public sector organisations within the UK. From car derived vans to 3.5t GVW and bespoke builds.

We understand the importance of selecting the right vehicle for the job but our service doesn’t stop at the initial choice of vehicle. Our specialist team can advise you on coachwork, internal linings or complete bodybuilding projects for your commercial vehicle fleet.

Working closely with a number of partner conversion companies, we can ensure that even the most complex fleet mix is delivered on time and to the right specification. Whatever your requirements, we can provide vehicles to suit your business’s individual needs; be it the need for a drop-side body, wheelchair accessible minibus, panel van or a bespoke shelving system for specialist equipment.

Our partner conversion companies specialise in the fit out and internal conversion of light commercial vehicles. This involves various different specifications including the manufacture and fitting of custom built shelving and storage units, internal lining, roof racks, alarm systems, security locks, beacons / light bars, tow bars and roof ventilation.

Our highly experienced team can guide you through the complex process of vehicle specification, preparation, maintenance and disposal – ensuring ‘best advice’ every step of the way.

We are committed to developing partnerships with our customers and working closely with them to ensure we, and our supplier network provide the best solution. We always start the process by taking time to really understand our customer’s business and their specific needs. We believe this is the only way we can provide a solution that addresses all their requirements and is adaptable to changing needs.

From car derived vans to 3.5t GVW and bespoke builds.We can provide you with a complete fleet management solution, covering all commercial vehicles from car derived vans up to 3.5t GVW, as well as Minibuses up to 5.0t GVW

Is Alphabet Light Commercial Vehicles right for you?Alphabet are an experienced provider of commercial vehicles to both the private and public sectors. Our cost effective service is supported by our highly accomplished team who understand funding, operational and general fleet management requirements and beyond.

If you’d like to find out more, then talk to Alphabet today.

Our work doesn’t stop with the inside of your vehicle; we can also brand it with your company’s livery.

In summary we offer:

– Vehicle livery

– Vehicle conversion

– Mobile servicing

– Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations (LOLER) compliance.

Experience counts, whatever your requirements, our flexible, comprehensive approach will deliver a solution to suit your needs and will be implemented by our specialist teams in a cost-effective, efficient manner.

Vehicle Weight

Axle Weight – The total amount of weight each axle is allowed to carry. Split between front and rear axles. The combined carrying weight of the two axles may appear to be greater than the GVW, but the GVW must never be exceeded.DRW / TRW – Double or Twin rear wheels. Usually on 3.5t vehicles and allows for a higher axle weight and better traction whilst carrying heavier loads.Kerb Weight – The weight of the vehicle just ‘sat kerb-side’ ready to drive away but with no occupants or payload.GTW – Gross train weight: The maximum permissible weight of the vehicle and a trailer and their payloads.GVW – Gross vehicle weight: The maximum permissible weight of both the vehicle and its total payload.Payload – The weight of the load that the vehicle can carry – this is the GVW minus the kerbweight. It is also less fuel, driver and any passengers.Plated Weight – The maximum weight a vehicle can be operated at in the UK. It is shown on either a metal plate fixed to the vehicle or as a certificate in the cab.Unladen weight – The weight of a vehicle with no payload, driver or passengers or fuel.

Technical Information

BHP – Brake Horse Power: A unit(s) of power an engine can produce.PS – Pferdestärke (horse strength in German). Yet another unit(s) of power used by some manufacturers – One PS is about 98.6% of a brake horsepower making them virtually interchangeable. Sometimes referred to as a ‘metric horsepower’.KW– Kilowatt – Another unit(s) of power used by some manufacturers to describe their engine power (Equates to approx 1.34 BHP).

Vehicle descriptions

LCV – Light Commercial Vehicle CDV – Car Derived Van: A van derived from a small passenger car with the rear seats removed and the rear side windows ‘blanked’ out. Box Van – A chassis cab with an enclosed body usually now manufactured from GRP. These types of vehicle are often fitted with a roller shutter style rear door and also very often, a tail lift.Chassis Cab – A vehicle with just a cab area and a chassis onto which a body conversion can be fitted ie: tipper, dropside, box or Luton etc.Crew Cab – An extension of the cab seating area to encompass a second row of seating.Dropside Body – A flat bed conversion fitted to a chassis cab with hinged sideboards and tailboard.Tipper body – Essentially a dropside body with an electro/hydraulic Ram used to raise/tilt the body to dispense its’ load (usually sand or soil). A 1 way tipper will tip its load to the rear – a 3 way tipper will tip to the rear and either side. Sometimes fitted with a ‘cage’ if used to transport leaves or branches in order to secure load.Luton Body – Similar to a ‘box’ body with an extended load compartment over the roof of the vehicle cab for extra space.

Vehicle Information Glossary

Additional vehicle Information

Bulkhead – The wall or protection ‘barrier’ between the load area and the seating compartment.Chapter 8 – High grade ‘microprismatic’ reflective normally applied in strips to form a Chevron shape on the rear of Highway maintenance vehicles.Flettner Vent – The wind powered rotating vent fitted to the roof of some vehicles.Frails – A framework usually fitted to the outside of a panel van used for transporting glass. These can also be fitted internally for extra protection.GRP – Glass reinforced Plastic: A plastic type material which is both strong and lightweight once formed and is also washable and waterproof.Inverter – An electrical device which changes the 12 volts DC on vehicles to 240 volts AC, this can then be used to power laptops, tool chargers etc utilising the standard 3 pin uk plug.Liners – Waterproofing used to line the vehicle which can then be washed down. Can come as panels or spray on liner, smooth or textured. LOLER – Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations 1998: LOLER places duties on the people that own, operate or have control over lifting equipment which includes inspection and maintenance. We generally apply this in terms of 6 monthly safety inspections to tail lifts and cranes, hi-abs, cherry pickers and winches along with their annual certification.Tail Lifts – Electro / hydraulic devices used for the safe lifting of goods from floor to the vehicles load bed level. Usually seen on the back of box vans and Lutons but becoming more popular being fitted to Panel vans. Various designs and weight capacities, usually 500kg for 3.5t vehicles.Tachograph / Tacho – An in-cab recording device which records vehicle data such as speed, mileage and journey time. This is a legal requirement on vehicles over 3.5t (unless an exemption applies). Once analogue with charts, graphs on discs they now tend to be digital.

Vehicle Sizes

Wheelbase – Distance between the centre of the front axle and the centre of the rear axle (wheel centres). This can be rather confusing as not all manufacturers use the same method of describing this measurement.

One Method Alternative Method

SWB = Short wheelbase L1MWB = Medium Wheelbase L2LWB = Long Wheelbase L3XLWB / ECF = Extra Long Wheelbase / Extended Chassis Frame L4 / L5

However whilst manufacturers use these descriptions to designate vehicle lengths , lengths may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer and may not have a direct comparison to another.An example of this is where a Ford Transit Connect is available in an L1 or an L2. However these lengths do not equate to the same sized vehicle an L1 or L2 on a full sized Ford Transit. Therefore the length sizes tend to designate wheel length within a specific product line and is not a general size across the market.

Height - One Method Alternative Method

Low / Standard Roof H1Medium Roof H2High Roof H3Super High Roof H4

As with vehicle lengths, the height sizes differ from manufacturer to manufacturer. For example the Ford Transit Custom is available in two roof heights: Low/standard roof (H1) or what Ford class as their High Roof version which using the example above would equate to an H3, but in actual fact it is a H2.

An Example of Various wheelbases and roof heights.

Examples – Citroen Nemo & Berlingo / Fiat Fiorino & Doblo Cargo / Ford Fiesta Van, Transit Courier & Transit Connect / Mercedes Citan / Peugeot Bipper & Partner / Renault Kangoo / Vauxhall Corsa Van & Combo / Volkswagen Caddy

CDV / Small Vans

Examples – Citroen Partner L2, Dispatch L1 & L2 / Fiat Doblo Cargo XL / Ford: Transit Connect L2 & Transit Custom / Mercedes Citan Long & Vito / Nissan NV200 / Peugeot Partner L2, Expert L1 & L2 / Renault Kangoo Maxi / Vauxhall Combo L2 / Volkswagen: Caddy Maxi & Transporter

Intermediate Vans

Examples – Citroen Relay / Fiat Ducato / Ford Transit / Mercedes Sprinter / Nissan NV400 / Peugeot Boxer / Renault Trafic & Master / Vauxhall Vivaro & Movano / Volkswagen Crafter

Large Vans (SWB / MWB / LWB / XLWB)

4x4 / Pick ups

Examples – Ford: Ranger / Isuzu DMAX / Mitsibushi L200 / Nissan Navara / Toyota Hilux / Volkswagen Amarok

Vehicle types

Alphabets Preferred Convertor Network

Alphabet have partnered up with 9 conversion companies, meaning we can offer any conversion requirements needed.

Livery/ Vinyl wrap/ Wrapid coat

Minibus, Wheelchair accessible and welfare vehiclesTipper, Dropside and dry freight Conversions

Internal Van provisions – Livery and Racking

Refrigerated vehicles

Commercial Vehicle Specification Checklist

Car derived and panel vans

Specification Requirement

What is the vehicle used for

What is carried on the vehicle

Length and height of vehicle required e.g LWB, MWB, medium roof

Payload required

Interior Requirement

Bulkhead – full, half, glazed, mesh, laod through capability

Specific interior protection (ply lining is standard)

Racking/shelving requirement

Door configuration and access points

Auxilliary batteries/charging

Exterior Requirement

Sign writing

Lighting - Beacons/ lightbars etc

Rear doors – glazed/unglazed/ roller/ladders

Towbar/ roof rack

Ramp

Tail lift

Factory Built conversion

Any other requirements:

Commercial Vehicle Specification Checklist

Luton/ Box body

Specification Requirement

What is the vehicle used for

What is carried on the vehicle

Length of vehicle required eg LWB, MWB

Payload required

Interior Requirement

Specific interior protection

Racking/shelving requirement

Door configuration, access points, specific door aperture requirements

Auxiliary batteries/charging

Exterior Requirement

Sign writing

Beacons/ lightbars etc

Towbar

Ramp???

Tail lift

Roller shutters

Reverse bleepers

Cages or storage equipment

Load lock rails

Factory built conversion

Any other requirements:

Commercial Vehicle Specification Checklist

Minibuses

Rear Seats Requirement

Number of seats required and configuration

Cloth or vinyl covering

Armrests required

Lap or diagonal seatbelts

Fixed or removable seat

Cab Seats Requirement

Single or dual cab seats

Static, face forward, face backwards or rotate

Exterior Requirement

Sign writing

Lighting - Beacons/ light bars etc

Interior Requirement

Storage requirements

Additional ventilation

Flooring – non slip, other

Wall and ceiling trim – cloth, carpet, GRP

Lighting internal

Wheelchair use Requirement

Number of wheelchairs and configuration required

Tail lift

Ramp – hydraulic, electric

Wheelchair tracking, clamps, stowage, harnesses

Rails, steps, accessibility

Choose Alphabet.Alphabet is a multi-marque fleet funding company, part of the BMW Group. We are known for our progressive mobility solutions for businesses and employees.

We focus our systems, processes and the skills of our people solely towards providing industry-leading standards of service to fleet users.

By choosing Alphabet, you will be working with a company that is committed to meeting your expectations without compromise.

Find out more Tel: 0370 50 50 100 Email: alphabet@alphabet.co.uk www.alphabet.co.uk

Alphabet (GB) Limited, Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Tel 0370 50 50 100

Registered office address: Alphabet House, Summit Avenue, Farnborough, Hampshire GU14 0FB. Registered in England and Wales 03282075 Alphabet (GB) Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this guide is for general information purposes only and is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication (September 2015). Neither Alphabet nor the author can be held responsible for any actions or consequences arising from acting on, or refraining from taking any action, as a result of reading this.