Lightweight Body Sidewalls
A new lightweight sidewall design from Supreme Industries will allow fleet operators and other delivery truck owners to increase their payload capacity, decreasing their overall operating costs per load. FiberPanel HC, exclusive to Supreme, is now available on the company’s van and truck bodies.
Built with a durable, fiberglass-reinforced, gel-coated honeycomb sidewall material, the FiberPanel HC sidewall reduces the overall weight of the truck body. A 14-ft Supreme Signature van body with the new sidewalls and a composite rear roll-up door is said to weigh 288 lb less than a comparably sized truck built with standard fiberglass reinforced plywood (FRP) sidewall materials.
In developing the FiberPanel HC design, Supreme says it built on technology used by the aerospace and automotive industries, as the honeycomb structure is one favored by industries building flat or slightly curved surfaces that require a high strength-to-weight ratio.
In addition, the polypropylene core does not absorb moisture, keeping the sidewalls safe from water damage, allowing for an extended life, compared to traditional side wall materials.
And, because it provides a rivet-less external surface, the outer sidewall surface remains completely smooth, so the truck owner’s branding stands out.
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