Getting Started

Before you choose the XL Body best suited to your application, it’s important to establish the type of vehicle configuration you need. 98% of XL Bodies are mounted on new vehicle chassis, so special consideration must be given to the vehicle and body configuration that best suits your requirements.

Which Ute Suits Me?

With so many ute chassis on the market today, all tough, reliable and great at getting the job done, you have to ask a few questions to choose the right one:

How many passengers may be in the cab?
Do I need 4WD capability?
Do I want diesel or petrol?
What sort of products will I be carrying?
Are my tools and equipment bulky or compact?
How heavy is all the gear I need to carry?
What sort of rear and side vision do I expect?
Do I need any specialised equipment such as winches, bullbars, and long range tanks?
Which XL Body type suits my requirements?

With such a large range of light commercials on the market today (brands, cab configurations, alternate fuel types, transmissions etc), most are defined by the cab type – single, space or dual cab. Each of these cab types are generally available in 2WD or 4WD. Every manufacturer rates each model with a specific Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) which must not be exceeded. We have compiled a list of vehicles and relevant data to help you find the right vehicle for your application.

Click here to view our body specifications list

A Warning About Chassis Strength and “One Tonne” terminology

A utility chassis is only as strong as its Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) - a load rating specified by the vehicle manufacturer.

Other vehicle components such as axles, drivelines, wheels and tyres are carefully matched by the manufacturer to the capacity of the chassis. Some owners think they can “beef up” their vehicles with oversized springs, tyres and wheels in the belief this achieves greater carrying capacity. Similar to putting a nice saddle on a horse, it might make it look great but the horse won’t go any faster or carry any more. It’s exactly the same with light trucks – a vehicle designed to carry 750kgs won’t carry a heavier load for longer distances just because you put stiffer springs on it.

Terminology such as one tonne is a nominal rating. It is only used to describe the general size of a utility – not its load carrying capacity.

Please refer to our GVM calculator for more information