Have you ever seen one of these weird contraptions before? It's a Ruthmann Cargoloader - and according to this website they've been in production for the last 50 years. In fact, come to think of it, that's not much more than the Mercedes Vario that this particular one is based on!
Cargoloader seems to be some sort of a swap-body system - which has the added benefit of being able to be lifted up to load bays. Although the company works its magic on a variety of donor vehicles, judging by the photos on its website, the Vario is its van of choice. Presumably the first thing they have to do is convert it to front-wheel drive.
The truck was spotted at the Mercedes-Benz demo centre in Stuttgart last week.
I remember reading something about a smaller version of something like this (maybe by TVAC)using a Vauxhall Movano/Renault Master chassis.
This "weird contraption" is part of the Cargoloader range of vehicles which is also available on Fiat Ducato and Mercedes Benz Axor with GVW from 3.5-18 tons! The Vario is an RCP80 and is simply one model in the range. Ruthmann are Europe's leading builder of ground level loading systems and have been building vehicles since 1901.
The system offers a front wheel drive traction head with fully demountable pods which makes it an ideal logistics solution for the emergency services, removal and logistics companies. Mercedes Benz use Axor based Cargoloaders at their own truck factories.
There is also a panel van version called FLEXILOADER which is based on a 3.5 ton Fiat Ducato and which offers ground level loading on what appears to be a standard panel van. Once loaded it is virtually indistinguishable and is capable of carrying large mowers, Bobcats and motorcycles.
All the vehicles can be seen at www.flexiloader.co.uk.
The Vauxhall/Opel/Renault/Nissan based smaller version of this is built by a Dutch company NETRAS and imported by TVAC/Plastisol. the early Ruthmann trucks were based on the front half of a Unimog.
The Vario pictured actually starts life as a 4x4 and is converted by Ruthmann to a front wheel drive 4x2 before the Cargoloader system is fitted. The 1824 Axor Cargoloaders are used by Mercedes themselves at their truck factories to deliver parts to the production lines. Their use is widespread throughout Europe and they are now available in the U.K.!
Carogloaders are available from 3.5 ton based on a Fiat Ducato through to 18 tons based on the Axor. The Vario is a 7.5 ton model and forms a small part of the Ruthmann Loadersystems range. You can learn more at www.flexiloader.co.uk or www.ruthmann.de