Choosing an Arb Tipper: Chassis, Body Design and Storage

The right arb tipper brings together a chassis suited to your sites; a roof and rear-door layout that works with your chipper; and storage that keeps your tools secure and within easy reach. Getting that combination right helps make loading easier, keeps the chip body clear for material and gives your team convenient access to equipment throughout the day.

Before deciding, explore the available arb build options and see how they work in practice through two real-life CPD case studies featuring different tipper configurations. 

Chassis options 

Arb tipper conversions can be built on pickup platforms, such as the Ford Ranger or Isuzu D-Max, or on van chassis cabs, such as the Ford Transit and equivalents from other manufacturers. 

A pickup-based conversion offers a route for businesses that need four-wheel drive for rural work or more challenging site access. The body and storage can then be configured around the equipment carried and the chipper used. 

A van chassis-cab conversion offers a choice of wheelbases and cab layouts, allowing the build to accommodate different crew, chip-body and storage requirements. 

The finished vehicle’s dimensions, carrying capacity and towing limits should be checked against your intended setup. 

Our two case studies show these approaches in practice: an Isuzu D-Max pickup conversion and a Ford Transit L3 chassis-cab build. 

Roof designs and chipper access 

The roof arrangement is a key part of the body specification. It needs to work with the chipper’s discharge position while providing the clearance and access required for the intended load. 

A pop-up chipper roof allows part of the roof to open for chipping. The size and position of that opening should be considered alongside the rear-door layout and the chipper being used. 

A fixed roof provides a different configuration. Additional roof height can create more space within the body for bulky equipment, although the overall vehicle height also needs to be considered. 

The right roof configuration gives your chipper the clearance it needs and provides space for the loads you carry. Combined with the rear-door layout, it can make chipping into the body and loading bulkier items easier. 

Rear-door configurations 

Split barn doors allow the rear opening to be divided into sections. The number and size of those sections, their position above the tailgate and the way they open all form part of the body design. 

Shaped rear openings, including sloping sides and V-cut doors, can be incorporated to accommodate chipping directly into the body. 

Door locks and securing arrangements should also be included in the specification. Consider how the doors will be held during use, how they close for transport and whether there is sufficient space to open them where the vehicle normally works. 

Dedicated tool storage 

A retrocab toolpod creates a separate storage compartment behind the cab for saws, climbing equipment, ropes and PPE. 

For a build on a double-cab chassis, the rear cab area can also be converted into dedicated tool storage, keeping equipment separate from the arb body. 

The storage layout can be planned around the kit your team carries, with compartments and access arrangements to help keep equipment organised throughout the day. 

Both CPD case studies below feature a BAWER retrocab toolpod, showing this arrangement on a Ford Transit chassis-cab build and an Isuzu D-Max pickup conversion.

Towing equipment and lighting 

A compatible towbar, coupling and electrical connection allow you to tow your chipper or trailer with the arb tipper. These can be included in the build specification, with towing capacity checked for the completed vehicle. 

LED marker lights and an amber beacon can also be fitted to improve visibility when working around roads and busy sites. 

Our case studies below show the towing equipment fitted to each conversion, alongside the additional lighting on the Transit build. 

CPD arb tipper builds in practice 

Ford Transit L3 arb tipper conversion 

Built on a Ford Transit L3 single-cab, 3.5-tonne chassis with twin rear wheels, this conversion combines a 9’6” aluminium arb body with: 

• A pop-up chipper roof and V-cut rear doors for chipping directly into the body. 
• A BAWER retrocab toolpod to keep tools secure and separate from the chip load. 
• A fixed-flange towbar with 13-pin electrics for compatible towing equipment. 

Explore the Ford Transit L3 arb tipper conversion case study.

Isuzu D-Max pickup arb tipper conversion 

Built on an Isuzu D-Max single-cab, four-wheel-drive pickup, this conversion combines an alloy arb body with: 

• A raised fixed roof to provide additional space for bulky equipment. 
• Four-way split barn doors with trailer locks for flexible rear access. 
• A BAWER retrocab toolpod to keep tools separate from the main load. 
• A Tow Trust towbar with a 13-pin connector for compatible towing equipment. 

Explore the Isuzu D-Max arb tipper conversion case study. 

Discuss your arb tipper build with CPD Bodies 

These conversions demonstrate some of the chassis, body and equipment combinations available. Your chipper, storage requirements and preferred vehicle provide a starting point for discussing a suitable specification. 

To discuss your arb tipper requirements, email sales@cpdbodies.com or call 01642 607061. Our team will help you choose a specification that suits your business.