Combining a tipper body with the Mercedes-Benz Atego's unshakable underpinnings has helped to create a range of respected trucks that will not back down in the face of tough transport tasks...
Combining a tipper body with the Mercedes-Benz Atego's unshakable underpinnings has helped to create a range of respected trucks that will not back down in the face of tough transport tasks. The Atego family has been around for decades, with regular face-lifts and technical upgrades allowing it to sustain the attention of commercial buyers. And the tipper bodies available on used Atego models can carry everything from loose rubble to tree limbs.
Atego tippers start at the 7.5 tonne mark, although you can find heavy-duty second-hand models that weigh in at 26 tonnes unladen. There are lots of things to look out for when buying a used tipper, but with the resilience of Mercedes-Benz trucks of this type, you should find a match without much effort.
The Atego may be the baby of the Mercedes-Benz truck range when it comes to distribution, but the tipper models are well suited to use in construction and are small and agile enough to take on duties across sites and projects that are especially demanding. Euro 6 engines can be found beneath the skin of the latest models, but older Atego tippers will rely on less efficient but no less reliable Euro 5, 4 and 3 engines. Even the smaller dropside tipper bodies can offer insulation to protect against damage from irregular loads, and older models will be well equipped for their age, boasting things such as electric windows, a sunroof and air-con at a time when other commercial vehicles of this class would have been much less well equipped on the inside.
Crew cabs can be a feature of most models, although there are standard day cabs that are resilient to the kinds of use they will see in the construction industry without ever being sparse or uninviting. The ClassicSpace and BigSpace cabs on the modern Atego tippers can come with bunks for sleeping and also give the driver and passengers a good position with excellent visibility all-round, which is important for maintaining safety on-site. Optional extras such as a centre-mounted seat are available from new, though you may have to seek out these if you are buying a used Atego tipper truck.
Even with the hardy body and resilient rigid chassis, Mercedes-Benz has not neglected to make the Atego tipper range safe and comfortable over the years. As well as advanced braking-assist features, you can find stability control to take a lot of the risk out of driving the truck in adverse conditions. Integration with the intelligent EcoSupport system from the FleetBoard platform means that contemporary Atego tippers can even deliver real-time information on fuel efficiency and a range of other useful metrics.
The size and intended use of an Atego tipper will influence the types of additional equipment and accessories that may be on offer, especially on the used market. The larger 18 and 26 tonners can come with built-in cranes to help with loading when necessary. You can even find extras such as reversing cameras on models that have seen extensive service. Just ensure that key components such as the tipping rams, suspension, tyres and engines are all intact and working correctly before you buy.