Fifth wheel Navara puts the rock into Rockingham Show

Nissan is preparing to rock visitors to the Truck Zone at SED 2006, the national event for the construction industry, held at Rockingham Performance Park between 16 and 18 May, by displaying a combination of innovative debutants and stars. Making its public debut, will be a Navara pick-up complete with a fifth wheel modified by tow-vehicle experts the Fifth Wheel Company.

Specialist engineers have installed a coupling device to the voluminous 2.36m2 pick-up bed area – aptly titled the fifth wheel – which offers vast improvements in terms of safety and performance over traditional coupling methods. The detachable fifth wheel system and the air brake compressor on the Navara ensures the 4.9m (16’) plant trailer is capable of safely towing up to a three ton payload. As a result its fitment promises greater stability than standard coupling systems and effortless pulling power for both commercial and leisure purposes. The conversion is available through Fifth Wheel at www.fifthwheelco.co.uk.

Launched in August 2005, the Navara shot straight to the number one spot in the sales charts and is still outselling all other pick-ups. This year it has already collected the title of ‘Best Pick-Up and 4x4’ in this year’s Commercial Motor Testers’ Choice Awards where the judges commented that the Navara ‘stood head and shoulders above the rest’.

In addition to all the usual trucks, tippers, low loaders, trailers, 4x4s and accessories on display, visitors to Nissan’s stand will be able to catch up on the very latest technological developments from one of the growing giants of the commercial vehicle world.

On show will be a medium wheelbase Cabstar Tipper. With an incredible load carrying capability for such a lightweight truck (3,400 – 3,500 kg), its versatility makes it ideal for use by many diverse operators within the construction trade. Typical of the entire Cabstar range, which comprises two turbo diesel direct injection engines, three wheelbases, two seating capacities, three types of body, in four colours, the Cabstar Tipper provides a hardworking, not to mention cost-effective, solution available for an on the road price of under £22,000.

Other models on display from Nissan include the:

Kubistar – the most compact and manoeuvrable van in its class, cleverly designed to offer incredible fuel economy and car like refinements – truly a van for all businesses.

Primastar – the intelligent panel van, with short or long wheelbase design, that combines a distinctive and fresh appearance with highly functional loadspace and a surprising driving performance.

Interstar – the extremely practical larger panel van, available in three wheelbases and three roof heights, offering payloads ranging from 1,001kg to 1,621kg ensuring that there’s always an option to suit your needs.

Terrano Van – genuine off-road capability, great looks and the ability to transport a payload of up to 765kg all combine to make this a serious, go-anywhere light commercial vehicle, equally at home parked in front of the office or in the middle of a quarry.

Nissan expects strong interest from the 20,000 - 25,000 people expected to attend the SED show this year, as the brand’s performance and positioning within the construction industry has gone from strength to strength since its re-introduction into the UK’s LCV market just four years ago.