Commercial trucks you can drive on a car licence

Contractors and chippies can do the heavy lifting, mostly with a regular car licence.

One-tonne utes may be the tradies' wheels of choice but two new commercial vehicle specialists are looking to get a slice of the action with trayback trucks that can be driven on a car licence.

Iveco has released "work-ready" tipper and tray trucks based on its Daily range, while Renault has a tray for its Master van. Iveco has both a standard tray and a tipper unit for its popular 50C17.

The three-way tipping body (each side and rear) is 3700mm long and 2100mm wide with 400mm sideboards and tailgate, providing an estimated payload of 1500kg. The option also includes a headboard to protect the back of the cab area.

The flat tray is 4092mm long and 2072mm wide with 400mm sideboards and tailgate. It also has a full height headboard to protect the cab.

Both subframes are hot-dipped galvanised and powder coated and the sideboards and tailgates can be quickly removed if needed. There are a tilt limit stop cable and safety pole and the body can be tipped via a handheld remote. Tilting time is 25 seconds.

The standard tray has an aluminium base reinforced with a 15mm marine ply liner treated with a scratch-resistant and non-slip phenolic film. It includes a built-in, lockable toolbox.

The 50C17 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbo diesel (125kW/430Nm), matched to a six-speed manual or eight-speed auto. Gross vehicle mass is 4495kg, meaning it can be driven on a car licence (there is also a 5200kg GVM option), and it is rated to tow 3500kg.

The tipper and trayback cost $69,950 and $59,235 respectively, plus on-roads.

To sweeten the deal, Iveco has thrown in $2500 worth of accessories including a polished alloy nudge bar, tow bar kit, bonnet and headlight protectors and floor mats.

The Renault factory tray costs $3990. It is 3.6 metres by 2.1 metres, has removable 400mm alloy dropsides, timber deck with non-slip coating and eight tie-down rings each rated to 80kg.

The aluminium cab header board with built-in ladder rack is rated to 400kg.

The single cab Master with the tray has a payload of 2046kg, the dual-cab 1884kg.

Trays have a retractable rear step, moulded mudguards and steel anti-intrusion bars on each side.

The Master single cab chassis is powered by a 2.3-litre diesel (120kW/360Nm), matched to six-speed manual or automated manual transmissions. Safety gear includes driver and passenger airbags and stability control. Master chassis cab variants start at $46,990.

Will the ease of only needing a car licence for these commercial vehicles benefit you? Let us know in the comments below.