Out Of Town 4WD

Specialised Manufacturing - The same high level of skills and equipment that is needed to produce The Long Ranger fuel and water tanks is employed by Out Of Town 4WD to design and manufacture specialist vehicle bodies. Our factory has the proven capability to design and manufacture functional, practical, durable and aesthetically pleasing workstations for light trucks, custom fitting of equipment to motor homes (e.g.. auxiliary battery systems, fridges, storage shelves / drawers / racks etc.). The company has constructed many custom Service Vans to meet customers' operational requirements, and has the resources and capacity to modify designs as required, and produce repetition projects

The Business - OOT4WD has been operating and growing continuously for twenty five years, and is in the business of manufacture, installation and fit out of aluminium service van bodies to light and medium capacity trucks. We carry out all work in-house, from concept, design, manufacture of prototypes, production, painting, manufacture and installation of shelving & equipment, and electrical fit out and wiring. In addition to the manufacturing department the business incorporates sales and installation of accessories for four wheel drive vehicles, mechanical servicing and repairs, and a VETAB Recognised Registered Training Organisation delivering primarily four wheel driving training.

The Premises - OOT4WD operates from its own premises in Barnsley, near Newcastle, NSW. A 1,200 square metre factory and almost 1,500 square metre showroom / mechanical workshop / storage complex are situated on a site of around 15,000 square metres. There is plenty of current manufacturing and fitout capacity, and ample room for expansion.

The People - A full time staff of twenty eight (28) is led by Fred Black (owner and managing director). Other key positions are: Ric Black (production manager), Len van Vloten (sales manager), Peter McCulloch (mechanical workshop manager), Helen Gageler (accounts manager), and Phil Heyne (systems manager).

What does that mean to customers? OOT4WD is capable of providing a single supplier solution in the design, manufacture, fitout, installation and supply of specialised workstation bodies and associated equipment. We have produced a variety of vehicle workstations for Pirtek (Australia) and many of its branches throughout most states over a fourteen year period, along with other customers (State Emergency Service, Mines Rescue Department etc.).

A typical project would be as follows -

Material of Construction - The major material used for construction of workstation bodies is 2mm thick aluminium sheet, incorporating reinforcement where required.

Doors and hatches - Aluminium, with stainless steel piano style hinges and heavy duty vinyl sealing strips to prevent water ingress through hinges. Rubber "pinch weld" style seals would be incorporated in main door's) and as appropriate elsewhere. Heavy duty flush mounting combination door locks / latches are used. The main access door's) incorporate gas struts.

Racks, shelving, slide trays / drawers - etc. are often incorporated into the design and construction and are of aluminium where possible. Incorporating these items helps to minimise the overall weight, and provide additional structural rigidity.

Batteries - The main vehicle battery is often not sufficient to provide reliable power to onboard equipment, and auxiliary battery system is installed in a custom area, complete with charging system and isolating switches.

Water Storage - storage tanks for fresh water and waste water (if required) are of aluminium construction and mounted as low as possible to best utilise space and lower the centre of gravity. The water would be pumped with a high volume electric (e.g.. bilge style) pump, which could also be fed into an emergency flushing (shower style) faucet head. A small sink for hand washing and draining dirty water to the waste tank is incorporated.

External Lights - standard style rear combination brake, parking, and flashing turn signals are incorporated in a substantial (steel) rear bumper bar. Additional rear combination lights are installed high on the body, with side clearance lights at front and rear. Flashing (rotating) lights are fitted.

Internal Lights - to enable the operator to see all areas of the workstation. Most lighting is be fixed, but some may be on leads or similar.