Multicabs Demystified

Maybe you have seen them and did not know what they were. There are many now in Dumaguete, brightly colored little trucks and vans, micro sized and perfect for the narrow streets of Dumaguete. They look like toy cars, and in many ways they are. The Volkswagen of the Philippines, they offer automotive transport at an economical price for Filipinos and expats alike. They are the Suzuki, Scrum, mini trucks often called Multicabs.

Multicab is a trade name coined by Norkis Manufacturing for their version of the Suzuki 660cc micro trucks they first imported from Japan. The name has stuck and almost everyone calls them this as a generic reference. The trucks were originally brought in as surplus, meaning they were free of excessive duty thus making them inexpensive. The chassis of these vehicles are cut in half either lengthwise or crosswise to conform to the law about importing scrap or junk vehicles.

The concept was first to replace the polluting tricycles choking the streets of Cebu. Norkis worked with some government agencies in order to introduce the Easy Ride as a small economical passenger van for commercial use. The Easy Ride was essentially a Multicab pick up with an open jeepney type body from the cab rearward. The Easyride has replaced the tricycle in downtown Cebu and has reduced pollution from two stroke motorcycle engines. Its introduction also decreased the number of vehicles clogging the streets of Cebu at the time.

To get back to the process of remanufacturing these trucks, after they are imported in pieces, then they are essentially welded back together, painted and repaired to almost new condition. The difficulty when it comes to buying one off a lot is that you have no idea of how many kilometers are on the motor or chassis, how much body filler is holding the paint on, and whether or not the car was wrecked before they remade it. Careful examination is very important. Or better yet have someone you know who works in one of the shops pick one out for you before it is made pretty. Some shops like Phil Trucks will let you pick out your vehicle pre repair so at least you know what you started with. Even others offer the “bare” rebuilds sans body work and paint for a substantial discount.

The engines are sometimes rebuilt, but are often left as is. A test drive is a must to determine at least if the water pump and cooling system is working well. Some dealers will offer a short warranty period, often only one week, sometimes 30 days. In any event these vehicles are cheap to operate and repair. A total engine replacement is about 18,000 Pesos, a tune up 300, and a yearly replacement of all hoses, belts, and brakes etc about 1000 P.

The basic types are as follows:

· Multicab- small pick up truck
· Multivan- Microvan, also called carry alls
· Easy Ride- pick up cab with passenger body on rear, similar to a Jeepney
· Hybrid- half truck, half van
· Countless other aberrations

The motors come either 6 valve or twelve valve, the twelve valve being the better choice for power. The engines are three cylinder overhead valve water cooled. Transmission choices are 4 speed or 5 speed manual shift. Top speed is for practical purposes about 80 KPH, the 5 speed is a good choice if your going to drive any distance.

Generally the trucks and vans come in three trim levels new rebuilt.

· Rebuilt not painted
· Rebuilt painted, with standard tires steel rims, and no air conditioning
· Or with two tone paint, air conditioning, wide low profile tires and alloy rims

Power steering is not required on these although I have seen it on a few. The wide tubeless tires and alloy rims look cool, but they are eaten up quickly here on the rough roads. The tubeless tires tend to leak because of low pressure and small size. The steering has to be converted from right hand in Japan to left in the Philippines, so alignment is an issue that will plague those with the wide tires. Aircon is nice, but realize it will sap the power from the tiny engine and reduce fuel economy.

Both the Multicabs and the Multivans are available in 4 wheel drive. Unless you plan on traveling frequently to the mountains, these can be problematic as well. Maintenance is more expensive, cvc joints wear out and only surplus parts are available. Again fuel economy and power will suffer with a 4x4. The Multicabs are also available with three sizes of canopies to cover the back, often in combination with bench seats to accommodate rear passengers.
The two wheel drive multicabs are mostly mid/front engine, while the vans are rear engine rear wheel drive, better for traction up muddy roads.

Relative prices new rebuilt.

4x4 PICKUP type:
without CANOPY: PHP155,000
(w/ accessories)without CANOPY: PHP135,000
(w/o accessories)with CANOPY: PHP180,000
(w/ accessories)with CANOPY: PHP160,000 (w/o accessories)

Easy Ride type:
Passenger OPEN: PHP150,000
FB (closed): PHP165,000

Options:
5th speed transmission= 6,000
4X4 (front drive/4WD) = 12,000
Airconditioning = 12,000

Multivan:
170,000 190,000

Vulcate!

When you drive around Dumaguete you will be sure to notice frequent roadside signs with a hand painted Vulcate. Often painted on an old tire propped up at the roads edge, these are the typical tire repair shops of the Philippines.

Some are so small and humble you won’t see them as you speed by. But I guarantee if you have a flat tire on your motorcycle in Dumaguete, you will be wishing you memorized every one in town. With typical Filipino understatement and frugality, the vulcanizing shops have no modern tire repair equipment. One tire iron, and a homemade vulcanizing press, hand pump, and some old inner tubes are often the only equipment. The “press” is always made of found or recycled objects. I have seen them made from old engine pistons, bits of steel plate and old steering wheels. The designs are always similar with a container for a flammable liquid which is used to “vulcanize” the patch as it is being pressed.

When you pull up to one of these places with a flat tire, don’t expect them to remove the wheel from your bike. No they just unseat the tire and ease out the tube from within. Again, it is an exercise in doing as little work as possible with as few tools as necessary.

Once the tube is extracted in this way, they pump in some air and look for the leak. Then moving the mountain to Mohamed, the press is dragged to the tire where they work their magic. While the tube is being pressed or perhaps beforehand, the operator will examine the tire for an intruding object. After about twenty minutes the process is done and the tire insertion procedure is reversed, and off you go for 20 pesos or so.

What you will notice in time is that some of these shops are open all night in Dumaguete City. They service not only individual motorbikes but the 2000 plus tricycle pedicabs plying the streets of Dumaguete. I have been lucky to be near an all night shop in the two instances that a flat occurred after darkness. The shops are everywhere and numerous. This tells you two things about the Philippines, one the roads are rough, and two, Filipinos ride around on marginal tires, patching them until they nearly disintegrate.

My friend Nelson owns one such shop near our house. He can usually be found sitting at his place either playing his guitar, or playing with his pet Reticulated Boa Constrictor. He rescued the snake from a city street when it was a baby. An engaging fellow, he has an easy smile and an friendly manner about him. I always go to him if I need air in my tires or if I happen to notice a tire going flat with in range of his place. If I pull up for a little air, he tries to wave me off for no charge; I don’t let him, and always give him something for turning on his compressor. Nelson is one shop that has an electric air compressor to make his operation easier for him.

Over the months I have lived in the present location, Nelson has indeed become a friend. He comes to our karaoke and buys one beer and maybe sings two or three songs. He appreciates our business, and when he can afford, will patronize ours. Some times he comes with his snake in his pocket and lets the college students who frequent our place hold it or snap cell phone photos. It is a good time, and while to the uninitiated it may seem bizarre it isn’t here, and we have grown accustomed to his pet.

The vulcanizing shops are just one of the things unique tothe Philippines, and in addition to fixing your flat you just might find a friend. That in the end is what it is all about isn't it?