Road Prince Auto Loader 200cc

Engine and gearbox

Both versions list a 198cc four-stroke, single-cylinder OHV engine with an 8.5:1 compression ratio, a 5-speed gearbox with five forward gears and one reverse, and drive through a propeller shaft. The engine is described as air-cooled, yet both pages also list a radiator, so ask the dealer which cooling system is fitted. Claimed fuel economy is 20 km/l. The CNG Auto Cargo Loader Deluxe is, as its name says, the CNG version, but its specification table is word-for-word the same as the RP Auto Loader’s, so do not assume the figures are CNG-specific.

Size and practicality

This is the smallest-wheeled Road Prince loader. It rides on 135-10 tyres, the size used on auto rickshaws, rather than the 12-inch wheels of the Power Gear range. The cargo box measures 1,990 x 1,300 x 340 mm and is lifted by hand. The fuel tank is small at 6.5 litres, and the 12V 25Ah battery is larger than the 3Ah unit on most 150cc loaders. Road Prince lists a loading capacity of just 200 kg. That figure is far below the 800 to 2,500 kg of its other loaders, so treat it as unconfirmed and ask the dealer for the real rating before buying.

Equipment

Both versions share the same equipment list: kick and self start, a mechanical drum front brake, a rear brake listed as hydraulic with a mechanical disc, front shock absorbers, a leaf spring and shock absorbers at the rear, a radiator and a roof. The roof is a useful extra for a vehicle that may spend all day in the sun. Both are offered in Yellow Golden.

Warranty and price

Road Prince’s website shows Rs 0 for both versions and its warranty page has no readable text. Get the current ex-factory price, the warranty terms and, for the CNG version, details of the gas kit in writing from an authorised dealer.

Which variant to buy

Our opinion: if CNG is easy to find on your routes, the CNG Auto Cargo Loader Deluxe is worth asking about, especially if gas works out cheaper than petrol for you. If you work in areas with few CNG stations, the standard RP Auto Loader is the simpler choice. Either way, these suit light, bulky deliveries in town rather than heavy loads, and a buyer who needs real payload should look at the Road Prince 150cc or 200cc Power Gear loaders instead.