On bulk and tipper work, haulers have a lot to consider when specifying a truck. You could go full-on with the biggest cab and engine and accept less payload, but you could claw money back with reduced journey times and higher residuals. The other end of the spectrum is a light truck, with a smaller engine to get the payload as high as possible, which will hopefully also return better fuel consumption. Getting your truck spec’d perfectly, or sourcing the ideal used vehicle can make all the difference.
Renault reckons it’s got this Range-T spot on for tipper work; it’s light but it has also got a comfortable full-size cab and the 460hp output means it shouldn’t be sluggish either.
We picked the truck up from Renault’s dealership in Bellshill on a sunny afternoon and set about getting re-acquainted with the stereo and controls.
It’s easy enough to connect your phone to the Bluetooth, but the speedo has to change to miles-per-hour via a menu selection. This truck doesn’t have sat-nav, so it doesn’t have the big screen jutting out the top of the dash and looks tidier for it. We’ve mentioned it before, so all we’ll say this time is that the truck is a little on the complicated side until you get used to it. Once you do though, they’re excellent to drive.
The truck is hooked up to a Kel-Berg tipping trailer at C&R White near Kinross, and from there is run empty down to the farm at Castle Douglas. Running alongside it is their Volvo FH16 700 with ribbed bulker trailer; at the other end of the scale in terms of power and weight! We stop off at Kincardine for diesel and reset the fuel consumption.
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Esta historia es de la edición July 2020 de Truck & Driver.
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Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
