Hi,
We are in need of of a short wheel based rigid (4m box body) with the capability to operate occasionally as a lightweight draw bar unit when required (max GTW 21T).
I’m currently looking at shortening an existing rigid (Daf CF65 250 18T or Man TGL 250 12T) as 250 - 280 hp is ideal for our needs. However, as quite a lot of the work is long haul, I’m attracted by the idea of using an adapted tractor unit instead and benefiting from the availability of cheap 2nd hand prices, long distance cab plus existing airlines etc etc
Can someone give me an idea of the MPG I can expect from 4x2 tractor running without a trailer? Probably either a DAF CF85 410 or a Renault premium 420 dci? These units are cheap to buy 2nd hand but I’m concerned that the fuel economy will suffer from using a tractor unit as they are heavier and the engines are bigger than we need?
I’d value some real world experience of the economy of these units?
Thanks
We have a 85 cf380 4 wheeler flat high roof it does a constant 13 mpg with who ever drives it ,it does 8mpg at 40 tonne pulling a trailer ,it’s possible on the road relay with a Erf Ec10 350 celect unit only to do 17 mpg ,hope this helps .
I’d try to run a engine of around 10/11 litres ,those Daf 65 s may be better on fuel but they are painfully sluggish at 18 tonne gross ,I prefer to be on top of the job for the sake of 3 mpg less .
Hey Dan,
Thanks that’s great. With the DAF 380, is the 13 mpg loaded or empty? Has that truck got a 16 speed box? To me that’s the other advantage of going to a tractor unit is the higher spec gear boxes?
Paul
It’s pretty much all the time it’s not often fully loaded but loaded both ways normally to about 16/17 tonne, the down side is its heavy tare weight ,it will carry 9 tonne 500 ,in comparison with a 2 axle Alpha 220 ■■■■■■■ which will carry 11 tonnes it’s heavy .it has a 16 speed box ,it goes well,it carried plastic pipes before we had it so it’s very good mechanically .
We are currently running an Iveco 180 12T box body with a sleeper pod, doing long haul lightweight livestock haulage across Europe. The Iveco is mind numbingly slow, has the world worst gear box, is uncomfortable to drive but which does produce a steady 15 mpg full loaded and to date has been very reliable. We also have an 18T Renault Premium flat 250 which is considerably better to drive but we don’t use it enough all year round (although we can’t do without it for several short periods during the year) … so was thinking of selling both wagons and upgrading to a draw bar box body with a flatbed trailer. Previously we ran a DAF XF 440 26T rigid but got rid of it because it was too thirsty … hence my caution about getting a heavier truck!
I know that man ,daf ,are about 14 to 16 mpg at 10/12 tonne gross ,last week I got 11.5 mpg out of a 440 ■■■■■■■ m11 6 wheeler ,empty back (13 tonnes tare).
My Actros 1845 does 18mpg solo on a motorway run in Eco mode.
whelmic:
My Actros 1845 does 18mpg solo on a motorway run in Eco mode.
That’s sounds interesting … What kind of age is the Actros?
The best option would be a tractor unit conversion. A big lightly stressed engine will last forever, as will the heavier duty drive line and suspension components you’ll get on one.
Mpg will, if driven correctly, match a smaller engine as the demand for full throttle will be much less on the larger engine.
newmercman:
The best option would be a tractor unit conversion. A big lightly stressed engine will last forever, as will the heavier duty drive line and suspension components you’ll get on one.
Mpg will, if driven correctly, match a smaller engine as the demand for full throttle will be much less on the larger engine.
Is the correct answer, overspecced vehicles nearly always last longer, suffer less problems and are usually as economical than those that need to be constantly under power, plus a better work rate as bonus…but you need a driver with nous to get the best from it.
The big bonus of course, especially if its got a manual box, is just how pleasurable something like this is to drive, you can literally drive it round all day at just over idle revs.
Juddian:
The big BONUS of course, especially if its got a manual box, is just how pleasurable something like this is to drive, you can literally drive it round all
Guys, I like what you are saying!! Just returned from our regular run to Hungary & back in the Iveco 12t 180hp… & on numerous occasions I had slowed to 35 kph uphill on the motorway … owing to the lack of power … NOT A PLEASURABLE EXPERIENCE!! So switching to a tractor based unit seems to make a lot of sense. I have done some window shopping on the internet and there are plenty of high spec long distance cabbed tractors for very reasonable money which would make the slog to Hungary & back a lot easier!! However, most of these long distance spec wagons are + 400 hp (… as already discussed here probably 340 - 360 hp would be easily enough for our needs) so … would some thing at 410 - 420 hp be much more expensive fuel wise? … if so I should look for hunt down a smaller engined unit with a space cab!
Also there appears to be a lot of Renault Premium Tractor units with high spec cabs for sale … are these a good option? For example here is a 2004 renault with v. low mileage & looks very tidy:
ebay.co.uk/itm/271561119140? … EBIDX%3AIT
Anyone got experience of Renault tractor units (economy / reliability)? We already run a 18T flat renault Premium, which was cheap to buy and has proved to be a good work horse for the last couple of years.
You just answered your own questions 
Your small engined IVECO struggled, so you know a bigger engine will be better.
Engines in the 300-350hp bracket are usually smaller (9ltr ish) whereas the 400hp + are big bangers.
Maximum power is only achieved at the top of the rpm range, at low rpms when you cruise down the motorway you are using about 180hp, less than half of a big engines potential, but much more of a smaller engines total, therefore the bigger engine will be less stressed and if driven properly will produce that 180hp more efficiently. However if you use all of the available power to race up hills and beat everything away from the lights you will throw away any potential fuel savings as power comes from one source… The fuel tanks!
You say your Renault has been a good cheap workhorse, that’s what they are, good, cheap workhorses.
Thanks guys I’m sold on the tractor conversion option!! However, I had a quote today from a specialist company for £7.5K + tax to make the conversion … I nearly had to change my shorts!! … i need no change in length or wheelbase … just as far as I can see it … the fifth wheel removed … a ringfeed draw bar bolted onto the chassis rails & the airlines extended to reach the back of the truck … I am missing something? … is there some clever wizardary to be done? … or does £7.5K seem bloody steep for an afternoons work■■?
Depends whether I’m paying it or being paid, if it’s the former then it’s a bloody liberty, if it’s the latter then it’s a bargain guv, honest…
