good_friend:
We are replacing 2 x DAF Super Space cabs (510s)
What would you have if you could spec up your own lorry? We carry mainly bulky loads refridgerated, not massive mileages or heavy.
Just for fun but I’m interested to see what’s suggested
We replaced our 2 DAFs earlier this year (same model and engine). We had demos from a Scania R500 and S540 high cabs. We wanted a Volvo demo too but the Volvo dealer said ‘non’ so ■■■■ them. Both of the Scania models are very nice to drive and in the end we went for the S540 but it came with a small compromise. In my opinion the S series is really only suited to smooth straight motorways as the tall well-cushioned cab has a lot of roll on bendy roads (more so than the DAFs and very reminiscient of a MAN XXL cab I used drive) whereas the lower R series cab felt more planted. We do some rural roads so the R series would have been better suited, but we felt that the R500 was a little underpowered for pulling full weight and unlike the S540s which were already in stock, the R540s would need to be ordered with a long lead time, so we accepted the compromise.
Things we like:
~fast, slick and smooth gear changes from the Opticruise box which make them a pleasure to drive. Much improved over previous generations and a world of difference from the DAF gear changes which are painfully slow.
~manual override and it stays in place, unlike the infuriating evil DAFs which give you about 10 seconds of manual before dumping you back in 12A just as you hit the bottom of a steep climb
~5 stage retarder with hill descent control (DAF has neither and the exhaust brake does absolutely nothing other than make a lot of noise).
~fully flat floor cab.
Things we don’t like:
~the price! (well the boss doesn’t). Scania badge seems to add about 30% to the price tag over and above other marques with comparable spec.
~the part leather seats are hard and give you a sore bum. DAF excels in this department by a good margin.
~cruise control disabling itself whenever it “sees” a 0.000001% gradient hill and seemingly no way of overriding this. Hoping that Scania can code this out in the ECU.
~6 steps into the cab is no good for my poor old knees when I’m shunting trailers around the yard .
I think Polytrotter wins the prize though. It looks like we are sticking with DAF for the foreseeable future. I have another client who I have just specced up a Rigid for (again fridge with sleeper cab, tail lift etc) and the expected delivery is also about the best
(I was given a Renault Magnum to drive once. I am convinced the cab was bigger than my flat at the time)
I think Polytrotter wins the prize though. It looks like we are sticking with DAF for the foreseeable future. I have another client who I have just specced up a Rigid for (again fridge with sleeper cab, tail lift etc) and the expected delivery is also about the best
(I was given a Renault Magnum to drive once. I am convinced the cab was bigger than my flat at the time)
We would look at DAFs again in the future, but only if they bring the gearbox tech into the 21st century. Might not be an issue for you if you’re only doing motorway work and not full weight, but it really was a thorn in our side constantly fighting the eco ■■■■■■■■ at max weight on hilly terrain. They are far too slow to get going when left in auto. We speak with the Tarmac boys out of Clitheroe as we stop at the same snackbar, they all run DAFs too and I haven’t heard one single driver have a good word to say about the box. May just be localised as we operate mostly in the Ribble Valley and Pennines where there are a lot of big hills to contend with. Probably not so much of an issue in the relative flatlands of E Yorks, Lincs, Cambs and East Anglia.
good_friend:
We are replacing 2 x DAF Super Space cabs (510s)
What would you have if you could spec up your own lorry? We carry mainly bulky loads refridgerated, not massive mileages or heavy.
Just for fun but I’m interested to see what’s suggested
What ever puts more, funds in the drivers pocket.
To be fair, when I passed my test, back in 2004 I think it was, agency got me work for Lynx, driving I believe T reg ERF and leggetts in Enfield again ERF, they were ok too drive, I don’t understand the issues with Iveco, if I were to be driving full time today, as long as it was clean and reliable , I would drive it. You need to see some of the junk they drive over here, thinking they are men because the Sterling, or western star is a road ranger… all start having a bow Leg and limp … I personally do not like a Scalia truck, so yes a second hand iveco over a scania any day… I drove a V reg 380 P cab for roadways back in the day never again
We currently run 5 S Series Scanias. 4 are on spot hire, and one has 12 months left on a lease with R&M. (We lease all a anyhow.)
We have had a T high 520 as a demo, and a Merc mega space 480, and the Merc won hands down. We asked Volvo for a demo, but they said due to covid, they couldn’t bring one, but we could go to them for one. Apparently, as is obvious, covid only goes 1 way, so they got bogged off. As we have just taken over a company down south, it looks like Mercs are coming to our fleet, as that is what they have, and they can get them far cheaper than we can oop north.
The boss is a Scania man, but Scania want a great deal more for a similar spec, so they have lost out as well.
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