Supplied by vehicle contract hire and rental business Ryder, the DAF CF480 6x2 44-tonners are operating from Howdens’ base in East Yorkshire, and have replaced similar 64-plated units.
Extra safety features on the replacements include a two-stage Fontaine secure coupling warning system that provides both in-cab and exterior warnings if the trailer is not properly secured to the tractor.
They also feature slow-speed, left-turn audio alarms to protect vulnerable road users, and two additional Microlise cameras (two side-facing rearward in addition to the front-facing specified on the old units), which link to the Microlise telematics system.
Howdens’ national transport manager Charlie Nissen says: “We’re committed to having the safest trucks on the road – anything we can do to look after our people and other road users is a must.
“These new trucks feature the second generation Euro VI engines: DAF are claiming significant fuel consumption improvements – if that proves to be the case, I’ll be very pleased. Furthermore, two of the new tractors have been fitted with predictive cruise control in order for us to assess the technology’s impact on fuel performance.”
Ryder is Howdens’ transport partner, providing 570 trucks and trailers on lease and peak rental support. Ryder also runs Howdens’ vehicle maintenance units.
Nissen adds: “We’ve got an exemplary MOT record with Ryder. There are another 33 tractor units on order, and 10 tall boy trailers and more urban trailers due to arrive soon.”