The new 15-tonner was specified with the L sleeper cab and MAN’s 246bhp D08, 6.9 litre engine, delivering up to 1,000Nm of torque, and driving through a MAN TipMatic 12-speed AMT (automated manual tranmsmission)
“MAN offered an excellent deal ... and that included the repair and maintenance package,” states Paul O’Brien, RNLI transport co-ordinator. “We buy our vehicles outright, but don’t have the facilities for maintenance.”
“We have a very good relationship with our local MAN dealer – ETS Truck & Van, in Poole – so we will be dealing with them.
O’Brien explains that the RNLI’s truck fleet ranges from 15 tonnes to 24 tonnes, three being MAN vehicles.
“The vehicles do an average 80,000 to 90,000 miles a year doing coastal deliveries, such as taking lifeboat spares to any of our 237 lifeboat stations around the UK and Ireland,” he says.