Supplied by dealer Intercounty Truck & Van, the Northampton-based operator's dropsider joins other recent additions, including five Sprinter 313 CDI crew vans. Most are converted to a welfare specification by Body & Trailer services, of Northampton.
Each Sprinter has two beds, a kitchen with sink and microwave oven, and a drying cupboard for wet clothes. The spec also includes air conditioning and night heaters, as well as extra ventilation, interior lighting and electrical points.
In April, Tripod also took delivery of seven Citan 109 CDI small vans, for use primarily on tarmac sites, also kitted out to the same spec.
"Our lads can potentially be out on site all week, so we endeavour to make life as comfortable as possible for them," says workshop manager Craig Baker.
"We choose Mercedes-Benz vans for their all-round quality and outstanding reliability, while the fuel economy is pretty good too – we're getting up to 40 mpg from the Citans," he says, adding that the standard safety features are boosted by the addition of cameras, proximity sensors and audible reversing alarms.
All commercial vehicles are maintained in house by Tripod, with parts deliveries from Intercounty.