The order consists of two 26-tonne DAF rigids with custom demount bodywork, each hooked to bespoke tandem-axle drawbar trailers. Tiger has also supplied four 13.6-metre tri-axle box vans.
The new box vans will operate on trunking routes across the UK, while the drawbar and demount combinations will join Senator’s fleet of similar vehicles, each effectively doubling the efficiency of deliveries by halving the number of journeys required from its Lancashire depot.
James Stokes, Senator’s head of logistics, says: “The demount units are the most effective way of transporting furniture orders from our main depot into large cities, as we can quickly swap the body and often make two separate delivery runs with the same truck. It’s a solution that really works in our favour.
He adds: “Tiger really stepped up to the mark to ensure that these new additions, alongside the larger trailers, were ideally suited to our needs.”
Each demount body features a hot-dip galvanised steel subframe, with four heavy-duty beams and two retracting location cones, each with ISO twist locks. The rear LED light units were designed to suit Senator’s existing demount bodies, while also avoiding any potential damage from the Anteo tail-lift. Each body also has four robust and durable swing-down legs, ideal for Senator’s quick-change delivery approach.
The two drawbar trailers have a straight-frame chassis design, with a single tow beam. They each feature a raise-and-lower valve for the suspension, with the valve situated on an extended bracket between the axle wings.
The new trucks and trailers will be on the road seven days a week and are expected to travel at least 50,000 miles a year. Senator plans to keep the trailers in operation for up to 20 years, while it will look to replace the trucks after 10.