The new box body FLs will help Unisurge deliver crucial equipment and supplies to NHS hospitals across the UK. The trucks have been built to maximise load space, but with a compact body and 5,300 mm wheelbase to aid manoeuvrability.
An electric up-and-over door at the back of the box body – built by Kurt Hobbs Coachworks – allows quick and easy access, a feature requested by drivers. Amir Farboud, chief of operations at Unisurge, says: “We do a lot of multi-drop work, even unloading at several delivery points on the same hospital site, so speed is of the essence.”
He adds: “With these new trucks we wanted to be able to move to overnight distribution, which meant making sure our drivers had a really comfortable living and sleeping space.” The vehicles have been specified to maximise driver comfort and safety. The FLs have all been fitted with high-roof cabs by Hatcher Components – giving the drivers extra head room and airline style lockers for additional storage space, along with other creature comforts for the driver. An additional lower window in the passenger door improves safety and visibility.
Supplied by Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia, the FLs are powered by Volvo’s D5K engine, producing 207bhp and 800Nm of torque. The trucks will be on the road five days a week, clocking up roughly 80,000km per year.
They are supplied through Volvo Financial Services and are covered by a Volvo Gold Contract, with servicing and maintenance to be carried out at Volvo Truck and Bus Centre East Anglia’s Ely depot.