Family-owned moving and storage firm Britannia Lanes of Devon reports that its new Volvo FM truck, which is operating with a drawbar trailer and demountable swap body on weekly trips to Germany, is "a dream drive".
The 6x2 long wheelbase rigid has joined what was traditionally an all-DAF fleet, and is running at the maximum permissible overall length of 18.75-metres, but with all the flexibility that demounts bring.
Rob Lane, a director of Britannia Lanes, says the truck was specified for long-distance continental haulage, so has a Volvo 13-litre, 380hp engine, driving through the Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox, and a 630-litre diesel tank, allowing a 1,000 mile-plus range.
Also, to achieve a maximum overall height of 4.0-metres, the firm chose 315/60R22.5 tyres on the front axle and 295/60R22.5s on the drive and tag – with Michelin Energy tyres for fuel economy.
As for the cab, it's two-man Globetrotter with full leather interior, and the truck was supplied by Volvo dealer Wales and West Truck and Bus on a Gold contract maintenance programme.
"This truck has a two-man crew, both of whom are drivers. And the feed-back so far is that the combination is a dream to drive," comments Lane.
