High mileage DAFs prove good on fuel

A quartet of DAF XF105 44-tonners that are being run round the clock six days a week are proving to be very fuel efficient for Staffordshire operator GMT Europe Limited.

The company, which recently changed its name from Geoff Martin Transport Limited to reflect its growing European work, is recording 9.5 mpg on trucks that have so far covered less than 15,000 kilometres. GMT is expecting to get into double figures once the engines have fully bedded in and is also reporting low Adblue usage.

Over the course of a year each of the 105s will cover over 125,000 miles (200,000 kilometres). At these mileages and with current high fuel costs, just one extra mile per gallon could represent a saving of up to £8,000 per truck per year. That would total almost £100,000 for all four over the three years of their contract hire period with Burnt Tree Vehicle Solutions.

“In these days of tight margins that are being constantly eroded by rising fuel costs these are really significant savings,” says GMT’s Fleet Manager, Paul Hawkins.

During the day the DAFs, which are mid-lift axle FTG Space Cab models, are delivering fragile products, such as sanitary ware to builders merchants, and at night they’re hauling high cube tri-axle box trailers between Tesco regional distribution centres. The daytime work sees them operating at well under their 44 tonne gvw, but on the long haul night runs between Daventry and Livingstone, they’re right up to their maximum weight.

GMT has opted for the 460 bhp (340 kW) rated version of the 12.9 litre MX engine in their 105s. This is the middle of the three power ratings at which the MX is offered and the choice reflects the differing weights at which the trucks will run between their daytime and night-time work. The MX is matched to a 16-speed gearbox with a good spread of ratios to cope easily with all road and load conditions.

The DAFs join a 50-vehicle fleet that ranges from large panel vans to maximum weight artics and includes a dozen DAF LFs. The fleet is split between GMT’s main base at Rugeley, from where the company specialises in the carriage of fragile items throughout the UK, and a satellite depot at Tipton on delivery of automotive parts direct to car manufacturing plants.

The contract hire package for the XF105s from Burnt Tree includes six-weekly inspections and scheduled maintenance. This would normally be carried out at a nominated Burnt Tree service point, but in an unusual arrangement GMT will be paid to do the work themselves in their own well-equipped workshop.

Parts support will be provided by the supplying DAF dealer, Greenhous of Shrewsbury, who will also undertake any warranty work.