Britannia Lanes new Volvo a ‘dream’ to drive

One of the first Volvo trucks ever to join Britannia Movers International has entered service with the family-owned moving and storage company Britannia Lanes of Devon.

Joining what has traditionally been an all-DAF fleet the Volvo FM is designed to operate with a drawbar trailer and demountable swap body system. This allows a high degree of flexibility in what has become a sophisticated transport and logistics operation. The combination runs at the maximum permissible overall length of 18.75-metres.

The 6x2 rigid vehicle is specified for long-distance haulage throughout Britain and mainland Europe and is supplied with a 630-litre fuel tank allowing a range in excess of 1,000 miles.

Equipped with a two-man ‘Globetrotter’ cab featuring a full-leather interior, the long wheelbase truck is powered by a Volvo 13-litre 380-hp diesel engine driving through the Volvo I-Shift automated gearbox.

In order to achieve a maximum overall height of 4.0-metres 315/60R22.5 tyres are installed on the front axle and 295/60R22.5s on the drive and tag. Michelin ‘Energy’ tyres were specified throughout for optimum fuel economy.

Rob Lane, a director of Britannia Lanes based at the thriving Exeter depot reports that the new Volvo will solely be used on a weekly trips to Germany and consequently will clock up a high mileage. “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,” he said. 

Supplied by Volvo dealer Wales and West Truck and Bus Ltd the Britannia Lanes FM is on a full Gold Contract maintenance programme.