New Mercedes Actros Should be Oscar Nominated!

Posted on July 17, 2011 by truckbloguk

Ged it, ged it??? Actros, actress……my comedic talents are wasted on you lot!
I have been in contact with Mercedes Benz Trucks UK and thought it only fair a do a bit more on this gorgeous new truck. Just look at it………….. that’s all i’ve got to say!!

As you have probably already read else where this is a completey new range of trucks. Chassis, driveline, engines and cabs are all new. Mercedes are bringing in the new range under the premise “Trucks you can trust”. The basis of this is the amount of testing that has been done, supposedly more than any other all new truck. The new Actros has undergone 2600 hours of fine-tuning in the wind tunnel, 50 million kilometres of engine testing on test rigs and in real-life operation, and 20 million kilometres on the road. The foundations for development were laid as far back as ten years ago, and Mercedes-Benz has spent five years testing the components and the complete vehicle. During this time, the new Actros clocked up around 20 million kilometres on the road, including intensive customer driving tests. On top of this, there were extremely rigorous tests on test rigs, torture-track tests and a series of other extreme examinations. The real-life road tests covered all climatic conditions as well as extreme road conditions and gradients, ranging from an Arctic winter to an extremely hot desert climate. Real-life testing also included customer driving tests in the new Mercedes-Benz Actros.

I do love those test trucks. They are like a Hollywood superstar who doesn’t want to be noticed, so they wear a big hat, massive sunglasses and stand out like a sore thumb. They may as well just sign write the thing with new truck on test, ssssshhhhhhhhhh! Who is going to be the first to have this black and white eye night mare as a company livery?? Brilliant.

I sorry to say i’m not going to go into detail on the mechanical stuff, as I have never claimed to be mechanical in any way. Best to ask your friendly salesman as they will talk to you as if they know what they are talking about where as i won’t.
So onto the interior. Although you could claim that the interior does resemble the current Actros range, it is all new. I did hear that the trucks are using components and parts from the MB car range. There will be 7 new cabs in the range of which 5, yes 5, will have a completely flat floor, pretty impressive. Now as an ex Actros Megaspace owner, I can vouch for the comfort and space in the big cabs. The storage space was never more apparant than when the day came to empty the cab, it took me 2 car loads to clear all my gubbins out.

The seven cabs for the new Actros in detail are:
– The long ClassicSpace cab with a standard roof. 2.3 m wide, engine tunnel 170 mm. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.46 m, in front of the co-driver’s seat 1.59 m.
– The long ClassicSpace cab with a standard roof. 2.3 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.64 m.
– The long StreamSpace cab. 2.3 m wide, engine tunnel 170 mm. Headroom on the engine tunnel 1.79 m, in front of the co-driver’s seat 1.84 m.
– The long StreamSpace cab. 2.3 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom 1.97 m.
– The long StreamSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom throughout 1.97 m.
– The long BigSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom throughout 1.99 m.
– The long GigaSpace cab. 2.5 m wide with a flat floor. Headroom 2.13 m.

As i predicted on the blog a while ago there is going to be a GigaSpace cab, with a mind boggling volume of 11.6 cubic metres, a flat floor, 2.13 metres of headroom and more than 900 litres of stowage space. All that means to me and you is you will have more than enough room to swing the proverbial German cat! Mercedes say;

“At the heart of the interior is a concept which visually separates the easy-to-use cockpit from the comfortable living area using colour and geometric form. The functional area of the cockpit is finished in practical anthracite whilst the rear, ceiling and area around the co driver’s seat are appointed in a light almond beige colour.”

Along with all the other things you would imagine a new truck to have, including a top of the range, Mercedes Benz developed seat that is wider than the standard and incorporates a massage function……ooo-eerr!! In terms of height, the only thing that limits the new Actros is legislation: the previous MegaSpace cab is replaced by the spectacular GigaSpace cab, which opens up a new dimension in space. It is all but four metres high and, when it comes to spaciousness, trumps its predecessor by some 920 litres – almost a whole cubic metre. This extra space is reflected in a headroom of 2.13 metres throughout and a noticeably larger stowage capacity. The total volume of 11.6 cubic metres is a record for a European truck cab.

Just keep your grubby mits off those beige areas. Lovely as they are, i’m still not convinced they are a good idea in a working truck. As an owner driver i would and Mrs Truckblog would make sure it was kept clean. Saying that, all the area’s you are likely to be touching and standing in,all look to be black / grey coloured. Just not sure how the fleet trucks will fair after a few years on the road. But i have to say it does make for a lovely living area. You would struggle to haul yourself out of such a cab to go into oour crappy motorway services. Now here’s an idea, perhaps if your lucky enough to get one of these new cabs, you should park up and charge other drivers to come and enjoy your lovely new cab!! or better still perhaps Mercedes should take the new trucks to the plonkers who run our Motorway Services Area’s to show them what our drivers need to relax.
One new option you can spec is the “SoloStar Concept”. This gives a sort of corner sofa in the passenger side set back against the rear wall. Also as you can see below, there is what looks like a fold up/out table for you to sit and try to read up on the ever complicating drivers hours rules or some such!

Finally i’ll leave you with a cracking photo of this new truck. I hope that this wont be the last you here about it on the blog, as i’m hoping to have some more feedbck from Mercedes Benz them selves and you never know i may even get a test drive, well thats what i hope!! Good truck, sorry GREAT Truck, my predication and a fairly obvious one, this will be a clear winner in the Truck of the Year competition next time around.

East Coast Truckers Charity Convoy Under Threat

Posted on July 11, 2011 by truckbloguk

Now, if you live any where in East Anglia then you are probably more than aware of the East Coast Truckers Convoy. If you don’t know what the convoy is all about, here it is; This convoy is all in aid of charity and has been going since 1986. In its 25 year life the convoy has traveled 1700 miles, contained 2200 trucks, carried 2300 children, been seen by 1,875,000 people and now the Convoy is likely to be axed due to red tape. Around 80 trucks take children with special needs to Pleasurewood Hills Theme Park and Great Yarmouth for the day. Thousands of people line the route from County Hall Norwich to the seafront at Gt. Yarmouth via Pleasurewood Hills. It makes the children’s day to see everyone waving them on from any vantage point en route. The ECTC needs your support;

Click HERE to go to the online petition page and add your name.

Now to get the details right i am going to copy and paste the words from the East Coast Truckers Chairman, Rob Billman;

“On the 16th of May I attended a meeting with NCC, Norfolk police and the highways agency. Nothing unusual. A meeting that I would attend every year before the Convoy. It was at this time that I was told that Norfolk police could not supply an escort group for the convoy anymore. But they were willing to work out an alternative solution. They’re solution was for an 85 truck convoy to depart onto the roads of Norfolk with no escort meaning that the convoy would have to obey the highway code. This would cause chaos. This would also create risk of other road users getting caught up within the convoy creating a risk to the safety of the trucks and the precious cargo they would be carrying. To add to this, this would have the potential of extending the journey times excessively, thus causing undue stress on the children. I said that I would not allow this to happen.

So the bottom line was that I said, no police, no convoy. I have a duty of care to all those involved in this event, I saw no other option. Various other issues were brought up within this meeting regarding health and safety, the fact that the convoy stands with a 25 year accident free record apparently doesn’t count for much. Many phone calls were made between myself and Norfolk police over the next week. On the Saturday evening, I called a meeting of the Charities Trustees and guests. This meeting was to discuss my decisions and the way forward. A final plan was formed for one last attempt at trying to get this years convoy a police escort group. We had to finalise a plan, the media were already on the case and I was due in at Radio Norfolk on the Monday morning.

At 3pm on Sunday the 22nd a final agreement was made between myself and Assistant Chief Constable Wilkins. We finally had a convoy for this year. The limitations are as follows;
Each truck will only carry :1 driver, 1 child, 1 carer. No exceptions.
A maximum speed limit of 30mph
A fair result I think.

Rob.”

So there you go, now you may be thinking this all sounds like fun, but what is it like actually out there on the road with the convoy, well here is a video, not only does it look very well organised, but you have to admit it is an impressive sight too;

Right, what the ECTC needs you to do is, add your name to the online petition to keep the convoy going. To read more click HERE to go to the petition’s website. Why should such a successful event that raises thousands and thousands of Pounds for charity also become a victim of our great Country’s endless side show of red tape, ruining good things for good people?? This convoy just cant end, this year it is safe, but without your signatures of support there is a real danger that the 2012 convoy won’t take place, so please register your support.
Click HERE to go to the online petition page and add your name.

MAN Consistently Efficiently Tour Rolls on

Posted on June 13, 2011 by truckbloguk

As i wrote before MAN are currently running a huge European tour trying to prove that using the right equipment hauliers can save precious fuel and costs. The opening paragraph on the Consistently Efficient tour website states; “MAN Truck & Bus starts the “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011 running from May 16 to June 17 through 20 major European cities in ten countries. MAN’s objectives are to provide comprehensive information on the subject of transport efficiency to customers and interested parties and to demonstrate how companies can effectively reduce the cost of operating their fleets of commercial vehicles while at the same time making a contribution to environmental protection. The tour blog shows transparently that up to 3 litres diesel per 100 km can be saved by trucks that are particularly efficiently equipped.”

The tour has so far been all over Europe, starting from Munich on the 16th May, to Prague, Breslau, Vienna, Eugendorf, Misano, Nuremberg, Leipzig, Hirschberg, Eindhoven, Frechen, Copenhagen, Hamburg, Lille, Vitoria, Estoril, Madrid so far into Valencia tomorrow (Tuesday 14th June), the finally onto Barcelona, Beziers and then back to Munich. You can follow the remaining days of the tour here at the tour blog. Don’t worry i have given my 2 pennies worth about not coming to the UK.

Here you can see 2 of the 3 artics on the tour, parked in Prague. All 3 trucks are supposed to weigh in at 38,500 kg, but i would like to know where the weight comes from. The trailers all have clear sides and are loaded with slogan’s from the tour. I’m guessing the letters/wording are all different weights??

Much more importantly sifting throught the pictures from the tour, that can be seen here on Flickr, this little yellow TGL is obviously taking part on the tour but i think for slightly different reasons. You can see it in the background from the different stops on the tour, but is liveried in “ProfiDrive – Safety & Economy Training”, i feel i need to find out more, i will go back to my excellent German source and see what she, yes she, can tell me.

MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011

Posted on May 17, 2011 by truckbloguk

The what i hear you say. The MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011 that’s what it says. I know i can read, i hear you say, but what does it involve?? Well the idea is that MAN are sending 3 trucks around Europe on a 10,000km trip to demonstrate how much fuel and CO2 can be saved in goods transport by road, using today’s technology. They are claiming with the right technology you can save 3 litres of fuel per 100km travelled. 3 MAN TGX artics set off from Munich yesterday on their 4 week tour of 20 European cities (although it looks to me like they aren’t coming to the UK!). There is a blog to follow the progress if you so wish, click here.

Nice yellow TGL in the corner of that picture by the way. Now because I’m not a literary genius, i don’t really know how else to say what the press release says, so i will paste in here the main info i think you’ll be interested in;

“On the Tour, two MAN TGX EfficientLine vehicles will be out to show that up to three litres of fuel per hundred kilometres can be saved in long-haul transport. The TGX EfficientLine, which was presented at the IAA in September 2010, is a truck designed for the highest level of fuel efficiency. And because the driver has a great deal of influence on the truck’s fuel consumption, an Economy training course at MAN ProfiDrive is included in the standard scope of delivery of the MAN TGX EfficientLine. In addition, the drive and suspension components, trailer, tyres, fuel and lubricants all influence the efficiency of the commercial vehicle. For this reason, MAN’s partners Castrol, Kögel, Michelin and ZF are also participating in the MAN “Consistently Efficient” Tour 2011.
The three MAN TGX trucks are carrying a very special cargo: the Tour’s messages – “Consistently Efficient”, “Save Fuel” and “Less CO2” in the form of lettering over two metres high. A transparent tarpaulin enables an unrestricted view of the striking lettering.
In order to ascertain and verify the consumption values precisely, the three trucks have already travelled the identical route, fully laden and under completely realistic conditions. This measurement run was overseen by TÜV Süd (Technical Control Board), while the MAN TeleMatics® system provided a clear overview of the vehicle data. Fuel consumption was permanently monitored by means of fuel consumption gauges and verified when the tanks were refilled.”

It seems the city list is as follows, with dates. If your out on the continent you can pop along!
Tourplan
16.05.11 Munich
17.05.11 Prague
18.05.11 Breslau
19.05.11 Vienna
20.05.11 Eugendorf
22.05.11 Misano
24.05.11 Nuremberg
25.05.11 Leipzig
26.05.11 Hirschberg
27.05.11 Eindhoven
28.05.11 Frechen
31.05.11 Copenhagen
01.06.11 Hamburg
06.06.11 Lille
08.06.11 Vitoria
09.06.11 Estoril
10.06.11 Madrid
14.06.11 Valencia
15.06.11 Barcelona
16.06.11 Beziers

Truckfest Peterborough 2011

Posted on May 15, 2011 by truckbloguk

I have been waiting for the inspiration to write a report about Truckfest but i just cant find it! Truckfest was Truckfest thats it. In my opinion the sooner Live Promotions realise that Truckfest is just another Truckfest the better. The show never changes, its the same format every year and i cant see it ever changing abd don’t ever get me started on the £17 yes £17 entry fee. You get to the gate part with your £17 then you walk through and get asked if you want to buy a programme for £5. So for 1 adult entering the show you can spend £22 before you even get 10ft in the gate, the worst point being you get NOTHING what so ever for your entry fee, disgraceful. There is one reason i didnt take my son to his first Truckfest, its the same reason i didnt waste another day of my wifes life at Truckfest, IT’S TOO EXPENSIVE!!! Live promotions are you reading?? I dont think i would mind the fee if you got some thing for it, some thing new in the arena perhaps, yes you guessed it, Monster Trucks, Stunt Display Bikes, Recovery Display etc etc. Good displays yes and highly entertaining, especially when one of the Monster trucks overturned!! Any way can some one please change the format next year or lower the entry fee???

Now as for the trucks, again a lot of the same, but there were all good. Lots of shiny metal and a few new vehicles that almost made the fee worth while, no actually perhaps not. Here are a few of my highlights in no particular order;

Cracking new Parkers Horse Box

These 2 are still top of my Vintage list.

Did this one used to be red and from Swanley??

Nice to see this old girl has gone to a good home and will be kept in a tip top condition for the rest of her days.

This Swedish registered beastie was last seen by me in Hannover last year!

As some one recently said, it seemed as though the show should have been Scania-fest this year! Fingers crossed next year they may be a slight change to the set up.

3 New UK Tekno Model Release’s

Posted on May 7, 2011 by truckbloguk

Here are the next 3 new models that will be available from Tekno. UK company Speedbird Productions have created 3 more highly collectable UK liveried trucks for you to spend your pennies on. My wife has confiscated my wallet so i’m out the game with these 3! All 3 models will be available from October onwards. I have to say i think my favorite is the Dennis Oates Scania 142, cracking model!! So get buying and dont forget to mention truckblog.co.uk when you order the new addition to your collection.

Dennis Oates – Scania 142 with 3-axle Fridge Trailer
Maximum Production: 200pcs
Release Date: 4th Quarter 2011
Price: £144.95 including free UK delivery

Kerbey Motors – Scania 3-Series Streamline with 3-axle Flatbed Trailer
Maximum Production: 250pcs
Release Date: December 2011
Price: £159.95 including free UK delivery

B Cookson & Sons – Scania R-Series Topline (R6) with 3-axle Gray & Adams Fridge Trailer (Metal Version)
Maximum Production: 200pcs
Release Date: 4th Quarter 2011
Price: £159.95 including free UK delivery

If you do want to buy one of these models, contact Ben Lord and he will help you with all your needs.
Ben Lord – Managing Director
Speedbird Promotions Ltd.
15 Thistledown Drive, Ixworth,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP31 2NH, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1359 232667 – Fax: +44 (0) 1359 300200
Mobile: +44 (0) 7791 394143
E-mail: ben.lord@speedbird-promotions.co.uk
Web: www.speedbird-promotions.co.uk

Another MAN App man

Posted on April 14, 2011 by truckbloguk

I think MAN are the only truck manufacturer that have realised that app’s are the way forward for all of us with the fruity type of phone, think about it. This is their 2nd App the first being the highly informative and info laden IAA Hanover Show App that i told you about last year. The best thing about these App’s is that MAN gives you a chance to see all truck manufacturers stuff not just their own. This new App is called MAN TopUsed and is available from the App Store. Man TopUsed is also available to the rest of you on the interweb at www.mantopused.com so dont feel too left out.

I had a little browse through myself just to make sure it’s safe and easy for you all to use, it is. As you may imagine i tried to find myself a nice 2nd hand MAN TGL LX. So i selected the options i wanted and searched Europe for my dream truck!! I found 28 LX cabbed trucks across europe, the best of which are residing in Spain. Not a problem as you can use the contact page on the ad to contact the dealer where you possible purchase is.

All very easy and as i said not only can you search for MAN’s you can search for all marques. You’ll also be pleased to know it opens in english!!!

HC Wilson 1/50 Scale Model Update

Posted on March 22, 2011 by truckbloguk

For those of you who may be waiting for the WSI model of Wilson’s 141 and trailer, i have news, hot off the press (not a scoop!). The following order update has been received today from the man at Search Impex; “At the moment, the models are scheduled to ship ex-China at the end of May – so delivery should be around the end of June. They are a bit delayed because it transpires that WSI forgot to tool up for mirror sets for RHD units – so they are busy sorting this now!”

So there you go if you have patiently been saving your pocket money you now know how much longer you have to wait. If you are interested in buying one of these limited edition models, complete with certificate, then email me at work, ben@hcwilsontransport.co.uk and i’ll keep you posted on progress and let you know when they have arrived. They are likely to retail some where around the £150 mark.

NEWS: Sick Thieves & Gangs

Posted on December 6, 2010 by truckbloguk

This disturbing release has come from ROSPA (Advanced Drivers Association). It seems some people will stop at nothing to get you to stop and then they can rob and beat you. Please read on and pass on to all you know. Its just a shame those who would be inclined to stop and help will no longer do so. In true grumpy old man style “Nothing is safe any more!” Read on;

“While driving on a rural end of the roadway on Thursday morning, I say and infant car seat on the side of the road with a blanket draped over it. For whatever reason I did not stop, even though I had all sorts of thoughts running through my head. But when I go to my destination, I called the Police and they were going to check it out. But this is what the Police advised even before they went to check it out…..

There are several things to be aware of… gangs and theoives are now plotting different ways to get a person (mostly women) to stop their vehicle and get out of the car.

There is a gang initiation reported by the local police where gangs are placing a car seat by the road…with a fake baby in it… waiting for a woman to stop and check on the abandoned baby.

Note that the location of this car seat is usually beside a wooded or grassy area and the person ..woman.. Will be dragged into the woods, beaten and raped and usually left for dead. If it’s a man they are usually beaten and robbed and maybe left for dead too.

DO NOT STOP FOR ANY REASON. DIAL 999 AND REPORT WHAT YOU SAW BUT DO NOT EVEN SLOW DOWN.

If you are driving at night and eggs are thrown at your windscreen DO NOT STOP TO CHECK THE CAR, DO NOT OPERATE THE WIPERS AND DO NOT SPRAY ANY WATER as eggs and water become milky and block your vision up to 92.5% and you are then forced to stop beside the road and become the victim of these criminals.

This is a new technique used by gangs, so please inform your friends and relatives. These are desperate times and these are unsavoury inndividuals who will take desperate measures to get what they want.”

Holiday MAN’s are Coming!

Posted on December 3, 2010 by truckbloguk

………To Germany any way. Read on for MAN’s Press release;

“Just like every year, this year will again see two MAN TGX trucks, specially decorated for Christmas, bringing a sparkle to eyes – not only of the children – at Children’s Villages and kindergartens all round Germany, from the first Sunday in Advent to Christmas Eve.
The 16-metre MAN semitrailers with their festive illumination will be touring the entire country, from Kiel to Hamburg, Leipzig, Dresden, Zwickau, Plauen, Coburg, Salzgitter, Wiesbaden, Cologne, Augsburg and Munich to Regensburg. The two Christmas trucks will be visiting children’s hospitals, kindergartens and other social institutions, taking with them truck models made of chocolate and sliding tile puzzles with the MAN Christmas motif as small gifts for the children. The trucks will also be visiting the MAN plants, branches and service partners, as well as some Christmas markets. .Trainees from MAN Nutzfahrzeuge AG in Munich have transformed the two metallic red 540-hp MAN TGX semitrailers into real Christmas trucks: 200-metre long chains of lights, able to withstand weather and washing systems, have been mounted on each of the tractors and their trailers, which have been fittingly decorated for Christmas. The trainees framed the radiator grilles with hundreds and hundreds of LEDs. What makes this year special is the way the trailers have been decorated: the children who make up the motif are all at the kindergarten of the MAN plant in Munich, “Löwenkinder”.

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