First Range C for Concrete Mixer

Posted on April 20, 2014 by truckbloguk

Cardiff-based P&T Woodruff Haulage Ltd, contract haulier for Hope Construction Materials, has taken delivery of the UK’s first Renault Trucks Range C430 X Load 8×4 with a McPhee Mixers (Glasgow) 8 cubic metre concrete mixer. Supplied by Renault Trucks Cardiff on a five year contract, the Range C, with high roof sleeper cab and lightweight pack including aluminium wheels, fuel tank and air tanks, is an addition to P&T Woodruff Haulage’s fleet, reflecting strong trading conditions in the construction industry. The Range C, in Hope Construction Material’s distinctive white and purple livery, went on the road in April, operating across the South from Wales to Kent, servicing Hope Construction Materials’ network of ready-mixed concrete plants. This is the third Renault truck on P&T Woodruff Haulage’s fleet and follows the very positive experience of owning and operating two Renault Premium Landers.

Commenting on the decision to purchase the company’s first Euro 6 truck, Joint Managing Director of P&T Woodruff Haulage, Tim Woodruff says: “The customer service we’ve received from Renault Trucks Cardiff with the two Landers has been superb. The Landers are ideal for the work we do, with no breakdowns, and the warranty and back-up has been brilliant. As business is booming, we needed to increase our capacity and the Range C was the natural choice. Normally we have a standard sleeper cab but because we are travelling further afield and need more flexibility we have specified a high roof sleeper cab with in-cab comfort extras.”

MBT’s Range T’s

Posted on April 8, 2014 by truckbloguk

I was beginning to wonder when they would start becoming popular. The new Renault Trucks Range T has been around for a little while now and you see quite a few out and about on the roads of the UK, I’ve also noticed quite a few photos appearing of European ones on the internet. It seems to me that everyone who hasn’t driven one says they are no good and those who have driven one, well, they don’t really say much. That says to me that they have quietly enjoyed themselves. I know this as that’s pretty much what I thought after going to the ride and drive day Renault Trucks UK put on at Millbrook Proving Grounds. I can’t actually say there was anything un-likeable about the truck. Oh I lied, the one thing I did think about the trucks were that the mirrors did seem to feel pretty big in the window if you know what I mean. That aside I good truck.

Well known Kent firm Online MBT have recently taken delivery of 3 new Range T trucks. To give them their full title, the new trucks are Range T 460.26 6×2 TML E6 tractor units. It would seem that my thoughts on the new trucks are shared by Online MBT’s Conrad Garrett;

“Whilst I have had good experience of Renault trucks and know them to be reliable and fuel efficient, my drivers were initially a little more pensive – so I let the trucks do the talking. On their first run, the Range Ts pulled like a train over Mont Blanc, they didn’t skip a beat. They are quiet, comfortable, have a great gearbox – all round they’re a really nice bit of kit and the drivers are completely won over.”

I think Online MBT are one of many fleets who will soon be snapping these Renaults up. I said at the launch that they would be a big hit as a fleet motor and I think I might be right. Those who drove the Premium used to say that if it had a Scania badge on everyone would buy them. So this time round perhaps people should just admit they are guilty of liking the new Renault. Online MBT are that impressed with the new motors, that these first 3 trucks could be joined by a few more as the year goes on. Commenting on the decision to introduce brand diversity to the 200-strong Online Group’s fleet of tractor units, Conrad Garrett says:

“The Range Ts are the first Euro 6 trucks on our fleet, so it’s very positive to see them already returning 9 miles to the gallon and improving every week as they loosen up. This is an excellent result for the first month on the road and we are confident that the fuel returns will improve further over time. We are looking to replace up to 60 more tractor units this year across our three depots in Dover, London and Cologne, and if the Range Ts continue to perform at this level they will certainly be on our list.”

Perhaps Renault have got it right this time round, but the hardest thing to do is change operators and drivers pre-conceptions. If those who have them admit to liking them, then others will start to believe the hype. Like I said I can’t say anything bad about the ride or comfort of the truck so for me it’s a thumbs up. If I had a fleet it would seem to make sense. The mirrors might be a bit on the large side, but that really isn’t a bad thing and the front grill needs some getting used to, but again that is the way of modern trucks isn’t it?? Think new Volvo. Forget the Premium and forget the Magnum (RIP) they are gone, be French, think French, think new thoughts and try the new trucks from Renault.

Magnum Force

Posted on March 22, 2014 by truckbloguk

From top Somerset Owner Driver, Tim Rigby:

Hello Ben , this was the first truck that I went to Europe in (Austria ) they were owned by my Dads best friend the late Alan Coles. He had six of them, all 520hp with the big V8 Mack engine ,twin stacks ,alloy wheels etc. They had awesome pulling power , loaded with China clay they made light work of the autobahn hills to Austria , and great for living in as well. The down side for me was the manual gearbox it was a bit heavy going but you could live with that , as you didn’t change gear much when you were rolling. Oh and the eastern block trucks would pull on the hard shoulder to let you pass on the german autobahn.

Renault AE Magnum = 1990-2013

Posted on March 9, 2014 by truckbloguk

Last Wednesday I put up a quick photo of a pair of Renault Magnums that I was loading at work. Surprisingly nearly 600 of you looked at it and it generated a load of comments, mostly positive but a couple of negative. I’ve always felt like the Magnum was a bit of a one-off if you know what I mean. It was always an individual truck not like the rest, with its huge block of a cab and a flat floor, it was unique almost right through to 2013 when production of the big French tower block ceased. Some of the comments were:

“An Icon”
“One of the best trucks I have driven on European work.”
“Good riddance to bad rubbish!”
and the best of all;
“We had 14 people in one at Truckfest once!”

Production of the Renault AE Magnum, as it was first know, started in 1990 (the same year I started secondary school!) at Renaults Bourg-en-Bresse plant. The truck was designed to be for long haul operators and by all accounts it did become a firm favourite with a lot of international operators. I can’t remember his name but there was a German owner driver who used to run right across Russia, an Astran subbie had a red one running to Middle East to name a couple of famous ones. Also Norbert Dentressangle ran them from Spain and with Aston Clinton Haulage. Eddie Stobart had some, I think long haul operator Ralph Davies had one. Countless F1 Grand Prix teams have used them as the flagships for the team and sponsors. All in all they have always been seen as something a bit special. These days you can pick them up for a few thousand pounds, perhaps they could become a collectors item in years to come??

Personally I never had the Magnum experience and didn’t get to drive one (perhaps there is still time) but it seemed to always be a truck that divided drivers. Either you loved it or hated it. Those who weren’t fans often claimed they felt sea sick, due to the cab being one of the first to be fully air suspended by I think 4 air bags. I’m sure you’ve all see a Magnum leaning well to one side when the air bags had gone. I can actually only remember sitting in a Magnum once, which was just a few years ago at the IAA Show in Hanover. I was a bit surprised that the cab didn’t feel a bit bigger, but then I guess if I had got in one back in 1990 it would have felt huge compared to most other cabs on the market then. Saying that I still got the feeling of a big cab, flat floor and a very high seating position, which along with the huge coach like windscreen, made for pretty good forward vision.

The AE Magnum was voted International Truck of the Year in 1991. At the time the truck was the first in production from Renault with disc brakes, along with some other mechanic firsts, it was thought that it was the trucks flat floor cab with its 1.87 metres of head room (this was over 2m when production stopped) that gave it the edge to win the ITOTY. The truck was known as the Renault AE Magnum, Renault wanted the range to be known as the Renault AE. This was the case for the 1st 7 years, then in 1997 it was decided that all trucks in the range would be named some thing beginning with the letter “M”, so from then on it was known as the Renault Magnum. A number of special editions over the years have almost gone by without notice, the Magnum Vega, the Magnum Route 66 to name a couple and the last was the Magnum Legend, which was a limited run of 99 trucks produced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the truck.

Well that’s about all I can tell you about the Magnum, but I think its fair to say that the Magnum may be gone but I don’t think it will ever be forgotten. It was the truck that pioneered the way to big cabs and big living space for the driver. It was an eye catcher no matter whether in a good way or a bad way, it all depends on your own taste. I was a fan and will miss the big Frenchie, it’s a sad fact that the new Renault truck range just doesn’t have any outstanding about it. Good trucks they are yes, but they will no way near fill the legendary shoes left by the Magnum. A truly unique truck.

Renault AE Magnum R.I.P. 1990 – 2013.
Click this link for all you need to know about the Magnums life: CLICK HERE.

Cool Runnings

Posted on January 26, 2014 by truckbloguk

I like a Spanish fridge. Fact. I have no idea why, as in the grand scheme of things they are just a box and you’d think there is no real difference between them. Each time I load one they just catch my eye. Could be because the Spanish ones seem to be a bit tidier than the ones from the rest of Europe.

Does anyone else see what I’m talking about?? No, same as normal then! Campillo Palmeras are regulars at the moment and I think they are set apart from the rest of the Spanish as you don’t see many black Spanish trucks, but then again they still have plenty of white tractor units and they look equally as tidy.

Perhaps the old Spanish style liveries are more appealing than the modern, but even so they still look smart. Both Palmera above and Transportes Las Maravillas come with new sleek modern and old tradition style livery and I can’t decide which I prefer.

Traditional Spanish or Sleek Modern??

I can’t decide which is best but I know the Spanish are some of the smartest on the road. Probably because they have had years of experience in the frigo market. Year after year bring us our oranges, strawberries, broccoli, cucumber and what ever else. The Spanish have long been big fans of Renault Trucks, both Magnum and Premium since the demise of Pegaso. I wonder if the love of Renault will continue with the Renault T range?! If it does or not I think a Spanish frigo will always catch my eye, they look even better with a TB sticker on!!

Camiones Espanoles – Entonces Y Ahora

Posted on March 12, 2013 by truckbloguk

Recently at work we have been loading quite a few Spaniards back to Spain or back to Paris so they load from the french markets and then head back to Spain. Also recently I have scanned the next batch of 750ish photos from the David Scarff collection. What is the link I hear you ask?? The answer is that some of the haulage companies that Scarffy used to photograph back in the 1980’s are still the same firms that I am loading back to the continent. How many Spanish truck spotters can say the same for the British firms still running to the sun and back. Two Spanish firms that are still doing the run and providing our super markets with year round goodies such as Strawberries, Broccoli and of course those gorgeous Spanish oranges, are the names of Campillo Palmera and of course Transportes Caudete. I’ll start with Palmera.

The livery on the original Pegaso above has developed into the livery on the trailer behind the Magnum below. I think you can see how its developed. The Magnum has the trailer livery that I know and recognise as being Palmera, with the Palm Tree logo on the back doors. Where did the Palm tree come from?? Was it on the back doors of the Pegaso? I’m not sure.

But you can see the livery on the Magnum has moved on a bit and as an outfit the truck and trailer show the earlier livery and the newer livery. These days the new Campillo Palmera trucks still have the Palm tree on the side but the overall livery is much more of a European logistics company rather than a classic Spanish haulier. This doesn’t mean they don’t still look good! The new black cabs are smart and I guess these days with air conditioning, climate control and roof top coolers, the cabs no longer need to be white to reflect the sun and keep the heat down in the cab. Even so it’s still good to see the company are still going and are still coming to the UK for our enjoyment in all respects!

Now as for Transportes Caudete, they still have a fairly traditional livery that is very close to how its always been. Red tractor units and white Spanish looking frigo trailers. Much the same as British hauliers the Spanish used to favour using their own trucks, like the Pegaso, the Spanish Seddon Atkinson. But now due to the demise of these small manufacturers, the Spanish, like the rest of Europe, use the same as everyone else. Although Renault and Iveco seem to be the favourites for these 2 hauliers, we have had a couple of new Volvos come in for Palmera.

Most of the Caudete fleet nowadays are Iveco with a few MAN. This Iveco was only a week or 2 old as the tyres were still immaculate and had that look of brand new tyre about them (good description huh!). The driver was quite happy with it.

As you can see the Caudete trailers have remained very much the same. Old and new just having what they need to have on them, the company name and what they do. The older trailers do look more continental but again this is down to the improvements in modern trucks I think. There is no longer a great need to keep water and food on the side of the trailers as a modern truck cab has plenty of room for storage inside. I do still like the idea of a water tank on the truck some where, there’s nothing like a cold wash to cool you down or wake you up!

The one thing that is missing on the modern trucks is the 2 light up sign boards on the top of the cab. The yellow square one and the yellow triangle with the blue background. As I understand it these used to be some thing to do with the ferries, but I need one of you lot to tell me more please? Email me, ben@truckblog.co.uk or leave a message below.

Hopefully more Then & Nows to come, thanks to David Scarff’s collection of photos. It’s possible to find photos of everything, so a big thank you to Mr Scarff and I look forward to the next batch to be scanned (the wife’s not so keen on the idea!). For those whho didn’t get it, the blog title is “Spanish Trucking – Then & Now.”

IAA Commercial Vehicle Show 2012

Posted on October 2, 2012 by truckbloguk

Just over a week ago on a wet and windy evening I landed back at Stansted Airport, complete with 5 blisters and a Bratwurst in my pocket. Last Monday I spent the whole day at the IAA Commercial Vehicle Show in Hanover, well it should have been 9-5 but the German bus driver side swiped a car on the Autobahn on the way, so we were a whole 45 minutes later than planned! This therefore put me onto the Volvo stand 45 minutes after everyone else, so by the time I found it the Swedish stand was already heaving with people gathering to see the ugly but intriguing new Volvo FH. I for one sat and watched the launch of said new FH on the Internet the other week and have to say I was part of the large amount of you who think it is as ugly as the front end of a bus. But when the new Mercedes Actros arrived I was also very sceptical until I saw it in the flesh.

Having sat up high overlooking the Volvo stand for quite a while I did come to the very simple conclusion that the reason it is “ugly” is only due to the grill, the actual shape is very tidy. We are so used to the badges of trucks being on the grill, is it just the case that it’s different, that is the cause of the visual unlikenment! I’m sure you have seen the photo shopped pictures of the new FH with the Volvo badge mounted on the grill and I think it looks so much better. I think there will soon be an after market pack to change the front of your new Volvo if you so wish.

Other than the grill issue, the shape of the new Volvo on the outside is rather nice and it seems different. Amazing how designers can make a shed on wheels constantly seem so different from manufacturer to manufacturer! As for the interior, well it is rather comfy. Gone is that old FH feeling of the front of the truck closing in on you. It feels huge inside (a whole extra cubic metre of space), with big lockers above the windscreen along with a rather nice sunroof panel (actually a real escape hatch!), a swivel passenger seat, a table, the list goes on and what ever I write on here won’t really do it justice. It is a Volvo and the quality is Volvo. Designed with you in mind, its super practical but also can be super comfortable if required. My overall opinion of the New FH has been changed. I like it….a lot. Ugly or not, it’s a Volvo, it’s practical, it will earn you money and keep your drivers happy.

On with the show… The Iveco stand with it’s new crown of Truck of The Year, was amazing orange. The crazy Italians have gone a little colour crazy, but I will say zis once, the Iveco stable gets more appealing!! There you go SW I really did say it, the new Hi-Way Stralis is ok.

DAF also went with orange, but it kind of suits the new childlike, cartoon front end of the XF, only problem being is that it’s not a kids toy. The DAF XF is one of the most popular trucks in Europe but i’m afraid DAF haven’t impressed many people with the new look, I for one am not keen. Are they old Mercedes Actros headlights?! Perhaps some slightly older adolescence should be offered the sweet bag when the next update is due.

The Renault stand gave me the feeling that they were trying to divert your attention away from the fact their centre piece was a 22 year old French piece of art. Although the Magnum is still different to the rest, the fact that Renault had the most beautiful girls to attract you in, the trucks were the same as when I went to Hanover in 2010. I’m not sure how they can or will replace the Magnum, but I think a breath of fresh air is required in Renault land.

Hide it, talk it down, do what you like, what ever you do the R730 Scania is still a beautiful thing in my eyes. On show in a nearly white, silver it is still an awesome piece of kit. If you have not driven the current generation of Scania trucks, then before you slate them, take one for a drive. I still feel there is no truck with a better, more confident ride, backed up with the legendary V8, all its needs is a little something on the inside, but i’m not sure what.

The Daimler hall was so impressive it was untrue. The size of a couple of football pitches. From the small vans right up to the new Actros, buses and Unimogs, all models were available for you to get your sticky paws on.

The new Actros in all it’s guises is highly impressive and I have to say that it is still in my top 3. Lovely looking truck. They had a nice little Atego on the stand, but it has to be said that it does need it’s new cab, which will bring it in line with the new range and the new look. More to come on my thoughts of the Atego replacement.

This just leaves the MAN hall. There was tons of other stuff to tell you about at the show and I will get round to it, but I thought you’d be happy with a general sum up of all the major players. MAN, like their German rivals had a large display, with loads of trucks and lots of buses, as well as the South American Volkswagen trucks. The normal trucks on the stand were popular and each truck has a couple of MAN employees to help guide you round each truck and answer your questions. There was a big special TGS 40.540 tractor unit designed for off road heavy haul use, and I wish i’d taken a few more snaps of the chassis and springs as it was a monster.

Also, much to my delight and also my annoyance, the gorgeous little TGL 12.250 was one of the most popular trucks on the stand. For my older readers you know I love a TGL and in Germany they are super popular. This particular one is the new Euro 6 model that will be available from January 2013. A new interior along with the new look grill and bumper, will surely mean that this little Tonka continues to be a huge hit. I just wish I could buy one to join the club! …….Dear Father Christmas………

The whole show was knackering. There is so much to see, but despite the bus drivers best efforts I just about had enough time to see it all and go back and see my favourite bits a second time. Probably a good year to go too, what with the new Merc’s, the new Iveco, new look DAF and of course the completely new Volvo, it was a good day out despite the blisters. I have loads more pics, yes I do, click HERE to see them. Also I will put more stuff I saw at the show on the blog over the next few months. As well as the normal trucks, there are stands of trailers, vans, parts, etc etc etc. In 2014, treat yourself and go. You might even see a full size Lego truck!

Country Coloured Mirror Covers?!

Posted on August 27, 2012 by truckbloguk

During the European Football Championships back in June was it? I saw a couple of Eastern European trucks with these rather natty Country colour coded mirror covers. I’m guessing they came about as a new way to support your home team or may be it was just a coincidence that they appeared during the soccerball. Were they on sale or were they just home made accessories?? I did see another national flag on another different truck but amazingly and shockingly it seems that I didn’t take a photo…..sack me! This little Slovakian Renault Midlum drawbar certainly looks the long distance trucker.

Manton European Freezer Freight Part 10

Posted on July 29, 2012 by truckbloguk

Part 10 and its a bit of a belter to be honest!! For those of you who might not have done a search on the blog for Mantons, it all started back on the 21st February 2011. I posted up a photo of a nice Manton truck I took a photo of in Braintree when I was a boy and since then it’s just rolled on and on. In fact it probably is worth a search to read a few of the posts. This latest installment of pics is from Rich Tilford, the man responsible for spraying all the Manton vehicles.

I first heard from Rich when he contacted me via email. The email read as follows;

“Hi Ben’ just browsing on me phone these trucks look very familiar. I used to paint them!… Got all sorts of reg no.s running through my mind! I remember K414! Is that sad? K14 NTL was ridged fridge driven by Mark Bussey , who previously drove M396 JRH a 7.5t Renault Midliner. I think there was a few Magnums (4?) N830 DAG rings a bell! They where a bit of a twat to paint due to height and fibre glass cab attracted dust (static elec) etc. I have a few photos of there later vehicles 1995> ie. Late 3 series first 4 series N682 JWT? P65. .. etc. Currently running DAF 95/ 105/ but plain white or yellow livery (boring) not seen Dave Manton in long time hope he and family are well”

I think its fair to say that Rich qualifies as a reliable source of Manton info. Having posted me a batch of his photos for me to scan (as Rich can’t work anything unless it runs on diesel), Rich also added a small note in the envelope with a few notes on each pic. For example, Rich says that the 4 Series Scania above was part of a batch of 4 trucks and P657 RYG was badly damaged in an accident just 2 weeks after he took these photos. On one of the earlier Manton posts on the blog, we talked about there being a Renault Magnum on the fleet. Not just one according to Rich and we have a bit of evidence to show that they did exist as we have a couple of Tilfords photos showing the before and after of said Magnums.

Some of you may recognise the spec of the 3 series in the foreground as I did. Rich said that there were 3 or 4 of these 3 series Scania’s with the side skirts. They were a cancelled order from MacFarlanes Transport and were already painted in the familiar green and yellow livery of Macfarlane. It wasn’t just tractor units that Rich had to paint. Trailers were a regular in the paint shop too. Most of the fridge trailers were painted in the same livery, apart from this one trailer below. For a reason that Rich has told me, just one fridge was given this livery, I rather like it! Perhaps some one can enlighten the rest of us??

Rich also hasn’t said whether he was a dab hand with a paint brush as well as the spray gun. Some smart sign writing on these trailers, especially on the tanker. Next up we have one of the tankers being pulled by a Volvo Globetrotter. Apparently the only FH Volvo Mantons had. This one was also the first truck that Rich painted when he started at Mantons, so good was the paint work the truck also made it to the Volvo truck stand at the Pickering show.

There are plenty more of Rich Tilfords pics on my Flickr page for you to see. Click HERE to have a look. A couple of nice rigids for different uses, but all in some form of yellow and green.

Last but by no means least, K414 KNW. This is the 143 that started all this off and it wasn’t even a from-new purchase by the looks of it. That is unless it was an ex demonstrator, they do look like Scania stripes don’t they. A few days in the paint shop with our man Tilford and she soon looked like part of the fleet, soon to be on regular runs to Moscow. Freshly painted waiting to leave the paint shop, just imagine the turning that key! All I can say is that I am very pleased that Rich managed to browse the Internet on his phone even though it doesn’t run on diesel! Thanks Rich, here’s hoping that you find some more photos one day.

Funnily enough in the middle of Rich contacting me, I had this comment on a Mantons blog post, from K414 KNW’s owner when it left the Manton fleet. Mr Lee Windle said;

“Just looking through the Manton story and seen a photo of K414 KNW. I was the owner of this truck for 4 years after Manton traded it in at Scania Normanton in West Yorkshire. It was working round trip to Germany every week and never let me down. I had it repainted white cab red chassis when I first bought it. Sold it to a chap in Wakefield then saw it a few years later for sale on ebay. I added the spot lights, air horns and alloy wheels.. that gave me the bug for the V8’s, had them ever since current truck Scania R580 4X2 OPTIC CRUISE……”

The one thing with this blog is how these things all lead onto some thing else. Any one got a photo of K414 in its life after Mantons??

Lack of Swiss Cheese…….

Posted on June 12, 2012 by truckbloguk

….Just pure class with this big Renault. Being an honorary Essex boy for 30 of my 33 years, I have had a fairly good knowledge of the trucks in and around Braintree and Chelmsford. Surprisingly one of the trucks that has been in and around Chelmsford for a lot of years has been the changing face of Renault’s flagship Magnum. Not only has it been a single Magnum, it has always had Swiss plates and has always been in the ultra smart colors of Swiss company Kipfer Transporte. For those of you who know Chelmsford, you probably know where the Britvic factory is, this used to be where the Magnum would be parked, but these days it often resides in the lorry park at the Boreham Interchange Services. I took these snaps on a quick trailer change at Boreham a few Monday’s ago.

Do you know any thing about Kipfer? Who the Chelmsford driver is? I can only imagine that it has been the same driver for the last 10 years or so. I would like to hear from said driver or Kipfer themselves as according to their website they pretty well cover the whole of Europe and Scandinavia from their Swiss base between the German borders of Rheinfelden and Bad Sackingen.

I’m sorry to say that I don’t know how Swiss number plates work, but this Magnum must be relatively new, it has the new bigger 4m high cab (3.92m actually!) which has been about for a couple of years. It also has the big 520hp engine, which should mean it gobbles up the mountains of Europe of it’s weekly jaunts. Is it me or do Magnums always have a certain something about them?? They always grab my attention I can’t help but look.

I guess the only downside of this spot is that the trailer is fairly plain compared to the usual Kipfer fridges. If you have any info to add you can email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk or leave a comment below. In the mean time you can also email me any of your photos of Kipfer trucks, always good to have a Magnum on the blog!!

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