Kersey Freight Friday – It’s Back!!

Posted on January 27, 2012 by admin

Finally I hear you cry! Those big white DAF’s of Hadleigh, Suffolk based Kersey Freight are back on the blog, 4 months and 11 days after it’s first appearance. A lovely snow filled trip to Italy and back, provides a lovely back drop for photos and Kersey driver Geraint (Taffy) Richards, has taken a few crackers. I’ve been banging on to my good friend DC at Kersey Freight to send me more photos as his (and JM’s!) trucks go further and further from their Suffolk countryside base. Although Paris is a regular destination, the trucks are covering more and more ground, often finding themselves heading into deepest Germany and over the Alps into Italy. I was tempted to write this blog myself after getting the info from DC today, but his description is great, so I think I’ll use his words.

“We loaded a full load of Water Based Emulsion to be kept at +5′C ex Northampton to Caleppio Di Settala, Italy. Taffy took the easy road into Milan on the Ralpin piggy back train from Frieburg to Novara!!! Although due to being on the waiting list, Taffy had to wait 24 hours until finally getting the 11 hour train ride through Switzerland to its final destination in Novara.”

“Once off the train he proceeded to Milan to offload the paint and reload from one of our clients 5kms away from the tip. Once loaded in Milan with no return trains available he decided to head for Mont Blanc Tunnel and parked at Aosta. Saturday morning was ready to move but the Blanc was closed for 3 hours due to risk of avalanche. After finally getting the order to move, Taffy started the climb to the snowy Mont Blanc!!”

“On his decent he stopped near Chamonix (Check the spelling) and took a couple of nice pictures for you! Then Taffy made his way into France and rested in Troyes that evening.”

“Sure you will sex it up a bit” - Opps! that bit was meant for me, sorry DC!! Any way that is a great come back, lets just hope its not so long before the next episode of Kersey Freight Friday hits the blog. Not sure there will be quite as much snow on the next trip, but even so the Alps always make for good photos so keep them coming Kersey drivers and subbies. Email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk . Thanks to driver of K18 KFL Geraint Richards, for the photos.

DAF XT is Born – NOT Photoshopped

Posted on January 18, 2012 by admin

We’ve all seen the photo-shopped versions of a bonneted DAF, mostly the white one pulling a fridge trailer. In all honesty it doesn’t look to silly, for a few days I think it did get people wondering whether it was real or not. But now Dutch transport company A. Jansen BV, who are clearly huge fan’s of their natively built DAF trucks, have produced a real life bonneted DAF and have named it the DAF XT. I’m sure over the next few months this truck will make it to your regular truck magazine. On Jansen’s own website, there is this small explanation in the News section;

“Recently, A. Jansen B.V. on the occasion of its 40 anniversary presented a new car: the XT. This special model in cooperation with DAF dealer de Burgh in Eindhoven developed and produced. The XT, such as this implementation in the market will go (FTT XF type 105.460), is the successor of the legendary NAT models of DAF. The two new DAF XT’s battery from the end of February 2012 will abandon the fleet of A. Jansen B.V. and so also appeared on the Dutch roads.”

You can work out from the slightly dodgy translation, that there are now 2 of these real life DAF XT’s. The trucks have been produced to celebrate Jansen BV’s 40th Anniversary, just imagine what could happen when they reach the big 50!! Keep your eye’s peeled on the press, as I say i’m sure it will be making a lot or appearances. What’s your first impression? Is it like mine; The grill is too chunky, then email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk or you can leave a comment, or these day’s you can even get me on Twitter, @truckbloguk amazing stuff! Not sure who’s photo’s these are but if you let me know I can credit you. I would also like to say a big thank you to Graham Wilson for informing me of the DAF’s existence.

R.F. Interport Movements

Posted on January 10, 2012 by admin

Not a name i’m too familiar with i’m sorry to say. I have heard the name before but that’s about as far it goes. So this is where you come in. I have had a right good spring clean in the depths of the truckblog email inbox and I came across an email I flagged a while ago. The email was from a truckblog regular, Peter Metcalfe. In his email he informed me that he was involved with R.F. Interport Movements in the 1970′s. Peter’s email read as follows;

“I was involved with a company in the 70′s, based in Astley on the Outskirts of Manchester . The company was called “R.F.INTERPORT MOVEMENTS” whose main traffic was to the Middle East. They had a program made about them on the tractor units they where using on Tomorrows World (BBC) about all the cab fittings made in the cab i.e shower, cooker, sink. We also had a driver in prison for over 18 months for an aaccident he was involved in. So we would get drivers passing him to drop food off to him, as he was left alone. Do not get me wrong everybody seems to crave on the top firms and do not look Into the full running troubles drivers used to get into.The stories I could tell and write on your blog that would put a lot of drivers off driving. But I am sorry I have no pictures of the trucks.”

So that’s your home work bloggers, tell me more, search your archives, find the photo’s and get emailing them over to me, so we can enjoy them on here and also perhaps a few photo’s will encourage Peter Metcalfe to share a few stories of the good old days. I was emailed the photo I have used but I don’t know anything about it, aprt from it’s a DAF with a very nice spread axle tilt, the Middle East truckers trailer of choice! Get emailing; ben@truckblog.co.uk

New Ozzie Mini Artic is Nearly Ready

Posted on November 24, 2011 by admin

Remember a little while back I introduced you too a new mate of mine from Australia, Julian Baker. He runs a mini artic around Australia delivering cars under the wing of Ceva Logistics. He currently has a new UD tractor unit in the making. Once again I will leave you in his capable hands, so sit back open a stubbie, chuck another shrimp on the barbie and enjoy reading what Julian has to say;

The new one is a UD too but is quite interesting. In conjunction with the manufacture we have transplanted a 15 inch diff and housing to replace the 13 inch original. The hubs and drums are interchangeable. The project has been delayed and delayed due to sourcing appropriate ratios ex Japan, as the 15 inch was normally on 22.5 inch wheels in Australia, not 17.5. This truck has 4.111 ratio with 0.78 overdrive 6 speed. Also the local senior UD management and Japanese engineering staff had been stalling approval for a few years. I have a friend who heads up UD engineering for Australia/New Zealand. We share a passion for the small, high horsepower tow vehicle but he has struggled to get traction on this project until recently. This type of vehicle sits conveniently in a GVM range that doesn’t require a speed limiter and doesn’t require a log book/work diary (driving hours) when without a trailer. Combined with the low clearance, high manouverability, low loading height and relatively high payload with high GCM we reckon the variant can be a real money making proposition. This little fella is the first UD to be painted Ceva Burgundy on the line too.

The stronger diff will complement the already upgraded gearbox, tail shaft, universals, clutch and engine in the new model. The end result is the higher GCM with a higher torque engine. The new truck will also have far greater redundancy in the driveline. The old MK265 has done a wonderful job, but as it is approaching 1 million kms, all major components have been replaced at least once. I generally sit around 20 tonne but have gone to Melbourne-Perth, Brisbane-Melbourne and numerous Melbourne-Adelaide/Sydneys a tonne or two over. Like the rest of the world we have a love of the SUV and unnecessarily large cars in Australia. Although still far more modest than the Yanks.

It is a little bit of a shame the modified truck isn’t the new, new model with a completely new cab and engine. As Volvo have owned UD for a few years the development of a new medium range took place. The new engine is 280 hp (vs 260) and 883nm (vs 794), still on 235/75 17.5 rubber. GVM is up to 11 tonne and GCM with the big diff will be 23 tonne. I know these numbers aren’t enormous compared to a TGL, LF45 or the 12 tonne Atego sold in Germany with the big rear axle, but Jap trucks are the norm down here. They have sufficient cooling capacity and Jap trucks always deliver what they promise. It’s sort of like ‘under promise, over deliver’.

Anyway, I’m still thrilled my big axle idea has been implemented. The little buggar is going to cost me a fortune as I’ve got a bit carried away with the accessories, but it’s coming along nicely. Things left to do are the bull bar and driving lights (very similar to the old truck), Ceva livery (I’m thinking of putting a big UD logo on the back window too, and maybe my football teams logo:-)), rectangular alloy fuel tanks with matching separate third hydraulic tank, the Alcoas off the old truck with a polish, chrome axle end trims on the drive, nut covers, water tank, tool box, proper drive tyres and leather upholstery. The tanks are 560mm wide x 510mm high, they should really finish the little banger off. They will send me broke alone!! I am a huge fan of the mini prime-mover, this will be my third. Chassis height and tare weight with my trailer are unique. My total tare weight is comparable to the Ceva 6 car trailers my mates tow alone. Therefore my fuel consumption is 0.4-0.7 kms per litre better. It doesn’t sound much, but can be over $100/day if running highway kms. The other blokes are pulling their 6-9 tonne prime-movers for no extra income. Purchase price, and maintenance are slightly less, but these little trucks are a five year proposition towing trailers, not 8 like they old one is.

Of course comfort and cabin room are not comparable in any way to European trucks. I have flirted with buying a MAN for 10 years but LEs then TGLs are like rocking horse droppings here. DAF LF45s don’t cool and Ivecos are terribly unreliable in Aussie conditions. Benz don’t bring Ategos to Australia running on 17.5 inch rims, and the chassis height of the 19.5 inch trucks is pretty high. Avia have been introduced recently but a 4.5 litre engine is reason enough not to consider them. Probably the main reason I haven’t taken the MAN plunge though is the odd stud pattern on the wheels. My current setup runs the same Alcoa 17.5 x 6.75 rims throughout. Even the 8 stud used by DAF and AVIA could be replicated here, but the MAN pattern would be custom custom.

I have recently come back to Melbourne from almost two years fly-in/fly-out in Tasmania. The little truck didn’t come home once. It was my home during the week. In Australia we have an ADR (Australian Design Rule) which grants the bunk in a truck to be a ‘registered sleeping compartment’. The little bunk in the MK has had this accreditation since this cabin was introduced in the mid 90s and until recently was the only narrow Jap cab to be approved. The Isuzu narrow extended cab now complies. You do not have this cab in the UK I believe. Isuzu UK either sell the narrow cab with no bunk, or the wide cab with a bunk. Anyway, I have wrap around curtains and my passenger seat folds flat so I sleep well. An extra foot of bunk and a foot more head room would be very well received though. And more storage space!!! New truck will be two seater with proper consol vs three seater with shallow consol in the back of the middle seat.

MODEL OF SCOTTISH INNOVATION!

Posted on October 19, 2011 by admin

Expert marketing and details by Jim Newsome; Derbyshire based promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale DAF XF105 Super Space (6×2) tractor unit and 3 axle, refrigerated (Carrier) trailer with side underrun bars, customised in the classy livery of Scottish operator John Mackirdy Haulage.

As winners of the Transport News “Scotland’s Most Innovative Haulier of the Year 2011” Reward, the Company decided to mark its success with the issue of a certificated, Limited Edition run of model trucks. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles and are a certificated, Limited Edition (105 pieces). The DAF XF105 Super Space is the latest addition to the Mackirdy fleet which also embraces Volvo, MAN & ERF trucks, together with a variety of trailers, including fridges, chill liners, curtains, flats, tankers and tippers.

Based on the Isle of Bute, the origins of John Mackirdy Haulage can be traced back a staggering 140 years of continuous family ownership. Born in 1835, founder, John Mackirdy’s first real foray into transport involved the use of horses and carts to shift construction materials following the family’s decision to move out of milling and into building. Word spread about the new “carting firm” and additional work soon came in the form of requests to collect goods and supplies from the ferry berthing point in Rothesay for distribution and delivery around the island. Four generations of the Mackirdys later and with the business still being family owned and run, a Mackirdy Haulage model ought surely to feature in many an enthusiast’s collection!

Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £137 each (including UK delivery & VAT). For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call them on 01332 873555.

A Trucking Transam Truck Visit

Posted on October 5, 2011 by admin

A week or 2 ago a friend of mine, who goes by the name of Mat Ireland (yes the brother of truckblog writer Nick Ireland), popped into our yard for a quick visit, on his way back to Transam Trucking’s base, with his big black DAF and matching plain black trailer.

Mat called in to collect an HC Wilson Scania 141 model, a man with good taste. Truck and driver had just returned from a European tour with the band Deftones. They were planned to be home for 4 days before heading back off to Switzerland, the up to Russia for another full European tour with the one and only Britney Spears! I have set Mat a challenge of getting Miss Spears to pose next to the truckblog sticker on the back of his trailer…..He said “That won’t be difficult, i’ll just get her to do it when she’s leaving my cab one morning!” I do like people with a sense of humour!!

They often say you can tell a lot about a driver by the inside of his cab. Well I am pleased to say that Mat’s cab lives up to this statement. Everything in its place but with a rock and roll twist! Gig stickers, backstage passes etc etc. The best way to describe it would be like one of those cool old school VW Campers, you know it just looked cool. You can definitely see it’s his home from home, not sure if you can see that from the photo though.

Not sure if I really want to say this but if you want to send me pics of the inside of your cab and how you make it homely, email them to me at; ben@truckblog.co.uk no yucky ones thankyou!

Kersey Freight Friday

Posted on September 16, 2011 by admin

What I hear you say, KERSEY FREIGHT FRIDAY!! Well for this week at least. The regularity of a Friday feature all depends on how often DC updates me with photo’s!! This is the first time one of the Kersey DAF’s has ventured so far South from their base in Hadleigh, Suffolk. Usually most of the Italian trips are undertaken by Kersey’s subbies.

This particular trip required one of Kersey Freights own trucks as the export was a removal job for a high profile customer. Loading in London and delivering to the Swiss town of Lugano. After the tight access delivery point for driver Geraint Richards, it was back on the Motorway for a run down, through the Chiasso border and into Italy. I think Mr Richards may be in trouble as he spent the night next to the delightful Lake Como but didn’t take any photo’s! Any way in the morning the big DAF finished it’s Southerly run to Milano where a full load of fashion was loaded. Next, all that was required was a run back up through Mont Blanc to the picturesque destination of Basildon, Essex. Not a bad weeks work if you can get it. I’m thinking that this will be the first of many trips further South than Paris for the Kersey Freight team. Just remember 2 things; 1) Photo’s for all the Perv’s and 2) White trucks get very dirty crossing the mountains in the winter!!

If you fancy joining the ranks of Kersey Freight, DC and JM are always looking for new subbies to pull their tidy white trailers. They are both are keen to use as many English/East Anglian subbies as possible, so, if you have a truck or 2 why not contact them and see if they require your services.

Contact: David@kerseyfreight.com or James@kerseyfreight.com and if you feel like emailing me with any thing half as exciting, my email address is, ben@truckblog.co.uk

Right after such an excellent piece of publicity i’m off to barter with DC about getting another truckblog sticker on the back of one of the KFL trailers!!

Here’s Your New Truck

Posted on August 12, 2011 by admin

Recently I have been trying to work out how to use Facebook and more to the point get it working alongside the blog. So far I haven’t got a clue. It’s possible to put questions on the TB FB page, so I thought i’d give it a go to see what results I got, you know that modern word “interactive” thats me that is!

Here’s the question: Your new boss is offering you the following trucks brand new as your first truck, which do you choose?

- DAF 3300 ATI Spacecab

- Volvo F12 Globetrotter

- Scania 143

- Iveco Turbostar V8

- Mercedes Benz SK V8

A bit of a retro question as we all seem to prefer the old generation of trucks. All in all i ended up with 48 Votes (at the time of going to press!), not a bad turn out. Please feel free to add your vote below in the comments box below or head over to the Facebook page if your that way inclined.
Can you Guess the results?? I bet you can guess the bottom 2 anyway. Here are the results;

1st – Scania 143 with 48% of Votes
2nd – Volvo Globetrotter with 27% of Votes
3rd – DAF 3300 Spacecab with 21% of Votes
4th – Iveco Turbostar with 2% of Votes
4th – Mercedes SK with 2% of Votes

I think in all honesty I could have kept the vote down to just the top 3 options. The choice between Volvo and DAF was pretty close. I was slightly surprised by the smaller cabbed beating the 2 bigger cabbed trucks to 1st place. This must show that all you old romantics of the road must just prefer the better drive over the better cab for time off. If you took part then thank you and if you didn’t you better had next time!! If youare literate in facebook please click on the link above and click the like button. Also keep your eyes for further questions / votes.

Where is This Truck Now??

Posted on July 17, 2011 by admin

What a cutie! This little DAF with its B I G Hatcher cab conversion is a real head turner, especially with its bright livery. These will now be rare photo’s due to Edwin Shirley being taken over by the equally beautiful black trucks of Transam Trucking. Now i wonder if this little gem is still on the joint fleet some where?? I know a couple of chaps by the name of Ireland who should be able to shed some light on the detective hunt. I would quite like a “where is it now?” type updtae if poss please. Also Nick, i think this is one of yours, thanks, can you email me a few more, perhaps along what ever trip you did with her??. Can you add any thing to the hunt? Leave your comments below or email me; ben@truckblog.co.uk

Tekno Models New UK Release’s

Posted on April 7, 2011 by admin

Here you go again, another couple of cracking Tekno models of UK trucks both now available from Speedbird Promotions for pre-order. Get ordering and don’t miss out, they are are both limited editions of 200 models each.
First up we have the excellent HE Payne Scania 141 and tilt trailer in the full ASG Spedition livery. As i can’t afford the real one this will definitely ease my need! You have probably seen this truck at one of the truck shows or in this months Truck & Driver magazine.

HE Payne/ASG
Scania 1-series (LB141)
3-axle Tautliner Trailer
Maximum Production: 200pcs
Retail Price: £149.95
Including free UK delivery

The 2nd vehicle for release is this very smart Scania 143 in the livery of Lincolnshire haulier MC Salter & Sons from Sutton Bridge. As far as i understand it, they are your good old fashioned English family haulier. Running a very smart fleet of Scania’s, DAF’s and possbily others, they are having a model made of their F reg 143 450hp beauty. With an empty flat trailer there is plenty of scope to add a load of your own. Details as follows.

MC Salter
Scania 3-Series
3-axle Flatbed Trailer
Maximum Production: 200pcs
Retail Price: £139.95
Including free UK delivery

Hurry up and get one of these, or both of these models ordered, contact Ben Lord from www.teknomodeltrucks.co.uk or email him at; ben.lord@speedbird-promotions.co.uk

SCOOP!! Mystery New DAF

Posted on March 19, 2011 by admin

I’ve been sent these pics of a brand new smart DAF XF105 but i can’t tell you who’s it is………… well not yet any way. The truck is a Super Space cabbed 510hp with twin air horns and the shinest black paint you’ll ever see and i can only imagine it will stay like that when it enters service. It looks like these pictures were taken at the DAF factory in Leyland, Lancashire, where, i think i’m right in saying, all right hand drive DAF’s are made these days, please correct me if i’m wrong, ben@truckblog.co.uk . Hopefully in the not to distant future i will have some pics of said truck in full livery on the road. Untill then please feel free to comment below with your thoughts on who’s truck it is.

That DAF Tanker?

Posted on February 27, 2011 by admin

Open your brains, cast them back a few years and set to DAF. This tanker was always going the other way, it always seemed to be one step ahead. I think i only ever had the pleasure of following it the once, when i took this picture, usually i had to enjoy the work of art in my mirrors! This was a 4×2 DAF Super Space Cab, a bulk liquid tanker with polished tank, hazchem boards and general international sticker/signage. The picture on the back was of some sort of industrial scene, with silhouettes of factories and chimneys. Ringing any bells yet? I am hoping that one of you will be able to shed some light on this ‘ere truck, if you know any thing or have more pictures, then please email me, ben@truckblog.co.uk

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