Truck & Driver UK – September 2019

Truck & Driver August 2019^43

SLIGO HAULAGE

1.5mpg more than the old 460s.

“I’ve seen over 12mpg on light

work, which is amazing as these

trucks don’t spend all day on the

motorway, they operate in rural

areas a lot too,” says Gareth.

“I think the TraXon ’box has

really made the Daf now. I drove

one of our 16-plate AS-Tronics

the other week and the difference

is very noticeable.”

Upped the offer

Trucks tend to be kept for around

five years and, such is the

company’s reputation for keeping

them in good order, they never

have any problem moving them

on. “I had a salesman speak to

me about a new truck and a

trade-in. He came up with a

figure and I said I wanted more,

as the truck was in such good

condition. He came to visit and

said ‘Well, I know you said it was

clean, but I didn’t know it was this

clean’ and upped his offer on the

spot,” smiles Stephen.

While the majority of the fleet

is Daf, the company is open to

other marques; it’s up to the

trucks and the dealers to set the

very high bar the vehicles and

Daf Trucks Dublin have set.

“I would like to thank Nicky

Gill, John Dowling and Tommy

Smith and everyone there in

Dublin – they look after us

extremely well,” he says.

Two years ago, a Volvo FH

460 Globetrotter joined the fleet

and has proven itself to be a

good investment. “A friend of

mine, Paul Kelly, works for Volvo

and he put a great deal on the

table for us on this truck, which

was a cancelled order. It’s been

very good so far,” says Gareth.

“The driver, James McNicholas,

loves it and it’s performed well.

It’s around 1mpg heavier on fuel

than the new Dafs though.”

Which one does Gareth prefer

to drive? “Now that’s a tricky

question; these are really

well-built trucks. I like the comfort

and interior of the Daf, the driving

position and mirrors on the Volvo.

I’m probably slightly leaning

toward the Daf at the moment,

but I’d like to try one of the

latest-model Volvos too.”

Working toy

Also in the yard when we came

to do the photoshoot was

Gareth’s own project, a

‘working toy’ Scania 144

Celebratory XFs are both Super Space Cabs...

... and benefit from TraXon auto ’boxes