Trucking Magazine – July 2019

The company didn’t really want Scanias, but I

pushed them for this. Kris Lunn

http://www.truckingmag.co.uk Summer 2019 TRUCKING 45

Driver’s verdict:

Kris Lunn,

Scania R500

Kris is 38 and joined the

company in 2002. He started

working on dump trucks and

loading shovels in the quarries,

then did his Class 2 in 2006

followed by his Class 1 two years

later. Thory paid for his Class 2

training and he funded his Class 1

training himself.

“I had an 2014 DAF XF460

before the Scania. I had the first

New Gen Scania we had on demo

• an R450 – in 2017 and I didn’t
  want to give it back!
  “The company didn’t really want
  Scanias, but I pushed them for this.
  We’d had a few issues with the
  local DAF dealer, so I guess
  [buying Scanias] was a kick up the
  arse for them.
  “I really wanted a V8, but they
  are too heavy and pricey. Likewise
  I couldn’t have an S-cab for the
  same reason, plus their height
  might occasionally be an issue.
  “I always keep the truck clean.
  I’ve got ‘truck OCD!’ We have
  taken this R500 and two R450s. I
  think there is more room in this cab
  than the DAF Space Cab XF.
  “The company buys its trucks
  new as a rule, unless there’s a
  decent second-hand deal that’s too
  good to turn down on a low-
  mileage truck.”
  Kris has had no issues at all with
  the Scania, and it’s regularly
  achieving just under 8 mpg when
  fully loaded – which is very good in
  this line of work. It’s better than the
  DAF in that respect.
  Kris has the occasional night out
  ‘as and when’. “The bed is very
  comfortable indeed,” he adds, and
  “there’s more storage room than in
  the XF. The cupboards are bigger.
  “I think DAF has fallen behind in
  every aspect compared with the
  Scania. The Scania is for the driver.
  For example, the USB plugs are
  perfectly positioned, and there are
  controls by the bunk.
  “The only issue I have had is the
  AdBlue tank is too small and I need
  to fill it every three days, while a
  DAF does five days. But that’s not
  a big issue; more of a minor gripe.
  “It pulls well, and it’s not often I
  have to take it out of Eco mode. I
  expect to keep this truck for four or
  five years.”
  SCANIA R500: REAR

Thory’s Scania R500 is fitted

with Highline sleeper cab

The R500 is Thory’s

new fleet flagship

Driver Kris Lunn

adores his R500