Truck & Driver UK – August 2019

Truck & Driver Summer 2019^83

a small plastic toolbox but it only

just fitted through the gap.

Internal storage is quite good;

large overhead lockers on the

front wall and plenty of space

under the bunk swallowed our kit

easily enough, but you do have

to lift the bed to gain access. A

Space Cab option of lockers on

the rear wall with the single-bunk

layout would be useful. Few seem

to be specced with twin bunks.

The bed itself is mounted

quite high, ideal for sitting on with

the extra internal height. The

optional Comfort mattress is

great, a good compromise

between firmness and comfort. It

is a little narrow at either end and

requires the seats to be tilted

forward, but we sleep well in the

CF; the revised curtains are quite

thick and keep out the light on

summer mornings.

Cross-cab access is

reasonable for this layout, helped

by the MX11 version having a

slightly lower engine cover. It is

easy enough to get to the bed

and there is plenty of headroom

for getting changed when

standing in the middle of the cab.

The CF Space Cab is fine for

a couple of consecutive nights

out. It’s not an XF, but a good

compromise for many users. Our

truck has automatic temperature

control, which works well. One

omission is an electric roof

hatch, which would be more in

keeping with the rest of the spec.

Conclusion

The evergreen CF is still a really

good workhorse, able to tackle

almost any job thrown at it. The

performance of the MX11.450

really surprised us, particularly

with the high diff ratio, and the

engine brake is very impressive

for an 11-litre engine.

The cab is still a good

workplace but, compared with

newer rivals, the lack of exterior

storage, steering adjustment and

space around the driver do date

the truck. But from an operator’s

point of view, the economics are

hard to beat – and nothing has

changed there.

Bunk is a little narrow at each end and requires seats to be tilted forward but it affords a good night’s sleep

‘‘The bed itself is mounted quite high, ideal

for sitting on with the extra internal height. The

optional Comfort mattress is great, a good

compromise between firmness and comfort’’

DAF CF450