Hauliers discuss heaters
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INDEPENDENT cab heaters were being considered by the Road Haulage Association's technical committee this week for the first time.
The committee is likely to draw up a short report for the guidance of members considering installing heaters. The move has been prompted by letters from members, particularly in the international group, and follows complaints by drivers of severe cold suffered during the French lorry blockades.
Greater interest than usual is reported by manufacturers. Webasto's Oily Mustey said that there had not been normal rapid drop in sales after winter.
Strong support for independent heaters has come from Swift Transport Services of Northampton, which is fitting Eberspacher heaters to 50 lorries in its fleet — all trunkers up to two years old, and some older vehicles.
Fleet engineer Arthur Bannister said the night heaters were not only better for the driver but made economic sense for the operator.
Swift would recover the cost of fitting new heaters in half a winter, because the driver would no longer have to run the engine to stay warm at night.
They would also make the driver more comfortable. "He doesn't get a night's sleep if he has got to run the engine," Mr Bannister said.