DOWN TO EARTH TRUCK BELOW 7-5 TONNES
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TERRIER type numbers reflect the gross vehicle weight thus giving the TR738 a gvw of 7.38 tons. This of course has a metric equivalent in tonnes of 7.5 which is the dividing line before an hgv licence is required.
When CM tested the "non-hgv" Terrier it was in its optional form with the sixcylinder 6-98DV engine and five-speed overdrive gearbox. In standard form it is offered with the four-cylinder 4-98NV engine and four-speed gearbox.
In test trim, the Terrier had an unladen weight ready for the road of 3.26 tonnes (3 tons 4cwt) which gave it a potential payload capacity of around 4.2 tonnes (4 tons 3cwt).
The test truck was fitted with an all-timber dropside body, but an operator could increase his payload potential by around 305kg (6cwt) by specifying a light-alloy body.
Totalling the plated axle weights gives a 430kg (8.4 cwt) latitude within the gross weight for unevenly distributed loads.
The matching of the higher output 6-98DV engine to the five-speed box provided the Terrier with a good all-round performance. The fuel con sumption in particular was praiseworthy at 171it/100km (16.6mpg) overall for the
312km (194 miles) of the CM Midlands test route. This related to an average speed for the distance of 60km/h (37.3mph).
On the motorway portion of the route the overdrive top gear was used to full effect.
The Terrier typically ran at speeds close to the legal limit with revs to spare, actually averaging just over 54mph for a stage consumption figure of 18.51it/100km (15.3mpg).
On the normal A-road sections, the sensible ratio spread meant that the right gear was always available without either labouring or revving it too hard. This included the hill sections which the Terrier took in its stride. The long climb out of High Wycombe up Amersham Hill for example was covered in second gear with the engine pulling well in the low rev band, the vehicle speed dropping to around 16km/h (10mph). As far as the restarts from rest were concerned, the Terrier restarted safely fully laden on the 1 in 5 test gradient. For close quarter manoeuvring the manual steering gat progressively heavier towards full lock and would benefit from power assistance. On the road section, when travelling at more than walking pace the steering was quite manageable. Just over six turns were required to go from lock to lock. As a guideline to the manoeuvrability of the Terrier the turning circle between kerbs averaged around 42ft.
Hydraulic dampers were fitted to both axles of the test vehicle and the ride over all types of road surface was good. When taking roundabouts there was no perceptible vehicle roll.
As far as access for routine level checking is concerned the dipstick and oil filler are to be found beneath a small hatch in the front of the in-cab engine cowl. If more room is required for maintenance this cowl can be removed completely. Easy to top up, the clutch hydraulic fluid reservoir is situated just behind the front dash panel.
This test report was first published in Commercial Motor on May 28 1976.