lveco Daily could be the 7-tonner
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BRIAN WEATHERLEY'S perceptive review of the 7.5-tonner's market fortunes (CM 31 January) raises some puzzling issues.
Why has it been left to the Japanese, specifically Isuzu and Fuso, to supply 7.5-tonners that are light, compact and relatively cheap, enabling them to meet the needs of buyers wanting to maximise payloads without going up in gross weight, incurring cost and fuel consumption penalties?
Most chassis in what was traditionally the highest 'non HGV' weight category are destined for multi-drop distribution work, typically in urban areas, where manoeuvrability in accessing congested conditions is critical. There the narrower cabs of the Japanese contenders are a key attribute, always providing that a proportionately narrow body is specified.
But, in common with their heavierduty European-designed 7.5-tonne competitors, they are of forwardentry configuration, with the step ahead of the front axle. The driver needs two hands to climb aboard, made difficult by Isuzu's and Fuso's more constricted door opening (partly caused by windscreen rake) and smaller step — a crucial shortcoming if he/she is making 30 or 40 drops a day, probably carrying a package of some sort.
In contrast, most lighter European trucks and vans provide the easier entry benefits of a semi forward-control layout, with an entry step behind the wheelarch. The only 7.5-tonner with that kind of easy step-in access was the MercedesBenz Vario, which came in panel van as well as chassis-cab form. But it was showing its age and invited the adjective 'clunky', lacking the refinement of its more modem Atego full forward-control stablemate, while also being heavier and more expensive than the Fuso offered by Mercedes at the same GVVV.
There is a rival option for those wanting that elusive combination of high payload, compact dimensions and good cab entry ergonomics. If they can avoid being fixated on a 7.5-tonne plating, they might find Iveco's top Daily van and chassiscab models, grossing just 7 tonnes but with a compensatingly low unladen weight,would fit the bill.
Alan Bunting Harpenden, Herts