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Tester's imptIssim: The French won't disagree with the assertion that
Page 54
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they build the ultimate muckaway tippers-this Kerax, the heaviest contender in its multi-axle line up, does exactly what it says on the tin. But we did get a few double takes from the local tipper drivers with its McGee livery. McGee? Moving in here? Don't panic chaps; we were only visiting.
The owner has certainly gone to town on the specification; it would probably be easier to list options that haven't been added. But of the nonRenault extras the PM On-Board self-weighing system stood out as the most helpful for day-to-day activities. Before loading the driver lifts the body off the sub frame by a few inches and the weight flashes up on the in-cab monitor once loading begins. The scoop shovel driver gets two exterior lighting
systems with green, red, yellow and white lights offering different information.
Bearing the brunt of a cornucopia of extras is the Global Utility Cab. The extra space means extra weight, but that's a penalty well worth paying for longer runs and it's a necessity for regular nights away.
The bunk folds down off the rear wall and this cab is shorter than the traditional sleeper-cab option that can be fitted to an 8x4 chassis.
Under the floor you'll find the 11.1-litre common
rail cDi engine that has served the French manufacturer so well. With its broad torque band it gives the driver plenty of scope for lugging down through roundabouts and maintaining much needed momentum. Ranging up to 1,500rprn before torque drops off and down towards 1,000rpm it is undoubtedly a particular strength. Making the most of all this torque is the ZF eight-speed transmission. While it lacks a little versatility at the top end, it's more than a match for its tasks at the bottom end. This is a slap-over box rather than a range-change, with third and fifth in a similar position. As a result it comes across a slightly ponderous gearchange compared with the tight throw of the Scania we tested in the lighter category.
On the road the Kerax is all pretty straightforward. It powers through sweeping roundabouts, and in all fairness made short work of the hillclimb even though at 81 seconds it took longer than many of its contemporades.
The driving position is comfortable; the higher ground clearance gives the cab a stacked feeling, affording good all round vision. With a kerbweight of 13,220kg with a driver and full tank. McGee gets 18,780kg of payload and it's right at home on the roughest terrain. No wonder it comes with drum brakes.
McGee has speceed this rugged off-roader with aluminium wheels (either as a fashion statement, a weight saver, or a mixture of the two) with 12R22.5 off-road profile-Michelin tyres. The parabolic rear suspension offers a solid ride which suits the Kerax's overall feel when the going gets tough this workhorse is more than tough enough to get going.