Following our usual policy, we invited some professional LGV drivers
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to try out our test vehicle and give their opinion. We took the Foden 2210 to the BP truckstop at South Mimms... They hod few complaints.
David Castle had a little time to kill at South Mimms before making a timed delivery closer into London. Castle drives a Mercedes-Benz 1617 for B Clegg EDC Products out of Oldham. He started driving in 1955, aged 17. "I don't go for flashy interiors," Castle told us as he inspected the inside of the cab, "but I like this grey. The vinyl can take a bit of cleaning if it's allowed to get dirty, but wipe it clown regularly and it should be OK. That pocket slot on the passenger side is a bit far out of reach but it's the right size for a large map and dip-board and the engine cover is low enough to stride over. Who makes this seat? Is it Isringhausen? It's very comfortable. The cab has got enough width and the bunk is long enough for anyone to stretch out on. Why is it so high?" We lifted up the mattress and showed him the stowage space below. "The first aid box is a must, It should be made standard in all trucks," he told us. Out on the road he said: 'The ride is very smooth and it pulls nicely. It's so quiet. You can't hear anything from the outside. I can see all the controls and instruments and with those mirrors you should see everything on the outside. The clutch pedal is quite high before it engages but the gear change is beautiful and I can't fault the steering." As we reversed into our parking spot he commented: "The engine's got a nice tickover; you can just inch it back. I think I could drive this all day and I wouldn't feel I'd been anywhere."
Mark Salter, another Mercedes-Benz driver, has held a CV licence for two years and drives for Ken Abram out of Scarisbrick, Lancs. "It's good to climb in," he said before adjusting the steering wheel and seat. Once clear of the lorry park he said: "You don't need to use all of the gears. It takes 2, 4, 5 easily." As we came to a hill he allowed the engine to hang in before he changed down through seventh to sixth gear. "I like eight speeds," he said. "Six aren't enough to cover all road conditions and get good journey times. The steering is light and it's not bad for blind spots. The layout is good—the steering wheel doesn't cover the instruments. I'd expect a box in the middle but it's not bad for stowage. I'd prefer a wider cab for sleeping but this is bigger than mine. I've only got a rest bunk. I'd swap it for the one I'm driving today." We told him that this 17-tonner could also be specified with the full-width 4000 Series cab.
Brian Thompson was driving an MAN 16.170 for ENCO out of Hatfield. He's been in transport for about 30 years. "Climbing in was effortless," he said as he slipped it into gear and pulled away. Out on the road he told us that the ride was better than in his MAN: "But I think mine has a shorter wheelbase than this one.
Early Cummins tended to be noisy," he added, "but this is very quiet. Compared to mine, visibility is good. The bunk is on par for a sleeper but those windows just above it could make it a bit cold. The electric window on the nearside is handy; it gives a bit of extra ventilation if the weather is as hot as it is today. It's nice to have a headrest on the driver's seat. I think the cab would be all right for the occasional night out but it could do with a higher roof if it was to be used a lot." We asked what he thought about the GRP construction. "I hadn't thought about it," he said, 'but it must make it easy to repair and it won't rust. I expect it keeps the weight down. I'm waiting for my truck to be replaced with a Leyland Daf 75 Series 26-tonner with a tag axle, but I wouldn't have complained if my firm had chosen this one".
David Castle: "Ride is nice and it pulls smoothly." Mark Salter: Don't need to use all the gears."
Brian Thompson: "Very quiet and visibility good."