TOP-WEIGHT DODGE ENTERS THE RING FROM BARREIROS
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by Trevor Longcroft FROM TODAY a brand new top-weight 270 bhp tractive unit is added to the Dodge truck range. Designed for 38 tonnes gross combination weight, the Dodge K3820P 9ft 5in. wheelbase unit is not built in Britain but at the Spanish Barreiros plant of Chrysler Espana. It will be exported exclusively to the UK.
Vehicles will be sold through Chrysler UK's existing distributor network. Initially, major spares components will be held at the Vehicle Off Road Depot in Birmingham and at 32 depots, though all distributors will carry stocks of fast-moving maintenance spares such as filters.
Chrysler is setting out to capture 5 per cent of the UK heavy tractive unit market in 1974 — some 700/750 vehicles. The vehicle costs <£7850 plus VAT and carries a 12-month warranty with unlimited mileage. Brake suzies, catwalk and fifthwheel will be dealer fitted.
Cab The cab is a facelifted version of that fitted to present heavy Barreiros trucks. It uses many of the same panels and bears a distinct resemblance to the Spanish vehicle. It is not tiltable; daily oil and water checks are made through the front grille which hinges up toscuttle height. The vehicle fusebox is also housed behind the grille. For maintenance and repairs the engine is reached by releasing overcentre clips and removing the substantial three-piece engine bonnet which protrudes into the cab up to about seat height. There is no room for a third seat.
Chrysler has paid particular attention to driver comfort in this vehicle. The driver has a suspension seat which adjusts both vertically, and backwards and forwards while the seat squab rake and suspension hardness can be altered to suit the individual driver. The seat is largely cloth covered and should reduce perspiration discomfort. The mate's seat does not have suspension but is trimmed to armchair standard. In the pre-production vehicle that I saw the driver's seat had been fitted too far forward for comfort, so when adjusted fully back there were still 3in. to 4in. of clearance between it and the rear of the cab. It will be repositioned in production models.
There is only one heater, located in front of the mate's seat. A single semicircular windscreen demister sits on the middle of the dash and serves the whole screen.
A sleeper-cab model is, I understand, in the pipeline, but with the large engine hump there seems to be room for only one bunk. A shallower engine hump or raised roof would probably be required for a two-bunk version. The dash has a clean, tidy appearance and the instruments, except for one important brake pressure gauge, which is obscured by the steering wheel rim, can be easily seen.
A large secondary /park brake valve is located in front of the driver's left knee and is similar to the one used in present Dodge models already available in the UK. It looks out of keeping with the rest of the cab interior. The original specification called for a smaller flick-on-off control valve which could be fitted beneath the dashboard; however, changes to the brake specification have meant fitting the larger valve which cannot be accommodated under the dash. Production models of the Dodge will be altered so that the valve is nearer to the engine bcinnet, away from the driver's knee.
Standard fittings include a radio, a sevenday tachograph, lidded glove box for stowing driver's oddments and a comprehensive number of main services warning lamps and the usual gauges.