NFC evaluates the DAF 2800 THE DAF 2800 evaluated for
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six months by the National Freight Corporation has averaged 40.4 litres/100km (7.0mpg). And the pulling power is copious, even on the worst gradients, says the NFC's engineering department.
A series of evaluations is being made of various vehicles currently available from both British and Continental manufacturers.
by CM reporter The 2800 was powered by the 229kW (307.bhp) DKS engine while the gearbox was the 13-speed RTO 9513 from Fuller. The truck was operated at 38 tonnes (37.4 tons) gew over 49,500km (30,758 miles) both home and abroad although the laden distance was only 56.5 per cent of the total. The average fuel consumption was reckoned to be "about average for the payload."
The average oil consumption was 0.12 litres/100km (299 miles per pint). Tyre wear was 40 per cent worn (rear) and 25 per cent worn (front).
The regular driver spoke highly of the twin-bunk sleeper cab although he felt there was a shortage of storage space for personal effects. The noise level was praised as being minimal even over tortuous Alpine passes.
The electric cooling 'fan failed at 25,750km (16,000 miles) and the opportunity was taken to give the vehicle a full service which occasioned four days' downtime in total. Further time was lost owing to the failure of the fuel pump driveshaft which needed to be replaced twice on the Continent and twice in the UK. On the last occasion a modified coupling was fitted. These failures were rectified under warranty.
The DAF, which was supplied on hire to Pickfords Tank Haulage Ltd, has now been purchased by them.