SLEEPMASTERS’
Page 11
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Fuso Canter
After almost a whole year, fleet managers at Sleepmasters continue to be impressed by the 7.5-tonne Fuso Canter The lightweight 7.5-tonner has endeared itself to Sleepmasters thanks to its practical design, appetite for work and low running costs. With three-quarters of the year now gone, their first Fuso Canter has certainly impressed the firm’s fleet managers.
Mark Harrison, the leading bed retailer’s director of logistics and service operations, won the use of the truck for 12 months after visiting Blackburn dealership Ciceley Commercials and entering a national prize draw staged to mark the launch of the Euro-5 Canter range last year.
Rather than simply taking advantage of a free ‘workhorse’, Sleepmasters resolved to subject the vehicle to a detailed evaluation process. It has since performed a variety of local and long-distance delivery duties, during which its performance and running costs have been closely monitored.
A Canter 7C18 model, the truck is powered by a 180hp engine that not only meets Euro-5 emissions limits, but also the more stringent – and voluntary – enhanced environmentally friendly vehicle (EEV) standard.
Harrison says: “We were impressed from the outset with the
0 1 1 0 9 : 5 4Canter’s high payload and manoeuvrability, and realised it would be ideal for multi-drop urban deliveries.
“Since then the Canter has covered up to 1,000 miles each week, averaging around 18 deliveries per day. It has been entirely trouble-free and has produced fuel consumption figures that are right up there with the best of the other vehicles on our home delivery fleet.
“What’s surprised us though,” he continues, “is that our drivers have also been very pleased with the Canter’s spritely performance and comfort.
“We’ve concluded that the Canter is an ideal vehicle for our type of urban delivery work, as it is both cost-effective and reliable.”