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Everybody knows about Truckfest the family show. Truckfest the show for thrills and spills. Truckfest the show for the best-looking, best maintained trucks in the business. But Truckfest is also about looking at the latest vehicles, components and equipment. Here are some pointers to what's on offer...
...Leyland Daf will be showing no less than 10 tractors on its Peterborough stand including three top-of-the-range 95.500 artics, all fitted with the latest Super Space Cab, designed for long-distance operators. The Super Space cab 95.500, powered by the Cummins 14-litre, was exclusively revealed by Commercial Motor back in January 1994 before it officially broke cover at the Amsterdam truck show. For bread-andbutter buyers there will also be plenty of 85 Series tractors on show.
MAN's Truck of the Year winner—the F2000 range—makes its debut at Truckfest courtesy of local dealers Meo & Gilbert. Along with a more powerful line-up of Euro2 engines and front disc brakes, the F2000 is the first production tractor to take Eaton's new 16-speed synchromesh gearbox which will pose a serious challenge to ZF's position in the synchro market.
MAN's new middleweight, the 7.5-tonne L2000 will also be on display along with a pair of 17-tonners.
ERF will also be taking the S-Series box in its EC range. For Peterborough it will be showing off as many ERF Olympic flagship tractors in operators' colours as can be placed on its stand. Following the successful launch of the high-roof Olympic at Truckfest '94 it's gone from strength to strength. Apart
from its flagship there'll be other examples from the Sandbach product range. Visitors to the main arena will also be able to see a full-scale video screen showing ERF trucks in action.
Iveco Ford dealer TC Harrison will be flying the Anglo-Italian truck manufacturer's flag at Peterborough with a broad selection of vehicles. In pride of place on the stand is expected to be the recently-launched Iveco EuroStar flagship tractor,which was featured in ClIfs 1995 sleeper cab test (CM 9-15 March).
The EuroStar comes with a choice of three roof heights and Iveco's 9.8, 13.8-litre straight-six or fire-breathing 17.2-litre veeeight and, like the Daf 95.500, is clearly aimed at long-haul operators.
Fellow Iveco UK group member Seddon Atkinson will have a selection of Stratos on show at Peterborough from as far afield as North Yorkshire and Kent.
Scania will have five R-range tractors on its stand including an R113.360 twin-steer in KTL's colours, an R143.500 4x2 for Topman Haulage, a customised R143.450 owned by Roy Gill and a R143.450 six-wheeler belonging to Geoff Gilbert. For racing enthusiasts there'll also be an R143.500 Jordan Formula One rig plus showcar.
Mercedes-Benz will display a broad selection of vehicles from its UK range including the latest Sprinter van and facelifted heavy tractors which feature a revised interior and the new Flexible Diagnostic System (FDS) which warns drivers of everything from service items that need looking at through to safety-critical areas like oil, brakes and coolant.
Renault's Magnum attack at Truckfest continues unabated. Over 100 operatorowned Magnum tractors, the largest single gathering in Europe, will be massing at Peterborough. Renault VI will have seven vehicles on its stand including a Magnum "Williams" custom tractor. There's also a French-registered Magnum drawbar and artic with spectacular paint finishes and Major artic in Mansells Brewery colours.
Apart from its usual heavy truck line-up at Peterborough, Volvo will also be concentrating on promoting its service backup and aftermarket operations to hauliers.
Accessories For fleet operators and owner-drivers looking to add that personal touch, there will be a host of equipment and component suppliers displaying their wares. CDC Truck Accessories of Bury St Edmunds is showing off its latest 12 or 24V travelling microwave which can be installed in a truck or light commercial. The 18 x 10 x 13 microwave has a 15-litre capacity and will be sold at the stand at what's described as "an extraordinarily low introductory offer".
Fina is officially launching its EuroTrafic fuel card at Truckfest. It can be used in more than 4,000 sites all over Europe and comes with a variety of operator user options including international VAT recovery, toll and tunnel payments scheme, 24 hour breakdown coverage and fleet management reports. For full details see CM Fuel card survey in 16-22 March 1995.
You needn't be a stick-in-the mud with RUD Chains. It will be exhibiting a range of non-skid chains at Truckfest for all types of vehicles including the fully automatic snow-chain which is operated by a switch on the dash and can be fitted to Scania, MAN, Mercedes and Iveco trucks.
Exhaust manufacturer Eminox will be showing and shining at Peterborough. Alongside its traditional stainless steel vertical stacks it will also have its Greencat combined catalyst/silencer and particulate filter system and the CRT combined catalyst and filter. Both can be fitted to new or on existing vehicles.
Speed limiters are again at the forefront of most operators' minds as the industry moves through the current retrofit programme. Lucas Kienzle will be showing a promotional video of its RSL II system and a working demonstration on the stand to show its benefits. If you're looking for a comfortable ride TEK Seating of Kingston Upon Thames and Melton Mowbray will be showing a comprehensive range of air
and mechanically. suspended seats.
Bodybuilders Wisbech, Cambridge-based GB Engineering specialises in building custom components in aluminium, steel or stainless steels for the transport industry, including extra fuel tanks, toolboxes and lockers, ladders, grab handles, water tanks and lamp guards.
Its associate company GB Commercial Vehicle Bodies will be sharing the stand showing a light alloy
curtainsider on a Mercedes 17-tonner and an alloy dropside tipping body on a Transit. Other bodybuilders at Truckfest include Boalloy, Weightlifter and Nene Trailers—winner of one of Cilfs prestigious "Trailer of the Year" awards last year. Celebrating its first full
year in business Eurotunnel will again be providing breakfast for competitors. There'll also be a merchandising outlet for Le Shuttle goodies and operators can get to talk to the sales team on the subject of rates, service and business opportunities.