...the longer cab from down under To create an XXL
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extended sleeper, take a regular FH Globetrotter XL, insert an extra 245mm behind the B-Post, add a longer cab roof, and hey presto. While it’s got the same roof height as an XL, XXL gains an extra 1.5cm of internal space – accommodating a wider, sprung mattress bottom bunk measuring a full metre from front-to-back (compared with the 850mm wide bed in an XL). Originally developed for the Australian market where the local laws allow longer artics, in Europe XXL suffers from the same problem as Longline – it can’t couple up to a 13.6m trailer and stay within the 16.5m overall limit. But one non-EU European country does take XXL. Since early 2009, the stretched Globetrotter has been sold in Norway as an option on an FH16 as the country’s 17.5m artic length limit makes it compatible with a standard-length trailer. While not in the same class as Longline, XXL’s extra interior space is clearly notice able, especially around the bunk. Its longer side walls also mean more room in the exterior lockers. Meanwhile, Dutch conver sion specialist Estepe also builds a similarly extended (by 245mm) FH Globetrotter cab called the EXL Comfort Plus (right). Since the XXL’s Norwegian debut, Volvo at Warwick says it’s had interest in it from owner-drivers and STGO operators.