International refrigerated hauliers, Whites Transport Services of Kemble airfield, near Cirencester has added four Volvo FH tractor units to its operation. Supplied by the Avonmouth sales team of Truck and Bus Wales and West Ltd., the new arrivals follow on from a similarly specified group of Volvo FHs delivered three years ago.
The four Volvo FH-540 6×2 pusher axle tractor units are powered by D13K Euro-6 engines rated at 540hp. Behind these units are 12-speed I-Shift automated transmission systems and rounding off the powertrains are drive axles with a high ratio of 2.50:1 to maximise fuel economy levels.
“We’ve bought four Volvo FHs to replace our older vehicles which now gives us a total of sixVolvos in our operation,” reports Pete White, Director at Whites Transport Services.
The company uses a mixed marque fleet with almost every type of premium truck model available,all monitored by an online social media following of over 27,000 people. Pete’s vehicles are allhand-picked for reliability and perform a highly specialist job; crossing the Continent on a fast-track basis, using a relay system which means the firm’s trailers can travel non-stop to destinations as far afield as Spain and Italy.
“Our trucks cover 150,000kms a year, we go all over Europe and we just want equipment which is comfortable and specified right for the driver,” Pete declares adding, “The Volvo FH is a greattruck, a quality product.”
The latest acquisitions also include Globetrotter XL Cabs, leather interiors, fridge/freezers and Alcoa Dura-Bright alloy wheels. Whites Transport Services’ high ratio drive axles are joined by 315/70 tyres all round.
“We’ve reduced the tyre sizes on the rear axles to lower the fifth wheel ride heights,” Pete explains.“This will help us a little bit more with the strict 4-metre overall height limit in Europe.”
The other key factor for this long-haul operator is, of course, back-up. “We deliver hanging meat, so we don’t have time to waste,” Pete confirms. “We’ve opted for Volvo’s top choice, the Gold Service Contract, which means if we have any problems while we’re away we just pick up the phone and it’s taken care of.”
Finally, Pete needed to think about residuals. “We’re very careful about the resale value of ourtrucks, so we spent the extra money on the bigger engine, alloy wheels and paintwork. I know that if I keep the Volvos in good condition for three years, with this specification I’ll reap the rewards.”
Given the fact that these four stunning looking FHs clocked up over 1,300 ‘likes’ on social mediawithin eight hours of them being posted, it looks like he’s onto a dead cert.
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