A new show-stopping Renault Trucks Range T440 4×2 High Cab is flying the flagship for East Yorkshire’s Hanson European Caravan Transport. Taking pride of place on the static caravan specialist’s fast-growing 100% Renault fleet, the striking left hand drive T High flat floor with Kelsa lightbars top and bottom, alloys and aluminium fuel tanks is also set to be a regular feature on the 2017 truck show circuit.
Featuring the Comfort Live Pack, with leather seats, leather trim steering wheel, 800mm extending lower bunk, relax swivel passenger seat, interior lighting (basic, night and indirect), refrigerator and TV pre-installation, the T High is perfectly equipped for a comfortable life on board, as Hanson’s 6’7” tall driver, Aron Dulson, confirms: “The cab is really spacious, I love the flat floor – I can get up and walk straight through and, with a headroom of over 2m, I can even jump in it! A comfortable bunk is so important when I’m out on the road Monday to Friday, and this is really comfy, especially with the bunk extension which is great for long runs.”
Aron was previously driving a right hand drive Range T, but very quickly became accustomed to the left hand drive T High. He adds: “Driving a left-hooker did feel weird at first, but there’s such good visibility from the cab and mirrors, it’s just normal now. It’s certainly turning a few heads, people are definitely talking about it – I love it!”
Supplied by Renault Trucks approved dealer, Thompson Commercials Hull, the T High boasts a 13 litre engine with common rail injection system, the Optidriver automated 12-speed gearbox, and for optimum fuel consumption it is spec’ed with the Fuel Eco pack.
Additionally, full air suspension front and rear delivers enhanced driving dynamics and adjustable ride height complemented by lower profile 315/60/R 22.5 Conti EcoPlus HS3 tyres.
With the ‘staycation’ rising in popularity as more holidaymakers favour breaks in the UK, business is booming for Hanson’s main customers, the nation’s holiday parks including market leader, Parkdean Resorts, which has 73 parks across the country.
“The UK’s holiday parks are enjoying record years, so business is good for us, too,” says Gary Hanson, Director: “Our truck fleet has grown steadily since we started in 2010: by 2012, we had six trucks on our fleet – today we have 31, a mix of rigids and tractor units, all Renault right down to the Renault Trafic escort vehicle. The T High is another addition to our fleet, it’s our flagship truck and it’s a real showstopper!”
Reliability is critical for Hanson’s fleet, one of the first to run Range Ts in the UK with three ‘63’ plates still in operation. Every new vehicle is on an R&M contract and, with its trucks clocking up 106,000 miles annually running across the UK and into France, Spain and Portugal, robust dealer network support is essential, as Gary explains: “We’ve had very little problems with the Range Ts on the road, they’re very reliable and if there is an issue the Renault Trucks 24/7 support is excellent or Thompsons sort it out straight away. Thompsons always go out of their way to put things right and that makes the difference.”
