First XF105 enters UK service

Fast-growing Norfolk operator DS Transport will be one of the first in the UK to put a DAF XF105 into service when their new truck goes on the road sporting the personalised registration DS 06 DAF.

Darren Storey and his co-managing director Brian Feltham, made the decision to buy an XF105 following close inspection of the model at its launch at the RAI show last year.
“We were immediately impressed by the truck,” says Darren Storey. “It met all of our requirements for a premium tractor with a low cab floor that provides plenty of headroom and offers a first class working environment for the driver. As that driver will usually be me, the luxurious level of comfort offered by the Super Space cab was also a consideration!

“A key factor in our decision was the availability of a Euro 4 engine at 510 horsepower. With that amount of power the engine will be working well within its limits to deliver both a long and trouble-free life and good fuel economy.”
Immediately following the launch DS Transport placed an order for a two-axle FT XF105 with Guy Whitwan at their local dealer Ford & Slater of Norwich. The truck has been painted in stunning metallic silver and is fitted with a range of accessories including side skirts, alloy wheels, two pairs of air horns and powerful spotlamps stylishly integrated into each side of the roofline. It also has an impressive stainless steel light bar with four spotlamps in readiness for its debut appearance at Truckfest 2006.

DS Transport’s FT XF105 is powered by the 12.9 litre DAF MX375S engine, which is fully Euro 4 compliant. The company has opted for the most powerful 510 bhp rating of the three available in the 105 (410 bhp; 300 kW: 460 bhp; 340 kW; 510 bhp; 375 kW). As well as ample power, this delivers a massive 2500 Nm of torque between 1000 and 1410 rpm that, meaning that it will stay in the green band even when its working at its hardest in the hills.

Running at 40 tonnes gvw with a Schmitz Cargobull tri-axle curtainsided trailer results in a comfortable power to weight ratio of 12.75 bhp/tonne. “This will enable me to maintain higher average speeds on long motorway runs and should contribute both to good fuel economy and less wear on the power unit,” explains Darren Storey.

“This truck will cover around 130,000 kilometres a year and with fuel prices on the up again, fuel economy is going to be increasingly important. Vehicle reliability is crucial too as this truck will be making time-critical deliveries in support of major shop fit-outs for a leading European retail chain.”

The driveline is completed by a ZF 16S2520 16-speed manual gearbox and 13.0 tonne single reduction drive axle on electronically controlled four bellows air suspension.

During long days at the wheel, Darren Storey will appreciate the 105’s many driver-friendly features. Amongst these are cruise control, automatic temperature control, electric door locks and windows, and a very stylish aluminium effect, wrap-around dashboard. As he’ll be spending up to four nights a week in the truck he’ll also be glad of the large under-bunk storage drawers and the fact that the lower engine tunnel and fold-away gear stick will make it easier to move around.

The new truck is the fifth to be acquired by DS Transport since the company was formed just two years ago. Good experience with three XF95s – two artics and a drawbar – along with an LF45, made the XF105 the natural next choice. They plan to run a young fleet on their specialist shop-fitting contract work and on general haulage throughout the UK and mainland Europe and expect to replace their vehicles at between three and four years.