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Weight conscious DAF LF secures major fleet deal with Calor Gas

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  • 18-tonne Euro-6 LF spec leads to 20 unit ‘Minibulk’ order
  • LF chassis leads to half-tonne more payload over competitor models
  • DAF LF 220 FA first in UK to achieve WVTA through IVA process
  • Further 27 Euro-6 LF 15-tonners and three 7.5 tonners for bottled gas delivery ops
  • Truck deliveries in 2015 follow major 64-unit DAF replacement programme in 2014

The UK’s leading LPG supplier, Calor Gas, has put to the road its first of 20 new ‘Minibulk’ tanker vehicles based on DAF’s 18-tonne Euro-6 LF 220 FA chassis. Bodied with a 17,000-litre LPG pressure vessel by Lakeland Tankers, the DAF LF offers Calor Gas a significant 500kg weight advantage over competitor chassis.

Importantly, the new DAF / Lakeland Tankers ‘Minibulk’ specification is the first in the UK to receive Whole Vehicle Type Approval through the Individual Vehicle Approval process. Equipment also includes LPG pumping and metering equipment, and a wealth of interlocks and other safety devices, combining to offer an impressive unladen weight of 9,750kg.

As part of the same fleet delivery package, Calor Gas has also ordered 27 DAF LF 210 FA chassis at 15-tonnes GVW and three LF 150 FA 7.5 tonners, all with Cartwright bodies, for its gas cylinder distribution operation. 51 units on order thus far in 2015 follow a delivery of 64 Euro-6 DAF trucks previously in 2014. The DAF brand now makes up over 90% of Calor Gas’s 550+ vehicle fleet.

Calor Gas operates a wide range of DAF trucks, including rigids from 7.5 through to 18-tonnes GVW for cylinder gas deliveries, plus DAF 18 and 26 tonners for its Minibulk rigid tanker operation. DAF CF tractor units are also used mainly on primary distribution. All are supplied through DAF’s main dealer in Leicester, Ford & Slater DAF.

“This is the first time we’ve gone out to tender for many years,” said David Brown, Fleet Asset Manager at Calor Gas, “and I’m delighted that we’ve proved ourselves correct with our previous and long-standing DAF purchase policy. DAF really led the pack on weight,” he said, “including all the bodywork and equipment, anything under 10-tonnes is good, so, 9,750kg offers us a real scope to boost productivity.

“Fundamentally, the weight was right for our Minibulk rigid-tanker specification, but, crucially for the quantity of DAF trucks we operate, DAF’s dealer network has truly nationwide reach and its aftersales support is the best in the business.

The new Euro-6 DAFs will be based at Calor Gas’s nine sites throughout the UK.

“We remain very satisfied indeed with the aftersales support we receive from DAF and from Ford & Slater in particular. It’s the no-quibble, ‘go-the-extra-mile’ policy that separates DAF from other truck manufacturers. We operate out of nine locations nationwide, each with workshop facilities, and DAF even provides detailed training courses for our vehicle technicians. It’s that sort of support that keeps us with DAF.”

For further details please contact:

Belle Moss, Torque                                      
020 7952 1070
bmoss@torqueagencygroup.com

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