Five-star• treatment for DAF's Mid-East special
Page 33
Page 34
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
by the technical editor
Left: The Supercontinental from DAF was developed for Middle East haulage and beyond. It is based on the 307bhp DKS version of the familiar DAF 2800 series.
Below : The truck with everything including the kitchen sink." This is the claim made by DAF and this cut-away-drawing shows how they managed to pack everything in.
IN LINE with the increasi interest in long distar haulage to the Middle Ei and beyond, DAF Truc (GB) Ltd has announced t DAF Supercontinental. BaE on the familiar 2800 ser the principal feature of t truck is the cab which is single-berth sleeper unit w a built-in "Services Moduli This module is stow under a full length bu when not In use and it cc tains a two-ring Butane coc er with grill, a stainless sti sink with hand pump, cooled food storage unit an optional refrigerator, litres (21 gal) of fresh wai storage and a small wai robe unit. The water stora capacity is made up of thr polypropylene con ta i ne which can be carried sepz ately for filling—by dividi the capacity in this way •t risk of contamination reduced.
In place of the usual st pension type passenger se, a storage box has been pi vided for carrying spares ai this box is covered by an c casional seat. In the cent of the cab a catalytic spa 'heater with an output of 6,01 BTU/hour is fitted whi operates from the But& gas cooker supply 'and giv off no toxic fumes—an esse tial feature when the trui is parked overnight in below zero ambient temper ture.
Most of the variations b tween the Supercontinent the standard 2800 are to found inside the cab but re are also many differes to be seen outside. A f mounted Hubbard-Frigik air-conditioning unit is xi in conjunction with a eble skin " tropical " roof the full width mesh radir and lamp guard can also supplemented by a similar idscreen guard if required, DAF expects the normal :ed laminated glass to be quate for most circumaces. A special sump .rd is provided.
/lec'hanically, the Superitinental is based on the ton DKS version of the 10 series which is powered a turbocharged and interded engine developing 'Kw (307bhp). A Fuller 0 9513 thirteen speed istant mesh range change irbox is standard equipnt in conjunction with a )mm (16.5in) single dry te clutch and a ZF limited ) differential unit.
['he rear axle ratio of 5.03 1 gives the Supercontinai maximum road speed top gear of 100km/h :mph)—at the governed ;ine speed. The maximum 'client for a stop and re
Above : When everything is folded away this is how the cab looks. The full width bunk covers all the extra equipment.
Right: Two small electric fans for air circulation are provided which can be positioned in alternative places in the cab.
start at 38 tonnes (37.4 tons) is claimed to be 1 in 4 crawler and 1 in 5.7 in first gear. At a steady speed the maximum climbable gradients should be I in 3 for crawler and 1 in 4 for first gear—again at 38 tonnes gcw fitted with 11.00 x 20 tyres.
The actual fitting out of the Middle East cab was carried out by Devon Conversions of Sidmouth, a subsidiary of the Renwicks group. DAF says that a great deal of advice on the project was receiVed from Walter Batstone and Peter Kite of the NFC and from a number of experienced operators of 2800s in the Middle East. Many of the ideas put forward by CM's deputy editor lain Sherriff have also been incorporated following 'his Middle East experiences, says DAF.
DAF hopes to have at least two prototype Supercontinentals starting for the Middle East in mid September both of which have been ordered by Ralph Turner of R.F. Interport of Leigh, Lancs.