USER VIEW
Page 40

If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Corby-based W Pauley runs a mixed fleet including 100 MAN and MercedesBenz 7.5-tonne reefers plus 15 MercedesBenz antics, covering between 120,000km and 200,000km a year.
Most have suffered excessive tyre shoulder wear and they've been regularly turning them on the rims, to try to improve the wear patterns.
Drivers also complained of pulling towards the kerb—particularly in wet weather—so last October it became involved in a trial with DaimierChrysler and chassis specialist Richard Fisher of H&J_ Garages.
As a result, he was tasked with changing the camber and castor angles on five relatively new Atego 815s.
"It's still very much early days on tyre wear," says fleet engineer Mark Hudson. "But the signs are promising; drivers report better handling and there's a promise of better fuel consumption too."
"These problems aren't confined to any one make, they're all affected," says Hudson, "but at least this trial shows that DaimierChrysler and H&L Garages are taking responsibility for resolving the matter."
"We keep most of our vehicles for up to 10 years and, at £100 a year, we'll soon pull back any future realignment costs on tyre and fuel savings alone," he adds.
Contact: W Pauley on 01536 207222.