MAN TGL 2010 Truck Review

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The 12 tonne sector is an interesting one. As far as physical presence goes, the 12 tonner shares a very similar footprint to a 7.5 tonner, but with double the payload capacity. So why are they not a much more popular choice?

Perhaps it had something to do with the public perception of the beast. Prior to the 1997 Driver Licence restrictions anyone with a licence could drive up to 7.5 tonnes, but since then new drivers have been restricted to 3.5t. But the point is this, if someone needs to be retrained to drive heavier vehicles, then why not just go the whole hog, skip the 12 tonner and buy an 18 tonner?

Following the change in driving licence legislation, many in the industry predicted the demise of the 7.5 tonner as operators either moved down to large 3.5t vans or light trucks or further up the range to a 12 tonner, but that didn’t happen. The 7.5t truck fills a rather vital gap in the supply chain. Physically, it’s not that much bigger than a 3.5t box van yet it can carry twice as much. And where carrying capacity and manoeuvrability are important, those are essential attributes.

In the same way, a 12 tonner is not really that much bigger than it’s 7.5t smaller brother, but again where carrying capacity is important and access is restricted, it could make more sense than an 18 or 26 tonne rigid trying to reach the customers.

What it all boils down to these days are operating costs and flexibility of use. Oddly enough, sweeties are heavier than clothes, and yet they have to be delivered by and large to the same shopping areas. So if a Luton van is OK for clothing then it might not be suitable for serving the nation’s sweet tooth.  A similar sized vehicle is therefore ideal but would have to carry heavier loads, hence the need for the operator to look at what is actually needed to accomplish the task. And whilst a 7.5 tonner might do the job admirably, such is the nation’s appetite for the good things in life, perhaps a 12 tonner would be better!

I’m not being flippant. There is absolutely no need to buy a bigger truck than is required, so if a 12 tonner will do the job, don’t buy an 18 tonner. It’s heavier and could be more expensive to run.

The 12 tonne TGL MAN  which I drove had the 6.9 litre, 6 cylinder, 250 PS engine which is the highest power available at 12 tonne GVW. Maximum power is developed at 2300 rpm and the 1000 Nm of torque peaks between 1200 and 1750 rpm which means it has more than enough horses to haul around all those sweet treats in the back!

The TGL also benefits from the 12 Speed Tipmatic automated shift gearbox and for added driver comfort this one came complete with the optional LX  Long Haul Sleeper. A seven metre GRP box van body complete with side skirts, for added ‘slipperyness’, finished the job off.

Outwardly, there is very little to differentiate the TGL at 7.5 tonnes and 12 tonnes. Even as you approach the larger of the two trucks, it’s very unimposing bearing in mind its vastly improved payload capabilities. 2 wide steps allow easy access. 

It’s a different story inside the cab. The extra space is quite surprising, with double bunks over 2.0 metres long and with over 1.9 metres interior height.  Yet again the view from the cab through the windscreen and side windows is unsurpassed.

Freighted to within a couple of hundred kilos of its maximum GVW, the six cylinder 250 PS unit played with the TGL. The additional two cylinders made for a very smooth running engine, which pulls without strain, supplemented by the efficient Tipmatic gearbox which selected the right cog for the job time after time.

In everyday driving conditions, the handling was quite unremarkable, and by that I mean, good with nothing in the way of criticism.

Conclusion

The TGL 12.250 is a really good looking truck. It’s more than on top of the job, and for any operation that needing a sleeper cab on lighter truck the LX is big enough to make any driver happy. For certain in the coming years 12 tonne vehicles are becoming far more common place and forward thinking operators will see the virtues of the larger payload capabilities.

MAN could really have struck gold with this feisty 12 tonner and although available at 180 and 220 PS the 250 PS engine wins the Truck & Plant Trader vote.

This article is published courtesy of the free and weekly truck magazine, iTruck →