Volvo Narrow Track FL 2010 Truck Review

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Volvo Trucks are continually seeking ways to increase their product offering and expand into new sectors and niche markets. For instance, Fuel Oil deliveries have often generated headaches for operators, as Matthew Eisenegger found out while attending a Volvo event for tanker customers.

The delivery of fuel to remote houses, farms and rural businesses, not to mention domestic and business premises tucked away in narrow lanes in small villages, can provide operators with one of the most taxing problems in the delivery business. If there is no mains gas supply available then that is down to one main reason, the site is remote and far from a mains access point, hence the need for delivery in bulk.

For the fleet operator, the question of vehicle suitability is uppermost in their minds. Since fuel costs amount to around 40% of an operator’s costs, do they operate more smaller vehicles, which is an expensive and potentially inefficient solution, or do they stick with what they’ve got and struggle? If the hose doesn’t reach, the driver can’t deliver.There is therefore a definite requirement for a chassis that has the dimensions and manoeuvrability to access narrow lanes and negotiate tight turns into areas such as farmyards while having the payload potential to allow more drops per run without having to return to base to reload. Getting two or three loads per vehicle is far more preferable than one load per trip. On that basis, Volvo has been working with key operators to develop a vehicle that ticks all the boxes for the needs of ADR fuel oil deliveries or general petro chemical duties. The result is the production of a narrow track version of the Volvo FL truck.

This new vehicle was presented to a select group of operators and press by Volvo Trucks. The event was attended by 27 Volvo customers and tanker operators who represented some of the key fleets in this sector. In return, Volvo had three tankers available, two new Narrow Track FLs and a 6x2 rear steer FE for all to examine.

The proud owners of the first narrow track FL is Tincknell Fuels Ltd of Wells in Somerset: “Many of our heating oil customers live in fairly remote areas of Somerset, Devon and North Dorset where access can be a real problem,” said Tincknell Fuels Ltd Operations Manager, Mike Brown.

“What we needed was a short wheelbase truck with a good turning circle together with a narrower overall width than usual. Fortunately Volvo’s Product Engineering team at Warwick was able to provide exactly what we needed,” he added.

The Narrow Track FL is only 2.1 metres in overall width over the doors and 2.3 metres over the front mudwings. Fitted with a Magyar Tanker body, it is plated at 16,000kgs. This is achieved by only two modifications to the standard FL: The standard rear wheels and tyres have been replaced by 455/45R 22.5 super singles on 8 stud steel wheels and the mirror arms are of a narrower design than standard. These minimal modifications mean that the Narrow Track FL can be supported by the Volvo Dealer Network without the need for stocks of special parts or tools.

The Narrow Track FL is also available with Volvo’s automated transmission ISync. This provides a true two-pedal system with the ‘box being operated from a steering column mounted stalk. At 5.8 tonnes front and 10.3 tonnes rear, the axle weights for the Narrow Track FL are well suited to tanker applications which do not require high levels of axle loading tolerance. A comparable lightweight 18tonne GVW FL tanker, such as those operated by BP Gas, has a payload of 8.2 tonnes of gas.

The 6x2 - with hydraulically operated rearsteer tag-axle - was on display to promote Volvo and Haartz Tanker Rentals’new offer. This consists of a new road ready Volvo FE-340, with a full ADR 20,000 litre rigid tanker, complete with four compartment tank and ancillary/pumping equipment. Total cost? Just £804 per week for 12 months rental term.The deal includes Volvo’s top level Gold Contract repair and maintenance support as well as ADR/Safe Load Pass and the truck is ready to work as soon as the rental documentation is signed off.

Haartz’s Ian Walkden emphasized that this is a true rental agreement not a finance deal so it can be put in place quickly. The Narrow track FL and standard 18 tonne GVW tankers are also available on a Haartz Tanker Rental deal for 12, 24 or 36 month terms. The main benefit, says Ian is that it protects operators’ cash flow with fixed monthly payments which include Volvo Gold Contract R&M.

A look around the Narrow Track FL shows a noticeable difference in wheel track as well as a reduced running height with the addition of the 455/45 22.5 tyres. The super single rear tyres do look strange at first glance, but provide without a doubt, the best solution.

Volvo Trucks were also very keen to point out that Volvo’s online bodybuilder system can be used by tank builders and customers to ensure individual chassis compliance with ADR rollover regs. It produces an ECE111 certificate after build for each vehicle to demonstrate and prove compliance.

This narrow track FL is just one example of how modern CV manufacturers are responding to customer needs and new methods of working, but they are only able to do so because of modern new production methods. The trouble is, as our small island gets ever more crowded we’re going to need even narrower trucks!

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