New Heavy Highway Hauler for the Army

[RHClarke]

One of the nice things about working in the equipment world is the access to the new kit. Here is the Army's latest rig that was on display last week:




Nice digs...

[Grant Bowker]

It did look like a lovely new toy when I saw it. A few things strike me about it. I hope no-one trained in the "knock trees over with the bumper" school of driving gets their hands on it, that bumper that folds as the hood opens looks like a pretzel waiting to happen. It also seems funny to paint it "hide it green" and put "look at me" strobes on it. The colour coded air lines at the back of the cab stood out like a sore..... perhaps a coat of mud will tone them down.

More seriously, they don't look like they were built as tactical trucks and if they are meant as highway haulers painting them alnost any other colour would have helped all the other idiots on the road to see them and not get run over as they do somthing stupid the truck driver doesn't have time to react to.

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

... I hope no-one trained in the "knock trees over with the bumper" school of driving gets their hands on it, that bumper that folds as the hood opens looks like a pretzel waiting to happen. It also seems funny to paint it "hide it green" and put "look at me" strobes on it... they don't look like they were built as tactical trucks and if they are meant as highway haulers painting them alnost any other colour would have helped all the other idiots on the road to see them and not get run over as they do somthing stupid the truck driver doesn't have time to react to.

Grant,

You are correct - this is not a tactical vehicle. The bumper is strong enough to move your average passenger car out of the way, but is not designed for "off road" use. The truckers I spoke to indicated that it was decided to "go green" to match the trailers and the cargo it will be hauling.

As for vehicle colour and stupid drivers, how many snow ploughs/emergency/road repair vehicles get whacked every year despite having bright colours, flashing lights and other "don't hit me" signals?

Anyway, if you should see this baby rolling down the highway, remember, you saw it here first!

[servicepub (RIP)]

I saw this last week, pulled over, hood open and a mobile truck repair van attending to its needs. Hope it doesn't spend more time with the mechanic than it does with the driver.

Any specs on this new toy?

[Rod Diery]

Originally Posted by pkitson

Any specs on this new toy?

C'mon guys, don't just tell us whether it will break down often or not. What is it?????

Cheers
Rod

[Grant Bowker]

Originally Posted by servicepub

I saw this last week, pulled over, hood open and a mobile truck repair van attending to its needs. Hope it doesn't spend more time with the mechanic than it does with the driver.

First question. Is it a coincidence that I saw it in Sheffield road, in the vicinity of the local International truck dealer?
Next question. Is it public information whether these were bought under the terms of the Standing Offers? If so we can probably deduce something about specs (and costs since those are part of the online offers). Otherwise does Merx (however that is really spelled) have a way for viewing awarded tenders?

[RHClarke]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

First question. Is it a coincidence that I saw it in Sheffield road, in the vicinity of the local International truck dealer?
Next question. Is it public information whether these were bought under the terms of the Standing Offers? If so we can probably deduce something about specs (and costs since those are part of the online offers). Otherwise does Merx (however that is really spelled) have a way for viewing awarded tenders?

No surprises you saw it near a dealer...however, I would be surprised if these beasts were not obtained under the competitive bid process - I will verify this with the truckers. Most contract awards are announced by a local politician or DGPA as a matter of routine procedure. As for specs, just go the International website and look up the civy model, and then guess the cost of a green paint job.

[rob love]

Not sure if things have changed, but in my day the DND drivers hated a truck if it came with a sleeper. The DND did not have sleepers back then, but occasionally the rentals would. That meant you were not staying in hotels, and were showering at the truck stops. And if there were two drivers, then you were almost "hot bunking" it, with an expected 16 hours of roadtime per day.

Seemed like our trucks would get a lot of options even the civvys wouldn't bother with (electric adjustable westcoast "moto-mirrors", self adjusting air brakes, and hotsy hot start coolant heaters) while the trucks wouldn't even be equipped with AM-FM radios. How times have changed...I see a TV in that sleeper.

[Jon Skagfeld]

Originally Posted by Grant Bowker

First question. Is it a coincidence that I saw it in Sheffield road, in the vicinity of the local International truck dealer?
Next question. Is it public information whether these were bought under the terms of the Standing Offers? If so we can probably deduce something about specs (and costs since those are part of the online offers). Otherwise does Merx (however that is really spelled) have a way for viewing awarded tenders?

Grant: I've tried Merx, Mercx, etc, trying to find out if awarded tenders are posted.

No joy. If you find a way to get that info, lemme know!