Quick availability and avoidance of AdBlue hassle has led Northampton-based MAM Transport to go for 6x2 Euro 3 Renault Magnums for the latest 12 additions to what is now its 27-tractor fleet.
MAM's general manager Chris Williamson told MT that Volvos were the preferred option, but they were only available for January delivery in Euro 4 form. And that would have meant, in Williamson's words, "getting into all the aggravation of AdBlue".
Euro 4 Scanias, with EGR, were a further alternative.
Older Scanias in the fleet had performed well. But Williamson says he went for the derogated Euro 3 Magnums, supplied through Renault Trucks Chiltern at Dunstable, because price was in their favour and they could be supplied quickly.
The company had operated Magnums and Premiums in the past and its 15 rigid four-wheelers were all Renaults, so the Dunstable dealership was keen to do the business.
Though they will be spending much of their time on continental work, the Magnums' three-axle configuration allows 44-tonne operation when they are running in the UK, working for MAM customers that include Tesco, TNT, Christian Salvesen and DHL.
They will be covering up to 170,000km a year, says Williamson, and will be disposed of after three years.
Under a derogation truck makers have been allowed to sell Euro 3 trucks after the October deadline. But the number of registrations cannot exceed 30% of their total annual sales.
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