Road Tests: DAF CF85.430

Narrow-but-tall fleet cabs have clearly captured the imagination of cost-conscious UK tractor buyers; not least among DAF operators. During CM's three-day test most of the CF85s we saw (and we saw a lot) had Space Cabs. We can see no reason why a UK long-haul driver shouldn't be more than happy to work, rest and sleep in a CF85 Space Cab in place of an XF95 or other 'big cab'. If your drivers can't get on with a CF85 Space Cab they're probably also bitching about the rustle of the Angel Gabriel's wings...|And so to the $64,000 question: what can I expect from 44 tonnes? Higher payloads? Definitely. Better rates? Definitely not. Worse consumption? Not necessarily, particularly if the CF85s figures are anything to go by. Despite less-than-perfect conditions it delivered an outstanding economy on all but the very worst terrain where the extra weight was bount to take its toll.|With just one test of a Euro-3 44-tonner under our belts it's clearly too soon to delivery definitive verdicts on anything. But the opposition will certainly be after our new 44-tonne 'crown' - and anyone aiming to beat the CF85.430 twin-steer will need to come up with something pretty special.