Geoffo:
Thanks to everyone for their coments on this matter ( keep them comming).Heard 10mins ago from my mate that he has a demo Daf CF 510 as of Monday (31/10/11) for a week, although It’s a short week due to the bank holiday on Tuesday…So I’ll have chance on Monday to take a look at It…
Is it auto or manual?
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Thanks to everyone for their coments on this matter ( keep them comming).Heard 10mins ago from my mate that he has a demo Daf CF 510 as of Monday (31/10/11) for a week, although It’s a short week due to the bank holiday on Tuesday…So I’ll have chance on Monday to take a look at It…
Is it auto or manual?
Hi Rob.
Could only get he’s hands on a manual. Though he looking at getting an auto when he finaly decides what to buy.
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Hey It’s my mate’s choice. I’ll give you a brief outlook of what he does in relation to the ’ distribution’ work.He departs Mon. early from the Gent area of Belgium with +/- 25 ton of general freight & drives down to the Baden-Württemberg area of Germany (If you’ve ever driven down the A61 in Germany,then you’ll understand the need for 500 horses
). Starts unloading Tues. morning. Ends up In the Stuttgart area Thurs. afternoon ( after unloading in 20/30 places). Trailer gets loaded Thurs night with 20 ton. Picks up trailer Fri.early and heads up to the Wiesbaden area to pick up another 3/4 ton.Then heads back home via the A3 ( also not a flat road
).Drops trailer of in the yard of his client & goes home. Trailer Is tipped & reloaded over the weekend.
Over here you can get the FM in 500 format aswell as the DAF CF with 510.
Interesting what you say about the Daf 510, Is It so bad??I’ve not done euro work so haven’t got a clue about it, but the road designation suggests to me that it’s a major trunk route so I still don’t understand why it can’t be tackled with a 460 for example. Any euro drivers know this A61 road in Germany that Geoff speaks of? Is it really ‘untackleable’ with anything less than a whopping 500hp?
Of course Its tackleable in a smaller motor, He’s looking to get from A to B as fast as possible.
The problem with a lot of German motorways is that theres no overtaking for trucks during the day (nights only), so doesn’t want to be the embarassed one at the front of the queue going up hills 
Geoffo:
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Thanks to everyone for their coments on this matter ( keep them comming).Heard 10mins ago from my mate that he has a demo Daf CF 510 as of Monday (31/10/11) for a week, although It’s a short week due to the bank holiday on Tuesday…So I’ll have chance on Monday to take a look at It…
Is it auto or manual?
Hi Rob.
Could only get he’s hands on a manual. Though he looking at getting an auto when he finaly decides what to buy.
The DAF engines over the past decade have been pretty gutless in comparison to the same hp on a Volvo, for example. They’re not bad, but you need to work the box to get the best from them imho. When pulling up a hill at a full weight I’d always drop her into 8th low just before the incline as the torque seems to be higher up in the rev band on the DAFs. They don’t (and won’t) lug down the bottom of the rev band. Last time I had a 480 I really didn’t notice any difference in pulling power at all over the usual 430s I drove. Don’t quote me but I think the 510 is still the same engine as the old 430 and 480 but just mapped for a higher power output.
If you and your pal drive it and are impressed, go and drive a Volvo 500hp and then you REALLY will be impressed if it’s pulling power you want. I’ve had an FH13 480 for the past couple of nights and pulls like a train at full weight (and over 
), and that’s with the auto box.
If you like the DAF manual, make sure you drive one with an auto box as well before deciding to order one as they are a completely different drive. Let me put it this way, I hope you don’t plan on rushing anywhere if you go for a DAF with an auto box.
Geoffo:
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Hey It’s my mate’s choice. I’ll give you a brief outlook of what he does in relation to the ’ distribution’ work.He departs Mon. early from the Gent area of Belgium with +/- 25 ton of general freight & drives down to the Baden-Württemberg area of Germany (If you’ve ever driven down the A61 in Germany,then you’ll understand the need for 500 horses
Over here you can get the FM in 500 format aswell as the DAF CF with 510.
Interesting what you say about the Daf 510, Is It so bad??I’ve not done euro work so haven’t got a clue about it, but the road designation suggests to me that it’s a major trunk route so I still don’t understand why it can’t be tackled with a 460 for example. Any euro drivers know this A61 road in Germany that Geoff speaks of? Is it really ‘untackleable’ with anything less than a whopping 500hp?
Of course Its tackleable in a smaller motor, He’s looking to get from A to B as fast as possible.
The problem with a lot of German motorways is that theres no overtaking for trucks during the day (nights only), so doesn’t want to be the embarassed one at the front of the queue going up hills
WADR that sounds like a very weak argument to me. Sounds like he’s got a figure of 500 in his head thinking that anything under that won’t be up to the job. He should really get out of the dark ages and look around the mid 400hp output range of trucks. As I’ve already said, a 460dxi Renault (Volvo engine, software, driveline) will quite happily keep up with everyone else at full weight and not guzzle as much fuel.
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Thanks to everyone for their coments on this matter ( keep them comming).Heard 10mins ago from my mate that he has a demo Daf CF 510 as of Monday (31/10/11) for a week, although It’s a short week due to the bank holiday on Tuesday…So I’ll have chance on Monday to take a look at It…
Is it auto or manual?
Hi Rob.
Could only get he’s hands on a manual. Though he looking at getting an auto when he finaly decides what to buy.
The DAF engines over the past decade have been pretty gutless in comparison to the same hp on a Volvo, for example. They’re not bad, but you need to work the box to get the best from them imho. When pulling up a hill at a full weight I’d always drop her into 8th low just before the incline as the torque seems to be higher up in the rev band on the DAFs. They don’t (and won’t) lug down the bottom of the rev band. Last time I had a 480 I really didn’t notice any difference in pulling power at all over the usual 430s I drove. Don’t quote me but I think the 510 is still the same engine as the old 430 and 480 but just mapped for a higher power output.
If you and your pal drive it and are impressed, go and drive a Volvo 500hp and then you REALLY will be impressed if it’s pulling power you want. I’ve had an FH13 480 for the past couple of nights and pulls like a train at full weight (and over
If you like the DAF manual, make sure you drive one with an auto box as well before deciding to order one as they are a completely different drive. Let me put it this way, I hope you don’t plan on rushing anywhere if you go for a DAF with an auto box.
I think he’s 60/40 in favor of the Volvo with autobox anyway due to past experience with Volvos. He’s just looking to see whats out there.
BTW, showed him your little write up about the Premiem so who knows, he seem’d impressed…
I see that the Premium also comes with an autobox…interesting…
Geoffo:
Rob. Does the Premium come with an autobox ■■
Yes, same box, software (tweaked slightly I believe) and drive line as the Volvo. Renault now are basically Volvo’s with a Renault cab. In my other thread praising them you will have noted that I said the auto box works even better in the Renault than it does in the Volvo. Sometimes I find the Volvo chooses the wrong gear and will change up 2 or 3 block gears when you’ve got some weight on when really it should have changed up in sequence (obviously you can use the box in manual mode to ‘fix’ that, but it kinda defeats the object of having an auto doesn’t it!). The Renault is very quick to change gear and I’d go as far as saying it shifts up the box quicker than you could change gear in a manual - it’s the sort of speed it’d take you to change up a split in a manual which is fast. Very impressive. Volvo’s own trucks don’t change gear that fast so as they use the same box there must’ve been a software tweak for the Renaults. It changes down very fast on hills when you’re losing speed too, which is VERY good as it allows you to maintain your speed and not lose 5mph between gear changes like you’ll get in the DAF auto.
Another thing I’ve observed is that the Renaults seem to be very good on Adblue whereas I always seem to be topping it up on the Volvos. Whether that is just down to a bigger adblue tank on the Renault and thus the gauge doesn’t go down as quick I don’t know.
I do think you’d be foolish to ignore the Renault though, especially as cab access is high on your list. The Renault defo wins that contest as those staggered steps are brilliant.
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Rob. Does the Premium come with an autobox ■■Yes, same box, software (tweaked slightly I believe) and drive line as the Volvo. Renault now are basically Volvo’s with a Renault cab. In my other thread praising them you will have noted that I said the auto box works even better in the Renault than it does in the Volvo. Sometimes I find the Volvo chooses the wrong gear and will change up 2 or 3 block gears when you’ve got some weight on when really it should have changed up in sequence (obviously you can use the box in manual mode to ‘fix’ that, but it kinda defeats the object of having an auto doesn’t it!). The Renault is very quick to change gear and I’d go as far as saying it shifts up the box quicker than you could change gear in a manual - it’s the sort of speed it’d take you to change up a split in a manual which is fast. Very impressive. Volvo’s own trucks don’t change gear that fast so as they use the same box there must’ve been a software tweak for the Renaults.
Another thing I’ve observed is that the Renaults seem to be very good on Adblue whereas I always seem to be topping it up on the Volvos. Whether that is just down to a bigger adblue tank on the Renault and thus the gauge doesn’t go down as quick I don’t know.
I do think you’d be foolish to ignore the Renault though, especially as cab access is high on your list. The Renault defo wins that contest as those staggered steps are brilliant.
I’m checking out the Renault Trucks web site as we speak…
The Premium 460DXi should work out cheaper than the equivalent VolvoFM/Daf CF and possibly have a lighter tare weight too 
Can’t fault the Premium DXi at all and have driven all three trucks@ 4x2 with auto boxes this past week on local shop deliveries.
Big Truck:
The Premium 460DXi should work out cheaper than the equivalent VolvoFM/Daf CF and possibly have a lighter tare weight tooCan’t fault the Premium DXi at all and have driven all three trucks@ 4x2 with auto boxes this past week on local shop deliveries.
The Renault is really good on fuel too. I’ve been pulling full weight and have 10.9 mpg in the menu which I personally reset on my first day driving it but ended up in it for 4 days. I do tend to cruise around 51mph which will have some bearing on that, by the way.
At the moment i"m in a Volvo FM 460 Globetrotter with a I-Shift on a 60plate and ive spent the week running on identical work as a 61 plate Daf CF 85 Spacecab 460 auto.
The work is full load one way and 15ton return load all on bulk tippers
The figures seem to be running like this
Fuel
Volvo 8.5mpg
Daf 7.9mpg
Ad Blu after 3200kms
Volvo 40 litres
Daf 65 litres
The Volvo is limited to 55 mph and the Daf is set at 54 mph but the Volvo out pulls the Daf on the hills and from a stand still.The Volvo is nice and low to get in out of but quite cramped to live in all week but managable.As of yet i havent nighted out in the Daf but i did have the same cab on a Foden chassis loads of room and able to stand up to get dressed.
Our Daf has a straight axle which makes it more difficult to get in and out of .but they are both tipper/landfill spec
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Rob K:
I also go with Ken and 206man re the Premium. Cab access is EXCELLENT on them as they have staggered steps rather than straight up like the Volvo and DAF. You can literally walk into the cab by stepping up them without even needing to grab the hand rail. The Premium is Volvo running gear anyway. If you removed the Renault cab and replaced it with the FM cab it’d be the virtually the same truck. The 460dxi in the Premium is the exact same lump in the FM anyway. Pulls very well as you’d expect and the truck is a dream to drive.If it’s really got to be between the FM and the DAF though, definitely take the FM. The DAFs with auto box are utter garbage now.
Did suggest the Premium as I’d had one back in 2001. Defo good access, but Renault dont offer It with a 500hp motor…
No, no, no, no, no…
You will no doubt be like me - hated the [zb] thing, but the 2nd gen version is a completely different animal. Read my thread here if you haven’t already - viewtopic.php?f=2&t=75823. Basically the 1st gen Premium was my WORST truck to drive. The 2nd gen Premium has become my BEST. You need to drive one (460dxi) to see just how good they are. Ignore the badge on the front.
Rob, i agree with you suggesting that a Renault is worth a punt, they’re a volvo with a smaller easier to get into cab, perfect for the job he’s suggesting. However you need to keep up… the FM-XL cab is old news, big globetrotter on the FM cab is 2/3 years old… and 480/500 FM tippers are old news! CF 510’s are more rare but often seen!
Had a run out In the demo Daf CF 510 on Monday, down to Luxemburg & back.Tip &Reload in the same factory. 22.5 ton down. 23 ton back…
Although this is not the regular work my mate Maik (pronounced Mike) does, It was still a good test of the truck. Driving through the county of Namur (Belgium) on the E411, the Daf proved it has the guts to do the job, but you do need too keep the revs high to get the best out of the engine.Cab ride was comfortable with a good seating position and good allround view. Personally I did find the cab a little bit on the narrow side.
Maik hands the truck back to the dealer on Saturday, so I’ll keep you up-to-date as & when…
Geoffo:
Had a run out In the demo Daf CF 510 on Monday, down to Luxemburg & back.Tip &Reload in the same factory. 22.5 ton down. 23 ton back…Although this is not the regular work my mate Maik (pronounced Mike) does, It was still a good test of the truck. Driving through the county of Namur (Belgium) on the E411, the Daf proved it has the guts to do the job, but you do need too keep the revs high to get the best out of the engine.Cab ride was comfortable with a good seating position and good allround view. Personally I did find the cab a little bit on the narrow side.
Maik hands the truck back to the dealer on Saturday, so I’ll keep you up-to-date as & when…
Yes that’s what I said I believe. Was it an auto or manual? I am thinking manual from your comments?
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Had a run out In the demo Daf CF 510 on Monday, down to Luxemburg & back.Tip &Reload in the same factory. 22.5 ton down. 23 ton back…Although this is not the regular work my mate Maik (pronounced Mike) does, It was still a good test of the truck. Driving through the county of Namur (Belgium) on the E411, the Daf proved it has the guts to do the job, but you do need too keep the revs high to get the best out of the engine.Cab ride was comfortable with a good seating position and good allround view. Personally I did find the cab a little bit on the narrow side.
Maik hands the truck back to the dealer on Saturday, so I’ll keep you up-to-date as & when…
Yes that’s what I said I believe. Was it an auto or manual? I am thinking manual from your comments?
Yes, a manual. Volvo have offered an FM 500 demo truck with a globetrotter LXL cab. Apparently It’s bigger internally tham a regular globe XL.Maik picks the Volvo up on Saturday afternoon. Have spoken to him regarding the Renault & he’s prepared too give It a whirl for a week on demo, but that’ll be around the end of November…
Geoffo:
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Had a run out In the demo Daf CF 510 on Monday, down to Luxemburg & back.Tip &Reload in the same factory. 22.5 ton down. 23 ton back…Although this is not the regular work my mate Maik (pronounced Mike) does, It was still a good test of the truck. Driving through the county of Namur (Belgium) on the E411, the Daf proved it has the guts to do the job, but you do need too keep the revs high to get the best out of the engine.Cab ride was comfortable with a good seating position and good allround view. Personally I did find the cab a little bit on the narrow side.
Maik hands the truck back to the dealer on Saturday, so I’ll keep you up-to-date as & when…
Yes that’s what I said I believe. Was it an auto or manual? I am thinking manual from your comments?
Yes, a manual. Volvo have offered an FM 500 demo truck with a globetrotter LXL cab. Apparently It’s bigger internally tham a regular globe XL.Maik picks the Volvo up on Saturday afternoon. Have spoken to him regarding the Renault & he’s prepared too give It a whirl for a week on demo, but that’ll be around the end of November…
OK. I think you will be quite pleasantly surprised by the Renault. They are uber-comfy to drive, especially if you get the dealer to throw in twin arm rests into the deal - this is the ultimate in armchair trucking . The seat initially seems pretty hard and it is firm, but comfortable. I reckon you’ll go for the Volvo in the end simply because of that 500hp requirement, but I think you will be very tempted by the Renault with the price difference. Remember you want to do the deal at end of the last week in the month where you’ve got the best chance of haggling as they’ll be wanting to hit their targets.
Also just to reiterate my comment earlier in the thread in case you’ve forgotten -
If you like the DAF manual, make sure you drive one with an auto box as well before deciding to order one as they are a completely different drive. Let me put it this way, I hope you don’t plan on rushing anywhere if you go for a DAF with an auto box.
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Rob K:
Geoffo:
Had a run out In the demo Daf CF 510 on Monday, down to Luxemburg & back.Tip &Reload in the same factory. 22.5 ton down. 23 ton back…Although this is not the regular work my mate Maik (pronounced Mike) does, It was still a good test of the truck. Driving through the county of Namur (Belgium) on the E411, the Daf proved it has the guts to do the job, but you do need too keep the revs high to get the best out of the engine.Cab ride was comfortable with a good seating position and good allround view. Personally I did find the cab a little bit on the narrow side.
Maik hands the truck back to the dealer on Saturday, so I’ll keep you up-to-date as & when…
Yes that’s what I said I believe. Was it an auto or manual? I am thinking manual from your comments?
Yes, a manual. Volvo have offered an FM 500 demo truck with a globetrotter LXL cab. Apparently It’s bigger internally tham a regular globe XL.Maik picks the Volvo up on Saturday afternoon. Have spoken to him regarding the Renault & he’s prepared too give It a whirl for a week on demo, but that’ll be around the end of November…
OK. I think you will be quite pleasantly surprised by the Renault. They are uber-comfy to drive, especially if you get the dealer to throw in twin arm rests into the deal - this is the ultimate in armchair trucking
Also just to reiterate my comment earlier in the thread in case you’ve forgotten -
If you like the DAF manual, make sure you drive one with an auto box as well before deciding to order one as they are a completely different drive. Let me put it this way, I hope you don’t plan on rushing anywhere if you go for a DAF with an auto box.
Yes he’s probably more inclined to have the Volvo having already owned three before. Will be interesting to compare The Renault with a 460 to the Volvo FH 460 he’s replacing…
Handed the Daf CF back on Saturday. I get the impression from my mate that this will not be a serious contender for his replacement truck…
Now time for the Volvo FM !! 
I’ll not get chance too drive the Volvo,but I’ve had a good look at It. My first impression Is ,It’s a well put together truck with enough room for me to stand up on the engine hump without hitting my head on the cab ceiling (I’m 6’2’').So defo a big thumbs-up.
Big Truck:
The Premium 460DXi should work out cheaper than the equivalent VolvoFM/Daf CF and possibly have a lighter tare weight tooCan’t fault the Premium DXi at all and have driven all three trucks@ 4x2 with auto boxes this past week on local shop deliveries.
You’d be surprised. Renault’s prices have risen quite significantly in the last two years.