First-ever Renault truck for TJ Transport
Bulk haulage provider enhances fleet versatility with new Renault C430 8x4 steel-bodied tipper
TJ Transport Ltd, one of the leading bulk haulage providers in the southern region, have taken delivery of their first-ever Renault truck, a C430 8x4, citing their relationship with the dealer, added flexibility and recommendations from fellow industry professionals as the key reasons for the switch.
Supplied by Sparks Commercial Services, the C430 from Renault Trucks’ Ready for Business range is fitted with a Thompsons Loadmaster steel tipping body with air tailgate and has joined TJ Transport’s 109-strong fleet working across the South West and South of England.
The desire to add greater versatility to their operation was behind the decision to purchase the company’s first Renault truck, with the addition of a steel-bodied Range C complementing the existing aluminium-bodied tipper fleet.
Fleet manager Lee Downer explained: ‘Our existing aluminium-bodied vehicles are unsuitable for muck-away jobs. By adding the Renault truck with its steel body, it gives us more flexibility, allowing us to enhance our muck-away capability as well as carry aggregates.’
A long-standing connection with dealers Sparks Commercials was also central to the purchasing decision, as Mr Downer explained: ‘We have a fantastic relationship with the team at Sparks that goes way back with our waste-trailer fleet.
‘They’ve always been knocking on the door with the Renault Trucks tippers and this time they came armed with a very attractive proposal from their Ready for Business range, offering us a Thompson-bodied vehicle with immediate availability.’
He continued: ‘We also work with a lot of subcontractors who use Renault trucks and whose livelihoods depend on reliable vehicles that don’t let them down. They have faith in the brand and so we thought we would take the plunge.’
TJ Transport are FORS Silver accredited and the new vehicle is fully FORS and London Direct Vision compliant with six-camera CCTV, side scan, Thompson’s HDVS overhead power cable detection system, Weightloader with built-in inclinometer and a window in passenger door opening, as well as an emergency park brake.
The C430’s 11-litre engine comes with an Optidriver AT 2612F gearbox with automatic clutch, whilst the vehicle’s cab has been optimized for driver comfort and includes an air-suspended and heated driver’s seat with adjustable seat cushion extension plus two loudspeakers and two tweeters.
Mr Downer said: ‘Our driver Garry has been behind the wheel of competitor tippers for many years, so it was important to make a good first impression with the Renault truck. It’s early days but so far his feedback has been very positive; he certainly seems to have been won over by the C430.’
TJ Transport’s new Renault C430 was funded through Renault Trucks Financial Services with vehicle servicing provided through Sparks Commercial Service in Portsmouth on a five-year repair and maintenance ‘Excellence’ contract.
