Grimsby-based Evans European Transport needed a 7.5-tonne refrigerated truck with a high payload and a sleeper cab. Its new FUSO Canter delivers on both fronts.
Supplied by Mercedes-Benz Dealer Northside Truck & Van – the manufacturer’s franchised Network is also responsible for sales and support of the popular FUSO light truck range in Britain – the Canter 7C18D started life as a standard chassis with Double crew-cab, offering seating for a driver and up to six passengers.
Conversion specialist Hatcher Components then replaced the second row of seats with a full-sized bed, to create a roomy sleeping compartment, before temperature-controlled transport solutions leader Gray & Adams fitted a 5.0-metre, single-compartment insulated box body and GAH EX700 refrigeration unit.
Evans European Transport’s fifth FUSO Canter is powered by an economical 3.0-litre common-rail turbo-diesel which offers high-torque characteristics – 430 Nm is available over a broad engine speed range. The truck’s 129 kW (175 hp) output is transmitted to the road via an efficient, smooth-shifting DUONIC® dual-clutch automated gearbox, while an engine brake and stop/start system is included as standard.
It will be maintained by the workshop team at Northside Truck & Van’s Immingham branch. Mercedes-Benz Trucks’ reigning Dealer of the Year, Northside represents the three-pointed star and three-diamonds FUSO brand in Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire.
The operator was already running one other Canter with overnight driver accommodation, in the shape of a roof-mounted sleeper pod which was also designed and fitted by Hatcher Components, of Woodbridge, near Ipswich. That vehicle has a high-volume curtainside body, but the lower profile of the new truck’s fridge box meant a roof pod was not a viable option.
Founded in 1994, Evans European Transport runs a fleet of 26 vehicles. The largest are 26-tonners, while the line-up also includes a number of vans, 16 of them Mercedes-Benz Sprinters also supplied by Northside.
As well as undertaking temperature-controlled distribution, Evans European Transport offers same-day delivery, contract logistics and warehousing services to a variety of ‘blue-chip’ customers.
