The DAF thang…

I love driving in Euro Truck Simulator and I drive a DAF most of the time. But, when I go out to photo trucks in the real world, I don’t choose to shoot only DAF vehicles. That said, many of my recent shots just happen to be of DAF trucks – purely a chance occurrence. But it does give an opportunity to look at some of the range in real world use.

Here’s a DAF XF operating for Fowler Welch with a reefer running into Bognor Regis…

…presumably delivering foodstuffs to a local supermarket. Note that it is a 6×2 arrangement (the extra axle on the tractor unit) – allowing maximum 44t loads to be carried in the UK. Apologies for the smudges on the windscreen of our coach – taken on the way home from a football match 😉

That is a type of work that Martin Transport et Logistique does. Here’s another job that Azyet has done – delivering flowers. This nicely turned-out Van der Burg DAF XF 4×2 specialises in floral deliveries, so it’s never going to breach the weight limit that would require the extra axle…

Van der Burg 06-BFX-5 on Church Lane, Finchley

…It’s a lovely looking truck and I get to see it most Wednesday’s delivering to florists in my hometown.

Here’s something a bit smaller – a DAF LF. Much more a ‘local distribution’ truck than the articulated beasts that we drive in Euro Truck Simulator. This one is operating on behalf of German logistics company Dachser…

…Brand new and advertising a partnership with Thames Group, I guess Dachser are expanding!

Here’s another job that Azyet does – delivering Airfreight…

H E T Express Transport GD19 UHZ, A406 Henlys Corner

…This H.E.T. DAF is a 4×2 because, once again, airfreight is light, so the extra axle won’t be needed to meet UK axle weight laws.

Finally, here’s a very specialised DAF, another LF…

…Temperature control and custom-built body, this truck is probably carrying a very high value car (Ferrari, Lamborghini, etc…) That’s a job for a specialist and way beyond Azyet’s pay-grade 😉

I hope that was an interesting set of DAF vehicles – all the articulated vehicles are examples of the more recent XF (106). The previous DAF XF 105 series trucks like Azyet are still earning a crust – here’s a Waberer’s example in Willesden…

…I have yet to catch one of the XF next generation trucks on the highway – I’ll let you know when I do 😉

4 responses to “The DAF thang…”

bushboy

October 14, 2022 at 8:35 pm

I love the serious looking face on the first truck 😂

Reply
1. 2e0mca
  
  October 14, 2022 at 10:06 pm
  
  🤣🤣 – Yeah – that’s a determined look 😅
  
  Reply
Debra

October 18, 2022 at 2:17 am

There’s a “language” accompanying the appreciation of these trucks that is pretty foreign to me. But I just love your enthusiasm and expertise, Martin. I wish everyone had the curiosity and interest that you do. I applaud!

Reply
1. 2e0mca
  
  October 18, 2022 at 5:39 am
  
  I think all ‘enthusiasms’ have a language that is often incomprehensible to others outside of the shared interest group. It’s usually a mix of abbreviated terminology and off-beat humour. If it is alien to the general populace, I doubt that it’s deliberately so unlike the special nods and winks of secret societies. I’ll bet that when you and I get talking about birds, we probably use terms that others may not grasp 😉 I agree that the world needs more people who take an interest in what’s around them – we could do with more amateur astronomers, naturalists, transport enthusiasts, etc. 😎👍
  
  Reply