SJ Tabner reaps rewards of Volvo FH Aero upgrade with improved fuel economy

Supplied by Tom Hulse, Area Sales Manager, Hartshorne Group, the ADR-spec FH Aeros directly replace older models in a 16-strong commercial vehicle fleet. Typically paired with a Magyar tanker trailer, they are being used to deliver an array of flammable and corrosive liquids to customers ranging from paint manufacturers to pharmaceutical suppliers.

Speaking on the order, Managing Director, Stephen Tabner, says: “My first-ever experience riding in a truck was in a Volvo F88 when I was 18 and that was it for me – from that point on, I knew what I wanted to build the business around. Over the years, I’ve run practically everything Volvo’s brought to the table.

“Every time we upgrade, the drivers comment on how much better the next one feels, and that confidence has been there from the very beginning right through to the current fleet.

“In the 18 months since we put the first one on the road, the fuel performance on our new FH Aeros has been very strong, sitting around 10.25 MPG. We are running on nationwide work, often fully loaded both ways, and still seeing returns that hold in a very solid range week in and week out.”

SJ Tabner’s FH Aeros are each equipped with Volvo’s D13K Euro-6 engine, which delivers 540 hp and a maximum torque output of 2,600 Nm between 1,000 and 1,450 rev/min, for great driveability, efficiency and performance.

Six are paired with a 12-speed I-Shift transmission, while one special edition truck – liveried in a distinctive silver colour scheme to mark the customer’s 25th anniversary – features a Dual Clutch transmission, enabling seamless gear changes in a fraction of a second and smooth acceleration.

The trucks’ spacious Globetrotter XL cabs help to maximise driver comfort, with each kitted out for life on the road with an array of creature comforts including leather upholstery, a fridge/freezer and full media package and navigation.

Alongside its latest models, SJ Tabner continues to maintain an original Volvo FH, acquired as the business’s first-ever truck back in 1999.

“That truck is still running and still capable of doing a proper day’s work,” adds Tabner. “We’ve kept it in good order and it recently went straight through its MOT, which says a lot about how well it was built.

“From those early days to the fleet we operate now, it’s a constant reminder of where we started and the standards we always expect from our vehicles.”

On the road seven days a week, SJ Tabner’s new FH Aeros are expected to remain in operation for at least seven years, each covering up to 115,000 annually.