Actros all the way for this driver!

Life on the road.

Daniel Thomas has been trucking for nearly 15 years. He entered the industry in 2006, fresh-faced and ready to take on a new challenge, “My friend is a trucker and he would always tell me about how great it is, travelling to different places each day and having more freedom,” explained Daniel. He quickly became part of the Rawlings Transport team, an independently, family-run general haulage and logistics business, now based in Basingstoke, which will celebrate its 50^th anniversary next year.

The company is a part of ‘Pallet Track’, specialising in the transportation of a variety of goods and they even helped deliver much-needed beds to hospitals across the country, including the new NHS Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham in 2020. Their remit covers anything and everything and their drivers travel throughout the UK.

- Daniel Thomas, Driver, Rawlings Transport

The big and small things making a difference for drivers.

The marvellous aerodynamic MirrorCam technology is a major selling point for the vehicle, which replaces conventional mirrors and helps to save fuel and improve visibility all-round, particularly when drivers are performing manoeuvres.

As well as contributing to greater safety, it also has many other practical uses, making the job easier, as Daniel explains, “In the rain, traditional mirrors often get covered with rain spots as they’re so big and you have to lean out of the window and wipe them down with a cloth whilst driving to see better. MirrorCam uses a small camera to project the image onto the screen in the cab, so you only get the odd spot on the camera which can be quickly wiped away with your finger. Silly things like that really help the driver.”

Feeling safe and secure on the road, both day and night.

Another favourite feature of Daniel’s is the innovative Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC) system. He had used the technology in his previous Actros vehicles, but the latest version in the new Actros blew him away, especially the interurban functionality.

“I like the interurban on the Predictive Powertrain Control system as you can set it to cruise control and the truck essentially drives itself. It’s really useful if you’re on an unfamiliar road as it will tell you if a roundabout or corner is coming up and helps you to slow down – so handy, especially when it’s dark and wet and visibility is limited,” he said.

The Active Brake Assist 5 (ABA 5) technology, fitted as standard on the new Actros, has also been utilised. The fifth generation safety system can perform partial or full emergency braking when approaching stationary or moving objects, including pedestrians in certain conditions up to speeds of 50km/h.

Daniel described a time when he was driving through an industrial estate and an individual stepped out into the road, “Thankfully I wasn’t going very fast and had plenty of space and time to react, however the truck detected the person also and brought the vehicle to a stop. It’s reassuring to know it can do that.”

A home from home.

Trucking takes Daniel all over the UK on a weekly basis so he often stays in his vehicle Monday-Friday; for this reason, cab comfort is an important factor. Along with a spacious 750mm wide and 2200mm long bed and a flat floor which, according to Daniel makes it easier to move around the cab, the model also benefits from generous stowage facilities.

“When you’re away all week and doing a variety of different jobs, you have a lot of kit, which can take up valuable space – having three decent-sized overhead lockers and two big side lockers really helps,” he explained.

Daniel is also a big fan of the night heater, “It’s climate-controlled so you can set the temperature and it sticks to it. Also, the warm air comes out of all the vents which is a bonus as in most trucks it just comes out of a funnel on the driver’s side. It keeps my cab toasty at night!”

Proud to be an Actros driver.

After years of driving Actros models, Daniel still has a lot of love for the three-pointed star brand. He even showcased his 2016 Actros at the ‘2019 British Truck Racing’ competition in Thruxton, after organisers asked Rawlings Transport if they would like to partake.

Daniel proudly acted as pace truck, leading the competitors for their first lap of the race before exiting at the pit stop as the trucks sped off around the track.

Without a doubt, he’s an Actros man through and through!

What’s your favourite feature on the new Actros?

Is it the ground-breaking technology, safety features or plush comfort in the cab? Share your thoughts below.