OWD334

ownerdriver 

NOVEMBER 2020 #334 

DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL 

OWNERDRIVER.COM.AU 

Tough trucks 

Central Queenslanders 

rapt in UD workhorses 

See page 18 

King of 

the cabs 

Detour Logistics 

opts for K200’s 

driver comfort 

See page 32 

Game time 

for Cascadia – 

Australia’s safest 

conventional truck 

QUIET STRENGTH 

18 32 52

NOW MORE 

THAN EVER... 

AUSTRALIAN 

MADE IS 

THE INVESTMENT. 

All Australians need Australian industry. 

There has never been a more important 

time to invest in locally made products; 

Kenworth has proudly been making 

trucks in Australia for almost 50 years. 

KENWORTH.COM.AU

WHEN THE GOING 

GETS TOUGH, 

TRUCKIES KEEP 

EVERYONE GOING. 

Transport operators across Australia rely on Shell Rimula oils to 

protect their equipment operating in Australia’s tough conditions. 

Contact us on 1300 134 205 or visit Shell.com.au/Rimula 

to find out more about Shell Rimula and the range of transport 

lubricants to ensure your fleet keeps going when the 

going gets tough.

Contents #334 

NOVEMBER 2020 

56 

8 SENATOR STERLE BACK ON THE ROAD 

WA Senator delivers road train load of preloved 

goods from Perth to Kununurra for East 

Kimberley families 

18 RIGHT TRUCK FOR THE JOB 

The Fletcher family in Central Queensland boast 

about the toughness and reliability of their UD 

trucks, but a 700hp Volvo gave them the grunt 

they needed 

25 ATA AND NHVR TAKE HARD LINE ON RACISM 

Evidence emerges of threats to sabotage 

trucks as part of growing harassment towards 

multicultural drivers 

32 KING OF THE CABS 

When Volvo discontinued its XXL cabs in Australia, 

Detour Logistics’ boss Colin Beer looked to 

Kenworth’s ‘big cab’ K200 to stay in the space race 

“I only bought it for the noise it makes.” 

50 BRISBANE BRINGS BACK HEAVY EQUIPMENT 

AND MACHINERY 

The Civil Construction Field Days will run 

concurrently with the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show 

52 FREIGHTLINER FIGHTS BACK 

Daimler Trucks North America reports 

Freightliner production is back to pre-pandemic 

days and electric truck development remains 

firmly on track 

56 GAME TIME FOR CASCADIA 

After the most comprehensive test program ever 

undertaken by Freightliner for a market outside 

North America, it’s now ‘game time’ for the new 

Cascadia – Australia’s safest conventional truck 

32 

Your Transport 

Manufacturing Specialist 

5 Year Structural Chassis Warranty 

12-16, Fowler Road, 

Dandenong South, Victoria 3175 

Ph: (03) 979 40330 

Email: admin@bte.net.au 

38-40, Carrington Road, 

Toowoomba, Queensland 4352 

Ph: 0427 502 881 

Email: scotta@bte.net.au 

4 NOVEMBER 2020 ownerdriver.com.au

THE RIGHT FIT. 

DOUBLE THE PROTECTION. 

24 

MONTH 

WARRANTY 

Your vehicle is the lifeblood of your business. Supporting you is the reason for ours. We invest in developing high 

quality genuine parts that deliver maximum reliability, so you can be confi dent they’ll keep you on the road. When 

our Mercedes-Benz Truck and Bus, Freightliner and Fuso genuine parts* are fi tted by an authorised Daimler Truck 

and Bus dealer, we’ll double our genuine parts warranty to 24 months with unlimited kilometres. 

That’s a two year warranty – and one less thing for you to worry about. 

CALL 1800 033 557 

TO FIND YOUR CLOSEST 

AUTHORISED DEALERSHIP. 

*Excludes Batteries, Fuso Value Parts, Alliance Truck Parts and TruckParts by Mercedes-Benz. This offer is only valid for genuine parts purchased on or from the 01/01/2019. 

Mercedes-Benz is a registered trademark of Daimler AG, Stuttgart Germany. Fuso is a registered trademark of Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation, Japan. Freightliner 

is a registered trademark of Daimler Trucks North America LLC. Mercedes-Benz Genuine Parts, Freightliner Genuine Parts and Fuso Genuine Parts are all distributed by 

Daimler Truck and Bus Australia Pacific Pty Ltd. ABN 86 618 413 282.

ownerdriver 

EDITORIAL 

Editor: Greg Bush 

Ph: 0408 780 302 Fax: 07 3101 6619 

E-mail: Greg.Bush@aremedia.com.au 

Senior Journalist/LCV Specialist: 

Cobey Bartels Ph: 0409 044 128 

E-mail: Cobey.Bartels@aremedia.com.au 

Technical Editor: Steve Brooks 

E-mail: sbrooks.trucktalk@gmail.com 

Contributors: Warren Aitken, John Beer, 

Frank Black, Warren Clark, Rod Hannifey, 

Michael Kaine, Sarah Marinovic, Ken Wilkie 

Cartoonist: John Allison 

PRODUCTION 

Sub-editor: Cat Fitzpatrick 

Art Director: Bea Barthelson 

Print: IVE Print 

ADVERTISING 

Industry Sales Manager: 

Adrian Christian Ph: 0423 761 784 

E-mail: Adrian.Christian@aremedia.com.au 

Brand Sales Manager: 

Peter Gatti Ph: 0437 895 600 

E-mail: Peter.Gatti@aremedia.com.au 

Sales Manager (Qld): 

Hollie Tinker Ph: 0466 466 945 

E-mail: Hollie.Tinker@aremedia.com.au 

Sales Manager (Vic): 

Matt Alexander Ph: 0413 599 669 

E-mail: Matt.Alexander@aremedia.com.au 

Sales Manager (NSW): 

Con Zarocostas Ph: 0457 594 238 

E-mail: Con.Zarocostas@aremedia.com.au 

Sales Manager (SA/WA): 

Nick Lenthall Ph: 0439 485 835 

E-mail: Nick.Lenthall@aremedia.com.au 

Agency Sales Manager (NSW): 

Max Kolomiiets Ph: 0415 869 176 

E-mail: Max.Kolomiiets@aremedia.com.au 

MARKETING & DISTRIBUTION 

Marketing Manager: Andrew Amato 

Ph: 03 9567 4145 

E-mail: Andrew.Amato@aremedia.com.au 

Circulation Manager: Stuart Jones 

Ph: 03 9567 4207 

E-mail: Stuart.Jones@aremedia.com.au 

DISTRIBUTION QUERIES 

Distributed by Ovato Distribution 

EXECUTIVE GROUP 

Are Media Automotive CEO: Andrew Beecher 

GM – Industry: Graham Gardiner 

Group Finance Manager: Cain Murphy 

Digital Director: Tim Kenington 

Commercial Director: Matt Rice 

Operations Manager: Regina Fellner 

People & Culture Manager: Nicola Ramsay 

ISSN 1321-6279 

SUBSCRIPTIONS FOR ALL SUBSCRIPTION SALES AND ENQUIRIES 

www.ownerdriver.com.au and click subscribe 

E-mail: tbm@magshop.com.au 

Ph: 1300 461 528, 8am - 6pm (EST) Mon to Fri 

Mail: Magshop GPO Box 5252, Sydney, NSW, 2001 

OwnerDriver has an expanding national circulation, with emphasis on maximum saturation 

and readership throughout all Australian states and territories. Our efficient delivery service 

incorporating specialist delivery companies and Australia Post ensures that current editions 

of OwnerDriver are delivered to respective outlets within days of its publication. If you are 

having difficulty obtaining a copy within your area, or alternatively, are receiving requests for 

more copies than you are receiving, contact Stuart Jones on 03 9567 4207. No material may be 

reproduced in part or in whole without written consent from the copyright holder. 

BEHIND THE WHEEL Greg Bush 

Dangerous minority 

SOCIAL MEDIA has proved to be a boon in global 

society. Australians have slowly embraced it, 

notably Facebook, since the years leading up 

to 2010. It’s proved a convenient way to keep in 

touch with friends and family, especially those 

living around the globe. 

Almost every business of note has a Facebook 

page, using the outlet to make corporate announcements, 

or simply to let staff share photos and interact with 

each other. 

There’s many a trucking company, as well as truck 

manufacturers, equipment suppliers and the various 

associations that use the platform as a form of advertising. 

In some instances Facebook has overtaken actual company 

websites in importance. 

However, its negative side has evolved over the ensuing 

years. It has become a platform for heated political debates, 

slanderous comments and violent threats, some of which 

have evolved into acts of physical violence and, in some 

cases, fatalities. 

Now it seems racism is rearing its ugly head. And the 

trucking industry is not exempt from the antics of these 

supposed keyboard warriors. 

One such post that was brought to the attention of the 

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator suggested cutting the 

air lines on trucks from one particular transport company. 

In particular those trucks with an Indian driver behind 

the wheel. 

Owner//Driver of course has its own Facebook page. And, 

yes, it has occasionally been on the receiving end of racist, 

sexist and slanderous comments. We make it a priority to 

delete these remarks as soon as they appear. There’s nothing 

beneficial in allowing these individuals – and they are in 

the minority – a platform to espouse their mindless, volatile 

opinions. 

It’s also disturbing that the majority of people involved in 

road transport sit idly by and say nothing. 

Back in the late 1940s and 1950s, Australia received 

a wave of immigrants, initially from the UK and, later, 

Mediterranean countries, notably Greece and Italy. For those 

who remember (and with our aging truck driving workforce 

there should be many), the “Poms” were initially hit with 

insults, but nothing to match the cold reception that the 

Greeks and Italians received. Thankfully, social media didn’t 

exist in those days. 

Fast forward to 2020 and these new Australians, and their 

offspring, have enriched our society. 

Unfortunately with the new arrivals, there are some in 

our ranks who feel that their livelihood is being threatened. 

Their response is to adopt a lynch mob mentality. 

Truck driving can be a rewarding occupation. It’s also a 

demanding job at times. And, unfortunately, sometimes 

dangerous. 

We don’t need to add another element of risk on the road, 

just because some drivers out there have an issue with 

another driver’s ethnic background. 

Largest circulation truck publication in Australia 

Member: Circulations Audit Board 

Circulation 27,689 

CIRCULATIONS 

AUDIT BOARD 

(CAB Audit September 2019) 

CIRCULATIONS 

AUDIT BOARD 

Are Media Pty Limited 

Level 5, 451 St Paul’s Terrace 

Fortitude Valley, Qld 4006 

Phone: 07 3101 6602 Fax: 07 3101 6619 

Real Service 

Real People 

Real Experience 

Real Insurance Solutions 

Transport & Business Insurance Services Pty Ltd ABN 22 622 458 593 - AR# 

0012620074 Corporate Authorised Representative of Midland Insurance 

Brokers Australia Pty Ltd - ABN 81 006 528 329 - ASFL No. 238 963 

02 6925 8788 

www.tbiinsurance.com.au 


EFFICIENCY 

AND PERFORMANCE 

no compromise 

Detroit DD13 engine delivers it all 

With exceptional fuel economy and a smooth and quiet 

ride, Detroit’s DD13 delivers it all. Highly adaptable, the 

DD13 is ideal for intrastate and vocational applications 

up to 505hp and 1,850lb-ft and is backed by our 

industry-leading warranty and extended coverage 

package that ensures the highest level of support for 

our customers. 

Detroit’s advanced technology also means GHG17 

requirements are met through innovative fuel 

efficiency resulting in lower emissions and lower 

total cost of ownership. 

Boasting superior service intervals and an easilyserviceable 

design, the DD13 optimises uptime, 

maximising your time on the road and driving profits 

for your business. 

This is all backed by our well-established and extensive 

national service and support network which, together 

with our highly skilled factory-trained technicians, 

means you can count on getting the right advice when 

you need it. 

With Detroit, there’s no compromise. 

detroitaustralia.com.au 

detroitanz

The Goods 

NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND 

Senator Sterle back on the road 

WA Senator delivers road train load of pre-loved goods 

from Perth to Kununurra for East Kimberley families 

SHADOW ASSISTANT Minister for Road 

Safety and Labor Senator for Western 

Australia, Glenn Sterle, has climbed 

back in behind the wheel of a truck to 

deliver a road train full of pre-loved 

and unwanted furniture from Perth to 

Kununurra to support local families in 

the East Kimberley. 

Before entering Parliament Glenn was 

a furniture removalist. His regular run 

was between Perth and Darwin. 

“It’s been a long time since I 

have driven the 3,000 kilometres to 

Kununurra,” Sterle says, prior to his 

departure on October 26. 

Sterle says he was happy putting his 

boots on to support local Aboriginal 

families in the East Kimberley, as well as 

the important work being done by the 

Revive Recycling Centre in Kununurra. 

Established in mid-2017 by East 

Kimberley Job Pathways (EKJP) (owned 

in partnership by Wunan Aboriginal 

Corporation and the Kununurra Region 

Economic Aboriginal Corporation), 

Revive operates as a ‘Waste to Wages’ 

social enterprise. While on wages with 

Revive, job seekers are supported to 

gain skills and experience to obtain 

sustainable employment in the open 

labour market, which in turn creates 

opportunities for successive job seekers. 

The ‘Waste to Wages’ program trains 

and employs Aboriginal youth to collect 

and repair recyclable items for their 

recycling store. 

EKJP underpins all costs associated 

with operating the enterprise and 

utilises funds derived through the sale 

of products, namely furniture, to directly 

employ vulnerable Aboriginal job 

seekers on a supported wage. 

Senator Sterle has partnered with 

ACFS Port Logistics, the Western Roads 

Federation, Keys – The Moving Solution 

and members of the WA Labor Party and 

broader community to support Revive’s 

‘Waste to Wages’ program. 

Arthur Tzaneros at ACFS Port Logistics 

donated a brand new 2653 Mercedes 

Benz Prime Mover with fuel, a trailer and 

dolly for the journey. The Prime Mover 

will be covered in local Indigenous livery 

to mark the occasion. 

Cam Dumesny, CEO of the Western 

Roads Federation, assisted with the 

coordination of the project and travelled 

with the senator to Kununurra and back. 

Nick D’Adamo and his team at Keys 

– The Moving Solution in Canning 

Vale assisted with loading and storing 

furniture that has been donated by 

generous community members. 

Above: Senator Glenn Sterle (left) and Cam 

Dumensy ready to hit the long road 

Sterle also praised Daimler, which 

donated merchandise to deliver to 

Kununurra, Senator Louise Pratt for 

the donation of art supplies, North 

West Quarries who are provided 

accommodation and a BBQ and Scott 

Huntsman from All-Cast PPE Supplies 

who donated 1,800 Australian made 

medical face masks. 

ADVANCED 

PERFORMANCE & 

LEADING TECHNOLOGY. 

DISC PADS 

• Improved surface technology 

• Quieter braking performance 

• Dependable and reliable performance 

• Comprehensive range across most 

applications 

BRAKE SHOES 

• Reduced wear rates 

• Easy to install with no fuss 

• Resistance to high operating temperatures 


applications 

BRAKE LININGS 

• Protects other brake components from wear 

• Reduced replacement cycles 

• Cleaner technology 


applications 

Bendix Brake Advice Centre 1800 819 666 

Choose your perfect braking solution online at www.bendix.com.au 

Bendix is a trademark of Garrett Advancing Motion 


ALL THE PARTS 

FOR ALL THE 

TRUCKS. 

GREAT RANGE OF DISCOUNT ALL-MAKES 

PARTS AND ACCESSORIES 

WESTERNSTARSHOP.COM.AU 

Win a new Harley, Boat or Holiday worth $30,000! 

Purchase any Meritor products from a Penske dealer or the Western Star web store for your chance to win. Visit meritorpromo.com.au 

RDP LED 7” Headlamp 

• 175mm Round x 98mm Deep 

• Multivolt 11-32V 

• 1x17w Low Beam, 4x3w High Beam 2 x SMD 

• Low Beam 940lm, High Beam 1422lm 

• 5 Year Warranty 

Sentry Micro Rechargable LED Beacon 

85324ANAR 

• 4 flash patterns 

• Fully sealed and waterproof (IP65 rated) 

$60 

• Charge via supplied micro USB cable 

• 2-7 hour run time 

RDPMC175 

$275 

Each 

Suzi Coil 7-Core 4.6m 

82536NAR 

$88 

RDP 58 Series LED Marker Lamps 

Ultima 215 LED Driving Lights with FREE Big Red Light Bar 

$15 $15 $15 $20 

RDP58RM3 RDP58ARM3 RDP58AM3 RDP58WM3 

71740PROMO 

$950 

• 3M Heavy Duty Water Proof Cable, Plugs and Connectors 

• Cable System Compliant with Dangerous Goods (AS2809) 

• RoHS Compliant Cables, Plugs and Lights 

• Plug Covers 

• 5 Year Warranty, Livestock Transport 1 Year Warranty 

• Super strong Pressure Die Cast Aluminium 

• Super powerful 5 watt XP-G2 Cree® L.E.Ds 

• 165 watts of pure white light (5700°K) 

• 16,500 raw lumens 

• BONUS FREE Big Red BR9225 Light Bar 

Available from over 50 

dealers nationwide or online 

at westernstarshop.com.au 

Available from your participating Western Star Dealer. Prices include 

GST and are valid from 1st Nov 2020 - 28th Feb 2021. Prices and 

specifications are subject to change without notice and do not include 

freight. Images are for illustration purposes only - actual products 

may differ from shown. To find your closest dealer, or to purchase 

online, visit: westernstarshop.com.au Penske Australia reserves the 

right to correct printing errors.

THE GOODS NEWS FROM THE HIGHWAY AND BEYOND 

Call for average speed monitoring 

to include light vehicles 

NatRoad says Sydney 

metro enforcement 

burden should not 

fall solely on heavy 

vehicle sector 

FOLLOWING REPORTS of NSW’s heavy vehicle 

average speed camera program expanding to 

11 new locations, the National Road Transport 

Association (NatRoad) urges a level playing field 

that includes light vehicles. 

NatRoad CEO Warren Clark cites a new 

Productivity Commission (PC) information paper 

in backing average speed enforcement through the 

New South Wales camera network to be extended to 

include light vehicles. 

Through the use of average speed enforcement 

cameras, compliance of heavy vehicles with speed 

limits has been estimated to have reduced the 

number of heavy vehicle crashes by 29 per cent 

and there has been a substantial reduction in 

fatal crashes and serious injury crashes since its 

introduction in New South Wales, data highlights. 

According to the Productivity Commission 

report, this represents a saving through reduced 

fatalities and serious injuries of $138 million to 

the community. 

“The Productivity Commission has shown that 

the NSW government has, for the past decade, 

used average speed enforcement as part of an 

expanded risk-based enforcement program, to 

increase compliance of heavy vehicles with speed 

limits,” Clark says. 

“The system should not just be limited to 

heavy vehicles but, in order to increase safety 

on highways in particular, should also cover 

light vehicles.” 

NatRoad therefore calls on the NSW government 

to take that step “as soon as possible”. 

“With these numbers revealing that there is 

great benefit to the community in using average 

speed camera enforcement, it makes sense that 

all vehicles are covered,” Clark says. 

“The burden of enforcement through this 

system should not fall solely on the heavy vehicle 

sector.” 

Above: En route to Sydney’s M2 where heavy vehicles will be 

moni tored for average speed in 2021. Photo by David Windley 

SAF AXLE SPARES 

Axle and Suspension Systems – Efficiency Without Compromise 

Group 

Our suspension systems have leading-edge technology that greatly enhance 

product value and service life to the end-user. Backed with exemplary service 

support, you can depend on SAF-HOLLAND to keep you on the road to success. 

www.safholland.com.au 

SAF-HOLLAND (Aust) Pty Ltd 

Sales: 1300 131 613 

Email: sales@safholland.com.au 

SAF-HOLLAND can offer you a complete 

tailored air suspension system with outstanding 

product features and cutting edge benefits. 


Always 

Delivering 

The DAF model range delivers on Safety, Fuel Efficiency, 

Driver Comfort and Good Design. 

Whether it’s moving freight across the nation, 

or going the last mile, DAF Trucks are Always Delivering. 

OWD-FP-5170034-CS-334 

DAF XF, CF AND LF 

PURE EXCELLENCE


TWU and NRFA in joint industry battle 

Transport Workers Union and National Road Freighters 

Association sign memorandum of understanding 

THE TRANSPORT WORKERS’ UNION 

(TWU) has entered into an agreement 

with owner-driver and small fleet 

operator body the National Road 

Freighters Association (NRFA) “to 

fight for an industry that is safe and 

sustainable”. 

The memorandum of 

understanding (MOU) will allow 

both organisations to work together 

on issues of interest but they will 

remain independent, continuing 

to represent the interests of 

their members and raise issues 

particularly pertinent to their 

membership. 

The MOU has as its core principles: 

• Universal application of binding, 

enforceable and safe and 

sustainable rates 

• Independent tribunal to 

determine and enforce binding 

standards in conjunction with 

industry stakeholders 

• Client accountability throughout 

transport supply chains 

• Transport workers and transport 

operators given opportunity to 

contribute to a collective voice 

• Enforcement mechanisms to 

ensure standards are effectively 

realised 

• Adequate training and education 

through an industry scheme and 

fund. 

The MOU recognises that 

“economic and contractual practices 

are placing unsustainable pressures 

on transport operators and workers 

and contributing to thousands of 

transport operators going bankrupt 

not to mention the injuries and 

deaths of thousands of transport 

workers and users every year”. 

“The Australian government and 

existing regulatory models have 

failed to respond to this crisis and 

the need for regulatory intervention 

has never been stronger,” it adds. 

TWU national secretary Michael 

Kaine and NRFA president Gordon 

MacKinlay say the agreement to 

co-operate was based on a lack of 

action on the difficulties drivers 

and operators face in obtaining fair 

rates to keep them safe and their 

businesses sustainable. 

“For far too long, our industry 

has had to endure a dog-eat-dog 

way of doing business where the 

all the pressure of compliance is 

pushed right down to the driver, 

subcontractor and operator at 

the bottom and most of the profit 

goes to the major retailers and 

manufacturers at the top which 

contract out transport work at 

continually lower rates,” Kaine says. 

“This is neither safe nor 

sustainable and the TWU is happy 

to join forces with the NRFA to 

change this.” 

MacKinlay adds: “Transport 

businesses want to be paid what we 

are worth, not what people feel like 

paying us. 

“The financial pressure on our 

trucking companies is real and 

Above: TWU national secretary Michael 

Kaine (right) with NRFA Queensland 

delegate Trevor Warner 

is making it very difficult for 

businesses to survive in a safe and 

long-term way. 

“We want to see change and we 

want standards to be lifted. 

“Working with the TWU means 

co-operating on issues that matter to 

us and using our collective voices to 

tell those in positions of power that 

now is the time for reform.” 

SIZE 

MATTERS 

KNOW YOUR TRUCKING HEIGHT 

Don’t want to end up in an ad like this? 

Know your vehicle and load height. 

Plan your route ahead of time. 

Visit QueenslandRail.com.au/SizeMatters 


BIG WHEELS TRUCK 

ALIGNMENT GEELONG 

Located at 9-11 Rodney Road North Geelong VIC 3215 

P: 03 5272 2460 E: geelong@bigwheels.net.au 

• Trade Qualified Mechanics & Wheel Alignment technicians 

• Store of the Year 2018/2019 

• All Mechanical Repairs (trucks trailers buses caravans 4X4 drives ) 

• The Latest Wheel Alignment Equipment (TruckCam) 

• Receive 10% discount in store when you mention this ad 

• All works guaranteed Australia Wide 

www.bigwheels.net.au 

AUSTRALIAN DISTRIBUTOR 

BIG WHEELS 

T R U C K A L I G N M E N T 

MORE THAN JUST 

GREAT WHEEL 

ALIGNMENTS 

NSW 

Arndell Park 

02 9671 3983 

Central Coast 

02 4325 5777 

Tamworth 

02 6762 8600 

QLD 

Bundaberg 

07 4151 7999 

Gold Coast 

07 5563 2200 

Gracemere 

07 4933 4811 

Mackay 

07 4952 4177 

North Brisbane 

07 3268 4188 

Rocklea 

07 3275 3348 

Sunshine Coast 

07 5445 1705 

Toowoomba 

07 4634 1749 

Townsville 

07 4774 4236 

Tel: 1300 655 050 

www.bigwheels.net.au 

VIC 

Dandenong 

03 8768 7985 

Geelong 

03 5272 2460 

Laverton 

03 9369 1115 

Morwell 

03 5133 0272 

Pakenham 

03 5941 7730 

WA 

Perth 

08 9353 3111 

FULLY 

CERTIFIED 

STAFF 

• Australian Distributor for TruckCam Wheel Alignment Systems 

• We Manufacture & sell 

• U Bolt Shaping Machines 

• Leaf Spring Reset Machines 

• 100-150 Tonne Axle Press 

• Floating Turntables for cars, 4wd, trucks, buses & trailers 

• Shaker Plates – for vehicle inspection 

• Model Specific Wheel Alignment Optimisation Components 

• Wholesale Automotive Parts Distribution - cars, 4wd, trucks, buses & trailers 

• U Bolts – most sizes – manufactured in Australia 

• BWTA manufacture vehicle wedges – Steel & Alloy as well as Vehicle 

Alignment shims for truck trailer, bus & 4wd


Woolworths’ takeover of PFD opposed 

Ombudsman seeks to block acquisition through 

Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 

THE AUSTRALIAN Small Business and Family 

Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO) Kate Carnell 

is formally opposing Woolworths’ proposed 

acquisition of PFD Food Services in a submission 

to the Australian Competition and Consumer 

Commission (ACCC). 

The ombudsman urges the regulator to block 

Woolworths’ proposed $552 million purchase 

of a controlling 65 per cent interest in PFD, 

saying the deal would be “detrimental to small 

businesses in the food distribution space and 

the economy more broadly”. 

Undertaking market inquiries, the ACCC 

began its review of the deal on September 23. 

Submissions closed on October 9, with the 

provisional date for ACCC’s findings set for 

December 10. 

“Woolworths has described its push into the 

food services sector as a ‘strategic investment’ 

but the timing is opportunistic at best,” 

Carnell says. 

“Woolworths has been a beneficiary of COVID 

restrictions, with its supermarket operations 

seeing a significant upswing in sales, while 

independent food distributors have struggled. 

“Now that Woolworths has exhausted 

opportunities in the large supermarket space, it is 

moving into the smaller supermarket arena. 

“Allowing Woolworths to buy PFD would 

significantly improve its competitive position 

against other smaller supermarket operators. 

“Claims by Woolworths about plans to establish 

Chinese walls to prevent PFD passing on 

information about small supermarket competitors 

is questionable. 

“This deal would also dramatically impact on the 

food distribution market – many of which are small 

and family businesses – especially outside the 

major cities. 

“Small food distributors are only now starting 

to get back on their feet after months of heavily 

restricted trade due to the forced closure of pubs, 

clubs and other commercial venues. To allow this 

deal to go ahead would be a real kick in the guts. 

“I am also concerned about significant job losses 

as smaller suppliers and distributors would have a 

battle on their hands to compete, particularly if a 

major player like Woolworths moves into this sector. 

“I share ACCC chair Rod Sims’ concerns about 

companies that have too much market power.” 

Independent Food Distributors Australia (IFDA) 

estimates that Woolworths – which already 

accounts for about a third of supermarket sales – 

would pick up a large chunk of the food services 

market as a result of this deal, setting smaller 

competitors up to fail. 

“The ACCC should also consider the impact this 

deal could have on manufacturers and farmers. 

The last thing they need right now is a dominant 

market player putting price pressure on suppliers. 

“Australian small businesses have been hit 

hardest by this pandemic and now is not the time 

for opportunistic takeovers by large corporations. 

“Intervention by our regulators may be the only 

way to stop it.” 

GEARBOX & DIFFS 

Volvo and Mack AMT 

Transmissions, Mercedes Benz 

6 – 16 Speed Transmissions, 

Large Range of Roadranger 

Transmissions 

Scania Transmissions, 

ZF Transmissions 6 – 16 

Speed, Japanese Transmission 

for all Four Major Brands 

Large range of Diffs in stock 

for American, European and 

Japanese Trucks 

Contact Matt Connors 07 5500 9577 

Unit 10/38 Kendor Street ARUNDEL GOLD COAST QLD 4214 

email: mattc@gibbsparts.com 

www.gibbsparts.com.au 

Contact David Shaw 07 3715 0977 

1890 Ipswich Road ROCKLEA BRISBANE QLD 4106 

email: davids@gibbsparts.com 

7139745aa 


No matter where or when - 

Rest cool & easy with Webasto 

NEW 

Cool Split 20 

High Performance 2kW 

cooling, very low noise, low 

profile, light weight, rear or roof 

mounted Air Conditioning. 

Cool Top RTE 16 

High performance, 1.6kW, 

lightweight, low profile, roof 

mounted 24v electric parking 

cooler. Cooling without engine 

idling. Integrated low voltage 

battery cut-off ensures engine 

re-start. Easy Installation via 

vehicle roof hatch. 

Fresco 3000 

Low profile, light weight, 

DC powered, rear mount Air 

Conditioning. 

Isotherm 

Compressor Fridge 

16L Fridge/Freezer Drawer 

30L Fridge Drawer 

49L Upright Fridge 

Compact with multiple 

installation options. 

Air Top 2000 STC 

2 kW Diesel Fired Cab Heater 

for non idling heating. Powerful, 

quiet, fast & compact. 

All products are supplied with a 2 year warranty 

OWD-FP-5192612-CS-334 

Webasto Authorised Installer Network 

NSW 

Crowhurst 

Auto Electrical 

6 Highgate St 

Auburn 2144 

02 9748 0488 

Wagga Car Radio 

379 Edward St 

Wagga Wagga 2650 

02 6925 6111 

Mavin Truck Centre 

5 Woolford Cres 

Kempsey 2440 

02 6562 6211 

VIC 

AAA Cooling & 

Trimming 

9 Catalina Dr 

Tullamarine 3043 

0417 858 009 

Trans Air & Electrics 

VIC & Albury 

0429 842 644 

Wicko's Auto 

Electrics 

South West VIC 

& South East SA 

0419 305 114 

WA 

SA 

Air Control Transport 

Refrigeration 

12 Alice St 

Bassendean 6054 

08 9279 9944 

Heavylec 

587 South Rd 

Regency Park 5010 

08 8347 4246 

Wakefield Trucks 

1174-1180 Port Wakefield Dr 

Burton 5110 

08 8280 8133 

Webasto Thermo & Comfort Australia Pty Ltd 

1800 244 494 | svc-info@webasto.com 

For more Webasto Australia-wide 

Service Partners please visit: 

www.webasto.com

The Turbo-2000 is the 

applications. Its ratio 

of large purge volume 

to desiccant produces 

the ideal filtering system 

and contamination 

protection for heavy 

duty service 

First fit on most 

Kenworth trucks models 

MEMBERS 

Not a member yet? Sign up at paccarparts.com.au/privileges 

or visit your local PACCAR Parts Dealer today! 

MEMBERS 

NOV—DEC 2020 

CHECK THE CATALOGUE ONLINE 

PACCARPARTS.COM.AU/CATALOGUE 

NOV— DEC 2020 

Turbo 2000 Kit 

MEMBERS 

$ 

578 

NON–MEMBERS 

$ 

648 

620300 Air Dryer 

SAVE 

$70 

Slack Adjuster 

MEMBERS 

$ 

266 

NON–MEMBERS 

$ 

296 

SAVE 

$30 

recommended choice 

for severe service 

A24-3275M1079PZ 

Auto 5.5” 

28 Spline 

PACCAR 

Privileges 

Members 

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THE SYMBOL IN THE CATALOGUE FOR MEMBER SAVINGS! 

Turbo 

2000 Kit 

MEMBERS 

$ 

578 

NON–MEMBERS 

$ 

648 

620300 

Air Dryer 

MEMBERS 

SAVE 

$70 

Slack 

Adjuster 

MEMBERS 

$ 

266 

NON–MEMBERS 

$ 

296 

A24-3275M1079PZ 

Auto 5.5” 28 Spline 

MEMBERS 

SAVE 

$30 

HD Fibreglass 

Radome Antenna 

$ 

239 ea 

Limited Edition 

Robust Antenna 

- Suitable for 

Offroad Use 

580mm 

AE4704PB 

Pink & Black 

AUS 

MADE 

GME supports 

the McGrath Foundation 

with a % of Product Sales 

from the McGrath Range 

going direct to the Foundation 

Stainless Steel Mudguard Kits 

$ 

1,875 ea 

AE4704TB Tan & Black 

AE4704WB White & Black 

SEE IN STORE FOR FULL RANGE 

INCLUDES: 

4x Mudguards 

8x SSMB0 Open Brackets 

8x SSMBB Closed Brackets 

LEL0XK1T4 

Grooved (SS11S1NC Mudguards) 

LEL0XNGK1T4 

Non-Grooved 

(SS11S1NCNG Mudguards) 

Stainless Steel Off-Set Poles 

0SCPSS also available 

AUS 

MADE 

GUARDS 

LEL0XNGK1T4 

Sheepskin 

Seat Covers 

$ 

240 ea 

Driver Suits 

ISRI 6860/870 

SK1SR16860BRSB to U 

RL18 Truck Wash 

FROM 

$ 

70 

The Original 

Super Blue 

Truck Wash 

RL18-20L 

20L 

$70 

RL18-20L 

AUS 

MADE 

Wash ‘N’ Wax 

$ 

105 

Concentrated rich 

gel formulated 

to break through 

the toughest 

road grime 

CT20-25L 25L 

Passenger 

with Seat Belt 

Suits KAB554B 

SK554BHLSB to U 

AUS 

SHEEPSKIN 

RL18-200L 

200L 

$425 

BONUS 

5L 

WHILE 

STOCKS 

LAST 

SK1ST16860BRSB 

59 

DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE 

Visit paccarparts.com.au 

For more details, Freecall * 1800 PPARTS (772 787)

FREECALL * 1800 PPARTS (772 787) 

ONE PHONE NUMBER TO CONNECT WITH 59 57 DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE 

‘Mudflap Style’ Coasters 

KWC0ASTER $25 

6 Pack - Includes 2 x Black, 2 x Red & 2 x White Bug 

Branded Coasters, Suitable for Hot and Cold Drinks 

Kenworth Classics Calendar 

KWCLASS1CS2021 $55 

Stunning, Glossy Calendar featuring Heritage Kenworth 

Trucks, Calendars are Individually Numbered for Authenticity 

Kenny 

Bucket Hat 

C-KEN980 $20 

Polycotton Blend, 

Suits Ages 4 - 7 

Kids Thongs 

C-KEN968 to 968-7 $25 

Unisex, Navy and White, Sizes 2 - 7 

Kenny 

Cooler Bag 

C-KEN929 $25 

26 x 15 x 15cm, Insulated 

Flexfit Cap 

C-KEN979 $50 

Features Kenworth Metal Logo, 

Combed Wool Finish, Suits 57 - 61cm Head 

QUALITY PARTS TECHNICAL EXPERTISE EXTENSIVE DEALER NETWORK 

Prices herein are recommended selling prices, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices are a guide only and there is no obligation 

for Dealers to comply with these recommendations. Freight charges may apply. All items have been included in good faith on the basis 

that goods will be available at the time of sale. Prices and promotions are available at participating Dealers from 1 November to 31 

December 2020 or while stocks last. 

* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst 

calls from mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate 

determined by the caller’s mobile service provider. Please check 

with your mobile service provider for call rates.

owner-operator profile 

The Fletcher family in Queensland’s 

central highlands region are happy to 

talk about the toughness and reliability 

of their UD trucks past and present. 

But went it came to needing a unit that 

wouldn’t struggle uphill, a 700hp Volvo 

was the obvious choice. Greg Bush writes 

RIGHT TRUCK 

FOR THE JOB 

DESPITE THE DOWNSIDE of these COVID-19 times, 

there can be some positives. Like discovering 

fascinating stories closer to Owner//Driver’s 

Brisbane base while interstate restrictions 

remained in place. 

As it turns out I’d heard about the Fletcher family 

and their loyalty to UD Trucks. A bit of a hike as 

the Fletchers lived in the Central Queensland town 

of Duaringa on the Capricorn Highway between 

Rockhampton and Blackwater. 

According to the 2016 Census, Duaringa boasts a 

population of less than 300. Since the collapse of the mining 

boom, the town has quietened down a little and house prices 

have plummeted. Zane Fletcher jokingly says his late father 

Geoffrey was the last person actually born in Duaringa. 

Zane and his two sons, Nathan and Brodie, operate 

Fletcher’s Earthmoving, a successful business that belies the 

town’s current quiet status. 

Geoffrey Fletcher passed away early in 2020 and, due to 

COVID restrictions, only six people were allowed to attend 

the funeral. But it was Geoffrey who began the family’s 

lifelong admiration for the UD brand when he bought a 1974 

model back in the early 1980s. 

“He used to be a mechanic here on the council and he 

bought the truck to cart gravel,” Zane recalls. 

“Then it got a bit quiet on the council. I was with 

Pioneer Concrete and I got him a job in Blackwater. 


Left: The truck that started the UD 

ball rolling for the Fletchers. A ’74 

model bought by family patriarch 

Geoffrey Fletcher 

Opposite below: Zane Fletcher’s 

first encounter with the UD brand 

was a driving job in Rockhampton 

ownerdriver.com.au 

NOVEMBER 2020 19

“These 

days you’d 

get shot 

for it.” 

Above, L to R: The 700hp Volvo 

loads up on chickpeas at a nearby 

Duaringa farm; Nathan Fletcher 

reckons he started driving when 

his feet could barely touch the 

pedals 

Right: This 2008 GW470 is one of 

two UDs remaining at Fletcher’s 

Earthmoving 

So, we took the tipper off and we put a concrete bowl 

on it, so then he carted concrete for years. 

“Then it slowed up and he put the tipper back on and he 

carted grain. We made metre high sides on it, hungry boards. 

“He could cart 20 tonnes on a body truck,” Nathan laughs. 

“These days you’d get shot for it, but you could get away with 

it back then.” 

He smiles when he adds that his grandfather taught him 

to drive in that old green UD even though he was at an age 

where he could barely reach the pedals. 

“When you’re out in the bush you can do whatever.” 

Geoffrey later bought a water tank, spending the rest of his 

working life carting water until Zane took it over. 

“I bought it off dad to stop him driving so he could retire,” 

Zane adds. 

The truck then ended up with a property owner at 

Blackwater, still registered and currently hauling soil. It 

was that truck which was the beginning of a long, working 

relationship with UD. 

“I drove for a bloke in Rocky, who had three 41s; they had 

nine-speed Roadrangers in them,” he continues. 

“The council had them here, they’ve had a heap of them, 

and they couldn’t break them. 

“And just reliable. We’ve hardly ever spent any money on 

them really. Never touched any motors, gearboxes, diffs, 

anything. 

“I don’t think you could beat a UD for council work, or offroad 

work. Big six rod, big springs at the back – just a real 

solid truck,” Zane says. 

All up, the Fletchers have owned seven UDs, however 

they’ve reduced that number down to two – a 1998 CW450 

and, their showpiece, a 2008 GW470. 

However, when I arrived at Duaringa, Brodie Fletcher was 

out working the roadtrain-rated 470hp (350kW) UD on the 

road duplication between Gracemere and Rockhampton. 

Still, Zane and Nathan were keen to show off a large 

mounted photo of the 470 that originally hung on the wall 

of the Rockhampton Mack/Volvo dealership five years ago. It 

was the exact same truck that they’d bought second hand. 

The Fletchers are regular visitors to the dealership, buying 

parts, although Zane points out that it doesn’t include UD 

parts, but for everything else. 


NOV–DEC CATALOGUE OUT NOW! 

trpparts.com.au/catalogue 

BRAKE SHOE KIT 

MEMBERS 

$ 

69 .65 

BRAKE DRUMS 

MEMBERS 

$ 

162 

NON-MEMBERS 

$ 

79 .65 

Suits Meritor Drive 

Q Plus 16.5” X 7” 

21K GAWR 

TRP214707QP 


BRAKE CHAMBERS 

MEMBERS 

$ 

47 

NON-MEMBERS 

$ 

172 

DB017TRP Steel Jacket Drum 

16.5” x 7”, 285 PCD, 10 Stud 


DB017TRP 

NON-MEMBERS 

$ 

52 

SB2430CCAUS 24/30 


SB2430CCAUS 

NEW 

AIR CONDITIONING 

COMPRESSOR 

$ 

395 ea 

TRPAC4069AUS TRPAC4260AUS TRPAC8083AUS 

Suits Various Kenworth Models 2001 Onwards 

To read about the components 

& operations of truck HVAC systems 

visit www.trpparts.com.au/hvac 

* 

Offer valid from 1 November 

to 31 December 2020 

BONUS products can also 

be purchased individually 

BONUS 

OFFER 

BUY A TRP ® AIR 

CONDITIONING 

COMPRESSOR 

GET A BONUS 

TRP ® TX VALVE 

& TRP ® RECEIVER DRYER * 

FREECALL * 1800 TRPART (877 278) 

ONE PHONE NUMBER TO CONNECT WITH 59 DEALERS AUSTRALIA WIDE 

TRUSTED | RELIABLE | PROVEN 

Prices herein are recommended selling prices, inclusive of GST. Recommended selling prices are a guide only & there is no obligation for Dealers to 

comply with these recommendations. Freight charges may apply. All items have been included in good faith on the basis that goods will be available 

at the time of sale. Prices & promotions are available at participating PACCAR Parts outlets & TRP Dealers from 1 November to 31 December 2020. 

For more details contact: Freecall * 1800 877 278 • Email: info@trpparts.com.au • www.trpparts.com.au 

* Calls from Australian landlines are generally free of charge whilst calls from 

mobile phones are typically charged based on the rate determined by the 

caller’s mobile service provider. Please check with your mobile service 

provider for call rates.

“I don’t think you could beat a UD 

for council work.” 

Above: Nathan’s new toy – a 

Kenworth T909 

Below: Stunning artwork based on 

local scenery adorns the back of 

the Kenworth’s cab 

One day, the photo had disappeared from the wall, 

whereabouts unknown, until shortly after Nathan and 

Zane’s brother Guy walked in where the one of the salesmen 

announced, “I’ve got a present for you” and handed the 

photo over. 

Their other UD, the CW450, was having a day off, parked 

among the Fletcher’s collection of trailers and equipment. 

Inside a shed sits a Kenworth T909 that regularly hauls side 

tippers. But more about that later. 

Loading up on legumes 

The most visibly eye-catching item around the Fletcher’s 

yard, however, was a 700hp (522kW) FH16 Volvo in AB-triple 

formation. So I joined Zane and Nathan who drove the Volvo 

to a nearby farm where they loaded up on around 65 tonnes 

of chickpeas, destined for Oakey on the Darling Downs 

before being transported to the Port of Brisbane. 

Although much of their main work comes from council 

and private property road maintenance, grain haulage is an 

area that the Fletchers moved into as a necessity. 

“A couple of years ago the council cut back. The government 

pulled all the money, we needed something to do so we went 

into grain,” Nathan explains. 

“So we had to go to bigger trucks, AB-triples, because the 

UDs aren’t big enough for the work.” 

A cab-over was needed for the AB-triple set up due to 

length laws, hence the arrival of the Volvo FH16 a couple of 

years ago. 

“When we bought the Volvo the bloke told us it was 600hp 

[447kW],” Zane says. “But when we had a good look in it, it 

was 700hp. 

“The more you put on it, the better it goes,” he laughs. 

It’s not the first Volvo the Fletchers have had in their small 

fleet. In fact, they’ve had a variety of brands over the years 

including an International T-line, a Transtar, a Freightliner 

and a couple of Western Stars, one of which was a 2009 day 

cab 4900 model with a 600 Cummins. 

“It had an 18-speed autoshift with the clutch still, and it 

was good when it was good, but because there’s so much 

dust, dirt and bulldust, it used to play up a bit and get stuck 

on the road,” Nathan explains. 

Zane is concerned about the Volvo’s capabilities on dusty 

roads. “No problems with that truck yet, but we really haven’t 

stretched it on the dirt,” he says. 

Scenic artwork 

You know that the FH16 is going to be around for a while to 

come. For starters, there’s the ‘Bandit 2’ numberplate that 

they bought at auction. It formerly adorned one of Heavy 

Haulage Australia’s trucks, owned by Jon Kelly. 

Then there’s the distinctive ‘doin it in the dirt’ artwork 

above the Volvo’s doors. The image of the hill came from a 

photograph just out of town towards Rockhampton. They 

contacted an ex-employee of PJs Custom Spraypainting in 


A PRODUCT YOU CAN TRUST 

Our products are reliable. To ensure that 

promise, our scales come with a 3-year 

warranty. Our customer’s satisfaction 

is most important to our company 

and we pride ourselves in our 

unparalleled customer service. 

Right Weigh’s digital exterior Blue 

Tooth gauge is now OBM Type A Certified! 

Monitor on-ground weight without leaving your cab. 

Send weight via email or SMS. Also has overweight alerts. 

INCREASE PROFITS 

Maximise load capacity and save 

money on commercial fees, out-ofroute 

mileage and overweight fines. 

SAVE TIME 

No more detours to commercial ground 

scales. The days of waiting in line to 

rework and weigh your loads are over. 

IMPROVE SAFETY 

Remove the guess work out of driving 

and maintaining legal weights. 

KEEP IT SIMPLE 

Installation of Right Weigh load scales 

in a simple three-step process and 

calibration is quick and easy. 

Also available 

ANALOGUE GAUGES IN DASH DIGITAL GAUGES SPRING AXLE TRAILER GAUGES 

Smart Truck Solutions 

Leigh: 0418 622 840 | leigh@rwlsau.com.au 

Jarrod: 0488 130 481 | jarrod@rwlsau.com.au 

rightweigh.com.au

“I only bought it for the 

noise it makes.” 

Above, L to R: Note the Volvo’s 

numberplate, picked at a Jon 

Kelly fire sale auction; Brodie 

Fletcher had taken the UD470 

out on a run, so Zane and Nathan 

proudly showed off the photo 

that previously hung on the wall 

at the Rockhampton Mack/Volvo 

dealership 

Below: The FH16 Volvo in AB-triple 

formation 

Brisbane, known only as ‘Cyclone’, who made the trip north 

and completed the artwork in one of the Fletcher family’s 

Duaringa sheds. 

Which brings us back to the Kenworth T909, which is 

distinguished by similar artwork. This time, however, it’s a 

mural on the back of the cab, the image based on a mountain 

scene on the road to Blackwater. 

“He wanted to make it look better than just a white truck, 

and he designed the twirl on the side,” Zane says. 

As for its working role, the Kenworth pulls side tippers. 

It came with 430,000 on the clock, now it’s up to 750,000. 

However, Zane says so far they haven’t had an issue with 

its engine. 

“We don’t know what horsepower really it is. … 600? But it’s 

been a real good truck for us. 

“Nathan won’t let anyone drive the Kenworth,” Zane jokes. 

“I might own it but I can’t drive it. You might put a piece of 

dirt on the seat or on the floor.” 

Zane’s most recent purchase, however, is an old Mack 

Valueliner. “We’ve spent a big of money on it already, but I 

only bought it for the noise it makes,” he laughs. 

As far as any more truck purchases go, it will most likely 

come back to the UD brand although there’s the issue of 

horsepower and payload. The 470hp, although set up as a 

roadtrain, is limited to less than 90 tonnes. 

Again, Zane was reluctant to say a bad word about all they 

UDs they’ve owned, due to their reliability. Nathan, however, 

is more to the point. 

“They turned us off them a bit because they’ve gone all 

Volvo and made them less horsepower instead of bumping 

them up, making a bigger truck,” Nathan says. 

“We would have loved something a bit bigger, a bit 

more power, bigger ratings, and we probably would stick 

with them. 

“They’re not big enough to pull our three trailers, and they 

don’t go up to the 100 tonne GVM rating.” 

All up, it was a day well spent with Zane, Nathan, and 

their family, highlighting that the right choice of truck, and 

the ability to adapt to changing times, goes a long way to 

keeping their small operation moving ahead. 



ATA and NHVR take 

hard line on racism 

Evidence emerges of threats to sabotage 

trucks as part of growing harassment 

towards multicultural drivers 

INCREASING evidence of what amounts 

to incitement to murder immigrant truck 

drivers has spurred a backlash from the 

Australian Trucking Association (ATA) 

and government. 

The racist calls attacking mostly truck 

drivers of Indian background urge the 

cutting of truck air lines; an act that 

would put other truck drivers along with 

road users generally in mortal danger if 

acted upon. 

These horrifying elements of the 

trucking industry has prompted the ATA 

and the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator 

(NHVR) to call out racism wherever it 

occurs and celebrate industry’s diversity. 

The ATA and the NHVR made the call 

following reports of targeted attacks 

on immigrant truck drivers and racist 

comments on trucking social media pages. 

ATA chair David Smith says freight 

workers from diverse backgrounds had 

always made a massive contribution to 

Australia. 

“The cameleers of the 1800s, the workers 

on the Snowy after the war and the drivers 

from all over the world delivering food 

and essential medicine during this 

pandemic: they all deserve our respect, 

and all of today’s drivers deserve a fair 

go,” Smith says. 

“The ATA is aware that some 

multicultural drivers are being harassed, in 

particular those of Indian descent. 

“Racists on social media are egging each 

other on to ever more extreme actions, 

including cutting truck air lines. 

“We all have a responsibility for calling 

out racism wherever it occurs, and that’s 

exactly what this is. Racism. 

“It is ignorant. 

OUT-OF-BALANCE 

POINT 

MOUNTING 

PLATE 

CIRCULAR 

TUBE 

DURAMETAL 

SPHERES IN 

DAMPING 

FLUID 

UNBALANCED 

WHEEL 

Balancing weights 

move opposite the 

out-of-balance point. 

“It is stupid. 

“And it is dangerous.” 

Smith pays tribute to multicultural 

drivers who are putting up courageously 

with unacceptable and disgusting 

harassment every day. 

“As people in the trucking industry, we 

must all combat racism and stand up for 

fairness and safety,” he says. 

NHVR CEO Sal Petroccitto adds his voice 

to the matter and says it is important for 

everyone in the heavy vehicle industry to 

continue to support and respect each other. 

“This year in particular, we’ve seen 

drivers, members of the supply chain, 

service centres and authorised officers 

work together through the challenges of 

the bushfires and COVID-19 pandemic,” 

Petroccitto says. 

“That mateship and respect is important, 

now more than ever, to ensure we can 

continue to safely deliver essential goods 

and services across the country. 

“Anyone who has concerns about safety 

in their workplace should report it through 

our Heavy Vehicle Confidential Reporting 

Line on 1800 931 785.” 

Smith says the ATA and its members had 

long recognised the value of diversity and 

multiculturalism within the industry, most 

recently with the Driving Change Diversity 

Program. 

“Through our Driving Change Diversity 

Program, we seek to promote the 

existing diversity within our industry, 

and encourage an even more diverse 

workforce,” he adds. 

“It also promotes inclusion and 

encourages acceptance of all people no 

matter their race, religion or cultural 

beliefs.” 

NEVER 

BALANCE 

WHEELS 

AGAIN! 

COVID lockdown’s parcel 

deliveries driving recruitment 

ANC (Australian National Carriers) says it is on the cusp of a 

major growth on the back of a spike in e-commerce. 

With new client partnerships “locked in” and further growth 

predicted, the privately-owned last-mile delivery group says it 

needs “hundreds of new contractor owner-drivers around the 

country” to meet the Christmas rush – and into next year. 

ANC, which provides full-service last mile delivery, plus 

complex deliveries with assembly and installation, states that it 

is preparing for an increase in deliveries of almost 50 per cent 

nationwide over the next three months and beyond. 

“ANC is growing, and we are looking for contractor drivers to 

grow with us,” ANC MD James Taylor says. 

“A continuing rise in deliveries throughout 2020 and a number 

of new client partners using our last mile services means we 

currently need at least 250 new owner-drivers to help meet 

the increased demand. And unlike some organisations, we’ll be 

keeping our drivers beyond the festive season.” 

ANC underlines that during September, it experienced 58 per 

cent growth in delivery numbers compared with January. Some 

of the brands ANC works with have even experienced 700 per 

cent growth, it adds. 

“COVID-19 has changed the consumer buying experience, with 

more people getting goods delivered,” Taylor says. 

“We’ve seen a huge increase in whitegoods, such as fridges 

and freezers, plus desks and chairs from our furniture clients 

due to more people working from home. 

“And in addition to the big and bulky items, consumers are 

having items delivered they would previously have picked up 

themselves.” 

CIRCULAR TUBE 

DURAMETAL SPHERES 

OUT-OF- BALANCE POINT IN DAMPING FLUID 

INCREASE MOUNTING TYRE LIFE up to 35%+ 

SAVE PLATE TIME. No more hassles getting 

wheels balanced 

THE LARGEST CAPACITY to suit even 

super single tyres 

AUTOMATICALLY BALANCES your 

wheels while you drive 

EXTENDED suspension life. REDUCED 

vibration. SMOOTHER ride. 

AVAILABLE FOR US, European and 

large Japanese trucks 

1300 822 765 www.centramatic.com.au 


TWU Michael Kaine 

Steering healthy minds 

A survey shows 50 per cent of truck drivers have 

experienced some form of psychological distress 

IT PLAGUES every community, every industry 

and doesn’t discriminate on race, creed 

or gender. Mental health is an issue that 

needs urgent attention and workers in our 

industry are among the most vulnerable. 

Truck drivers are at risk of mental 

health problems because of the long hours 

away from family, financial pressure, stress, 

social isolation and the high incidence of 

death and injury. 

The financial pressure from the top of the 

supply chain creates an environment where 

operators and drivers are continually being 

pushed in their daily lives, their trucks and 

their labour sweated to breaking point. 

A major study by Monash University into the 

health of truck drivers soon to be published 

shows 50 per cent of drivers surveyed 

experienced some form of psychological 

distress. The study shows particular problems 

for younger drivers, with the percentage of 

drivers under the age of 35 experiencing severe 

psychological distress being almost double the 

national average for men of the same age. 

We know that this can have deadly 

consequences. Suicide rates are high among 

truck drivers. A study by Deakin University 

showed 323 truck drivers committed suicide 

between 2001 and 2010. An analysis by the 

Victorian coroner’s court shows truck drivers 

had the highest number of suicides out of any 

other profession, with 53 drivers taking their 

own lives between 2008 and 2014. 

TACKLING MENTAL HEALTH 

An important program is going nationwide 

aimed at addressing the health of transport 

workers. 

The idea behind the Steering Healthy Minds 

program is to provide training to transport 

workers to support colleagues with mental 

health problems is being rolled out nationally 

after a successful pilot project. 

It aims to train truck drivers, bus drivers and 

other transport workers, including aviation 

workers, to support each other in order to tackle 

chronic mental health in the industry. 

Three pilot projects have got underway this 

year, including at Toll and StarTrack on the Gold 

Coast and at Surfside Buslines, with the plan 

“People feel 

unwilling to sit 

down with strangers 

and discuss their 

problems.” 

MICHAEL KAINE 

is the national 

secretary of the 

Transport Workers 

Union of Australia. 

Contact Michael 

at: NSW Transport 

Workers Union, 

Transport House, 

188-390 Sussex Street, 

Sydney, NSW 2000. 

twu@twu.com.au 

BELOW: TWU 

Queensland branch 

secretary Peter 

Biagini chats with 

Toll drivers 

to push out three projects in each 

state and territory over the next 

three years. 

The program has the backing of 

the Transport Workers Union (TWU), 

National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, 

Queensland Transport Association, 

Transport Education Compliance 

Health Organisation, TWUSuper, 

Queensland Council of Unions, 

WorkCover Queensland and Toll. 

At the program launch, Toll driver 

Trevor Birks said he was looking 

forward to completing the peer-topeer 

training. 

“I really want to learn how we 

can help people, how we can pick 

up those signs and signals. And 

if we do have those signs and 

signals, what’s the best way for 

us to help them. 

“I really want to see the mental 

health be broadened in the 

transport industry and how we 

can help these transport workers, 

through their journey of mental 

health,” Birks says. 

Peter Biagini, TWU Queensland 

branch secretary, says the aim 

of the Steering Healthy Minds 

project was to give transport 

workers the help they need in the 

workplace from the people who 

know them best. 

“Many transport workers spend 

long hours on the road, away from 

their families, working in a highly 

stressful industry where death and 

injury are common. 

“Many experience mental health 

problems but they don’t know who 

to turn to and their mates are often 

powerless to help them. 

“By training up their work mates 

and giving them peer-to-peer support 

we hope address the needs of transport 

workers in starting to get them the 

help they need, when they need it,” 

Biagini says. 

UNDIAGNOSED PROBLEMS 

Professor Daryll Hull of Macquarie 

University and chair of Transport 

Education Compliance Health 

Organisation, says the potential for 

making change in the lives of transport 

workers was great. 

“We have managed, through three 

successful pilot projects, to train workers 

who can now help their work colleagues 

in difficult times. 

“This is a very practical initiative to 

address a real problem in the transport 

industry, where mental health problems 

go undiagnosed and people feel 

unwilling to sit down with strangers 

and discuss their problems,” Hull says. 

Mental health problems are another 

facet of what needs to change about our 

industry. It is intrinsically linked to the 

problems of low pay, financial stress, 

long hours, deaths and injuries. If we 

can lift standards in our industry and 

hold clients at the top to account we 

can tackle these problems, including 

mental health. 

The Steering Healthy Minds program 

is a great step towards giving drivers 

the immediate help they need. For too 

long drivers have suffered in silence 

and been forced to ignore their mental 

health problems. By training up their 

friends and colleagues to support them 

it is hoped we can get some people the 

help they need. 

For more information on the Steering 

Health Minds project can be found at 

www.steeringhealthyminds.com.au. 

Anyone who needs to reach out now 

for help can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 

or Beyond Blue: on 1300 22 4636. 


EYES ON THE ROAD Rod Hannifey 

Suffering in silence 

Our isolation is a real bonus in these COVID times, 

but it often gives us too much time to think 

IGOT A call from a mate who 

said, with all the issues about 

now, he was going to ring one 

mate a night to simply ask, 

“How’s things?” and it was my 

turn. We had not spoken for 

some time and while we were 

both busy and coping (a personal 

observation of course and subject 

to outsider comment), I told him 

I thought it was a terrific idea 

and was he happy for me to push 

it a bit. 

I explained that each Christmas 

I used to ring a few mates and 

ask how they had been going, but 

two years ago, out of a dozen or so 

blokes I rang in one week, two had 

been very close to suicide and it was 

only their children and thinking 

of them that had helped pull them 

through. 

Each had got help, made a 

decision to get through it and had 

done so. That does not mean it was 

all fixed and rosy, far from it, and 

there are still things that affect 

them even now. But the terrible 

alternative that may seem your 

only choice when you look at it, 

from where you believe you might 

be at the bottom of a deep well, will 

mean you may not consider the 

help that is available. It will nearly 

always leave behind others severely 

affected by the choice you make. 

Who is there to help you? 

There is a lot of work going on 

with driver mental health, but will 

it help? There have been large sums 

of money given to more groups 

and plans and initiatives than I 

can honestly fathom and/or follow. 

No one has all the solutions and 

we must truly hope all have the 

best interests of drivers in mind, 

but how do we make sure that it 

all delivers? Will those who need 

the help get it? Will the programs 

actually reach, let alone help, those 

who need it. We all know men, let 

alone truckies, are a hard group to 

help. Few will ask for it and, yes, 

part of that may well be they do not 

know who to talk to or how to get 

to them. 

Then, of course, is having the 

time and availability to be able to 

make that contact in what others 

call normal working hours. What 

if drivers had access to a national 

number that could then direct 

them to the best agency, group or 

program, to help them? Do we need 

all of these groups to go and try and 

reinvent the wheel, talk to drivers, 

asking more questions, with many 

doing the same thing, whether by 

a different name or focus, but then 

not deliver what is needed? 

ISOLATION BLUES 

Many years ago I was driving into 

a cotton gin near Goondiwindi 

and there was piece on ABC radio 

about (I think it was the St George 

Institute) doing a study into 

truckies’ mental health. I remember 

thinking at the time, this is good, 

someone has recognised the 

problem and perhaps, some help 

will be available to those who 

might need it. Yet, here we are, 

many years later, with the problem 

still an issue. 

The Australian Trucking 

Association discussed it in Perth at 

its 2019 convention and I asked the 

question, how will you get to the 

drivers and will this actually make 

a difference? 

We all must surely have heard of 

Lifeline and Beyond Blue, they have 

media and years of work in this 

field for the wider population, but 

must we start yet another group 

with more involved at the top than 

those who will be giving the help? 

Would we get more help to those 

in need if we tagged onto what is 

already available? 

All I want is to see drivers get the 

help they might need. We all think 

we are 10ft tall and bulletproof, 

but no one is. The one thing many 

agree on is that our isolation in this 

job is a real bonus in these COVID 

times, but it’s often the one thing 

that gives us too much time to 

think, or even overthink, about the 

problems we all face. How do you 

deal with it yourself? 

I honestly think my involvement 

with road safety, whether ringing 

and putting in a complaint about 

a bit of road, pushing for rest 

areas and/or green reflector bays 

and even this column, along with 

other media stuff and industry 

submissions, have kept me 

somewhat sane. Any constructive 

comments as to that diagnosis will 

be considered … thanks. 

Listening to audio books has 

been another way I cannot forget, 

but at least remove from immediate 

ROD HANNIFEY, a transport safety advocate, 

has been involved in raising the profile of the 

industry, conducting highway truck audits, 

the Blue Reflector Trial for informal parking 

bays on the Newell, the ‘Truckies on Road 

Code’, the national 1800 number for road 

repairs proposal, and the Better Roadside Rest 

Areas Group. Contact Rod on 0428 120 560, 

e-mail rod.hannifey@bigpond.com or visit 

www.truckright.com.au 

concern, some of those things I simply 

can’t get fixed fast enough. 

So to you readers, even if you don’t 

want to give your name, have any of these 

groups helped you and provided what 

you need, again, even if only for a mate 

of a mate? Have you struggled to find 

that help and if so, how do you think 

we can improve what is available? Then 

either contact Owner//Driver, so they can 

collate your views, and/or then contact 

one of these groups and do your part to 

contribute – tell them what you need and 

how you have not been able to find it. It 

may not have been available to you but 

you have at least survived to tell the tale. 

So please, think of others who may need 

that help and make at least this small 

effort to try and ensure the next truckie 

who needs that help has some chance to 

get it. 

“We all think we are 10ft tall and 

bulletproof, but no one is.” 

BRING 

OUT THE 

MONSTER 

IN YOUR TRUCK 

AUSSIE 

CURVE 

THE TRADITIONAL 

SHAPE 

WEST 

COAST 

CURVE 

MUSCULAR 

NEW STYLE 

BULL 

HORN 

WILD LOOK – 

STANDS OUT 

MITRE 

CUT 

SHARP LOOK 

STRAIGHT 

CUT 

AGGRESSIVE, 

IN-YOUR-FACE LOOK 

PREMIUM 

CHROME 

EXHAUST 

STACKS 

Available in 

5-8” sizes 

1300 885 089 silverbackchrome.com.au 


NOVEMBER 2020 27

WILKIE’S WATCH Ken Wilkie 

State of entitlement 

Is NSW following NHVR guidelines or is it hell bent on 

continuing to run its own race? 

THE ROAD safety ‘industry’ – “No 

sir, it’s all about safety; it is 

definitely not about the revenue.” 

So why is it that New South Wales’ 

Highway Patrol management 

has gone to such lengths to 

camouflage their vehicles? 

One would need the eyes of a hawk to 

recognise the approaching vehicle as law 

enforcement transport. It’s not until one 

can see the flank or rear that the decals 

highlight its purpose. 

And of course all of our many 

governments need every scrap of income 

they can possibly get. One reason that 

has brought this desperate need for 

cash is the total absence of any effort 

by the public sector to be frugal or 

even responsible about the costs it 

imposes on the public purse. Of course, 

being the lucky country, money is of no 

consequence and the transport industry 

will be taxed higher to cover increased 

need for revenue. 

I had the good fortune to be doing over 

dimensional loading through Sydney 

the other week. Started on the north 

side – well came down from Brisbane 

actually and had to deliver to Ingleburn. 

On approach to the Hawkesbury Bridge, 

we were informed that a street sweeper 

was at work and we’d need the right two 

lanes. No issue at all and the cleaning 

crew were very supportive via dialogue 

on the UHF radio. But did safety really 

demand three collision screening vehicles 

prior to the cleaning machine? Is the truck 

driving community so irresponsible that 

three mobile collision avoidance barriers are 

required? Plus the detailed maximum speed 

was 40km/h. And if we are so irresponsible, 

should one consider the advisability of 

placing so many Roads and Maritime 

Services (RMS) employees at risk? 

The other point of contention was the 

plethora of amber rotating lights and white 

LED lights directing the 40km/h limit that 

caused an immense visibility issue for 

approaching drivers. And further along 

on the ring road, mowing of the median 

strip was underway. Again a plethora of 

amber lights caused visibility issues for 

approaching drivers. 

For god’s sake, turn the intensity down 

during night operations. And with all the 

safety hoo-ha, it didn’t stop my lead escort 

from being peppered with missiles from 

the mower trying to reduce the height 

profile of the tarmac. It was lucky for the 

escort driver that the cool air required a 

raised driver’s window. 

UP A GUM TREE 

I was amused the other day after being 

directed to reduce speed to 80km/h for 

a few hundred yards to see a couple of 

people in the very wide median strip using 

KEN WILKIE has been an 

owner-driver since 1974, 

after first getting behind 

the wheel at 11. He’s on 

his eighth truck, and 

is a long-time Owner// 

Driver contributor. He 

covers Rockhampton to 

Adelaide and any point 

in between. His current 

ambition is to see the 

world, and to see more 

respect for the nation’s 

truckies. Contact Ken at 

ken@rwstransport.com.au 

“Only the letterheads 

had changed.” 

binoculars to peer into the top cover of 

gum trees. I wouldn’t have a clue as to 

their interest but did it really warrant the 

speed restriction? It seems that the public 

sector uses every opportunity possible to 

advertise its safety agenda. 

I read that Pacific Highway duplication 

work around Grafton is demanding 

contractors fit plastic wheel nut security 

monitors because more than one vehicle 

has lost a wheel. I suggest it is time 

it required the service of competent 

tyre fitters to ensure correct wheel nut 

tension. Another warm and fuzzy feeling 

effort by people who don’t understand 

the job description. It’s a bit like the 

“if you can see me in my mirrors” feelgood 

scenario. Or, in times past, of spray 

suppressant on B-doubles when even 

Blind Freddy could understand the lack 

of logic of fitting the stuff on the last 

axle group of a multi combination. Or 

the absolute stupidity of demanding 

heavy vehicles slow to 40k on approach to 

operating angry lights in 100km/h zones. 

UNPREDICTABLE REGULATIONS 

There is a bureaucratic group around 

called the National Heavy Vehicle 

Regulator (NHVR). Now, one would expect 

this group to be instrumental in having 

national heavy vehicle regulations 

promulgated. Well, actually, we do have 

national heavy regulations but, as in the 

past, each state has perceived different 

issues to have different safety or other 

implications. 

One of my colleagues involved in the 

over-dimensional lift to Sydney was 

directed into the checking station at 

Halfway Creek. I can easily picture his 

perplexed look when the scalie asked 

what OSOM system he was operating 

under. And, as they so often are, the scalie 

was quite scathing because the driver 

could not name the required system. 

I was under the impression that New 

South Wales had been brought under the 

NHVR ’s umbrella. Someone said to me 

recently that only the letterheads had 

changed. Seems like that person hit the 

nail on the head. 

It’s difficult enough now for out-ofstate 

operators to know and find details 

of curfews – such as the curfew for 

Hexham Bridge for instance. Now the RMS 

expects truckies to know which oversize 

regulation they are operating under when 

the NHVR is supposed to have unified the 

national laws. Can’t we have a national 

set of regulations that govern the weights 

and measures of heavy vehicles? 

Weights and measures: no bulldust 

about industries to confuse operators – 

and scalies for that matter; just weights 

and measures. It can’t possibly make any 

difference what one belts his or her head 

on. If it’s ‘X’ metres wide it’s ‘X’ metres 

wide – Australia-wide! 

I’ve doubled your homework this 

month. Firstly, The Battle of Milne Bay by 

Nicholas Anderson. The title pretty well 

explains the subject. The second is titled 

Double Diamonds, authored by Karl James. 

Double Diamonds contains numerous 

photographs of the men who are the 

subject matter. Take a good look at the 

ages of these men who had the courage 

of their convictions – were prepared 

to gamble their lives for the security of 

theirs and our nation. What a generation! 

And today we want everything handed to 

us on a plate. 


The legal view Sarah Marinovic 

Work diary dilemmas 

Can you opt out of Australian work diary laws? 

THERE’S A GREAT deal of frustration 

with work diaries. Many drivers feel 

trapped, forced to complete and 

carry a record that is later used as 

proof to impose fines. I’m sure most 

drivers wouldn’t feel so frustrated 

if the system was straight forward, 

but often the prosecutions are for honest 

mistakes made in the context of a difficult 

system. 

It’s no surprise in this context that some 

drivers try to find ways to protect themselves. 

Often the solutions aim to find a loophole 

in the rules so that the diary either doesn’t 

need to be completed or so that it can’t be 

relied on. 

Most of these plans don’t work. In fact 

many of them are offences in themselves. 

Some of the suggested work arounds I’ve 

heard lately are: 

• Don’t sign the work diary because the 

authorities can’t force you to 

• Write “subject to mistakes” next to your 

signature 

• Don’t fill the work diary out because no 

one can make you create evidence against 

yourself 

• Argue that the work diary cannot be used 

as evidence in court because the signature 

was not witnessed by a Justice of the Peace. 

Unfortunately none of these suggestions 

will work. The work diary legislation contains 

provisions that address each of them. The law 

requires drivers to complete the work diary 

and to sign it. Failing to do so is an offence. 

Including false or misleading information is 

also an offence, so mistakes in the work diary 

can be captured under that. Finally, there’s 

no legal requirement that a declaration be 

witnessed in order to be used as evidence. 

It’s important to be are aware of this so 

as not to get yourself in trouble. I often see 

SARAH MARINOVIC is a 

principal solicitor at Ainsley 

Law – a firm dedicated to 

traffic and heavy vehicle 

law. She has focused on this 

expertise for over a decade, 

having started her career 

prosecuting for the RMS, and 

then using that experience 

as a defence lawyer helping 

professional drivers and 

truck owners. For more 

information email Sarah at 

sarah@ainsleylaw.com.au 

or phone 0416 224 601 

misinformation shared between colleagues 

and friends. It’s done with the best of 

intentions, to help out a mate, but in practice 

it can have the opposite effect. Not only 

could you be unknowingly committing and 

offence, but you’re setting yourself up for a 

worse penalty. 

HONEST MISTAKES 

Courts have discretion to waive or reduce 

penalties where a driver has made an honest 

mistake. They also have the discretion to 

impose harsher penalties if they think 

the driver is not respecting the law or is 

deliberately trying to avoid it. Not completing 

your work diary, refusing to sign it or 

indicating that you may have made mistakes 

can come across as though a driver is not 

sincerely trying to follow the law. This may 

not be the truth of the situation, but it is how 

most magistrates will see it. 

So not only could you find yourself before 

a court for an offence that wouldn’t have 

occurred if you had completed the diary 

according to the instructions, but there’s a 

good chance you will also receive a bigger 

fine than you would have for a simple 

mistake. 

The take-home point is to remember the 

work diary laws are carefully written to 

overcome most loopholes. If it sounds too 

good to be true then it probably is. 

If you do have a suggestion that you think 

could work, then it’s a good idea to run it past 

a heavy vehicle lawyer before trying it for 

yourself. My team at Ainsley Law are always 

happy to chat with drivers. A quick phone call 

before the fact can save you having to call me 

for help with a court appearance. 

FATIGUE MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS 

Evaporative air conditioners like our VIESA model 

are ideal for the hot and dry conditions found in 

the bottom half of Australia. They work best with 

the window about 10mm open to ensure sufficient 

airflow. The VIESA system can be mounted to the 

roof or internal wall of a sleeper cab, depending 

on the layout of the truck, and runs on both 12 

and 24-volt trucks. 

Meantime, the humid tropical conditions in the 

top half of Australia require a refrigerated air 

conditioner like our Pure Air, Kompressor, Kool Kat 

or EcoWind model. Refrigerated air conditioners 

work best with window closed and run on truck or 

independent batteries or diesel (EcoWind). 

ROOF EVAP VIESA PLATINUM 

1 

KW 

REFRIGERATED PURE AIR & KOOL KAT 

1 

KW 

PURE AIR 

KOOL KAT 

KW2 

KW2 

ECOWIND DIESEL POWERED 

KW3 

INTERNAL EVAP VIESA 

REFRIGERATED VIESA KOMPRESSOR 

Roof mount refrigerated air conditioner, 

24 volt only, also good for day cabs when 

waiting to load up as you don’t need your 

engine running, saves fuel and engine 

Idle time. 

1 

KW 

RECOMMENDED OPTION, DC POWER 

Independent sealed, deep cycle battery system 

managed by Redarc charger gives you longer sleep 

time without compromising your truck batteries. 

Can be fitted in locker box, behind cab or side 

mount off chassis rail, whichever option you prefer. 

Recommended for 1Kw Kompressor and Pure Air. 

2Kw Kool Kat must have own batteries. 

NO FLAT BATTERIES 

SLEEPER CAB COOLING SOLUTIONS 



NATIONAL NETWORK BACKUP 

FOR PARTS & SERVICING 

Sleep anywhere, anytime for as long as you want, because the 

Ecowind is charging your truck batteries. You can watch TV, 

get a coldy from your fridge and charge your ipad or phone, 

sweet. Ecowind is the only unit recommended for up North, 

WA, NT & QLD, spoil yourself with Australia’s Quietest diesel air 

conditioner, we can customize to suit your requirements. 

OWD-HH-5164972-CSREV-300 

SUPPORT BRANCHES 

ALBURY/ WODONGA (02) 6024 2133 

SHEPPARTON (03) 5821 3172 

DUBBO 0423 057 844 

NEWCASTLE (02) 4964 2255 

SYDNEY (02) 9833 1900 

BRISBANE (07) 3277 0980 

SWAN HILL (03) 5032 1174 

HORSHAM (03) 5381 1532 

BORDERTOWN (08) 8752 0077 

AUSTRALIA WIDE NETWORK 

WAGGA WAGGA (02) 6926 0400 

MELBOURNE (03) 8360 3166 

PERTH (08) 9356 2545 

ADELAIDE (08) 8262 6399 

Lic.no.MVRL 15274 ARC No AU21030 

TRUCK ART 

WAGGA WAGGA 

YOUR TRUCK SMASH 

REPAIR SPECIALIST 

www.truckart.com.au 


WAGGA ADELAIDE MELBOURNE PERTH 


02 69252911 08 82626399 03 93146266 08 93562545 

02 69252911 www.truckart.com.au 

08 82626399 info@truckart.com.au 

03 93146266 08 93562545 

www.truckart.com.au info@truckart.com.au 


NOVEMBER 2020 29

NatRoad Warren Clark 

Reducing blame focus 

It’s important that road crash investigations are 

undertaken by an independent body 

NATROAD wants the Productivity 

Commission’s recent recommendation 

about heavy vehicle accident 

investigation fast tracked by 

government. 

The need for action to go deeper into 

causes of heavy vehicle crashes has 

been an issue that NatRoad has promoted for 

many years. The Productivity Commission found 

that transport regulation and industry practice 

would benefit from an improved understanding 

of the systematic causes of safety incidents. 

NatRoad’s long-held view is that a dedicated 

authority such as the Australian Transport 

Safety Bureau (ATSB) should be given the power 

to promptly and fully investigate serious 

truck accidents and to share the results and 

recommendations publicly. 

That role should also encompass better 

research on trends and causal factors. 

Currently, both data and research are 

inadequate to formulate benchmarks to properly 

measure ways to improve road safety. 

Reducing the focus on ‘blame’ is also 

important. Some investigations, such as those 

undertaken by coroners’ offices or the police, 

focus on ‘finding fault’ as part of enforcing the 

criminal law. These investigations often conclude 

at the point when investigators have determined 

whether or not prosecution should occur. 

INVESTIGATORY ROLE 

The Productivity Commission found that: 

“Independent, no-blame investigations would 

enable consideration of all factors that may have 

contributed to an incident in an uninhibited and 

impartial manner, including any issues related 

to the supply chain, the manufacturing chain, 

various other chains of responsibility, as well as 

the regulatory regime itself.” 

WARREN CLARK, 

NatRoad’s chief 

executive officer, has 

more than 20 years’ 

experience leading 

and developing 

business for 

emerging companies. 

Warren has held the 

position of CEO at 

various companies 

and is a certified 

chartered accountant. 

The Productivity Commission said that 

the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR) 

would not be suitable for a role as a no-blame 

investigator, as it would be required to use 

information from its investigation to enforce 

compliance with the Heavy Vehicle National 

Law (HVNL). 

An appropriate investigatory body would 

require significant technical expertise, 

as well as legal powers to gain access to 

the information needed to undertake 

investigations. For these reasons, the 

Productivity Commission agreed with 

NatRoad input that the ATSB is best placed to 

undertake this new investigatory role. 

The relevant parts of the Productivity 

Commission recommendation are as follows: 

The Australian government should: 

• provide a sufficient annual appropriation 

to enable the Australian Transport Safety 

Bureau to carry out its functions, both 

existing and as proposed in this inquiry 

• amend the Transport Safety Investigation Act 

2003 to enable the ATSB to conduct research 

and investigate incidents involving 

heavy vehicles, and autonomous vehicle 

technologies 

• direct the ATSB to undertake a clearly 

defined, phased transition into the heavy 

vehicle role, including an initial period of 

data collection and research to identify any 

systemic issues and incident types with the 

potential to inform policy. 

Measures that will help the community 

achieve fewer road incidents must be 

prioritised and those measures can’t proceed 

unless government and industry are aware of 

the systemic issues that affect heavy vehicle 

serious crashes. 

OWD-HH-5204362-CS-321 

Call 02 9060 1610 or visit www.superchrome.com.au for more details. 

Address: 93 Malta St, Fairfield East NSW 2165 | Email: sales@superchrome.com.au 


The 2020 

Truck of 

the Year 

presented by 

Valvoline 

is just around 

the corner! 

Get ready to vote, 

and tell us who you 

think should win! 

Check out the nominees at 

ownerdriver.com.au/TOTY 

before voting 

opens on 

1 December 2020

truck of the month 

COLIN BEER has always had driver comfort in mind. 

Hence the inclusion of the Kenworth’s ‘King Cab’ K200 to 

his Detour Logistics fleet. Much to the appreciation of 

long-haul drivers such as Brisbane-based Mal Whiley. 

However, contrary to what you may think, Detour 

Logistics did not get its name from a comically amusing 

story of owner Colin Beer getting lost and encountering 

a wild adventure. I would also love to be able to tell 

you an amusing tale aligning Colin with the phrase 

‘alternative route’; yeah I childishly sniggered at that one a little 

too much. Nope, truth be told the Detour in Detour Logistics came 

from the side of the family ski boat. 

The bonus of the less exciting origin story is it’s a much easier 

name to fit on the side of a truck, much easier than the original 

company name Australian Linehaul Shuttle Express. The money 

saved on signwriting alone … well you can work that out. 

However, it’s worth pointing out that owning, managing and 

driving for a transport company is quite a detour from Colin 

Beer’s former profession. While he grew up with his father in 

and around trucks, it wasn’t his first choice of career. In fact, 

his younger years were spent in the heat and alcoholic haze of 

Western Australia where Colin was building houses. Eventually he 

returned to the more erratic weather patterns of Victoria where 

he downed the tool belt and jumped behind the wheel to become 

a truck driver. 

One thing you learn very quickly about Colin is that when 

he sets out to do something, he’s going to do it all in and to the 

highest level, whether it’s sweltering under the tools in the WA 

sun or driving express freight up the east coast of Australia. He 

doesn’t sit still long and he is always moving forward. 

So it should come as no surprise that his time as a wage 

driver lasted only slightly longer than the shelf life of a Macca’s 

hamburger. By the time Colin was 31 he had his own truck. That 

first purchase was a Freightliner Argosy. 

“I’d driven a few of them so I knew what they were like,” Colin 

explains. “They were a good cheap truck that made money.” 

Above: Mal Whiley has enjoyed being behind the wheel of Detour 

Logistics’ K200 for around a year 


KING OF THE 

CABS 

When 

Volvo discontinued its XXL cabs in 

Australia, Detour Logistics’ boss Colin Beer 

looked to Kenworth’s ‘big cab’ K200 to stay 

in the space race. Warren Aitken reports 


NOVEMBER 2020 33

In 2004, Colin and his truck were towing trailers for Wettenhalls, 

going wherever they needed him. I would love to tell you some 

stories that he shared, back in the earlier days when even the 

Cannonball Run couldn’t set the kind of Sydney to Melbourne times 

that those guys were doing, but for obvious reasons it’s best I don’t. 

We all know it was a different era back then. A fun kind of lunacy. 

Within one year, Colin picked up his second truck as well as his 

own trailers and began working for IFM. By the end of 2005 there 

would be five trucks in the fleet altogether. 

Colin picked up more subbie work, this time for Linfox, working 

alongside the company to establish and organise new runs. From 

there Colin grew to a 16-truck fleet. Building his knowledge and 

expertise, particularly in the refrigerated transport market. 

Eventually the call was made to step out and start carting solely 

his own customers’ freight. He bought a location out in Silvan, 

Victoria that was all set up with cool stores and ongoing customers 

and moved from not just produce, but into the flower market as well. 

His first truck may have been a Freightliner but the majority of 

Colin’s truck choices since then have been about as far removed as 

you can get. In the early years Detour was almost exclusively stacked 

with Volvos. In particular the XXL Globetrotters. Colin swore by the 

first XXL cabs, offering increased fuel savings as well as better safety 

packages than anything else out there. While Colin undertakes fleet 

renewal quite regularly, there are still a few of the old XXLs happily 

earning their keep. 

Another huge reason for the addiction to the Volvo XXL cab was 

it allowed the drivers more room. They often spent long periods on 

the road and Colin was adamant they should have as much space 

as possible. This is also the reason why, when the production of 

XXLs was halted with the arrival of the new generation Volvos, Colin 

changed preferences. He began stacking the fleet with the ‘king of 

cabin space’, Kenworth’s King Cab K200. Several of these joined the 

“Trucks with solid proven reliability 

and performance as well as 

dependable back up service are key.” 

Top: Colin and the team put a lot of 

emphasis on on-road image, as you 

can see by the standout imagery on 

two of their new fridge van sets 

Above: Detour’s Silvan yard is a 

constant hive of activity. The local 

trucks doing pickups and returning 

the product to the company’s cool 

rooms where the linehaul rigs get 

loaded and cover the country 

Below: Despite having over half a 

million kilometres on the clock, Mal 

Whiley’s K200 still looks brand new 

company colours as the business kept growing. More customers 

appreciating Detour’s dedication to quality service meant more 

trucks were needed. 

Replacement plan 

The company now sits at 30 prime movers, with 22 of those 

dedicated interstate runners. Volvos re-entry into the XXL market 

has Detour’s fleet starting to return back to its European influenced 

days, though this time it’s not just the Volvos carrying the comfy 

class. Detour have branched out and have several of the Next 

Generation Scanias in the fleet. Not just that though, they have 

actually managed to find a way to make the new Scanias look pretty 

bloody good too. 

For those of you wondering, Colin has kept the Scanias white due 

to the replacement plan he is running them on, but the white with 

the pin striping works perfectly. 

Keeping his fleet stacked with the cream of the crop – Kenworth, 

Volvo and Scania – has been a deliberate action by Colin and the 

Detour team. They operate in a competitive enough business on 

a good day. And when the industry is competitive, and the freight 

you cart is extremely time sensitive; you are just ramping up the 

pressure. So Colin has always ensured he does everything he can at 

the highest possible level and runs only the best gear. Trucks with 

solid proven reliability and performance as well as dependable back 

up service are key. 

What they tow is of equal importance as well. All his trailers 

are custom made and highly tailored. Fridge vans running top of 

the line Thermo King fridge units allows the management staff 

to keep a close eye on the temperature all the time. Tyre pressure 

sensors also keep a close eye on the trailers’ health as they travel the 


THE 

ORIGINAL 

ENGINE OIL 

AMERICA'S FIRST MOTOR OIL BRAND.

PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

“The Kenworth had all the 

staunchness and cool factor 

you expect of a K200.” 

Top: Volvos have played a part in 

Detour’s success, including this 

700hp beauty 

Above: A new Scania is one of the 

more cent members of Colin Beer’s 

varied fleet 

highways. All the trucks and trailers are on very strict maintenance 

plans, which ensures very little down time or breakdown issues. 

Last thing you want is a load of perishables sitting on the side of 

the road. 

Aside from running the trucks and company like a well-oiled 

machine, Colin places a huge emphasis on the visual aspect of 

Detour Logistics as well. The company’s burgundy (Queenslanders 

may say maroon) colour scheme definitely has them standing out 

on the road. Scroll work and just the right amount of bling ensures 

the trucks catch the eye of everyone. 

More recently the new trailer sets have been getting the colour 

treatment. Adding in some of the company’s long-term clients 

on the side offers not just promotion for the client but builds the 

profile of Detour Logistics. The trucks are very hard to miss with 

their colourful fruit and vegies plastered on the side. When it gets 

dark, you’ll also be able to pick the Detour trucks out of any line up 

as their plethora of lights ensures you could almost use them to 

mark a runway for low flying planes. 

Cosmetically, the Detour Logistics trucks tick all the boxes; 

mechanically they also tick all the boxes. So it’s a safe assumption 

that Colin looks after his drivers inside the trucks as well, with the 

drivers spending vast amounts of time on the road and away from 

home, often on very time sensitive runs. 

Along with the space provided by the big cab trucks, they all come 

fitted out with the extras needed to make a driver’s job just a little 

more comfortable. 

When I met up with long time driver Mal Whiley to photograph 

his King Cab K200 I had to wait while he finished the latest episode 

of Dora the Explorer on the trucks bunk-mounted TV. OK, I may 

have taken a little creative licence with that last bit, just to illustrate 

my point. 

Mal’s Kenworth, as well as the trailers, have done around 520,000 

kilometres. Powered by a Cummins 600hp (447kW) engine, the K200 

has had its tanks painted and, with its custom guards, looks the 

goods. 

Mal has been behind the wheel of the K200 for almost a year. He’s 

been with Colin for many years, but had short time off due to illness, 

but is now back on the road. The truck is based in Brisbane, and 

mainly does the Brisbane-Sydney-Melbourne run. 

Varied fleet 

Thankfully, when doing this interview and photoshoot I really 

got the privilege of seeing a wide variety of the extensive Detour 

Logistics fleet. I even joined Colin as he took one of the stunning 

K200s down to Maxitrans in Laverton to pick up a brand spanking 

new B-double set. The Kenworth had all the staunchness and cool 

factor you expect of a K200. From there I got to photograph Detour’s 

custom painted FH Volvo, showing all the smooth and stylish looks 

you expect from the European giant. I even managed to slow down 

one of Detour’s Next Generation Scanias and show of its fuel saving 

aerodynamic looks. 

Throw in a couple of the old school XXL Volvos, a couple of the 

hard-working local trucks that do all the company’s pickups and I 

pretty much saw it all. 

I would hate to be judging an all Detour truck show because I 

must admit, Colin and the team have got a collection of some of the 

best units out there. And no, I didn’t get bribed with flowers to add 

that last bit it. 

Colin may not have an exciting, amusing or even humiliating 

story behind the Detour name, but we can all be thankful for his 

ski boat and thankful he detoured from Western Australia. Detour 

Logistics is definitely on the right road. 


Saturdays 

4.30pm! 

THE BOYS 

ARE BACK! 

BIGGER AND BETTER

LIVESTOCK & RURAL John Beer 

Industry’s invisible wall 

The opinions of transport workers are often shouted 

down amid the decision making process 

I’VE BEEN doing this for a bloody 

long time and still hearing the same 

frustrating talk about not enough 

drivers or operators participating or 

being involved. In the last edition 

of Owner//Driver, Ken Wilkie talked 

about the gap between decision 

makers and those who do the work of 

transport, the drivers. 

There’s a theme in almost every edition, 

if not in all transport publications and 

industry conversations. It’s that gap 

between the people behind the wheel 

and all the others that write policy, 

enforce laws, run companies and those 

who influence and participate in the 

decision making. 

Why? It’s the costs of being involved in 

my opinion. 

Zoom meetings are all the go. I’ve 

been on plenty of them lately, talking 

to WorkSafe Victoria for example on 

agricultural safety with agriculture 

representatives and WorkSafe people. We 

look at graphs and statistics that tell us 

how dangerous our work is. But COVID 

isn’t the only reason that we don’t have 

people coming out of Melbourne to see 

what we are doing. There’s almost an 

expectation that they wouldn’t go out to 

farms or feedlots or saleyards and see it 

so they know first-hand what problems 

look like. 

Is it that workers with dirty hands 

aren’t taken seriously, or policy makers 

and bureaucrats are encouraged to do 

their work from behind a barrier of 

separation from those they manage? And 

how do we get transport fixed if there is 

an invisible wall stopping us, as well as a 

cost barrier, to becoming of those people 

that decide what happens? 

MEETING COSTS 

Zoom meetings can go for an hour or two, 

or three. The people within associations, 

the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator, 

WorkSafe or enforcement agencies are 

employed. Their time is paid for. Every 

meeting they attend is scheduled; it is 

a normal part of their day. Their safety 

or business surviving doesn’t rely on a 

good outcome or decision, but that is 

what is on the line when one of us is 

having our say. 

I try to schedule my load of cattle so 

I can get home in time to join a Zoom 

meeting. But we know how that works, 

so I might give that job away or get 

someone else to do it for me. I might 

lose $1,000 from being on that Zoom 

meeting, despite having a say about 

important issues. 

Now we start to see the problem. 

Can drivers and small operators bear 

the financial costs of meetings and trips 

to Canberra or other cities without help? 

No! Some of us are in associations or 

groups and we get help to travel, but our 

organisations are small and our money 

is limited. A return flight, taxi and hotel 

is easily over $500 every time, even if you 

stay in a flea hole. That means picking 

and choosing the meetings we go to, 

trying to get the best bang for our buck. 

And we bear many costs ourselves. 

If you’re a driver, how do you keep the 

boss happy and ask for a day off to go to 

a meeting? Days off are precious, drivers 

might get one a week, so why would 

they miss their kids or partner to go to a 

meeting with people thinking they are 

inferior, dumb or don’t understand the 

bigger picture? 

I have a huge amount of admiration 

JOHN BEER, with four 

decades as an owneroperator 

under his belt, is 

currently Immediate Past 

President of the LRTAV 

and ATA representative 

in the ALRTA. In addition, 

John is a past president 

and life member of both 

associations. He was the 

first recipient (2015) of the 

ALRTA McIver Award for 

Outstanding Contribution 

to the Livestock and Rural 

Transport Industry, and 

in 2016 was a finalist 

in the ATA Awards for 

Outstanding Contribution 

to the Australian Trucking 

Industry. John sat on the 

ATA Council as the ownerdriver 

representative from 

2017 to 2019. 

“Days 

off are 

precious; 

drivers 

might 

get one a 

week.” 

for people like Rod Hannifey who’s 

committed years to road safety while 

working full time as a long-distance 

truck driver. You could never afford to 

pay Rod what he’s worth and what he’s 

given to our industry. But Rod’s been clear 

how hard it is to do this. Having such a 

supportive employer and a passion for 

what he does makes him unique. 

When you go into a meeting thinking 

“it’s going to be a waste of time”, it makes 

it very challenging to ask for more money 

from your association to go back again. I 

can’t help thinking that this knowingly 

used to keep us out of decisions. Guess 

how many meetings they schedule on the 

weekend when we could get there? 

Too many times I’ve been shut down 

at conferences and meetings. People 

tell me I am living in the past or I don’t 

understand the “complexities”. I’ve heard 

it all. Sometimes you worry being noisy 

or telling inconvenient truths that could 

affect your business. I know it’s affected 

mine. I don’t regret having a say and 

standing up for what is right, but there is 

a personal cost. 

SAFER FACILITIES 

One of the best and most important 

things I have been a part of is the 

development of Standards for Loading 

Ramps and Forcing Yards. We are nearly 

at the finish line after 18 months. Those 

18 months of work are a culmination of 

40-plus years of my life seeing injuries 

and deaths of good people while trying 

to make facilities safer for all those who 

move livestock. 

It’s been a part-time job for months. 

I shudder to think of the cost if our 

association paid someone to do this work 

– tens of thousands of dollars. And then 

it’s got to be the right person; it takes 

someone who can load cattle or sheep, 

knows trucks, knows the issues and 

supply chain. Plenty of us are doing the 

work but how many of you out there can 

drop your job or your business to do this? 

Time is eaten up, driving to meetings, 

hours on the phone, hundreds of emails, 

face-to-face meetings or online. And 

that’s just the start, that’s before you have 

to hear all the excuses why things can’t 

just be fixed or be ignored. You have to 

fight to be heard every inch of the way. 

The costs of being involved are huge, 

and that’s why small operators and 

drivers are so under-represented in 

associations and decision making. It’s as 

simple and disappointing as that. 


MOORE TRUCK PARTS 

Aftermarket body panels & lights for all Japanese & European trucks 

Dear valued customers, 

Due to a telecommunications fault, our main phone line has been 

unavailable for the last few weeks. 

To be able to continue providing our top notch service, we ask that when 

calling us that you use either of the following numbers: 

02 4647 3322 or 1800 044 909 

Alternatively you can head to our website for any information you may 

require: 

www.mooretruckparts.com.au 

Thank you for your continued support and apologies for any inconvenience. 

We welcome any new enquiries you may have and remember... 

We are number one when it comes to body panels and lights for 

Japanese and European Trucks. 

The team at Moore Truck Parts. 

OWD-FP-5032238-CS-334

ROAD SOUNDS Greg Bush 

As well as being involved in road transport 

media for the past 20 years, GREG BUSH 

has strong links to the music industry. 

A former Golden Guitar judge for the 

Country Music Awards of Australia, Greg 

also had a three-year stint as an ARIA 

Awards judge in the late 1990s and wrote 

for and edited several music magazines. 

Festive season cheer 

Eight albums to fill any music lover’s Christmas stocking 

LETTER TO YOU 

Bruce Springsteen 

Sony/Columbia 

www.brucespringsteen.net 

Although 

Letter To You is 

credited to Bruce 

Springsteen, it’s 

actually “the 

boss” with his 

regular outfit, 

The E Street 

Band, including wife Patti Scialfa, playing 

together for the first time since 2017. 

Recorded “live” at his home studio over 

five days, Springsteen delivers these 12 

tracks in his usual inimitable style. Three 

songs were actually written back in the 

’70s, including the uplifting ‘Songs For 

Orphans’, the lyrics just as significant 

today as then. The album’s opener ‘One 

Minute You’re Here’ has Springsteen at 

his quiet, serious best as he sings of loss, 

but he’s back in full-blown rock mode on 

‘Ghosts’, a song about guitars and the buzz 

of performing live. Oddly enough, ‘House 

Of A Thousand Guitars’ starts off with a 

piano backing before hitting its straps, 

while ‘Rainmaker’ is a song of drought 

and hard times. 

LIVE FROM THE FORUM MMXVIII 

The Eagles 

Warner Music 

www.eagles.com 

The Eagles 

kicked off their 

world tour 

in early 2018, 

which swung 

by Australia in 

2019. The new 

line-up included 

the late Glenn Frey’s son, Deacon Frey, and 

country star Vince Gill. This double CD, 

recorded live at the Forum in Los Angeles 

in 2018, covers highlights of the set list, 

including the band’s greatest hits plus a 

few surprises. The hits roll on from ‘Take 

It Easy’, ‘Tequila Sunrise’, ‘Hotel California’, 

‘Desperado’ and ‘The Long Run'. Joe Walsh, 

a solo artist in his own right, contributes 

his classic rock track ‘Rocky Mountain 

Way’, Don Henley (The Eagles’ only 

original member) performs his hit ‘The 

Boys Of Summer’ and Gill takes centre 

stage for ‘Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin 

Away’. This would make a timely reminder 

and Christmas gift for those who attended 

The Eagles' Australian concerts. It’s also 

available on vinyl and Blu-ray. 

SUNDOWNER 

Kevin Morby 

Dead Oceans/Inertia 

www.kevinmorby.com 

US singersongwriter 

Kevin 

Morby has been 

steadily releasing 

albums – six in 

fact – since 2013. 

For Sundowner, 

Morby’s latest 

effort, he retreated to an empty Kansas 

City house for inspiration. Hence, the 

album is more subdued than 2019’s Oh 

My God, some tracks presented in a folk 

style not dissimilar to early Bob Dylan. It’s 

also worth nothing that Morby plays most 

instruments himself. However, ‘Campfire’, 

with love interest Katie Crutchfield 

contributing a ghostly mid-song 

interlude, could be compared to Leonard 

Cohen. The production becomes more 

sparse on ‘Don’t Underestimate Midwest 

American Sun’ and he drifts along with ‘A 

Night At The Little Los Angeles’. Morby gets 

almost a Beatle-ish sound from his guitar 

on the slow rocker ‘Valley’, then talks his 

way through ‘Brother, Sister’ and delivers a 

surprise instrumental on ‘Velvet Highway’. 

Country 

Corner 

DAYDREAM 

The Buckleys 

Petrol Records/Universal 

www.thebuckleys.net 

Aussie country 

trio The 

Buckleys (siblings Sarah, 

Molly and Lachlan) recorded 

their debut album Daydream 

with Grammy winning 

producer Chad Carlson. As 

expected, they’re big on 

harmonies, and deliver a 

mean country rock sound on 

‘Money’ and ‘Crazy Like You’. 

They hint at their hippy Byron 

Bay roots on ‘Woodstock 

69’, and there’s a blues-pop 

feel to ‘Feeling The Love’. 

‘Til You Can’t Go Back’ is a 

serious lesson in life and love, 

and the pace is slowed for 

the catchy ‘Breathe’. ‘Glad 

You Did’ is a perky, upbeat 

track, reminiscent of The 

McClymonts’ sound, and 

the title track ‘Daydream’ 

is another cheerful positive 

number. It’s no surprise 

that, thanks to streaming 

services, The Buckleys are 

already making an impact 

internationally. 

EPIPHONETICS 

Shayne Cook 

Independent 

www.shaynecook.com 

Melbournebased 

Shayne 

Cook has opted 

for an ambient 

atmosphere on 

his debut album 

Epiphonetics, 

with many 

messages echoing throughout. The 

opening track ‘Stawell Gift’ is not about 

the foot race, but more to do with 

a father who was abandoned at an 

orphanage. ‘Shouldn’t War’ was inspired 

by a sexual assault victim, while ‘City 

Fire Lights’ is simplistic to say the least; 

its backing mainly restricted to solo 

piano. For ‘Matters Of The Heart’, the 

album’s producer Simon Moro enlisted 

the City of Prague Symphony Orchestra 

– and it works – slowly building to the 

track’s climactic finish. Cook's vocals are 

mainly in the upper register department, 

although he shows off a wider range on 

‘Blood’, one of the album’s most dramatic 

and powerful numbers, almost venturing 

into rock territory. For those into the 

music of US folk-rock band Bon Iver, 

Epiphonetics is well worth a listen. 

WILDFLOWERS & ALL THE REST 

Tom Petty 

Warner Music 

www.tompetty.com 

Tom Petty’s 1994 

solo album 

Wildflowers 

was a distinct 

departure from 

his usual fare. 

For starters, 

he officially 

dispensed with his regular band The 

Heartbreakers, although most members 

played on the album. It was always 

Petty’s dream to revisit Wildflowers and 

the tracks that didn’t make the final 

cut. Unfortunately, Petty passed away 

in 2017, but his family, bandmates and 

collaborators have helped fulfill his 

dreams. Hence the release of Wildflowers 

& All The Rest, a double CD set. The original 

album’s 15 tracks are here, including the 

rockin’ ‘You Wreck Me’ and the excellent 

mid-paced ‘’It’s Good To Be King’. The 

second disc contains 10 tracks that were 

left on the shelf, until now. ‘Something 

Could Happen’ is a quiet, acoustic song, 

the classy ‘Leave Virginia Alone’ (picked up 

by Rod Stewart back in 1995), and ‘Hung 

Up And Overdue’ with its British flavour 

are among the best. 

TROUBLE AND STRIFE 

Joan Osborne 

Thirty Tigers 

www.joanosborne.com 

Joan Osborne 

could feel hard 

done by after her 

acclaimed debut 

album Relish 

was left in the 

wake of Alanis 

Morissette’s 

Jagged Little Pill at the 1996 Grammy 

Awards. Nevertheless, Osborne has 

continued to release quality music, 

although Trouble And Strife is her first 

album of original material since 2014. 

Always with an underlying message, 

she delivers a grinding rock track on 

‘Hands Off’, dealing with money and 

corruption. There’s a twangy guitar 

behind the title track as Osborne sings 

of guns, knives and putting on weight, 

and there’s serious soul on “Take It Any 

Way I Can Get It’. She continues that 

mode on ‘Never Get Tired (Of Loving 

You)’, a funky rock type track, there’s a 

bass line groove to the anti-diet anthem 

‘Meat & Potatoes’, and great guitar riffs 

as Osborne deals with immigration on 

‘What’s That You Say’. Rock your socks off 

with this album. 

CUTTIN’ GRASS 

VOL 1 - THE BUTCHER 

SHOPPE SESSIONS 

Sturgill Simpson 

Thirty Tigers/Cooking Vinyl 

www.sturgillsimpson.com 

If you’re into bluegrass, 

you’re going to love Sturgill 

Simpson’s Cuttin’ Grass 

Vol 1 – The Butcher Shoppe 

Sessions. It’s a 20-track 

double CD album, including 

bluegrass versions of his 

previously recorded material. 

Simpson has gathered 

some of Nashville’s session 

musicians too, including 

fiddle player Stuart Duncan, 

as well as singer/mandolin 

player Sierra Hull, a star 

in her own right. Simpson 

sounds cheerful enough 

despite singing of ‘Life Ain’t 

Fair And The World Is Mean’, 

and he’s vibrant again as he 

hits the road out of town on 

‘Long White Line’. There’s a 

frenzied tempo to ‘Railroad 

Of Sin’, and a waltz beat to 

the slower ‘All Around You’. 

‘Old King Coal’ is about the 

“black stuff”, complete with 

strong harmonies. 


A 

TRUCKING SUPPLIES 

TRUCKS FOR WRECKING WAGGA WAGGA 

334 Copland St, P.O. Box 2373, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2650 Web: truckingsupplies.com.au 

Ph: (02) 6925 8888 Fax: (02) 6925 8889 

KENWORTH K104 2003, Prime Mover. W2474. TA1055696. 

POA 

FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY 2007, Prime Mover. W2477. TA1055700. 

POA 

STERLING LT9500 2007, Prime Mover. W2475. TA1055699. 

POA 

WESTERN STAR 4900FX 2010, Detroit series 60 EGR engine, RTLO20918B gearbox, 

RT46-160 diffs (4.3 ratio), FUPS rated bullbar, good condition cab, good condition 

bonnet, fuel tanks, Alcoa rims, tyres. W2460. TA1015069. 

POA 

FREIGHTLINER CST112 2013, Prime Mover. W2478. TA1055706. 

POA 

FREIGHTLINER ARGOSY 2014, prime mover. W2470. TA1047444. 

POA 

MACK VALUELINER 2001, Prime Mover. W2479. TA1055715. 

POA 

FREIGHTLINER COLUMBIA 2014, CUMMINS ISL E5 Engine, RTLO 14918 Gearbox, 

Meritor MT-40-14XGP Diffs on Airliner suspension, repairable cab, Hydraulics. 

W2466. TA1042748. POA 

FREIGHTLINER CORONADO 2013, Prime Mover. W2473. TA1055693. 

POA 

VOLVO FH16 2005, Prime mover. W2471. TA1047442. 

POA 

KENWORTH T408 2008, Prime mover. W2472. TA1047433. 

POA 

MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS 2641 2003, V6 410 engine, 14 speed auto gearbox, 

Mercedes Benz hub reduction, cab parts. Wrecking. W2465. TA1042747. POA 

TRUCK DISMANTLERS 

Email: tsenquiries@truckingsupplies.com.au 

WEBSITE UPDATED DAILY truckingsupplies.com.au 

MDL 19571 

MVRL 24428 

OWD-FP-5011320-B

www.trucktools.com.au 


TRUCK REPAIR TOOLS AND 

WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT 

Australia’s Largest Specialty 

Products To Keep Your Investment On The R 

Huge Range - Best Prices - Best Service - Australia Wide Delivery 

Aus 

• AXLE HUB NUT SOCKETS • HAND TOOLS / TORQUE WRENC 

Ph: 

Products 

1800 000 

To 

561 

Keep 

or 03 9 

• TRUCK ENGINE TOOLS • DRIVELINE / TRANSMISSION TOOLS • WORK 

ORDER NOW VIA PHONE, 

a 

EMAIL & ONLINE 

Warehouse Pick-up available subject to prior arrangement. 

k Tool Supplier. The Right Tool For The Right Job. 

. Huge Range - Best WE Prices ARE STILL - Best SHIPPING Service - Australia AUSTRALIA Wide Delivery WIDE. 

QUIPMENT • TRUCK FILTER TOOLS • AXLE / HUB TOOLS • GEAR / SLIDE/ SEAL DRIVERS • TRUCK FUEL TOOLS 

BRAKE/ STEERING/ SUSPENSION TOOLS • TRUCK WHEEL SERVICE TOOLS • SPECIALLY HAND TOOLS 

Australia’s Largest Speciality Truck Tool Supplier. 

The Right Tool For The Right Job. 

Products To Keep Your Investment On The Road. 

3 2000 Email: info@trucktools.com.au 

ONLINE CATALOGUE 

Warehouse location 

FREIGHT AUSTRALIA WIDE 


PH: 03 9703 2000 

Freecall: 1800 000 561 

a 

ONLINE CATALOGUE 

Warehouse Location 

FREIGHT AUSTRALIA www.trucktools.com.au 

WIDE 

Phone 03 9703 2000 

Australian owned 

Frecall 1800 000 561 

and operated 

info@trucktools.com.au 

• TRUCK ENGINE TOOLS 

• AXLE HUB NU 

Ph: 1800

ll 

0 -- 0 

Suspension 

Filter 

c:;, 

Clutch 

Wheel Hub 

0 A 

- 

 

- 

Air Spring 

Brake 

i 

Compressor 

Shaft 

Steering 

Spring Leaf 

AIR SPRING • AXLE • BRAKE • CABIN • CABLES • CHASSIS • CLUTCH • COMPRESSOR • COOLING • DIFFERENTIAL EXHAUST • ELECTRICAL • ENGINE • FILTER • FUEL • OIL 

EQUIPMENT • SHAFT • SPRING LEAF • STEERING SUSPENSION • TRAILER EQUIPMENT • TRANSMISSION • UNIVERSAL • WHEEL HUB . 

SUITABLE FOR V0LV0 • MERCEDES • MAN • DAF • IVECO • R.V.I. 

4/55 Glenbarry Road Campbellfield, Victoria 3061 

Telephone: (03) 9357- 7081 or (03) 9357-8259 Fax: (03) 9357-8261 

Email: sales@volwreck.com.au Website: www.volwreck.com.au 

CHECK OUT OUR NEW MELBOURNE BRANCH OPENING SPECIAL 

Mob (Tian): 0423 582 208 tian@vrtimports.com.au 

NEW 

Adelaide 08 7225 4569 

50 Kapara Road, Gillman, SA 5013 

Melbourne 0466 330 810 

7/17 Kitchen Road, Dandenong, VIC 3175 

vrtimports.net.au 

RING FOR BULK PRICING RING FOR BULK PRICING 

PREMIUM RANGE all premium products are PBS approved 

GOODYEAR 

G667 

11R22.5 Drive Tyre 

$425 

each + GST 

MICHELIN X 

MULTI Z 

TBA 

295/80R22.5 Steer Tyre 

GOODYEAR 

KMAX 

TBA 


BRIDGESTONE 

R150 

SPECIAL 


GOODYEAR 

MARATHON LHD II 

11R22.5 Drive Tyre 

$450 

each + GST 

TBA 

GOODYEAR 

OMNITRAC MSD II 

$480 

each + GST 

11R22.5 On/Off Road Drive Tyre 

GOODYEAR 

S100 

SPECIAL 

$425 

each + GST 


GOODYEAR 

S200 PLUS 

11R22.5 Trailer Tyre 

TBA 

ROADX RD796 ANTI 

CHIP DRIVE TYRE 

$250 

each + GST 

11R22.5 On/Off Drive Tyre 

BLACKLION 

BLH88 

11R22.5 Trailer Tyre 

$220 

each + GST 

BLACKLION 

BD280 

$280 

each + GST 

11R22.5 Chunky Pattern On/Off 

Road Drive Tyre 

BLACKLION 

BT165 LONGHAUL 

TRAILER TYRE 

$220 

each + GST 

275/70R22.5 Wide Trailer Tyre 

BUDGET RANGE 

BLACKLION 

BT160 

$460 

each + GST 


BLACKLION 

BLR01 

$220 

each + GST 

11R22.5 All Position Trailer Tyre With 

Chip & Cut Resistant Compound 

TYRE CHANGER 

T568 

$4990 

each + GST 

Fit 14’’ to 26’’ rim, single and 

three phase power available 

BLACKLION 

BD175 

Drive Tyre, extra wide surface, 

premium quality, 200,000KM 

mileage warrantee on long 

haulage without dirt road travel 

RING FOR BULK PRICING RING FOR BULK PRICING RING FOR BULK PRICING RING FOR BULK PRICING 

terms and conditions apply to all warranty claims, please check detail on our website: www.vrtimports.net.au 

$260 

each + GST 

BLACKLION 

BD171 

$330 

each + GST 

11R22.5 Ultra 245Mm Wide Tyre 

Surface With 24Mm Tread Depth 

300,000Km Warranty On Long 

Haul Without Dirt Road Travel 

RING FOR BULK PRICING RING FOR BULK PRICING 

OWD-HH-5176639-TS-332

KENWORTH T600 1989, Kenworth truck and parts for sale - 

Kenworth 1989 T600, complete rebuild 18 months ago, M11 

Cummins at 400hp, 1613 road ranger, 462 Eatons on airride 

460, cleanskin tyres, very well maintained, set up for trailer, 

currently still working. Loads of Parts for various trucks also 

available at extra cost, 405315. NSW. DIY1049804. 

0411 229 088. 

$37,500 (Truck only) - Loads of Parts available at extra cost 

THREE A 11R22.5 HWY AND DRIVE TRUCK TYRES 

WHOLESALE PRICES. 

11r22.5 Highway & all purpose pattern $230 

11r22.5 deep tread drive (22mm) $245 

2958022.5 highway $245.00 

All major brands available fitting available ph for pricing, .. 

VIC. DIY1037631. 0410 485 770. 

$230 Incl GST 

FUSO FIGHTER 2008, 08 Mitsubishi 5.5 ton tipper brand new 

hydraulics. Roadworthy 4m long, Jlffk61fhokkoo265. NSW. 

DIY1034577. 0407 869 028. $39,900 

MERCEDES-BENZ 2653 2018, Mercedes Actros with 

Freightliner 45' flatop top trailer and introduction to work, 

WDB96342420203089. NSW. DIY1052322. 0418 780 402. 

$319,000 ONO incl GST 

FREIGHTER MAXITRANS 2008, 45 foot Excellent condition. 

Just come from annual RTA inspection. Load restrain 

curtains, yes. NSW. DIY1043262. 0499 159 133. $35,000 

ADVERTISE 

IN PRINT & 

ONLINE 

$ 

59 

FROM 

INTERNATIONAL ACCO 2650G 1993, Bogie Drive Tipper with 

only 94,400kms. Good condition, cab A/C, Cummins Deisel 

Engine. GVM 22T, 6 cylinder, 6x4 axle, 44887722. QLD. 

DIY1003220. 0477 607 010. $35,200 

MACK METRO-LINER 2014, Agitator with work, 418twa. QLD. 

DIY1005581. 0416 251 517. 

POA 

IVECO ACCO 2350G 2003, Cummins 285hp, Allison 6 speed 

automatic, air bag rear suspension, parabolic spring load 

share front suspension, 541615 klms, 389 VPO. QLD. 

DIY993248. 0422 374 733. 

$99,000 inc GST 

FORD STERLING 2004, Ford Sterling Agi in great condition, 

Cf76dq. NSW. DIY978853. 0432 248 155. $35,000 

OR CALL 1300 362 272 

The publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses incurred by a buyer responding 

to an advertisement in this magazine. Buyers are solely responsible for their own negotiations and 

transactions with advertisers. Bauer Trader Media advises buyers beware of negotiating by email only; 

of paying deposits to private advertisers for goods unseen; of transferring money (for example via 

Western Union) interstate or overseas. Buyers should contact Bauer Trader Media customer service 

on 1300 362 272 if they suspect an advertisement may be fraudulent. In the event that a buyer suffers 

financial loss as a result of responding to a private advertisement in this publication Bauer Media Ltd 

(The Publisher) shall not be held liable or responsible. 

FORD STERLING 2004, Ford Sterling Agi in great condition, 

2FZHATBS45AU87959. NSW. DIY978851. 0432 248 155. $35,000 

Like Owner Driver 

on Facebook for all the latest truck news, truck reviews, and stories from people behind the wheel 

www.facebook.com/ownerdriver

ownerdriver 

No paper... 

sometimes, can be a good thing 

Comsafe Holdings Pty Ltd 

comsafeholdings.com.au 

*Owner Drivers + GST 

1800 625 746 

OWD-EP-5164923-CS-299 

Paperless compliance records 

from as little as $100 p/m* 

SACKED OWNER DRIVERS 

REDUNDANT OWNER DRIVERS 

Specialist Transport Legal Advice 

Helping Owner Drivers Aust-wide for over 20 years 

• Unfair Dismissal and Termination claims 

• Underpayment claims re Hourly & Km rates 

• Workplace Health and Safety Matters 

CONNECT 

LEGAL 

MUDFLAPS 

Stephen Langham 

M: 0422 799 302 

3 Australian Owned and Manufactured 

3 All Industry Sizes 3 Embossed Company Name 

3 Reinforced Mounting Face (patented) 

Ph: (02) 9899 4090 

www.transcomindustries.com 

QUALITY TRANSPORT COMPONENTS 

OWD-32-5164199-TS-.332 

• Redundancy and Loss of Contract Claims 

• Unfair Contract and Award Claims 

• Advice Owner Driver Legislation Australia wide 

6 Year Time Limitation Period 

SELL YOUR TRUCK 

VISIT TRADETRUCKS.COM.AU/SELL 

OR CALL 1300 362 272 

CONNECT LEGAL 

NO WIN NO FEE 

Contact Jake - Principal Solicitor 

02 9889 2239 

www.connectlegal.com.au 

NO MORE FLAT TYRES 

CONNECT 

LEGAL 



OR CALL 1300 362 272 

Mata7 - TPMS 

for Truck and 

Trailer 

Monitor pressure on up to 

34 tyres on different trailers 

OWD-EP-5190898-TS-302 

TANKS FOR TRUCKS 

Phone: 03 9761 0595 

CUSTOM MADE ~ FUEL, WATER & HYDRAULIC 

FUEL ~ HYDRAULIC CONVERSIONS 

HIGHEST QUALITY ALUMINIUM FABRICATION 

CANFRED Engineering Pty Ltd - 48 Barry St, Bayswater, Vic 

canfred@outlook.com 

OWD-SBC-5031723-CS-319 

HEMMANT 

AUTO & MARINE 

ELECTRICS 

Call us today 07 3890 3033 

www.hemmantauto.com.au 

AUTO 

ELECTRICAL 

PARTS, 

SALES & 

SERVICE 

• BATTERIES• ALTERNATORS • STARTER MOTORS 

• LIGHTS • WIRING • ACCESSORIES • MINE SPECIFICATION 

AUTOMOTIVE AIR CONDITIONING SPECIALISTS 

Automatic 

hook-drop technology 

Hook: trailer connected, trailer tyre data shows on display 

Drop: trailer detached, tyre data will not show. 

24/7 real time pressure & temperature monitoring 

Monitor up to 14 truck tyres + 20 trailer tyres 

Sensor battery > 2 years and it is replaceable 

Can be integrated into fleet tracking system 

promata.com.au 

02 9922 7270 


www.canfredengineering.com.au 

MOBILE UNITS 

SERVING ALL AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRIES 

Proudly servicing Brisbane since 1988 

OWD-16-5209971-TS-325 


OR CALL 1300 362 272 

Australian 

Made 

NEWS & REVIEWS 

USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 

JOBS 

NEW TRUCK SEARCH 

visit www.ownerdriver.com.au 

OWD-EP-5192545-TS-334 

12 VOLT 

OVEN 

HOT FOOD 

ON THE 

GO! 

THE TRAVEL BUDDY IS 

A STURDY OVEN THAT YOU 

CAN TAKE ANYWHERE 

1 2 3 

HEAT A MEAL ON THE MOVE 

1. 12 volt Marine — $260 + POSTAGE 

2. 12 volt — $215 + POSTAGE 

3. 24 volt — $275 + POSTAGE 

• The stainless steel makes it easy to use and clean 

• Fast Food takes on a whole new meaning with the Travel Buddy 

• This portable, lightweight, 12V oven can cook, bake and warm 

foods while you travel 

Ph: (03) 5441 3388 www.travelbuddy.net.au

OWD 308 OSFC FREE.indd 1 


PURCHASE 80 LITRES OF VALVOLINE ALL FLEET PLUS TO RECEIVE YOUR 

FREE COOLER BAG & GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN 1 OF 5 MAJOR PRIZES! 

in a Benz Actros 

See page 58 

Coasting along 

Cruising the Pacific Coast 

truck show turnout 

See page 20 

Casino trucking 

Rigs rival beef in record 

the most dangerous job 

See page 14 

Danger zone 

Study reveals truck driving 




See page 20 

*Australian residents only 




See page 14 


29/8/18 1:19 pm 

29/8/18 1:19 pm 

SPORTSCAT + 



29/8/18 1:19 pm 

29/8/18 1:19 pm 

SPORTSCAT + 

VALUED UP TO $76,429 

OWD-QV-5013196-TS-331 

The GTS Group is a privately owned business & market leader specialising in freight 

movement & warehousing. Based in Mildura & employing nationally, we run a fleet 

of modern Prime Movers & B-double Taut-liner trailers servicing a range of blue chip 

customers. 

Due to ongoing expansion in freight movements we have the following positions 

available for experienced & diligent applicants with an immediate start. 

MC Interstate Drivers 

• Fatigue compliant 

• 5 weeks leave per year. 

• Modern equipment & facilities. 

• Responsible for deliveries & pick-ups. 

• Large client base nationally. 

• Full-time position for successful candidates. 

A current MC Licence (non-synchro) is essential. An Apply Fatigue Management 

Strategies accreditation would be an advantage, although not essential. 

Successful applicants are required to complete a Company Induction which also 

includes a Driver’s medical with alcohol & drug screen. 

For further information please contact Col Weeding on 0429 388 479. Web 

based applications for this position can be submitted by visiting gtsfreight. 

com.au and clicking on the employment tab. Email: dmt@gtsfreight.com.au 

MC/HC - Road Train, B-Double 

and Single Trailer positions 

If you want a job, good pay, a mix of freight and customers - 

join our team. The position can be based at our Head Office 

at Dubbo or our depots in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne 

however we welcome applicants from other areas. 

PREMIUM PAY RATES ARE AVAILABLE for competent operators. 

Duties included for the successful applicants 

• Routine movements between depots 

• Deliveries in regional, and metro areas 

• Load restraint 

• Customer relations 

Requirements 

• Current HC / MC driver’s licence 

• Display a commitment of WH&S 

• Strong work ethic reliable and punctual 

• Ability to work unsupervised 

We are seeking those who have a strong work ethic and 

dedicated to working safely. 

Please submit your application to 

ben@rodpilontransport.com.au or 

phone Ben on 02 6882 0400 

OWD-QV-5163556-TS-334 

CONCRETE TRUCK 

OWNER OPERATOR 

CONTRACT 

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY for self-employment delivering pre-mixed 

concrete in the Gold Coast area for Nucon Concrete, a successful and 

reputable independent company operating for over 40 years. Bring your 

own suitable truck; It is expected the owner operates the truck under a 

Haulage Agreement to cart and deliver to Nucon customers from Ballina 

in Northern NSW up to Logan, south of Brisbane. 

The application process starts with the lodgement of a non-obligation 

Expression of Interest which must be downloaded from 

nuconconcrete.com.au and then returned by email to hr@nucrush.com.au 

OWD-32-5211723-TS-334 



OR CALL 1300 362 272 

Like Owner Driver 

Seek the right candidates with Owner Driver’s 

TRANSPORT RECRUITMENT PACKAGES 

ownerdriver 


Danger zone 



See page 14 




See page 20 




See page 58 

MUSCLE 

MAN 

EXCLUSIVE: ROADTESTING 

THE NEW 640HP TGX 

ll the latest truck news, truck reviews, and stories from people behind the wheel 

ENTER TO WIN 



*ENTER AT: VALVOLINEPROMOTIONS.COM.AU. T&C’s AVAILABLE. 


SEPTEMBER 2018 #308 $3.00 inc. GST 


WIN 

AN HSV COLORADO 

ownerdriver 

SPORTSCAT + 



DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL OWNERDRIVER.COM.AU 

Danger zone 



See page 14 




See page 20 



((SMALL PICS)) 


See page 58 

MUSCLE 

DSC_1588.jpg 

DSC_1178-Edit 

MAN 

Volvo - Concepts and Reality - Lead Pic 



1ST AUGUST - 31ST OCTOBER 2018 

ENTER TO WIN 



PURCHASE 80 LITRES OF ALL FLEET PLUS TO RECEIVE YOUR 


PURCHASE 80 LITRES OF YOUR 

RECEIVE TO PLUS FLEET ALL 


Reach over 

100,000 * 

quality candidates 

every month 

WIN 


SPORTSCAT + 





DSC_1588.jpg 

DSC_1178-Edit 


ENTER TO WIN 

NEWS & REVIEWS 

USED TRUCKS FOR SALE 

JOBS 

NEW TRUCK SEARCH 

visit www.ownerdriver.com.au 

27,857* 

70,970* 

THE NEW TGX 

THE 640HP TGX 

640HP NEW 

ROADTESTING 

ROADTESTING 

EXCLUSIVE: EXCLUSIVE: 

Reach owner-drivers and small Reach an average of 70,970 ownerdrivers 

and small fleet operators 

fleet operators every month 

via Owner Driver magazine’s per month via OwnerDriver.com.au’s 

dedicated Jobs section 

dedicated Jobs page 

MAN 


DSC_1178-Edit 

DSC_1588.jpg 

((SMALL 

MAN 


every week via Owner Driver’s 

PICS)) 

MUSCLE 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PACKAGE PRICING CONTACT MATT ALEXANDER 

MUSCLE 

See page 58 


on 0413 599 669 or at matt.alexander@aremedia.com.au 


7,000* 

DSC_1178-Edit 

Reach 7,000+ owner-drivers 

DSC_1588.jpg 


dedicated Jobs eDM 


* Print audience: CAB Audit, March 2018; Web: Google Analytics, average monthly Unique Visitors January-August 2018; Email: SailThru, September 2018 


ENTER TO WIN 



WIN 



Danger zone 

WIN 



ownerdriver

Powered by 

AUSTRALIA’S #1 

TRUCKING MARKETPLACE * 

BUY 

More than 25,000 

trucks, trailers, buses, 

forklifts and cranes, and 

parts and accessories 

listed for sale 

SELL 

Unlimited stock listings on TradeTrucks.com.au 

plus ATN’s Fullyloaded.com.au, 

OwnerDriver.com.au, TradeEarthmovers.com.au, 

TradeFarmMachinery.com.au and 

TradePlantEquipment.com.au for $360 per month 

www.TradeTrucks.com.au 

* Based on stock items for sale as at March 2020

events news 

BRISBANE BRINGS BACK HEAVY 

EQUIPMENT AND MACHINERY 

The Civil Construction Field Days will run concurrently 

with the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show 

The Brisbane Truck Show (BTS), Queensland’s largest B2B 

event, is set to get even bigger with a new partnership that 

will see it turn back the clock with the launch of a new 

accompanying heavy equipment & machinery show. 

The Civil Construction Field Days will run alongside 

the BTS during Australian Heavy Vehicle Industry Week in 

May 2021, thanks to a collaboration between Heavy Vehicle 

Industry Australia (HVIA) and the Civil Contractors Federation 

Queensland Limited (CCFQ). 

HVIA chief executive Todd Hacking says the deal includes 

reciprocal ticketing as well as regular bus transfers between the 

two venues. 

“One ticket, two shows and free transport. That will make a lot 

of people happy,” he says. 

“HVIA has been on a journey of trying to deliver more value 

for our loyal attendees, who travel from all around Australia 

and the world to come to Queensland for the BTS. 

“I think this is an absolute game changer and I’m proud of 

the HVIA board and the BTS organising team, and thank the 

leadership of the CCFQ for working with us over the past 12 

months to ensure we can get this deal off the ground.” 

CCFQ CEO Damian Long was equally pleased to announce the 

partnership with HVIA. 

“Our members use a lot of trucks and trailers; our two 

industries are intertwined and aligned, so to be able to offer an 

expanded new concept will be an incredible event,” Long says. 

“Aligning transport and heavy equipment is a show-stopper 

and will not only ensure the industry can attend and look at 

the new developments, innovation and technology but it is also 

a great way for the family to come together on the weekend and 

learn more about our industries. 

“Our industry builds the roads, tunnels, motorways, rail, 

pipelines, airports, and community developments that supports 

the Queensland economy. We are connecting Queensland,” 

Long says. 

“Major infrastructure projects that are transforming our 

state include the recently completed Toowoomba Second Range 

“ALIGNING TRANSPORT AND HEAVY EQUIPMENT 

IS A SHOW-STOPPER.” 

Top: Todd Hacking (HVIA), Simon 

Turnbull (Hastings Deering) and 

Damian Long launch the Civil 

Construction Field Days 

Above: Flashback to the 2005 

Queensland Truck and Machinery 

Show at the Brisbane ‘EKKA’ 

Showgrounds 

Crossing and the new runway at the Brisbane Airport. 

“Current projects such as Inland Rail, the M1 and Bruce 

Highway upgrades, Cross River Rail, and Brisbane Metro, will 

transform the lives of many Queenslanders.” 

The Brisbane Truck Show will run from Thursday, 

May 13 until Sunday, May 16 at the Brisbane Convention & 

Exhibition Centre. 

The Civil Construction Fields Days will be held across 

the Brisbane River at Hamilton Northshore, running from 

Thursday, May 13 to Saturday, May 15. 


INNOVATION - SUSTAINABILITY - SAFETY - KNOWLEDGE - CAREERS - COMMUNITY

truck technology 

FREIGHTLINER 

FIGHTS BACK 

Despite the economic ravages of COVID-19 

and severe social unrest in the streets around 

its Portland (Oregon) headquarters, Daimler 

Trucks North America reports Freightliner 

production is back to pre-pandemic days and 

electric truck development remains firmly 

on track. Steve Brooks writes 

DURING A recent ‘virtual’ media event 

from Daimler Trucks North America 

(DTNA) headquarters in Portland, Oregon, 

president and chief executive officer 

Roger Nielsen was eager to report that 

DTNA is now building as many trucks 

as it did before the COVID-19 pandemic 

struck the US in March. 

In a wide-ranging address, Nielsen 

also outlined DTNA’s commitment to offering 

battery-electric vehicles in every US market 

segment it contests – and commented on the 

social unrest which has dogged the streets of 

Portland in recent times. 

The pandemic has caused much hardship on 

Freightliner production lines, he explained. 

“We went through quite a tough period on the 

sales side and the production side. At one moment 

in April we had nearly 15,000 people furloughed 

out of 23,000. It was quite an impact for us.” 

However, production levels are improving in 

line with strong customer performance during 

the pandemic. 

“Every one of our customers has come out of this 

pandemic really strong,” he continued. 

“Today, we are back to building vehicles at 

the same rate we were before the pandemic hit 

America. We are glad to be back up and running. 

“It’s definitely not 2019 but it’s still strong,” 

Nielsen asserted. 

“A lot of it is replacement demand …. 2015 was 

a strong year so those trucks, four years later, 


Above: Daimler Trucks North American chief executive Roger Nielsen 

Below: Recharging infrastructure at a Penske depot. Working closely with 

customers is hugely beneficial in electric truck development and testing 

says Nielsen 

started coming back to us for replacement and continue 

now for 2020.” 

Nielsen was quick to add that DTNA has already started 

taking orders for 2021. 

While DTNA production volumes for 2020 will be down 

overall, with the company expecting to sell approximately 

310,000 units this year compared to 492,000 in 2019, Nielsen 

confirmed that July 2020 was a relatively strong month for 

retail sales of Class 6 to Class 8 categories in North America. 

However, COVID-19 isn’t the only reason 2020 will be 

remembered as a tough year says Roger Nielsen, commenting 

that the social impacts and nationwide outcries around the 

death of George Floyd have further complicated America’s 

difficulties. 

George Floyd was an unarmed black man who died at the 

hands of police in Minneapolis and much of the subsequent 


NOVEMBER 2020 53

“We have been on this road to 

electrification for some time.” 

Above: Freightliner electric truck 

development covers mediumduty 

M2 and heavy-duty Cascadia 

models 

civil unrest has erupted around the streets of Portland where 

DTNA is headquartered. 

Although the demonstrations and unrest have not 

diminished DTNA’s ability to product and test trucks, a 

thoughtful Roger Nielsen said the circumstances of Floyd’s 

death, “… has affected our social conscience. 

“We are not going to stand silently and watch this happen. 

We feel as a major corporation in North America we have 

a strong voice, with operations in nearly every major city, 

between us and our dealers. 

“We have the ability to put our voice and our power 

behind that,” Nielsen commented, adding that as part of the 

company’s stand against social injustice, DTNA intends to 

focus its efforts on supporting minority-owned dealerships 

and fleets. 

Electric Energy 

Despite the influence of COVID-19, Nielsen also reaffirmed 

DTNA’s intention to keep Freightliner at the forefront of 

electric truck technology with new products, new innovations 

and new partnerships to develop and grow the business. 

Reinforcing a statement made at an industry expo in 

early 2019 when he declared, “the future is electric”, Nielsen 

asserted. 

“We have been on this road to electrification for some time 

(and) are now well into putting battery-electric vehicles on the 

road in every one of the segments we compete.” 

According to recent reports, DTNA has now accumulated 

more than 300,000 test miles (480,000km) with its batteryelectric 

‘Freightliner Innovation Fleet’ of medium-duty M2s 

and eCascadias. Additionally, the company is in the process 

of putting its ‘Freightliner Customer Experience Fleet’ to 

work with a number of customers new to battery-electric 

technology. 

DTNA has already established partnerships with several 

major fleets including NFI and Penske Truck Leasing to 

expand the knowledge base of how the vehicles operate, the 

infrastructure required for greatest effect, maintenance costs, 

and the changes that may be required to further enhance 

efficiency. 

Furthermore, says Nielsen, DTNA has established a 

dedicated consulting group to help fleets access electric-truck 

incentives and how to acquire the right infrastructure and 

where necessary, the right permits. 

“There is a lack of knowledge out there so we’ve stepped up 

with technical resources to execute on this idea that they can 

convert some of their fleet to battery-electric vehicles,” he 

explained. 

Working closely with customers has “… put us many steps 

ahead in our development that we otherwise would have 

suffered through had we tried to test these vehicles on 

our own.” 

On the critical issue of battery recharging infrastructure, 

DTNA has been working with specialist electric vehicle 

charging provider ChargePoint on the development of depot 

charging equipment. 

According to Nielsen, depot charging infrastructure is 

currently preferred because development and installation 

of public charging outlets for commercial vehicles remains 

consistently slow. 

As for timing, Nielsen says battery-electric trucks will be 

ready by the end of 2021 as first projected and the pandemic 

has not unduly delayed development. 

“We are hauling freight today, but our next version will 

come out in early 2022 with the eCascadia.” 

However, “There is still a lot of testing between now and 

then,” he concluded. 




29/8/18 1:19 pm 

sponsored content 

TRUCK MOVES’ STAND AGAINST MODERN SLAVERY 

Some truck drivers are not receiving the pay they are due 

It’s time for the truck moving industry, unions 

and regulators to come together to stop blatant 

wage theft and exploitation of truck drivers. 

I’ve been in this industry a long time, and I’m 

hearing more complaints than ever before 

about illegal driver pay and conditions. 

Because of our reputation as honest and 

trustworthy operators, and with 30 years of 

experience in the industry, drivers who work 

for other truck moving companies contact us 

regularly to complain about wage theft and poor 

treatment by dodgy business owners. These drivers 

are being paid less than half the Award, and in 

some cases 75 per cent under the Award. 

My drivers report that when they are in airports 

and truck stops wearing their Truck Moves 

Australia gear, they are approached all the time 

by unhappy fellow truckies with terrible tales of 

wage theft and exploitation at the hands of a few 

unscrupulous operators in the industry. We’ve even 

helped some of them make claims against these 

rip-off merchants. 

The rules to protect drivers have been in place 

for three years, when the Road Transport & 

Distribution Award took effect on July 1, 2018. At 

that time, we made significant changes to how we 

operated, employed and paid our valued drivers 

to make sure we were complying with the new 

regulations. Every operator has had plenty of time 

to adapt, follow the rules and become compliant 

by paying drivers what they are owed. 

Unfortunately, there’s a number of dodgy 

operators out there who just don’t care about 

the drivers they employ. And what about the 

customers who engage these guys to move and 

deliver their trucks? They are at huge risk of 

breaching NHVR and the Chain of Responsibility. 

And even Modern Slavery regulations. Modern 

slavery! In Australia in 2020. Hard to believe. 

We’ve had a number of brave men and women 

come forward to us with shocking evidence of pay 

rates of less than $10 per hour, and no overtime 

or weekend/public holiday rates. Not only that, 

these drivers are being pushed to meet unrealistic 

deadlines, putting their safety and that of the 

general motoring public at risk. 

To add insult to injury, we’ve also heard that 

drivers end up in places like Toowoomba and have 

to make their own way to Brisbane to catch a flight 

home, with no travel costs paid. It’s a scandal and 

it’s happening right now, all over Australia. 

The good news for honest, hardworking drivers 

is that they don’t have to put up with this shoddy 

treatment anymore. When we are approached by 

drivers with evidence of having been cheated and 

mistreated, we’ve directed them to the Members 

Services Team for the TWU in their state. There 

are a range of these cases being investigated right 

now. And the penalties for breaching the Award 

are very high. 

At Truck Moves Australia, we are committed 

to helping drivers who feel trapped by these 

shonky operators. We’ll cost up their jobs to 

calculate what they should have been paid, and 

point them in the right direction to make claims 

against their employer. 

Together, we can rid the industry of shonks and 

cheats and ensure that drivers have a safe and 

secure workplace with fair pay for their hard work. 

We are all responsible to create a level playing 

field, where companies compete on the merits of 

their service offering and they don’t undercut on 

price, or prop up their bottom line, by underpaying 

and ripping off their hard-working drivers. 

By Matt Whitnall, Director, Truck Moves Australia 

Seek the right candidates with Owner Driver’s 

TRANSPORT RECRUITMENT PACKAGES 

ownerdriver 


Danger zone 



See page 14 




See page 20 




See page 58 






See page 14 

MUSCLE 




See page 20 




MAN 

See page 58 

MUSCLE 



Reach over 

MAN 

100,000 * 

EXCLUSIVE: 

ROADTESTING 


ENTER TO WIN 

quality candidates 

every month 

ownerdriver 

WIN 



SPORTSCAT + 

DEDICATED TO THE SUCCESS OF THE PERSON BEHIND THE WHEEL OWNERDRIVER.COM.AU 

Danger zone 




ENTER TO WIN 




FREE COOLER BAG & GO IN THE DRAW TO FREE COOLER BAG & GO IN THE DRAW TO WIN 1 OF 5 MAJOR PRIZES! 

WIN 1 OF 5 MAJOR PRIZES! 



WIN 


SPORTSCAT + 



7,000* 

Reach 7,000+ owner-drivers 


every week via Owner Driver’s 

dedicated Jobs eDM 


DSC_1588.jpg 

DSC_1178-Edit 


27,857* 

Reach owner-drivers and small 

fleet operators every month 

via Owner Driver magazine’s 

dedicated Jobs section 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND PACKAGE 

PRICING CONTACT MATT ALEXANDER ON 

0413 599 669 or at 

matt.alexander@aremedia.com.au 

* Print audience: CAB Audit, March 2018; Web: Google Analytics, average monthly Unique Visitors January-August 2018; Email: SailThru, September 2018 

70,970* 

Reach an average of 70,970 

owner-drivers and small fleet 

operators per month via OwnerDriver. 

com.au’s dedicated Jobs page 

ENTER TO WIN 


NOVEMBER 2020 55

test drive 

GAME TIME FOR 

CASCADIA 

After the most comprehensive test program ever undertaken by 

Freightliner for a market outside North America, it’s now ‘game time’ 

for the new Cascadia. Australia’s safest conventional truck, much 

will also depend on build quality out of the US, and while it’s early 

days, recent drives in two distinctly different examples suggest the 

fundamentals are on a firm footing. Time and toil will soon enough 

reveal just how firm. Steve Brooks writes 


SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT, but of all the factors set 

to determine the future success or otherwise of 

Freightliner’s much anticipated Cascadia range, 

perhaps none will be more critical, nor more 

measured, than build quality. It is the single 

strand upon which all else pales in comparison, 

and on which all else must be mounted. 

Without it, Cascadia will almost certainly suffer 

the fate of numerous forebears, squeaking and 

rattling its way to mediocrity and generally failing to 

achieve the high expectations of corporate cohorts and 

customers alike. 

With it, Cascadia will succeed like no other Freightliner 

ever to call Australia ‘home’, finally building on the legacy 

of the original FLC112 model, which, with rock-solid 

reliability and enduring strength, created the potential for 

a great future. 

Sure, it is a potential that has remained far from being 

fully realised, but with Cascadia, initial impressions suggest 

Freightliner has indeed created something solid. Something 

able to endure, withstanding Australia’s intense demands 

and, in the process, provide the foundation for the brand 

and its buyers to capitalise on the features that make 

Cascadia truly unique in the conventional truck market. 

There’s no question Cascadia marks an entirely new line 

in the sand for conventional trucks by offering levels of 

standard safety equipment and technology that, until now, 

have been the sole preserve of European cab-overs. 

In effect, and unlike its conventional competitors, 

Cascadia customers don’t have to tick the box and pay for 

the privilege of an advanced and potentially life-saving 

safety system. It’s already there as part of a fully integrated 

and fully costed factory-fitted package, labelled the ‘Detroit 

Assurance 5.0’ suite of safety systems. 

Indeed, on any reasonable assessment, Cascadia can 

confidently claim the mantle of ‘the safest conventional 

truck in the world’. Strange thing though, neither of the 

trucks driven recently for this report were equipped with 

a driver’s side airbag. But, as Freightliner Australia boss 

Stephen Downes candidly explained, initial production 

delays in fitting an airbag to right hand-drive units have 

been overcome. 

“Trucks going down the production line now are fitted 

with airbags,” he asserted, further enhancing Cascadia’s 

safety credentials by making it the only heavy-duty 

conventional truck in Australia to be equipped with a 

driver’s side airbag. 

Meantime, Cascadia also offers the US version of an all- 

Daimler powertrain, which in its Mercedes-Benz guise, 

continues to win considerable accolades for impressive 

levels of performance and fuel economy. Furthermore, 

Cascadia’s GHG17 US emissions rating is technically an even 

‘cleaner’ standard than the Euro 6 level of its Mercedes- 

Benz stablemate and a number of continental competitors. 

Yet, while safety, performance and efficiency are vital 

qualities for the success of any modern machine, they can 

also wane into indifference if the truck fails to stay strong. 

In other words, fails to maintain over the course of 

many years in many applications, the reliability and 

structural integrity of a vast array of metal, glass and 

plastic components – the pressings, nuts, bolts, studs, 

seals, switches, latches, gauges, trims, panels, mouldings, 

fittings, cables, connections and countless other bits – that 

combine to keep a truck operational and sound. 

Put simply, it’s the little things that count and the 

little things that in previous models have, in one form or 

another, been so detrimental to Freightliner’s reputation 

and potential in this country. 

Above: A steer of the preproduction 

Cascadia demonstrator 

was a welcome introduction 


NOVEMBER 2020 57

Cascadia, however, is a new start for Freightliner in 

Australia. So much investment has already gone into the 

planning and testing of this truck, both here and in the US, 

and so much of it based on the lessons and disappointments 

of previous products, that it’s difficult not to be buoyed by 

the optimism of the brand’s ambassadors on both sides of 

the Pacific. 

Consequently, after all the early insights into Cascadia’s 

preparation for life Down Under, and the hype of an all-star 

launch program in pre-COVID Sydney that attracted such 

corporate luminaries as Martin Daum, worldwide head 

of Daimler Trucks and Roger Neilsen and numero uno at 

Daimler Trucks North America, it’s easy to admit to a sense of 

eager anticipation as a pre-production 116 model was rolled 

out for test drives. 

Even better, another version also came into our sights. 

Through various contacts came news that Cleary Bros, a wellknown 

and much respected company based at Port Kembla, 

south of Sydney, was about to take delivery of a 116 model, 

one of the earliest right hand-drive production units to roll 

off the Charlotte, North Carolina, line. 

While a steer of the pre-production demonstrator was 

certainly welcome, the Cleary unit was arguably the critical 

example. Direct from the same production line where its lefthook 

siblings come together, this was the truck that would 

indicate if Cascadia was starting its Australian career with a 

sharp focus on build quality. 

What’s more, Cleary Bros boss Brett Cleary was content to 

Below: That new truck feeling. 

Inside the Cleary Bros 116. It’s a 

neat, highly practical layout with 

no shortage of family resemblance 

to Mercedes-Benz and Fuso in 

control functions and design 

Opposite below: Part of Cascadia’s 

standard safety package is ‘Side 

Guard Assist’. There are some 

concerns the signaller’s position 

is vulnerable to damage 

“Cascadia customers don’t have 

to … pay for the privilege of an 

advanced and potentially lifesaving 

safety system.” 


hand the truck over for its maiden loaded run. It 

was a privilege not taken lightly, and nor did it 

fall on deaf ears that Cascadia’s safety standards 

were a prime factor in the purchase decision. 

AMPLE SAMPLES 

There were, of course, many similarities 

between the pre-production unit and the 

Cleary Bros truck. Both were powered by the 

Detroit DD13 engine rated at 505hp (377kW) and 

1,850ft-lb (2,508Nm) of torque, driving through 

the overdrive version of the DT12 12-speed 

automated transmission. Up front, long taperleaf 

springs handled the lumps and bumps 

while down the back, Meritor diffs rode on 

Freightliner’s AirLiner airbag suspension. 

Both were day cab models and, of course, 

each had the standard Detroit Assurance 5.0 

safety package of active brake assist, adaptive 

cruise control, lane departure warning and 

side guard assist. 

It would take far more space than is available 

here to outline the operation and extent of 

Cascadia’s safety kit, but suffice to say, there’s 

nothing even remotely similar available as a 

factory-fitted standard among conventional 

competitors. 

Sure, there’s the Bendix Wingman Fusion 

collision mitigation system optionally 

available on Kenworth and Mack, but from all 

indications, customer uptake on both brands is 

minimal at best. 

Trucking is a commercial enterprise 

and, historically, buyers are hesitant to pay 

for expensive options with no obvious or 

immediate financial benefit, especially when 

that option adds the complexity and potential 

service issues of a component fitted by an 

‘outside’ supplier. However, offer that component 

or system as a standard factory-fitted feature 

and, suddenly, most operators will welcome 

the initiative. 

There is perhaps no better example of this trait 

than Freightliner’s corporate cousin, Mercedes- 

Benz and its efforts several decades ago to entice 

operators to pay for the optional benefit of antilock 

(ABS) braking. 

Despite extensive testing and marketing 

that showed the obvious stability and safety 

advantages of ABS, few operators could be 

encouraged to pay Benz’s increasingly subsidised 

price for the feature. 

Ultimately, Mercedes-Benz bit the bullet, made 

ABS a standard feature with the cost tucked into 

purchase price and in quick time, the plaudits for 

ABS started to roll in. Literally! 

Nowadays, of course, ABS is mandatory on all 

B-double prime movers and few would argue 

its worth. 


NOVEMBER 2020 59

It’s difficult to see how Cascadia’s standard inclusion 

of an advanced, comprehensive and factory-fitted safety 

package won’t be similarly received, particularly as safety 

continues to evolve as a vital public issue. 

Anyway, back on the two trial trucks, while there 

were fundamental similarities, there were also obvious 

differences. 

For starters, the pre-production truck was a prime mover 

towing a tri-axle curtain-sided trailer, grossing just a few 

kilos shy of 41 tonnes. There were also close to 24,000km 

on the clock, almost entirely acquired in customer trials as 

either a shorthaul B-double or single trailer outfit. 

On the other hand, the new Cleary Bros unit was 

configured as a rigid tipper towing a four-axle dog trailer. 

With paperwork still pending for operation at gross weights 

up to 55 tonnes, the truck’s first load was limited to a gross 

of 42.5 tonnes and subsequently rolled off Cleary Bros’ 

Albion Park weighbridge at 42.26 tonnes. 

Obviously enough, the test runs were entirely different. 

Given the opportunity to have the pre-production 

truck configured as either a B-double or single trailer 

combination, the latter was chosen for good reason. 

The aim was to test the performance and fuel efficiency 

of the 505hp (377kW) DD13 engine over a tough course and 

when it comes to tough tracks for trucks, there are few 

more demanding and perhaps notorious routes than Bell’s 

Line of Road. So demanding that full-length B-doubles 

aren’t allowed and many operators, especially fleets, refuse 

to use it altogether. 

From North Richmond at the foot of the Blue Mountains 

in far western Sydney, the historic Bell’s Line curls and 

climbs, dips and dives its way over the mountains before 

the severe drop into Lithgow. From there it’s a left turn onto 

the Great Western Highway, then a big drop down River Lett 

Hill followed by the savage haul up Mt Victoria and, finally, 

the ambling descent back to Sydney’s ‘burbs. Again, there 

are few tougher runs for a truck on public roads anywhere 

in Australia. 

Two weeks later, the Cleary unit’s first outing was a much 

“It’s reasonable to 

suggest the 505 rating 

won’t be overshadowed 

by its main rivals.” 

Above: Inside the pre-production 

demo unit. The bench passenger 

seat and centre console were well 

short of impressive but hopefully, 

they’re not standard. Location of 

radar unit high on the windscreen 

can marginally obstruct vision in 

some conditions 

Right: A photo break near the 

end of Bell’s Line of Road before 

the steep Scenic Hill drop into 

Lithgow. It’s a brutal run across 

the mountains, but performance 

and efficiency of the 505hp DD13 

did not disappoint. Not at all! 


OUR BIGGEST 

END OF YEAR SALE EVER! 

DON’T MISS OUT ON THE $150,000* 

TAX DEDUCTION PLUS HUGE 

SAVINGS ON THE ENTIRE RANGE! 

LIMITED NUMBERS SO DON’T MISS OUT! ABN HOLDERS ONLY 

LARGE 

MULTI 

PURPOSE 

ONLY 

$26,950 

INC GST 

AWESOME 

VALUE 

FARMERS 

ONLY 

WORKSHOP $32,200 

INC GST 

15M x 22.5M x 5.1M $27,950 inc GST 

FINANCE NOW AVAILABLE 

BIG DEEP & 

ONLY 

HIGH PLUS $56,200 

INC GST 

13M x 22.5M x 5.1M (43’ x 75’ x 17’) 

Open front with two large 9M openings 

for wide access and one 4.5M opening. 

ONLY 

$29,840 

INC GST 

18M x 22.5M x 5.1M (60’ x 75’ x 17’) 

What a great shed! Industrial rated. Ideal hay or machinery 

shed. End wall, extra bays or lean-to available. 

13M x 22.5M x 5M (43’ x 75’ x 16’8”) 

Have the best of both worlds with an 

enclosed workshop featuring a large 

industrial roller door plus a PA door that 

leads out to the four 4.5M open front bays. 

18M x 36M x 5.7M (60’ x 120’ x 19’) 

Wide and high openings for large 

machinery or hay. 

BIG OPENINGS 

COMPACT 

BUSINESS 

LARGE OPEN ONLY 

ENDED $33,450 

INC GST 

ONLY 

$35,100 

INC GST 

TOUGH 

ONLY 

TRIPLE $13,390 

INC GST 

9M x 15M x 4.5M (30’ x 50’ x 15’) 

Open front shed in large 5M bays 

for better storage. 

15M x 27M x 5.1M (50’ x 90’ x 17’) 

Strong and functional. 

Extend to 18M (60’) wide for $7,330. 

ONLY 

$17,050 

INC GST 

9M x 13.5M x 4.5M (30’ x 45’ x 15’) 

Heavy duty building with a large industrial roller door and PA 

door in zinc. Add an extra $1,040 for Colorbond. 

DID YOU KNOW? 

Our steel, our manufacturing, our engineering and our teams are 

all Australian. When you purchase a Now Buildings shed you are: 

̌ SUPPORTING THE AUSTRALIAN ECONOMY 

̌ CREATING JOBS LOCALLY 

̌ HELPING TO REBUILD AUSTRALIA 

NOW, MORE THAN EVER, IS THE TIME TO BUY AUSTRALIAN 

15M x 31.5M x 5.1M (50’ x 105’ x 17’) 

Lots of storage space with easy access. 

Add an end wall for $3,250 or an 

extra bay for $4,320. 

HAY MATE 

ONLY 

$12,650 

INC GST 

10M x 13.5M x 5.1M (33’ x 45’ x 17’) 

Open both 10M ends, perfect for hay, 

machinery or workshop. Add an end wall for 

$1,780 or an extra bay for $3,320. 

THIS WAY 

ONLY 

THAT WAY $32,390 

INC GST 

TRUCK STOP 

HUGE OPEN 

ENDED PLUS 

15M x 27M x 5.1M (50’ x 90’ x 17’) 

Outstanding access from both the gable 

end and 9M opening on the side. 

ONLY 

$26,550 

INC GST 

13M x 27M x 5.1M (43’ x 90’ x 17’) 

Awesome protection with drive-thru convenience. 

ONLY 

$54,050 

INC GST 

Half end wall extra 

18M x 40.5M x 5.7M (60’ x 135’ x 19’) 

Huge clear span openings for large machinery or easy 

storage. Add a half end wall (as shown) for $2,900, a full 

end wall for $4,390 or an extra bay for $5,600. 

EASY 

ACCESS 

TAX SAVING ONLY 

SPECIAL $20,250 

INC GST 

TRADIES 

ONLY 

WORKSHED $25,090 

INC GST 

DOUBLE 

ONLY 

LOCK UP $33,530 

INC GST 

ONLY 

$20,850 

INC GST 

9M x 24M x 5M (30’ x 80’ x 16’8”) 

Four large 6M bays to suit all storage needs. 

Extend to 13M (43’) wide for an extra $6,200. 

Lock up bay available at extra cost. 

MANUFACTURING HIGH GRADE SHEDS IN QLD, NSW, VIC, SA, WA & TAS 

THE NOW BUILDINGS ADVANTAGE 

100% Australian steel, 100% Australian made, 100% Australian family owned 

High tensile bolts & class 4 fasteners, gutters & downpipes included 

Site specific engineering, heavy duty connection & footing design 

High grade industrial strength materials and design 

15M x 18M x 5.1M (50’ x 60’ x 17’) 

Strong, robust and extendable. Open both 

ends. Add an end wall for $3,250 or an 

extra bay for $4,600. 

9M x 16M x 5M (30’ x 53’ x 16’8”) 

Easy workspace with plenty of height for a 

hoist. Colorbond walls, doors and trim. 

13M x 20M x 5M (43’ x 66’ x 16’8”) 

Large lock up shed with two roller doors. 

Perfect for machinery storage. 

CALL 1300 559 668 OR VISIT WWW.NOWBUILDINGS.COM.AU 

TREVOR 0431 597 160 JAMES 0413 104 820 JOHN 0437 699 111 

Images are from the Now Buildings range and are for illustration purposes only. Imperial measurements are approximate. Extras pricing in bold is applicable at the shed purchase stage only. Extensions for existing sheds POA. 

WA and NT slightly extra. Delivery extra. Now Buildings will not be responsible to honour these prices once the total allocation has been sold. E&OE. Prices are Region A, Terrain cat. 2. Reg B available at slightly extra. Prices are based on 

collection from one of our many depots, delivery is available at an extra charge in most areas. *You should consult your own tax and accounting advisors before engaging in any transactions.

easier time. After loading at the company’s Albion Park 

quarry south of Wollongong, the truck was simply run 

over a few rough and twisting back roads before heading 

further south on the much improved Princes Highway and, 

after a few hours, returning to Cleary Bros’ historic home 

base at the seaside village of Bombo. 

All up, little more than 120km, but certainly enough for 

an ample sample of Cascadia’s early build quality. 

SHARP LIP 

One of the many attributes of modern in-cab information 

systems is that in some installations you can watch the 

trip fuel average change as conditions change. 

For example, travelling through the teetering traffic 

and mostly flat roads from Daimler Trucks’ Huntingwood 

dealership in Sydney’s west to the base of the mountains at 

North Richmond, the DD13 in the demo unit was averaging 

a respectable 2.2km/litre, or 6.3 mpg. 

From North Richmond though, things change 

dramatically. It’s a long uphill slog that only gets harder as 

the climb up the eastern face of the mountains steepens 

before hitting the fiercest pinch of all, Bellbird Hill. There’s 

a short, sharp lip on Bellbird that has caught many drivers 

by surprise over many years and in this case, with the 

regrettable decision to leave the DT12 transmission in 

auto mode, it seemed to catch technology out as well, 

jumping from sixth gear straight to fourth rather than 

dropping just one gear and allowing 1,850ft-lb of torque 

to do its thing. 

In short, fifth gear would’ve certainly sufficed and with 

a swap to manual mode soon after the lip, the rest of the 

ascent was covered comfortably locked in sixth gear. 

However, such is the severity of the ascent that at the 

top of Bellbird, average fuel consumption for the trip had 

dropped to 1.43km/litre, or 4mpg. 

From here onwards, on a road that is routinely rough 

and narrow in parts, the Cascadia displayed positive road 

handling and good ride manners on the run to the next 

steep drag, Mt Tomah. 

Again, the transmission was left in auto mode 

and, again, it was a regrettable decision as the truck 

settled into fifth gear with more than enough revs 

“Cascadia is a new start for 

Freightliner in Australia.” 

Above: Maiden voyage. Cleary 

Bros 116 being loaded for the first 

time. One of the earliest right 

hand-drive production units, 

build quality appears to be 

‘on the money’ 

up its sleeve to suggest sixth would have easily coped. 

What’s more, the consistent demands of an extremely 

hard haul continued to hammer fuel consumption. At the 

top of Mt Tomah, the average had fallen to 1.32km/litre, 

or 3.7mpg, and while the road’s toughest climbs were now 

behind, there’s nothing easy about any part of the run over 

Bell’s Line. It is a testing trek of sharp drops, short pinches 

and unforgiving twists and turns with next to no margin 

for error. It is not a road to let concentration slip. 

After the mandatory turn into the ridiculously sited and 

potentially dangerous heavy vehicle weighbridge at the 

small village of Bell, it’s not far to the long, steep drop down 

Scenic Hill into Lithgow, where sixth gear and maximum 

engine braking – controlled through a finger-tip wand on 

the steering column – comfortably handled the descent 

with just a couple of short stabs on the brake pedal. 

It was much the same on the run down River Lett before 

hitting the base of the gruelling Mt Victoria climb, which 

peaks with a 13 per cent grade. 

This time though, the transmission was put in manual 

mode at the base of the hill and with the DD13 allowed 

to make full use of a healthy torque band, the Cascadia 

romped over the steepest pinch on Mitchell’s Ridge in sixth 

gear at 1,450rpm. 

After the ‘auto’ runs over Bellbird and Mt Tomah, the 

Mt Vic climb simply reinforced the opinion that while 

the relationship of modern engine and transmission 

combinations is remarkable and entirely practical for the 

great majority of conditions, there are times and places 

where a driver can do the job with even greater efficiency. 

Really, it all depends on the driver but, either way, auto or 

manual, the job gets done smoothly without the threat of 

damaging shock loads to the drivetrain. 

Despite the hard haul up Mt Vic, fuel consumption had 


• Dual Point Calibration • Accurate • 3 Year Limited Warranty • 2 Decades of Reliability 

•OBM System Type-Approved: Category A 

Contact Us Nation Wide On: 1300 850 575

“There’s a quiet strength in 

Cascadia’s structure.” 

improved marginally to 1.5km/litre (4.2mpg). It would be 

an injustice, however, to consider this a poor return. On 

the contrary, this is a brutally demanding route and after 

the comparatively gentle run off the mountains to the 

Huntingwood dealership, the fuel average had improved to 

a favourable 1.9km/litre, or 5.4mpg. By any measure, a good 

return given the demands. 

In performance terms, the 505hp Detroit handled the task 

with impressive tenacity. Some might argue that compared 

to others in the 13-litre class where power peaks around 

530 and 540hp (395kW and 403kW), the DD13’s top rating is 

perhaps short of the mark. 

That thought was, in fact, the main reason behind using 

such a formidable test route for the demo unit. However, 

pulling power certainly wasn’t in short supply at any 

time and it’s reasonable to suggest the 505 rating won’t be 

overshadowed by its main rivals. At least, not greatly. 

What’s more, the synergy between the engine and 

transmission appears as intuitive and smooth as any 

in the same class. 

Again, however, this was a pre-production unit and 

Above: The extra ‘cat whisker’ 

mirrors on the front may be an 

acquired taste but they’re certainly 

beneficial in tight spaces and 

heavy traffic 

there were a few soft squeaks in the cab on some rougher 

sections of the run, with one particularly annoying rattle 

in the overhead console, which was later found to be a 

rather ordinary installation of the UHF radio. 

There was also a notable whine coming from somewhere 

outside, but too inconsistent to even guess where. 

All up, driver comfort and control layout were highly 

positive, with similarly user-friendly logic to its Benz 

brethren in the application of most functions. As already 

stated, steering and handling were strong points from start 

to finish and while in-cab noise levels were perhaps higher 

than anticipated, they’re certainly not annoying. 

Both the demo truck and the Cleary unit were also fitted 

with the extra ‘wide view’ mirrors mounted on the front 

of the hood, which, while they might be an acquired taste 

for some, have definite advantages in tight spots and 

heavy traffic. 

Yet, there’s one feature that, in certain conditions, can 

detract from Cascadia’s high standard of all-round vision. 

Mounted high in the centre of the windscreen on the 

inside is a radar camera unit, which is a critical part of 

Cascadia’s ‘Assurance 5.0’ safety package. 

However, in some instances, particularly evident on 

a sharply undulating road from behind the wheel of 

the Cleary truck, the unit could marginally obstruct 

forward vision. 

Hopefully, time and technology will see the unit become 

smaller and less obtrusive, or simply moved to somewhere 

less obvious. 

Meantime, easily the least likeable parts of the demo unit 

were the passenger bench seat, which made it ridiculously 

awkward to move from one side of the cab to the other, and 

a decidedly second-rate centre console between the seats. 

Fortunately, neither of these negatives were in the Cleary 

truck driven a fortnight later. The passenger bench was 

replaced by a regular single seat and the space between the 

seats was largely taken up with the control module for the 

tipper bodies. 

Better still, and most evident of all in Cleary’s 116, was 

the complete absence of any rattles, squeaks or whines at 

anytime, anywhere. Indeed, as drives of some early test 

units here and in the US over the past year and more had 

already intimated, there’s a quiet (literally) strength in 

Cascadia’s structure that hasn’t been evident since … well, 

since Australia’s first Freightliner, the FLC112. 

It’s hard to nail it down to any particular piece of the 

truck. It’s just the way the doors and pillars give the 

impression of being so strong and solid, the way the dash 

fascia and gauges don’t shimmy or shake, and the lack of 

wobbles or wiggles in the hood and mirrors. To quote a line 

from that iconic Australian movie The Castle: “It’s just the 

vibe.” Hardly a technical term, but you get the idea. 

Yes, it’s early days for Cascadia. Very early, and almost 

certainly there will be a few teething issues as there are 

with any entirely new model that comes to the Australian 

market. As stated at the start of this article, only time and 

toil will demonstrate the true extent of build quality. 

Still, as long as teething problems are not endemic, and as 

long as Freightliner dealers here are committed and quick 

in fixing any issues, and as long as Freightliner principals 

in the US attend to Australia’s requirements promptly, the 

truck is certainly equipped to do the rest. 

There’s a lot counting on it. 


NUMBERS 

YOU CAN TRUST 

ARE YOU MAXIMISING YOUR AUDIENCE REACH? 

27,689 

AUDITED CIRCULATION * 

OWNER DRIVER magazine distributes 27,689 

copies every month based on the auditing 

period April 2019 to September 2019. 

These figures are independently audited by the 

Circulations Audit Board (CAB). 

Are Media proudly publishes CAB audit figures 

for Australasian Transport News (ATN), 

Australasian Bus & Coach (ABC) and 

Owner Driver magazines. 

+117,952 

WEBSITE VISITORS 

NOVEMBER 2019 

We 

everywhere 

^Total sessions, 

Google Analytics, 

March 2019 

Visit industry.aremedia.com.au for more information. 

*Average number of copies distributed per issue for the 6 months from April 2019 to September 2019.

tech briefs 

ISUZU BOLSTERS TIPPER RANGE 

WITH F SERIES ADDITION 

ISUZU HAS added an F Series offering, 

with a focus on greater payload and 

capacity, to its tipper line-up. 

Already covering an expansive gross 

vehicle mass (GVM) range from 4,500kg 

through to 11,000kg, the Isuzu Trucks 

tipper range recently introduced a 

significant step-up in the form of 

the FSR 140-260 tipper, with a GVM of 

14,000kg (derated to 12,000kg upon 

request), and a gross combination mass 

(GCM) of 20,000kg. 

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) national 

sales manager Les Spaltman says the 

recent addition to the tipper range is a 

direct response to customer feedback. 

“We’re extremely proud to promote 

this F Series model within our already 

expansive Ready-to-Work tipper range,” 

he says. 

“As always, we spoke directly with our 

customers, and the key message was 

clear – greater payload, greater capacity 

and longer body length. 

“Specifically, our customers wanted 

a robust tipper body that could easily 

float a typical medium-duty excavator 

to and from jobs. 

“At 4.4 metres long the body on the 

FSR 140-260 tipper delivers on this, 

along with a 7.8-tonne payload and 5.2 

cubic-metre load capacity.” 

The FSR 140-260 tipper is powered by 

Isuzu’s six-cylinder, 24-valve 6HK1-TCC 

engine, producing 191kW (256hp) at 

2,400rpm. 

“Our popular six-cylinder 6HK1 

engine is very effective in this 

GVM class and is set to serve the 

tipper application extremely well,” 

Spaltman says. 

“The 6HK1, coupled with Isuzu’s 

proven MZW-6P six-speed manual 

transmission, bodes economical and 

efficient operation on all fronts. 

“This is a very sharply specified truck, 

with some smart features such as an 

integrated lockable toolbox, yellow 

safety steps and grab handles for 

operator ease of use, as well as all the 

expected safety features like anti-lock 

braking system, anti-skid regulator and 

hill start aid.” 

All Isuzu tippers come with standard 

body lock-down hook, further securing 

the tipper body and its load at all times. 

Shovel racks, rope rails and a two-way 

tail gate with drop sides round out a fitfor-purpose 

package. 

All Isuzu RTW trucks are backed by 

the factory, with a three-year warranty 

covering both the truck and body. 

“We’ve been looking to expand the 

range for a while and plan to keep its 

evolution ticking over for some time,” 

Spaltman says. 

“Given the level of infrastructure 

work currently needed and underway 

across our major cities, we believe 

this heavier F Series tipper model will 

tick a lot of boxes, especially for the 

construction and trade industries.” 

INNOVATIVE TARPING SOLUTIONS FOR EVERY NEED 

Cover your load! 

Wind-out Hood Tarps 

Long Block 

Waterproof tarps 

Roll-Rite Gearmotors 

Tarping system components & solutions 

• Dual Cable Wind-out Tarps • Pivot Arm Systems • Electric Gear Drive Motors 

• Single Cable Wind-out Tarps • Electronic Controllers • Waste Tarps 

• Pull-out Tarps 

• Waterproof Systems 

• Roll-over Tarps 

• Asphalt Tarps 

NEW HEAVY-DUTY GEARBOXES 

New Heavy-Duty Gearboxes designed for the Aussie Market 

Updated high strength composite casing 

Up to 180 Nm of torque, keeping operation smooth and your tarp tight 

Easy to install and operate with Retractable Tarp’s one touch tarp controllers. 

Hardwired and wireless control options available 

Get yourself covered today! 

Australian Distributors of 

Dual Arm Systems 

Single Arm Systems 

OUT 

NOW! 

Check out our innovative solutions to help cover your load! 

Visit www.retractabletarps.com.au 

or call 07 3889 9611 today! 

Factory: 28-30 Terrence Rd, Brendale QLD 4500. Email sales@retractabletarps.com.au 

OWD-QV-5188294-TS-323 

Penske guarantees presence 

Down Under 

ITS LIVERY will be missing in future 

Supercars series but Penske pledges 

it isn’t going anywhere as far as 

trucks are concerned. 

While US-based Team Penske has 

pulled in its horns on the track, 

Penske confirms its long-term 

commitment to the Australian and 

New Zealand markets through its 

on- and off-highway businesses. 

“Since Team Penske partnered 

with Dick Johnson to form DJR Team 

Penske several years ago, we have 

seen tremendous success on the 

track and in the boardroom,” Penske 

Australia & New Zealand president 

Randall Seymore says. 

“We thank DJR Team Penske for helping to make Penske and our 

brands household names, and we look forward to remaining Dick 

Johnson Racing’s biggest fans.” 

Since establishing its footprint in the Australian and New Zealand 

markets in 2013, Penske insists it continues to invest heavily in its onand 

off-highway operations. 

“Penske Australia & New Zealand remains dedicated to our customer 

base, our more than 1,000 employees, and our OEM partners,” Seymore 

underlines. 

“The growth of our business and loyalty of our employees, even during 

these challenging times, has been extraordinary. 

“Building on several significant wins recently in key markets such 

as road transport, energy solutions, defence, and mining, we foresee a 

standout year for the business in 2021. 

“Our team at Penske Australia & New Zealand will continue to build 

on our customer partnerships in 2021 and beyond, providing them 

with world-class customer service, along with our portfolio of superior 

products.” 


Are YOU 

up for the 

CHALLENGE? 

HVIA 

NATIONAL 

APPRENTICE 

CHALLENGE 

An exciting opportunity for heavy 

vehicle mechanical apprentices at 

any stage of your study! 

Teams from all 

over Australia will 

compete for amazing 

prizes including 

VIP Supercars 

experiences and 

tools kits. 

NOMINATIONS CLOSE FEB 2021 

www.brisbanetruckshow.com.au/NAC 

Staged live at Brisbane Truck Show 

13-16 May 2021 South Bank Parklands 

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS AND SPONSORS

tech briefs 

Improved mileage claim 

with new steer tyre 

KUMHO has launched a new premium 

heavy duty truck steer tyre, which it says is 

suitable for a wide range of truck operating 

conditions in regional and long distance 

operations. 

Kumho says its new Kumho XS 10 is a 

genuine premium truck steer tyre designed 

to provide safe driving in wet, icy and dry 

conditions. 

According to Kumho, the XS10 also offers 

an extended mileage capability due to its 

wide tread and shoulder design, while a 

special tread compound results in improved 

handling. 

Stone ejectors within the groove pattern 

are said to increase the tyre’s re-treading 

ability as well as delivering longer life and 

better casing durability. 

Kumho boasts that, taking everything into 

consideration, the XS10 offers increase in tyre 

life of up to 15 per cent when compared with its 

predecessor. 

The Kumho XS10 uses an abrasive resistant, 

high speed compound that the company 

says allows it to be used in multiple regional 

applications for medium to long haul use. 

The five-rib tread design is said to offer enhanced 

steer ability, while ICOS (Integrated Component System 

Technology) has been applied to improve the overall 

performance of the tyre, enhancing rolling resistance and 

reducing wear, as well as bead belt and carcass durability, 

Kumho states. 

According to Troy Bone, national sales manager for 

commercial vehicle tyres for Kumho Tyre Australia, the new 

XS10 will give Kumho a premium steer tyre in the heavy 

truck market and enhance the company’s already strong 

position in the truck tyre market. 

“The XS10 is an all new tyre that incorporates the many 

years of tyre design and engineering knowledge Kumho has 

gathered in truck tyre design,” Bone says. 

“Along with better performance and handling 

characteristics, the increased durability and mileage 

capability of the XS10 will bring significant savings for 

truck operators along with safer and more efficient running 

across a wide variety of trucks and conditions,” he adds. 

The XS10 is available initially in 295/80R22.5 16 ply 152/ 

148M sizing, which Kumho says will suit the vast majority of 

heavy truck steer wheels. 

In addition to the multi performance steer tyre, Kumho 

says it also offers a multi performance drive tyre, the XD10 

which is available as a 295/80R22.5 size. The company adds 

that it utilises the same special abrasive resistant, high 

speed compound as in the XS10, its hexagonal block design 

improves grip, mileage and braking performance. 

FIX BLOWBY AND 

AVOID THE REBUILD. 

Proudly 100% 

Australian Made 

and Owned 

#1 BLOWBY? 

Most blowby can be easily fixed… even at 

1.5 to 2 million kms. Sticking piston rings 

are the main culprit. 

“This fixed my Series 60. It was fuming 

badly, using 6-7L of oil every 2 days.” 

– Merv Sweetman. 

PHONE (07) 3376 6188 

#2 ENGINE SLUDGE 

Sludge prevents good lubrication, lowers oil 

pressure, causes overheating and valve noises! 

Get pristine clean again…FAST & EASY! 

#3 DIRTY ENGINE OIL? 

It should never stain your 

hands. Even at oil change. If 

it does you will have engine 

sludge & power loss. 

“My T650 Kenworth lost 

power, was smoking badly 

and using oil. Cummins said 

it needed a $32,000 rebuild! 

I tried FTC Decarbonizer and 

Flushing Oil Concentrate. I was absolutely amazed 

how much rubbish came out on the flush. Now the 

power’s great! No smoke! No oil use!” 

– Hugh Maslin 

costeffective.com.au 

2/18 Boron St, SUMNER PARK QLD 4074 E: sales@costeffective.com.au 

FREE DELIVERY AUSTRALIA WIDE 

OWD-HH-5167118-TS-327 


FOR THE OWNER-DRIVER Frank Black 

Absurd call on fatalities 

The federal government is kidding itself that road 

upgrades will equal zero deaths by 2050 

WE AGAIN face the grim reality 

of trucking being Australia’s 

deadliest industry, and we 

again see no response from the 

federal government. According 

to new SafeWork statistics, 

174 workers were killed while 

working in trucking between 2015 to 2019. 

In 2019 alone, we lost 58 transport workers, 

tragically killed while just trying to do their 

jobs. That’s more than one person killed 

every week. 

These statistics are appalling, but not 

shocking. We know that our industry is 

riddled with problems that make our jobs 

more dangerous than they need to be. What’s 

alarming is that the government remains 

silent on these many workers killed and has 

no plan to prevent more needless deaths on 

the road. 

Transport Minister Michael McCormack 

even suggested recently that road upgrades 

will put us on a path to zero fatalities by 2050. 

What a ridiculous statement. He is kidding 

himself if he thinks anyone in the transport 

industry will buy into that far-reaching 

notion. Very clearly, this media stunt is not 

aimed at those of us actually working in 

Australia’s deadliest industry. It is aimed to 

impress voter masses who are so distanced 

from trucking they may buy into the 

propaganda that his road upgrades will solve 

the high death tolls. 

We’ve been asking for road upgrades for 

years. Funding for roads is very necessary 

and long overdue. But none of us are under 

any illusion that upgrades alone will fix the 

dangerous nature of our industry. 

Even if roads were the only issue to be 

fixed, why make this funding dependent 

on a ‘use it or lose it’ basis? It is important to 

encourage states to act quickly to fix roads 

that, as we know, are well past retirement 

and in great need of maintenance. But the 

Transport Minister is dangling this carrot 

while whispering to voters: “Don’t worry; we 

probably won’t need to spend all this money.” 

Wouldn’t it be novel if the Transport 

Minister also addressed the pressures truck 

drivers face, including the low pay that forces 

us to work harder and faster for less? 

Instead, we’re consistently met with the 

long arm of the law looking to make a buck. 

REVENUE HUNTING 

Just recently, more police blitzes saw many 

truckies cop fines for minor misdemeanours. 

One bloke told me he was fined for a logbook 

error from three months ago – during the 

height of lockdown. So much for the ‘heroes 

of the pandemic’. 

Now is not the time to go revenue hunting 

from the bottom of the supply chain. The 

safety regulator has confirmed trucking 

to be the deadliest industry by far, with 

transport worker deaths accounting for a 

third of all workplace deaths. Rather than 

attacking truckies, looking for problems 

with our trucks and logbooks, how about 

consulting us on the dangers we face? No one 

understands better than us what it’s like in 

the cab of a truck. 

Meanwhile, the clients at the top of the 

supply chain have raked in profits from 

the pandemic. For them, it has been dollar 

signs in their eyes. For us, it has been more 

pressure to keep shelves stocked while 

also comprehending ever changing border 

crossing rules and admin, regular COVID 

tests and trying to avoid self-isolating within 

the confines of our trucks. 

The federal government needs to be 

FRANK BLACK 

has been a 

long distance owner-driver 

for more than 30 years. 

He is the current ownerdriver 

representative on 

the ATA Council. 

reminded that that number – 174 – is not 

just a statistic. It is 174 fathers, uncles, sisters, 

friends and neighbours. It is 174 families left 

devastated. 

As tragic as it is when a worker is killed in 

any industry, we fail to see the same concern 

shown to truck drivers as we do others, such 

as in construction. Just because the road is 

our office doesn’t make the deaths of truck 

drivers are any less distressing or any less 

painful for the families left behind. 

WATCHDOG’S DEMISE 

In 2016, the LNP government, with the help 

of the Australian Trucking Association, tore 

down a road safety watchdog (which was 

the best thing that had happened to this 

industry as far as safety goes), even though 

its own report said fatal truck crashes would 

be reduced by 22 per cent. That’s 38 truck 

drivers killed in the last five years that could 

still be alive today. 

It took years for the government to hear 

our calls for funding to improve roads. It has 

been years since the government abolished 

the Road Safety Remuneration Tribunal. How 

much longer must we wait for them to even 

acknowledge the crisis in trucking? Will it 

be within our lifetimes that truck drivers 

are consulted on how to fix problems in the 

industry? 

All we know is that there are far too many 

people killed by trucks than there needs to 

be in Australia. A path to zero fatalities is an 

absurd call in any circumstances. We must 

keep fighting for the government to give us 

the best chance we can get. And that means 

hearing what we have to say. 

“We’re consistently met 

with the long arm of the law 

looking to make a buck.” 

MOORE 

Moore trailer for your money! 

TRAILERS 

07 4693 1088 

www.mooretrailers.com.au 


TRUCK | TRAILER | BUS | 4WD & INDUSTRIAL PARTS 

NOW OPEN IN YATALA 

4 COMPUTER ROAD, YATALA 

Huge range of European, American & Japanese truck, bus, 4WD and trailer parts. 

Workshop consumables, service parts and OEM hard parts at everyday great prices. 

TRANZFLEET 

DIESEL ENGINE OIL 

15W-40 CI-4 

20L 

SAVE 

$27 

EA 

$ 

88 00 

TML100120 

FILTER KIT, SUITS MERCEDES 

0500 BUS 

& ACTROS MP3 TRUCK 

Includes 

Air Filter 1A46040 

Fuel Filter 1A19008 

Fuel Filter 1A19008/B 

FILTER KIT, 

SUITS VOLVO FH13 TRUCK 

Includes 

Air Filter 3A46034 


Fuel Filter 3A19004/A 

Oil Filter 3A27004, 

3A27002 X2 

SAVE 

$70 

SUPERTRUCK 

N70ZZ BATTERY 

CCA - 700 

COMMERCIAL WARRANTY - 12 MONTHS 

SAVE 

$82 

SAVE 

$67 

EA 

$ 

110 00 

TMN70ZZ 

AIRBAG, SUIT MERC/VOLVO 

REPLACES 

A3073280001 

1134445 

& MORE 

SAVE 

$61 

EA 

$ 

71 50 

TMH1021 

RAGS, 10KG BAG 

T-SHIRT MATERIAL 

SAVE 

$10 

EA 

$ 

170 

2Y22011 

SUITS SCANIA 4 FRONT 

REPLACES 

1386199 

1362145 

1370743 

RAGS10 

EA 

$ 

170 

2Y2214 

AIRBAG, SUIT MERC/VOLVO 

REPLACES 

A3073280001 

1134445 

& MORE 

$ 

182 72 

EA 

$ 

71 50 

1Y22001 

AIRBAG, SUIT VOLVO 

REPLACES 

1076594 

20554755 

KIT 

$ 

208 41 

EA 

$ 

16 50 

FILTER KIT, 

SUITS SCANIA R500 TRUCK 

Includes 

SAVE 

$128 

Air Filter, Outer 4A6013 

Air Filter, Inner 4A46013/1 

KIT Fuel Filter 2A19004 

KIT 

$ 

137 30 Oil Filter 2A27004 

FILTER KIT, 

SUITS MAN TGX 26.440 

TRUCKS 

SAVE 

$20 

Includes 

Air Filter, Outer 4A46014 

KIT Air Filter, Inner 4A46015 

$ 

228 09 


Oil Filter 4A27004 

SUITS SCANIA 4 DRIVE 

REPLACES 

1379392 

1439284 

1440294 

EA 

$ 

175 

3Y22015/R 

www.tranzmile.com | www.whitesdiesels.com.au 

Delivery Australia Wide Call 1300 657 645 

Townsville | Burnett | Wacol | Yatala | Sydney 

All prices valid until 31st December.

Part number LF14000NN 

See page 2 See page 7 

OUR NAME IS CHANGING 

Our drive is to keep you safe on the road … now more than ever 

ENGINE OIL FILTER 

Purchase 5 in one transaction 

and receive 1 bonus filter*. 

To suit Cummins applications**. 

Only apply to part numbers LF14000NN & LF9070 

HURRY! 

WHILE STOCKS 

LAST 

BONUS 

*Terms and conditions apply. Customers must purchase 5 of the same part number in one 

transaction to receive their free filter. No mix and match permitted. Offer valid from 1-Oct-20 to 31- 

Dec-20 or while stocks last. **Check Application Guide. 

RX SUPER DIESEL 

ENGINE OIL 

Grade 15W-40 

CJ-4/E9. 

20L. 

Part number 3418280 

$99 

SCOTSEAL FOR TRAILER/ 

DRIVE/STEER AXLE 

APPLICATIONS 

A full range of 

optimum sealing 

solutions for all 

type of heavy 

duty maintenance 

demands. 

CONTACT 

YOUR NEAREST 

BRANCH FOR 

PRICING 

205L. 

Part number 

3418279 

$990 

HIGH QUALITY 

JAPANESE TRUCK PARTS 

■ 

■ 

Using the highest quality materials. 

Meet the original equipment 

manufacturers requirements. 

BRAKE 

SHOE SET 

Suits all Hino FC/FD 

Series trucks 

from 1996-2016. 

Front Brake Shoe. 

Part number 11525.061 

$230 

Rear Brake Shoe. 


$240 

KING PIN KIT 

To suit Mack applications*. 

Alternative to 301SQ47E. 

Part number AKP-3479 

$335 

*Check Application Guide. 

ELECTRIC SUZI COIL 

7 Core. 4.6 metres with 6 x 4mm (2mm2) 

1 x 5mm (3mm2) cores. Longtail. 

Part number 82529 

$133 

BRAKE DRUMS AND LININGS 

Suit Hino FC/FD model trucks from 1992 onwards. 

Front Brake Drum. 


$105 

Rear Brake Drum. 


$125 

Front Brake Lining. 

Part number af321p 

$50 

Rear Brake Lining. 


$83 

Oct - Dec 20 

SPRING 

INTO SAVINGS! 

PURCHASE 5 

ENGINE OIL 

FILTERS AND 

RECEIVE 1 

BONUS FILTER 

To suit Cummins 

applications*. 

HURRY! 

WHILE STOCKS 

LAST 

SUPER 

COMPETITIVE 

PRICING 

ASK FOR YOUR 

COPY IN STORE 

Part number LF9070 

YOUR PARTNER IN PARTS 

BECOMES 

BONUS 

BONUS 

HIGH-QUALITY 

JAPANESE TRUCK 

PARTS AVAILABLE 

AT TRUCKZONE 

GREAT 

Clutch Kits to suit Isuzu, 

VALUE FOR 

Hino and Mitsubishi. 

MONEY 

from $425 

CALL 1300 TRUCKZONE TODAY! 

BECOMES 

smpgroup.com.au

OWD334

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?