Dave Derham goes Back to the Future

News

23 June

Dave Derham knows his trucks. With 40 plus rigs in the Derham Transport fleet, and having been in business since the early ‘80’s that should come as no surprise. The family business, is based at Lara, near Colac in Victoria, running Tippers.

At 73, Dave has no intention of retirement and still works every day with son and sidekick, Andrew. He also takes a keen interest in which trucks the company buys. Whilst the fleet boasts a goodly number of the venerable Kenworth brand, including Dave’s classic 1984 K100 with which he started out in business - and this writer has clocked at 130KPH with a tanker hanging off the back (in controlled conditions) – he is by no means glued to the one brand.

Koroit Truck of the Show winner, 1984 K100 owned by David and Andrew Derham..JPG

The business also runs a number of Freightliners which Dave says have served the business well over a number of years. There is also a Mercedes-Benz Actros 2658 in the fleet which has impressed him no end. Knowing that the Actros shares engine platforms and safety systems amongst several other key components, Dave took a close look at Daimler Trucks new arrival, the Cascadia, and 10 years after purchasing his last Freightliner, he has jumped back into that trucks gene pool – opting for the 126 model with the bigger donk.

The Derham Transport 126 features a 16-litre DD16 with 600hp and 2050lb-ft of torque, which works hand in glove with the 12 speed Detroit automated transmission. It uses Intelligent Powertrain Management, which means the truck reads topographic route data and combines it with the truck’s precise GPS location to help it achieve optimum fuel economy. For example, it knows exactly when to hold on to a gear (and not change up just before the crest of a hill), when to use the engine brake and when to save fuel and select neutral in order to coast.

Then there are the safety features that come standard, including Advanced Emergency Braking System, adaptive cruise control, Lane Departure Warning, a driver airbag, Intelligent High Beam, automatic wipers and headlamps – all combining to make the Cascadia 126 a ‘thoroughly modern Millie’.

To round out the package, Dave also selected the Side Guard Assist radar-based system that warns the driver if the truck’s turning trailer could hit objects such as power poles when turning left and also if they are about to merge left into an occupied lane.

The Cascadia tipper has been put to work hauling a five-axle trailer with a combined weight of 63 tonnes. Despite tackling the Adelaide Hills on each run the fuel consumption has always stayed above 2km per litre which has impressed Dave. He tells us that the truck has also been a hit with his drivers – no mean feat when faced with the range of brand and product that comprises the Derham fleet.

Dave loves his old K100 with a passion but knows that it has its place, not only in his heart, but also in the past. The Cascadia is the future.

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