New FAW 6.130 FL Freight Carrier impresses

Johannesburg-based company Careful Carriers has been using a FAW 6.130 FL truck since late last year to transport loads across South Africa, Botswana and Lesotho, racking up about 40 000 km in the process. The vehicle represents a new medium commercial from FAW South Africa and, like the successful 8.140 on which it is based, the model is equipped with a Cummins engine.

The truck, which has a 4,6-t payload, was delivered to Careful Carriers by FAW Isando. “The vehicle has met our needs perfectly, whether carrying full loads or a single pallet,” says Braam Lottering, the freight company’s operations director. “There are no complicated fuel systems or electronics and, when it’s had to be serviced, work has been completed within a day, keeping downtime to a minimum.”

With service intervals of 15 000 km, the vehicle has been serviced twice – once at FAW Randburg and once at FAW Spartan. “In terms of fuel consumption, we are achieving 8,5 km per litre – and the truck is comfortable to drive,” says Lottering.

Since Careful Carriers has a number of 8.140 models in service, company personnel are familiar with the 6.130’s layout and components. “The similarities made learning to drive the 6.130 FL a straightforward process,” says Lottering. “We’ve had no complaints from our drivers. Also, the vehicle is comfortable, light on fuel and powerful enough to meet our needs. We consider the 6.130 to be the benchmark truck in this market segment.”

Careful Carriers has been in business for over 30 years and operates a fleet of 75 vehicles across southern Africa. While specialising in fragile loads shipping, the company also provides supply chain management and warehousing services and counts Coca-Cola and SAB among its clients.

Reflecting on the state of the transport industry, Lottering says the price of fuel is a significant issue and the addition of more levies, as well as introduction of carbon tax, are making it difficult for transport businesses to thrive. “Those factors make the FAW 6.130 FL an even stronger buying proposition for us,” he says.