Still, this is strictly a day trip there and back

maintenance damping). The system does away with shock absorbers – integrating the damping function into the air spring itself.

Lambert says that APL Direct has historically used BPW axles for its trailers, but the attraction of the Hendrickson axles was the shockless technology, plus the fact that the INTRAAX axles integrate with Hendrickson’s TIREMAAX Pro tyre pressure control system.

Another thoughtful touch with the Roadmaster combination is that, by making both trailers stepdecks, the B-train can be disassembled... and the rear trailer of the set hooked up as a tri-axle semi.

Says Lambert: “That gives us the ability to cart nine trolleys – so we can run more efficiently if we do have a lower-volume day.” The capability has been used a few times already.

The Scania and its B-train tare at 22,640kg – 9180kg for the tractor unit, 6440kg for the first trailer and 7020kg for the second. Thus, for this trip (as with most) the all-up weight will be somewhere between 34.5 and 38 tonnes.

Even through bleary, 2.30am eyes, the unit certainly looks fantastic – the silver-painted Scania shining brightly under AGP’s fluorescent lights, contrasting well against the jet-black of the curtains on the trailers and the R500’s grille…plus the bold AGP branding on the trailers.

Dave does his pre-trip checks – oil and water levels, tyres and making sure that all his lights are working – and we’re ready to head off. I check my watch: It’s 3am…. which makes me yawn.

Access to the cab is easy, the first of the three steps very low and with good grabhandles to pull yourself up with.

The interior is expansive, tall. The Scania 620 Dave got out of when the R500 arrived was also a sleeper cab unit – “but this cab is bigger, especially in height. I slept in the last one and I used to be bent over trying to get dressed in the morning.” On the other hand, it did have “all the gear….a microwave, a fridge, a TV. This one only has a fridge.”

Still, this is strictly a day trip there and back – Dave usually taking a break in Taihape. The early start is designed to have him in Palmerston North in time to have the glass in the B-train transferred over to two APL Direct Scania P410 truck-only units – so they can deliver it around the lower North Island.

As Dave idles the Scania away from AGP’s factory, which is surrounded by fields, the LED headlights pick out a fluffle of rabbits (or a colony, if you prefer) darting everywhere: It’s like a scene from