MAN TGL 12 Tonner Reviewed
MAN TGL 12 Tonner - A Review
A quick glance at a truck in the 12-tonne sector will tell you that it looks pretty much like a 7.5 tonner. The footprint is more or less the same, so it makes you wonder why more operators don't opt for the bigger truck. It probably has something to do with the licence rules. Before 1997, anyone with a standard licence could drive up to 7.5 tonnes, but since then it has been decreased to 3.5 tonnes. Perhaps operators then feel that if a driver has to be retrained to drive a heavier truck, why not just bite the bullet and go for a an 18-tonne wagon?
Why 12 Tonnes?
Many observers thought that the 7.5-tonne sector would disappear after the changes in regulations, as operators would either move down to the 3.5-tonne market or up to the 12-tonne level. But that didn't happen. This was probably because the 7.5 tonner fills a nice niche in the distribution chain, being not much bigger than a humble 3.5-tonne box van but carrying twice as large a load. Clearly, this is important when deliveries are needed in tight spots. The 12-tonne sector is similar. It's not much bigger than the 7.5-tonne trucks but it can carry much more and makes sense where access is a problem for the larger trucks.
In the end, it all comes down to operating costs and flexibility. If you can get away with it, the 12 tonner is cheaper than an 18 tonner and is also less expensive to run. It gets you jobs such as city-centre retail deliveries that are impossible for the bigger truck. Therefore it might just be the best compromise for many operators.
The 12-tonne TGL12.180 MAN has a 6.9-litre six-cylinder 180 PS power plant, which is the most you can get at this weight. It's got more than enough power for this level of load. The TGL MAN also has a 12-speed Tipmatic auto-shift gearbox and some models have the optional LX Long Haul Sleeper Cab for a bit of added comfort. It doesn't look at all different from the 7.5-tonne version, despite all that extra capacity. Inside is where you experience all the extra space, with double bunks in excess of two metres long and very nearly the same in interior height.
The six-cylinder engine is smooth and the gearbox easy and accurate, selecting the right gear every time. The handling is unsurprising, which is exactly what you want in a dependable workhorse. The TGL 12 then is an excellent choice as a used 12 tonner. It is a really handsome beast and more than up to any job you care to throw at it. The 12-tonne footprint lets you get into tight urban spots where the 18-tonne wagons are unwieldy at best and the big sleeper cab is a treat. The TGL 12 comes with a choice of 180, 220 or 250 PS engines, with the latter probably representing the best combination of power and practicality.