TMJ Interiors, a specialist joinery contractor based in Ipswich, recently purchased two new Volvo FE trucks with Anteo tail lifts and curtain side bodies. Both 6x2 rigids feature Volvo D8K Euro 6 engines that produce 320 horsepower (238 kilowatts) and 1,200 newton-metres (885 pounds-foot) of torque. Although they are 26-tonne models, TMJ “has de-rated the plated weights of the two vehicles to 18 tonnes,” Volvo explains, which allows the company to operate larger trucks with lighter payloads “whilst still being able to cross Tower Bridge, which has an 18-tonne weight limit.” TMJ Interiors plans to add a third FE later in 2020.
“We have built a reputation over four decades for working on projects of exceptional quality—so naturally, our customers expect us to deliver our products and materials to site in premium vehicles,” says Steve Wells, assistant workshop manager at TMJ Interiors. “Volvo is one of the few brands we’d consider; their trucks are popular with our drivers and we’ve previously enjoyed great vehicle reliability and aftersales support.”
The Right Fit
TMJ Interiors’ new Volvo FEs will primarily operate in the Square Mile of London, running for up to six days a week with double shifts mixed in “when required to meet the firm’s busy workload,” Volvo says. Both trucks feature a low chassis rail that makes the loading height 85 millimetres lower than the company’s previous trucks. This allows them to use the same loading bay as the 12-tonne models the FEs now replace. TMJ Interiors is also taking advantage of Volvo’s Dynafleet fleet management platform to download tachograph data automatically, “which is saving the firm 15 minutes of administration time per vehicle,” Volvo adds.
Volvo FE Details
The Volvo FE is a versatile FE that is just as at home as a refuse or construction truck as it is conducting local deliveries and regional distribution. It is available with a day cab, short sleeper cab, or regular sleeper cab that are all 1,605 millimetres (63 inches) tall, 2,300 mm (90.5 in) wide, and between 1,600 and 2,200 mm (63 and 86.6 in) long. Engine options include D8K and G9K engines that produce between 250 and 350 hp (186.4 and 261 kW) and from 950 to 1,400 N-m (700.7 to 1,032.6 lbf-ft) of torque. Transmission options include a range of 6- and 9-speed automatic and manual gearboxes.
In addition to standard diesel-powered models, Volvo also produces FE CNG (compressed natural gas) and CE Electric trucks. The gas-powered engine produces 320 hp and 1,356 N-m (1,000 lbf-ft) of torque, and the CE Electric features a 400-kW (536-hp) electric motor that offers up to 850 N-m of torque.
Find Your Next Volvo
You will find a large selection of new and used Volvo trucks for sale every day on TruckLocator, including a number of FE 320 trucks and Volvo curtain side vehicles.