What is the first word that comes it your mind when you hear about dispatching a cargo, and why specifically the trucks? Trucks are an integral part of your life, and not only that, they run your homes. Importantly, trucks are manufactured to deliver goods in your showrooms, warehouses, door-to-door freight, and act as a state-to-state trade dispatching catalyst.
During the delivery, truckers face challenges of staying away from home, missing their family and kids, and staying awake just to make sure their goods are safe. Mercedes-Benz trucks are one of the major powerhouses in the dispatch sector, with a slogan ”Trucks you can trust”.
They are long-haul, sustainable, reliable, and offer quality top-class product and service deliveries. They take the lead towards construction sites, perform heavy-duty and distribute goods.
As a pioneer of spirited delivery services, Mercedes-Benz trucks committed to major groundbreaking innovations and engine upgrades over time. The company makes sure that the goods are delivered securely while ensuring the health of truckers remains strong.
When purchasing the truck, keep in consideration the price, mechanics, and miles per gallon (MPG). The post provides the complete description and lists the truck, old or new, that is designed specifically for your needs.
Major Features of Mercedes-Benz Trucks
When purchasing Mercedes-Benz trucks, the first and foremost thing that you need to consider is knowing the exact major features of the vehicle. It will help you save time and money as well. Below is the complete breakdown, which will ensure you make the right decision in purchasing the vehicle that will work smoothly and save your bucks.
Design, Dynamics, and Mechanics Considerations of the Truck
Cockpit For Your Liking
The first thing you will notice in the truck is its cockpit. If you are a fun-loving trucker and enjoy life, then you will want multimedia options within it. On the other hand, if you don’t want fancy stuff, you can pick a classy cockpit.
The Mirror CAM
The long-distance trucks offer a variety of mirror CAM options to safely view the rearward area. It adds safety to the equipment and the truck crews. The only compromise that you can make is whether to opt for an HDR camera or an SDR for a better overview of the equipment.
It helps the truckers in switching lanes and turning corners. The indicator lines offer a great help to the driver to identify the overtaking options and securely assess the rearward traffic control.
Predictive Power Control Feature
The PPC allows the trucker to operate economically with major upgraded features, for instance, it allows the operator to know the exact dimensions of the route from start to finish. It has a built-in satellite-based positioning technology and possesses maps to identify what is ahead of the trucker; any downhill and uphill can be spotted with ease.
It helps the trucker to set cruise control speed options, and reduces the possibility of sudden or unnecessary acceleration, brakes, etc., with the help of K.E of the vehicle. You may want this feature in your vehicle, though it’s available in Actros, Antos, and Arocs models and not in all Mercedes-Benz trucks.
Active Brake Assist Feature
The active brake assist feature, commonly denoted as ABA is one of the wonderful features that any truck can have. Its capability to brake in emergency conditions rescues lives and equipment when approaching moving or stationary objects. So far, ABA 5, or the fifth generation active brake assist is serving in several Mercedes-Benz trucks.
ABA 5 is better than the ABA 4 as the former can recognize the pedestrian and can apply brakes up to a speed of 50 kmph, while the latter did not have this capability.
The Type of Truck for Your Convenience
If you are a trucker, you will be aware that the Mercedes-Benz trucks are not just cargo dispatchers but they also deliver other services, be it construction, special off-road operations, fire safety and rescue trucks, airport and trucks for agriculture and forestry. Pick the truck which you will want to use in the specific industry.
Fuel Economy
Fuel economy of a truck relies on several factors and not limited to the powerful engines, air to fuel ration, speed and the load it carries. Therefore, you must consider the truck which offers the better MPG. However keep in mind that the better MPG does not always guarantee the better performance of the vehicle. There is always a thin line between the operations and consumption of a fuel.
Speeding operations require more fuel flow rate. The more powerful the engine, the chances of higher fuel consumption is greater and vice versa. The less powerful engine may save you fuel with the cons of less speed, not so smooth control over the equipment and slight hiccups in countering aero drags. Therefore, stay safe and purchase the heavy engine truck if you deliver heavy tonnage goods and are reluctant to drive slowly or vice versa.
Comfort Level
A long distance truck dispatching may demand a relevant comfort level, and not so in the case with under 100-Km deliveries. Not entirely ignoring the comfy space for the truckers, though.
Price Tags
Last but not least is the price range and the budget that you can afford. Make compromises in the sections that are less important to you. Decide what are the key factors for you to deliver goods, be it the engine, speed, comfort, space or load-carrying capacity. Asking yourself such questions will surely help you make the right decision.
Classes of Mercedes-Benz Trucks
Long Distance Trucks
Long-distance Mercedes-Benz trucks are designed and manufactured specifically to deliver state to state services or goods. In order to make money, the truck company or the truckers (in case they are the owners), should pick the truck which is not only safe, reliable but also offers fuel economy options.
Actros is one of the powerful Mercedes-Benz trucks with options of Euro III and Euro V engines and optimal ground clearance in its advanced variants. e-Actros is also available in local showrooms across several countries and priced at a whopping 280K – 330K USDs approximately.
However, here is a twist, it has a range of around 500 kilometers, charging time of 30/60 minutes from 20% to 80% and a powerful 400 or 1000 kilowatts fast charging capability. A famous trucker, George McGlashan, was interviewed by GBA and he told them about the 17.1 MPG of the truck, covered during off-road delivery in Austria, though on safe-roads with less hills.
The variant is fully electric, reducing carbon emission by 80%. If you dispatch the cargo by e-Actros and make the trip of 120000 km/h, you will end up saving at least 90K USDs.
Distribution Trucks
Distribution trucks are special vehicles designed and manufactured with the purpose of delivering goods from the distribution centers to the warehouses. The major considerations in the trucks of the under discussion category is that they must be agile, carry heavy payloads, comfy and ensure safe dispatching. They are of several types, flatbeds, refrigerator trucks, etc.
Mercedes provides a variety of options in this category, eActros 300/400, Actros, and Atego. eActros comes for 180K – 230K USDs with several features, including 300 or 400 Km range. While Actos has a mileage of 7.5 – 10 MPG, approximately. Atego has a couple of variants and has a MPG of 9-13.
Construction Trucks
This category of truck performs heavy duties including transporting construction workers, materials, infrastructure and equipment to project sites. In most cases they are roofless and sideless robust structures, designed to meet the needs of construction sites.
They are multi-purpose heavy duty vehicles which excavate, demolish and clean the construction sites. Mercedes-Benz construction trucks are in a full array. Arocs, Atego and Arocs up to 500 t are the major trucks with several unique features.
Arocs utilises a robust 380 KW OM 473 engine with a rated speed of 1600 rpm. Atego is rated at 2200 rpm and has a 175KW OM 936 engine. Used models can be purchased at a starting price of 7K USDs or lower, however you can purchase the new models at 100K USDs range.
Special Mercedes-Benz Trucks
eEconic Trucks
It offers multiple options to the truckers, getting rid of the high priced gasoline and staying ticket-free in states or cities with strict emission regulations. They are the ideal waste collectors and can be utilized for recycling and urban deliveries. They are fully electric with technical features like ADAS and mirror CAM.
Econic Mercedes Trucks
They have a similar purpose to Econic trucks, but with a diesel engine.
Unimog: Extreme Off-Road Carrier
It is built for off-road rigorous and challenging terrains. It is designed with high ground clearance so that it can cross streams, climb rocks and work in extreme weather conditions, for instance, rain or snow.
They can be equipped by the Military or utilized in forestry, disaster and relief projects.
Zetros the Gamechanger
The use case is its utilization in the oil and gas sector, military operations involving transportation of goods in underdeveloped areas. They are good in handling the emergency response and thus have rugged applications in the mining industry.
Miscellaneous Mercedes-Benz Trucks
Mercedes also delivers fire services or relief based trucks, municipal and trucks for airports.
Know more about Mercedes Benz Pickup Trucks
FAQs
Should I purchase an electric or diesel engine truck?
If you deliver goods in a territory which has strict legislation about the carbon controlled environment and the terrain is not challenging then you can consider purchasing an electric truck. However, if the payload is heavy, terrain is challenging, roads are extreme, purchasing a truck with a diesel engine is a good option.
What is the difference between Zetros and Unimog trucks?
Zetros is designed to handle tasks in the extreme challenging conditions and on the other hand Unimog offers the similar features with a heavy payload capacity. Though, both can be utilized in the army operations but the latter is the best fit and can also be utilized in humanitarian aid as well.
Does Mercedes manufacture trucks in all categories?
Yes, Mercedes manufacture trucks in most categories, making a mark in construction, long distance and logistics fields.
Who owns the Mercedes trucks?
Daimler Truck Holding AG is the major individual shareholder of the Mercedes truck business.
Bottom Line
Mercedes is not only making a mark as a luxurious car brand, but it also makes headlines with trucks of several sizes, designs, and technical features. The trucks of each category deliver construction materials, cargo, refrigerators, and dump trucks, and are utilized in the municipalities.
When looking to purchase the right truck, its trucker needs to have an idea about its purpose, engine technical data, electric, hybrid, or diesel. Moreover, several other options need proper consideration, including space, comfort, cockpit, braking system, electronics and much more.
The price and environmental protection legislation are the key factor as well, in deciding whether you opt for the used or new models. Used models are cheap but they don’t offer a great deal of MPG as compared to the new models and for all the right reasons. The Turboo Cruisers are the leaders in making reviews about the vehicles to assist its readers in making the right move about picking the vehicle of their choice. Stay tuned with Turboo Cruisers to learn more info!