The business of buying a new truck is not as simple as it sounds. Indeed, one does not start out by choosing an engine, as one would with a car, but with the chassis. Thus, a truck with two axles, one of which is driven, is known as a '4x2'. First the total amount of wheels, then the amount of driven wheels, whereby twin-wheels are counted as a single wheel. Sometimes the number of steered wheels can also be indicated after a slash at the end, not however, if it is obvious, as in the case of a '4x2'.

You can't decide whether to chose a 'Long-Nose' (front-mounted engine), or a COE (Cab Over Engine) with an underfloor-engine (engine behind the cab, in the frame)? Your favourite in Europe, would have to be the COE, and in the USA e.g., the 'Long-Nose'.

Comparing the expenses to those incurred by your normal motor car is interesting. Let's assume, that a heavy-duty truck was purchased for long distance haulage some years ago. €100.000 would have been the price of the towing vehicle alone. Please take note, that this price is without VAT.

Calculating the amount of days in a year (excluding Saturdays and Sundays), we have about 260 usable days left over. Due to public holidays and inspection/servicing periods, the usable time is reduced by a further approx. 20 days, so, after all's said and done, we only have 240 days of use.

If the truck does about 150.000 kms per year, i.e., 625 kms per day and not always being able to exploit the full 9 hours/day running time, the average speed would be just under 70 km/h. Thus, more than likely, it would only manage 140.000 kms because loading, unloading, clearance-times and tailbacks must also be taken into consideration.

To keep it simple, let's reckon with one set of tyres per annum. We'll disregard the complexities of winter or all-weather tyres for the moment. Did you know, by the way, that the full comprehensive-/third party liability insurance is around ten times as much as the road-tax, and that together, they amount to almost €10.000 per year?

You can assume the same amount again for service- and repair costs. The calculation of the fuel consumption and the fuel costs is difficult. Somewhere between 30, possibly nearer 35 liters/100 km, at a cost of €1,20 per liter (again without VAT), must be assumed.

All in all, one can assume, without taking the trailer in consideration, that the towing vehicle is responsible, per year, for expenses amounting to almost the same as it's original purchase price. At least half of these costs are for fuel. The rest is made up of tyres (3%), tax and insurance (10%), service/repairs (10%), sundries (5%) and interest and amortization (the rest). By the way, as far as cost-accounting is concerned, a new truck is on the cards after only six years of use. 03/12