DAF chassis through and through
We just love DAF chassis; they fit our bespoke Helios horsebox design seamlessly. With the milestone of our 300th DAF horsebox reached, I was so pleased when DAF UK arranged a photo shoot with one of our horseboxes and an interview with a happy customer.
They wrote an excellent blog that is well worth a read in Transport Engineer
We feel it pays to specialise
From 7.5 tonne to 26 tonne Helios horseboxes we only manufacture on the award winning DAF range of trucks. We feel it is beneficial to our customers if we specialise rather than offer a little of everything. Only manufacturing on new or quality used DAF chassis has been one of our best decisions, we even have team members who have worked for DAF so it’s fair to say we know them inside out.
Video of Bill Christie’s HGV DAF LF Helios horsebox
300th DAF horsebox from KPH
Bespoke horsebox manufacturer KPH, delivered its 300th DAF horsebox, a 12-tonne LF with a bespoke Helios body, to horse owner, Bill Christie in Ayrshire. The milestone, which was reached following Kevin’s insistence that from 7.5 tonne to 26 tonne ‘it’s just got to be DAF’, comes after a 20 year history with DAF. Building originally on DAF 45 Series chassis, the Lancashire-based company adopted its single-manufacturer policy following the launch of DAF’s LF chassis in 2001.
Bill Christie’s DAF was the first Euro-6 LF 210 FA 12-tonne to leave the production line and features a KPH ‘Helios’ body.
“The DAF chassis is simply the best on the market,” said Kevin Parker, “we started building on DAF used chassis over 20 years ago and with the introduction of the DAF LF range we moved to 100% DAF. Despite the fact we’re acquiring more and more new DAF chassis, plenty of customers opt for used LFs and CFs as they are as good as new and good value for money.
“We set extremely high quality standards in our workshop,” he said, “Our customers demand nothing less than a flawless finish. That’s why we insist on DAF. The build quality is very high and provides us with the textbook platform on which to create our bespoke horseboxes. It’s so easy to build on them – it’s just got to be DAF. And our customers agree,” he added, “for more and more end-users, DAF has become the badge-of-choice on the front of their horseboxes.”
Straight from the customer
A view echoed by horse-owner Bill Christie in Ayrshire, “My daughter, Jeni, and I absolutely love our new DAF,” he said, “it’s like driving a 28ft. long car. It’s a joy to get behind the wheel. And it looks as good as it drives; Kevin’s done a superb job with the bodywork – inside and out. With four horses on board,” he said, “the 12-tonner offers the ideal combination of payload potential and manoeuvrability.”
Christie’s DAF 12-tonner is stationed at Ingliston Country Club just outside Glasgow. With four horses and 120-litres of water on board, the LF Helios is returning a very respectable 18mpg.
He added, “The automated gearbox is simply fantastic, and down-shifting is so smooth. Coupled with the rear air suspension, the ride is flat and jolt-free. Our horses arrive relaxed and unruffled, and, believe me, that’s a big bonus.”
Kevin Parker Horseboxes employs highly-skilled fitters and technicians, many of whom boast DAF production-line experience at the Leyland Trucks manufacturing plant in Leyland. “Best quality manufacture demands best quality people,” said Kevin “The ex-DAF boys are highly skilled and know their way round the DAF product better than anyone.”
KPH Update
Ending on a very positive note, Bill has now ordered a matching 4.5 tonne Aeos horsebox and its due in build any day now!