If a mainstream truck maker doesn’t build a vehicle that can take full advantage of the existing legislation, you’ll have to ask a customizer to help you out. And then I’m not even talking about a special interior, paint job or a pair of stacks.
A specific segment of the Dutch heavy truck market is too much of a niche for the globally operating manufacturers. The market is simply too small for the big players to be of any commercial interest, so the demand -taking full advantage of the existing legislation- is met by local specialists.
One of those specialists is Ginaf. The starting point for the creation of Desperado was a DAF factory 8×4 chassis. This dump truck features the cab of DAF’s top model, the XF-series, which is quite unique. Usually, modern-era Ginafs have a CF-series day cab; the CF is DAF’s mid-sizer.
Ginaf (Van Ginkel’s Automobiel Fabriek) builds all kinds of special vehicles, their on-/off-road trucks are fully based on rolling DAF chassis.
Powered by DAF-PACCAR, more specifically, the 12.9 liter MX-13 engine. Its maximum power output is 530 DIN-hp. Certainly not overpowered, as the Ginaf frequently tows a drawbar trailer with an asphalt paver on its bed.
Now to meeting the Dutch demands: a higher GVM rating, combined with improved maneuverability. Regarding the weight, Ginaf’s chassis conversion resulted in an increase of the legal maximum GVM from 39 to a staggering 43 metric tons (94,800 lbs).
To put things into perspective, the maximum GVM of a trans-European big rig (either a truck and trailer or a tractor and semi-trailer) with 5 axles is 40 metric tons (88,185 lbs).
A standard factory tandem, regardless the truck maker, is rated at a total maximum axle load of 19 metric tons. Ginaf increases the axle spacing, which leads to 2 separate drive axles with an axle load of 11.5 metric tons each. So that’s that, 4 metric tons extra GVM.
The company also converted the rearmost drive axle into a steering drive axle by installing electronically controlled, hydraulic cylinders. Above a speed of 45 km/h, the steering system is automatically deactivated. There you go, improved maneuverability.
The front steering axles are rated at a maximum axle load of 10 metric tons each, DAF offers them as factory products.
The dump bed’s underside and the truck’s auxiliary frame, sprayed in the same shade of yellow. Just one of the finishing touches.
Here’s another finishing touch. The letters WD are the initials for Willem Diepeveen, the owner-operator. I bet you didn’t notice the letters at first sight.
Mr. Diepeveen’s former Desperado, a 2007 Ginaf X 4241 S (410 DIN-hp, 41 metric tons GVM, DAF CF-series day cab).
I took these pictures in May 2017, back then the truck was almost 10 years old. It must take a lot of dedication to keep your machines in such a spotless condition, given the work they have to do. Well done WD!
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Wow, I have never seen a 10 year old working truck that looks that good, let alone one that carries asphalt for a living. There is a big asphalt plant in my general viscinity and its light aqua trucks are splattered all over with black gooey stuff.
All the concrete pumps in California are that clean. By law, they have to be. There again, every single one of them has their own oilier (person who’s only job is to care for the pump) and speaking as someone who used to clean them… That’s an insane amount of work.
Also, this might sound a bit cynical, because I don’t know how their yard is run, but of course his truck looks that good. If it’s the owner’s truck, it had BETTER be clean enough to eat off. In my experience, specially painted rigs like that almost never go out, and if they do, it’s only for super important, high profile jobs that will show the company in the best light. It’s a PR thing. After the job is done it gets scrubbed spotless and the older, more beat up rigs are the ones that do the actual day to day work.
It goes out alright. Daily. Every job. No PR thing, actual day to day work.
WD drives for the Avema road construction company (the name on the dump bed).
I stand corrected! Thanks. While I’d hate to be the guy cleaning it, it’s certainly pretty.
That’s extremely impressive. I had to go back and read that twice because I didn’t believe it was actually a 10-year-old truck. Beautiful trucks here!
A spray with the right solvent and a hot water blaster takes tar off really easily, Ive had plenty of practice making a truck yellow again after tarseal cutting work. Nice looking unit.
What a handsome truck! I’d love to see before, during work, and afterwards being cleaned. What a process that must be! 🙄 👍
Another great find Johannes – that truck is a beauty…Jim.