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Horsepower Is King For First Condor Delivery

1st December 2011

Horsepower is king for the first of the all-new UD Trucks Condor series trucks to hit the roads of Australia, with the delivery of an MK 11 280 to the Queensland city of Toowoomba.


With the all new UD Trucks engine pumping out 275 horsepower, the cargo has significantly less grunt, with the father and son duo of Brian and Grant Carroll using the rig to tow a 34 foot trailer containing up to four prize polocrosse horses.


For Brian, the managing director of Carroll Truck Sales, the move to the new model was a logical choice, with the vehicle replacing his previous 2007 model MK 265.


The primary driver for the outfit will be his son Grant, who is a current Queensland polocrosse representative.


"I've done a lot of homework, I knew what we wanted, we were really sweating on this truck to arrive, and it's been worth the wait," Brian said.


"I honestly can't fault it; I'm pretty critical of trucks, and very particular about how we spec our own trucks, but it's perfect.


"Really, it's my son's truck. He's 18 years old, and I feel much better with him driving the UD rather than driving a car with a trailer attached.


"When you're pulling the trailer, you need horsepower, and the new truck has that, as well as a fantastic ride and safety features.


"I love the seating position in the new truck, the instruments, the visibility and the comfort are all spot on."


The Carroll family's previous UD outfit was acquired off fellow polocrosse enthusiast Bruce Allison, who has also recently taken delivery of his own Condor series vehicle, which is in the process of being fitted with its own gooseneck body. 


The truck and trailer set up is very well thought out, with the rig a virtual home away from home. Immediately behind the cabin of the truck is a feed and general store room, with the truck body containing lockers, storage for a portable horse pen, as well as a storage space for a pop-up marquee, a fridge and BBQ facilities, all of which have been transplanted from the previous truck.


The 34 foot long trailer starts with the living quarters, with a fully functioning kitchenette and living area complimented by a separate bedroom area. Out the back of the combination is area for four horses to travel in comfort. On the road, life is made easy with the use of a portable generator, which sits in its own dedicated storage space in the trailer.


Another important factor in keeping the horses fresh for polocrosse competition is the ride of the truck, with air suspension the preference on the short wheel base model MK.


"The ride is a very big thing, the horses get a very comfortable ride with the air suspension, which is very important," Brian said.


With the truck the first landed in the country, new accessories are constantly being attached to the truck as they become available, with a bullbar and driving lights the latest additions, with the cab interior already featuring fitted seat covers and a CB radio.


So impressed are the Carroll's with their milestone acquisition, they have already purchased a second Condor series truck, a longer wheel base model with a full body fitted, for use on the family's cattle farm. Brian Carroll sums up his feels on the Conodor.


"My own road car is a Porsche Cayenne, and I love the UD just as much, you can't beat the horsepower."