Jim Turner couldn't be happier doing local tipper work in a Kenworth K200.
Jim Turner, who drives for the TRN Group out of Narellan New South Wales, doesn’t mind offering advice on what is the right truck for the job.
Currently driving a Kenworth K200 hauling a set of Muscat Asterion tri-axle stag trailers for the family-owned business, Jim was previously behind the wheel of a Kenworth T408 SAR pulling a set of bogie stag tippers.
When it came time for TRN to introduce the Muscat trailers for its quarry runs, Jim sensed that the business owners were uncertain on which truck model would suit.
“I said they should consider a cab-over as some of the concrete plants they go into are a bit tight,” he says.
Jim was familiar with cab-overs from his time driving for Scarcella Transport.
TRN followed Jim’s advice and introduced a new K200 in 2013. The truck clocks 800km each day, with Jim doing three road trips from Narellan to Marulan and then down to Smeaton Grange.
“It’s the best truck I have ever driven,” he says.
“I was hoping for an Aerodyne but now with the flat roof it lines up nicely with the top of the trailers.
“It looks neat like a complete unit.”
A Cummins E5 set at 615hp lies under the cab, and the rig grosses 68.5 tonnes.
The K200 is the only cab-over in TRN’s fleet, which is a mix of predominantly North American makes including Macks, Western Stars and Kenworths.
TRN began life in 1966 and now employs more than 300 people and operates 40 trucks, with most of the focus on earthmoving and civil works.
With the exception of an air-conditioner cooling leak, Jim says the truck has been trouble free.
“I think I have a dream job,” he adds.
“TRN pay well and I get to drive a K200.”
The Kenworth K200 is the only cab-over model in TRN Group’s fleet of 40 trucks.
You can read Jim Turner’s full story in the February issue of Owner//Driver magazine.
Photography: Peter Schlenk