So delighted was Draintech Tankers with its first two Mercedes-Benz Arocs tankers, it has ordered another couple. 

The Andover-based operator previously acquired its trucks from two other manufacturers.

However, in the face of soaring demand from customers, director Robert Simpson last year had a look at operations. 

For example, he main aim was to reduce truck downtime.

Therefore, it made sense to look to the closest dealer to Draintech Tankers, which was Marshall Truck & Van, also in Andover.

In contrast, the nearest agent for the other manufactuers were 20 and 10 miles away, respectively.

First impressions were a big factor for Simpson.

“I could see immediately that [Arocs] was a quality product,” he said. 

“Furthermore, Marshall Truck & Van’s proximity to us was a big attraction.

“On this basis, I was very happy to order our first Mercedes-Benz vehicles.”

 Draintech Tankers specialises in emptying septic tanks, cesspits and sewage treatment plants, for customers in west Hampshire. 

It also provides a variety of associated services for example, high-pressure jetting and drain unblocking.

In other words, the new fleet additions at Draintech Tankers had to fit the bill in terms of onboard equipment.

As a result, the two vehicles that entered service last autumn both have stainless steel vacuum tanks by VJ Engineering, of Rugby. 

In addition, each is also equipped with a Jurop RV520 hydraulic drain pump and washdown jetting system.

 One is an 8×4 Arocs 3248 with 12.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine producing 476hp. 

The other, a 6×2 Arocs 2542 variant, is powered by a 421hp version of the same engine. 

“Having commissioned our first Arocs in September, we had no hesitation in returning to order a pair of identical chassis,” said Simpson.

 The new trucks are scheduled for delivery in the autumn and will join five other trucks on the fleet.