Thinking of getting an ex UK AXOR truck for Nairobi Malaba route or Nairobi Mombasa route,what should I look out for and what are the potential returns for a starter?Do I get a flat bed trailer or a tipping one like the one for clinker?

@ mkimwa how are the returns is it advisable to buy a locally used one or buy a new one which models are good eg actros renault scania vw mann

Another option is to source for one locally from an auction, if you don't mind 'profiting from someone else's misery'.
It's advisable that you engage the services of a trusted mechanic during the viewing phase.

Your options will diminish as the years go by.
1. Starting from 2007 models, Mercedes trucks increasingly come in either semi-automatic or fully-automatic gearbox configuration.

2. Strict emissions control standards in Europe imply that Adblue dependent trucks will become common. Luckily, there's plenty of expertise should you need to disable the Adblue system locally. Some dealers in UK also offer to do the same before shipping - at a fee.

Yes, local mechanics currently have challenges with disabling the AdBlue system on Euro 5 (BlueTech 5) trucks. This may change with time.

A semi-automatic Mercedes Benz Axor truck with Electronic Power Shift(EPS) and a clutch pedal offers good balance between Capex and Opex.

I'll keep it very simple for the sake of clarity. Relevant reference links are embedded in the text for further reading.

Euro X Jargon
Through a series of directives, the European Union seeks to cut down on the amount of polluting exhaust emissions. The acceptable limits grow progressively more stringent with time and have binding compliance time-lines. Thus, we talk of :

Standard (Date of Enforcement)
======== ================
Euro 1 (1993)
Euro 2 (1996)
Euro 3 (2000)
Euro 4 (2005)
Euro 5 (2008/9)
Euro 6 (2014)

From the above, you can almost correctly predict the emissions rating of an ex-EU vehicle based on the year of manufacture.

AdBlue Jargon
Two major approaches are employed so as to comply with the emissions standard :

1. Exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) : This is akin to the familiar recycling concept. A portion of an engine's exhaust gas is recirculated back to the engine cylinders.

2. Selective catalytic reduction (SCR): This is simply the breakdown of polluting exhaust elements into less harmful products through chemical reactions. An additional fluid is usually needed for this.

AdBlue, also known as Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), is the common fluid used in SCR trucks.

BlueTEC X Jargon
'BlueTEC' is simply a marketing name used by the Mercedes Benz manufacturer for engines equipped with mechanisms to meet the set emission standards. As such, a BlueTEC 4 truck complies with Euro 4 emission standards.

The 2 businesses I would consider doing in Kenya are: Warehousing and Long distance trucking.

If you are in serious biz of trucking please put your contacts here. Got customers.

Now you mentioned weighbridge. Why should you as a truck driver accept to carry overweight knowing so well that you will not pass the weighbridge?
Isn't the penalty the driver's cost? because he was too greedy to say no to biz?

Am in the same line of bizness trust me ..this trailers ..no returns ...10k net to Champala ..and lucky if u get a return trip haulage..kusumbuana na broker na ma driver( but i have good drivers) better off getting 2 x 4 fighters for short haul distance they make more trips per month & less nonsense of weigh bridges

[quote=gatoho]I have a 1995 Renault Major lying somewhere in Timboroa after I got fed up maybe time to rethink?[/

Gatoho what happened? What got you fed up?

can you share more info on the short haul business..

You need to get in touch with brokers ..they are the ones who give you contracts and contacts..if you have a fleet of 4 ..add 3 with asset financing ..a total of 8 or 7 ..you are set ..you will get good biz..not divulging more:, any1 in this biz knows where them brokers@ sawa