DAF Trucks for Sale (995)

Why Buy a DAF Truck?

The most important part of the mix is the truck itself.  DAF spend their R&D money wisely – they have not thrown money away on developing brand new cabs – they are essentially just square boxes.  The XF cab, for example originates back in 1987!

What they do is work on realistic improvements to their driveline and aerodynamics.  They are rarely first to market with a brand-new invention, but when they bring new technology on board, operators can be confident that it will work.

Who Owns DAF Trucks?

DAF is owned by American Fortune 200 corporation, PACCAR.  They sell plenty of trucks under their other brands worldwide as well, including Kenworth and Peterbilt.

This is a company that has NEVER made a loss in 80 year trading history and has brought DAF back from near extinction in the late 1990’s to become a European truck manufacturing powerhouse.

Brief DAF History

DAF is a Dutch company, founded back in 1928 and has made buses, cars and trucks over the years.  There were plenty of ups and downs, but after the low point of bankruptcy in 1996 after a failed run with the UK’s Leyland (remember Leyland DAF trucks?).

Since this time, the business has thrived with a straightforward range of three cabs, but thousands of variants – lengths, weights, axle configurations and driveline choices.

Even during the 2020 Covid pandemic the company managed to increase market share in the UK.

DAF Trucks Model Overview

DAF LF

DAF’s lightweight truck from 7.5 tonnes to 18 tonnes GVW.  The smaller models can be driven on a car licence (if the driver is old enough to have Granddad’s rights…) The LF shares a cab with the Renault Midlum/ Range D – in fact, the DAF LF cab is made in the Renault factory in France.  Assembly takes place in Leyland in the UK for our right hand drive models.

Older pre-Euro 6 models in the LF range had an extra set of numbers in the model, so a 7.5 tonne LF prior to 2014 would have been called an LF45.180 instead of simply LF180 as they are today.

In addition to the LF45 there was the LF55 which used the same cab, but the larger engine and went from over 12 tonnes to 18 tonnes GVW. Read more about the LF and its variants on the DAF LF Pages.

DAF CF

The mid-range cab which is used mainly for local distribution but can also be configured as a sleeper cabbed tractor unit with a high roof for distance haulage.  The CF is a favourite with tipper operators thanks to the reliability and payloads that are available when configured as an eight wheeler.

Prior to the introduction of the Euro 6 range in 2014, the CF had additional numbers in the model (an easy way to tell if the truck you are looking at meets the Euro 6 standard). Prior to 2014 you would be buying a CF65.220 instead of a CF220.  There were also CF75 and CF85 variants.  These extra numbers originally determined the engine sizes, but with the simplification of the ranges of engines, this has no longer become necessary.

DAF XF

The largest truck cab in the DAF range – usually seen on UK roads in tractor unit guise, the XF cab originally started out in the DAF 95 back in the 1990’s – although you would never realise it from the modern look of today’s 44-tonne tractor units.

As with the smaller cabbed models, the XF had a name change for the Euro 6 (new shape) versions in 2014.  Prior to this, the XF105 was the main model number – giving you an XF105.460 that was replaced by a more simple XF460.

The XF now has a choice of Space cab and Super Space cab (high roof sleeper version). You can read more about these models on our dedicated DAF XF pages.

A brand new cab for the XF in 2021 and new driveline as a major upgrade. This puts the XF behind the new XG in the model range.

DAF XG

Launched in the UK towards the end of 2021 the XG uses the new ‘large’ cab that replaces the ageing XF (pre-2021 model). DAF were the first manufacturer to take advantage of the regulation changes governing overall vehicle length. As a result, the new XG cab is much larger than any available on the market at the time.

Launched with changes to the drivetrain and an optional mirror camera system, the XG was pricier than the XF that it superseded.

DAF XG +

The XG+ (or XG Plus) is the top of the range version of the XG and has a larger still cab. All driveline choices are the same as the XG – it is simply a bigger cab.

How did DAF get on in Lockdown Year 2020?

Here’s DAF’s corporate video for 2020 highlighting the challenges and the successes.

Explaining the DAF Axle Configuration Naming

Have you ever wondered why you can have a FAT, FAG, FAR, FAN, FAX and FAT DAF truck? In addition to the model groups, such as the LF, CF and XF, DAF have a naming convention for the axle configuration.

It’s not all as straightforward as just a 6×2.  How do we know where the extra axle is? Does this axle steer? Below is the handy guide with images produced by DAF to explain the differences.

DAF Rigid Chassis Axle Configuration Naming

FA

Can’t be easier – that’s a standard 4×2 rigid – available across the whole range from LF to XF.

FAR

Now it’s getting trickier – a 6×2 with a non-steering rear non-drive axle with single wheels. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges.

FAS

Here’s a mouthful – a 6×2 with a non-steering rear non-drive axle with double wheels at the rear. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges.

FAG

Still on the 6×2 but with a mid-mounted steering, non-drive axle with single wheels. Only available on the MX-11 versions of the CF range.

FAN

This is a 6×2 with a rear-mounted steering single axle, single wheels. Available across the whole CF & XF ranges.

FAT

The FAT boy is a traditional 6×4 double drive.  That’s easy. Available on the larger-engined CF and all XF trucks.

FAK

The FAK is an 8×2 in ‘Tridem’ configuration with three rear axles with the middle one of the three driven, the rear one non-steering with double wheels and the front one a single steering axle.

FAQ

Not so frequently asked – another 8×2 ‘Tridem’. This time a central driven axle surrounded by two steering, single wheel axles. Only available on CF range with the MX-11 and MX-13 engines.

FAC

More traditional now – an 8×2 with two forward steering axles – at the rear a driven axle followed by a non-steering twin wheel non-drive axle.

FAX

The last of the 8×2 – again two forward steering axles – at the rear a drive axle followed by a steering, single wheel axle. Only available on CF range with the MX-11 and MX-13 engines.

FAD

The only 8×4 format – old school with two front steering axles and two rear drive axles. Available on the larger-engined CF and all XF trucks.

DAF Tractor Unit Axle Configuration Naming

Whilst the DAF rigids all start with FA – the tractor units all start with FT (Forward control Tractor unit).

There are fewer options but can still get tricky!

FT

Just a straightforward 4×2 – available across the range from LF to XF

FTP

This is a 6×2 midlift, but the mid axle is smaller and does not steer. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTR

A 6×2 rear lift with a standard sized, non steering rear axle. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTS

A 10-tyre 6×2 two sets of double wheels with the first set driven. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTG

Probably the most common of all, a 6×2 tractor unit with midlift steering axle. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTN

A 6×2 tractor unit with a steering rear axle with single wheels. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTT

A straightforward 6×4 double drive tractor unit. Available on CF and XF ranges.

FTM

The big guns.  An 8×4 tractor unit with a Tridem configuration, rear two axles both driving and first axle a single, steering one.