Keeping it in the family

Not only does Paul drive a prestigious Mercedes-Benz Actros Edition 1, but his wife Kelly also grew up in the trucking industry, since her father – the late ‘Bunny’ – was also a trucker. As if that’s not enough, Paul and Kelly’s sons recently began their trucking careers, and their daughters also have an ambition to drive trucks in the future. Even their dog likes to relax in the Edition 1 cab at times!

When one becomes two.

McCloys currently has four Mercedes-Benz Actros units within its fleet, including two EDITION 1 models. These reliable workhorses are frequently called upon to carry country gear up and down the nation, including accessories for clay pigeon shooting, which are imported from overseas.

Together with his colleagues, Paul transports this stock throughout the UK. Since most shooting ranges are off-road, he needs a truck he can rely on to navigate challenging terrain and provide the kind of stable handling that is required.

Speaking about why the company chose the EDITION 1 model, Bristow said: “The company went for them because they had heard good things about Mercedes-Benz Trucks and of their capabilities – when we are heavy, we are right on the limit. The EDITION 1 can more than handle itself on challenging terrain, tugging freight off road.

“It offers great horsepower but with a good fuel economy too. I do a regular delivery in Scotland and it’s literally up a hill with very tight bends. The EDITION 1 gets up with no problems at all. Sometimes you need the extra power.

“Even the 630’s fuel economy is good when pulling 44 tonnes. And they look good because ‘image is everything.”

 - Paul Bristow, McCloys

Caught on cameras.

A particularly attractive feature of the Actros EDITION 1 is MirrorCam. Instead of conventional inside rear-view mirrors, the innovative, aerodynamically designed MirrorCam saves fuel and offers improved visibility to the rear and in the area of the A-pillar.

“Once you choose MirrorCam, there’s no going back,” Paul explains. “It is a bit of an adjustment to go from mirrors to cameras, but you quickly realise the benefits; particularly when reversing. It offers you the normal reversing view, but also a wider length view so that you can follow the back of the trailer as you reverse.

“The EDITION 1 is fantastic for reversing. We go on a lot of shooting grounds on tight little country lanes – where most trucks just cannot handle themselves. The EDITION 1 is different.”

Caring for the star attraction.

Paul is so taken with his EDITION 1 that his wife Kelly, jokes that it gets more attention than she does.

“He loves this truck,” she says. “He’s always cleaning it – sometimes I feel like it gets more attention than I do! It does look the part – it’s a really attractive truck and you can tell why their drivers and owners take such good care of them.”

“When I’m parked up, I like to give her some attention,” Paul continues, referring to the truck. “I probably spend two hours a day cleaning her. I look after the body work, the metalwork and the chrome finishing. I like to keep it as clean as I possibly can. Sometimes I probably go a bit over the top!”

Challenge accepted!

Paul is so smitten with his EDITION 1, he’s been eyeing up the EDITION 2 for quite some time. The EDITION 2 builds on design elements from the Actros EDITION 1 and has up to 40 additional options for the vehicle’s interior and exterior, setting it apart from other models in the Actros range.

Inside the cab, the dashboard and door handles are covered in nappa leather, while other elements have a carbon-fibre look, and the roof hatch features ambient lighting. The top bunk comes with bedding and is 900 mm wide, with an all-around curtain to ensure privacy.

On the outside, there are exclusive side wall decals with a star pattern, Edition 2 lettering in the lacquered sun visor, the Actros emblem in front, Actros lettering on the upper side of the cab’s back wall, as well as four additional LED spotlights in the sun visor and three LED working lights behind the cab. The entrance steps and rear axle caps, with protective wheel nut caps, are made from stainless steel.

“I’d love an EDITION 2,” says Bristow. Mercedes-Benz’s limited-edition trucks really are prestigious – they both look the part and are reliable in operation.”

What about electric?

“I don’t know about electric,” Bristow admits. “I guess one day that will be the future but with the routes I travel and the freight I pull, I still have some questions.”

As he would say, challenge accepted! We may get him behind the wheel of an eActros yet!

A new era...

It’s clear that our Edition 1 and Edition 2 trucks have been a hit with drivers and businesses alike.

Unveiled at the IAA Transportation event last month, the latest issue to the limited-edition range, the Actros L Edition 3 offers drivers incredible comfort, premium design features, and enhanced safety technology.

The Actros L Edition 3 is limited to just 400 global units, with just an exclusive number reaching the UK.

Are you a Mercedes-Benz truck driver?

Does your company have an incredible story? Tell your story in the comments and below and you could be the star of our next RoadStars article.