Autocar, a name synonymous with rugged, specialized heavy-duty trucks, is making a significant impact on the vocational trucking industry with its new DC model. Building on a legacy that began in 1899, Autocar has crafted a conventional truck designed to meet the demanding needs of severe-duty vocational fleets across various sectors, including construction, utility, and refuse.
The brand’s history is deeply rooted in building tough, reliable vehicles. After being acquired by White Trucks in 1953 and later becoming part of Volvo, the Autocar brand was revived in 2000 by Grand Vehicle Works Holdings. This new iteration, Autocar LLC, returned to its core mission: purpose-building severe-service trucks. While initially focusing on the refuse market and developing yard tractors, Autocar captured wider industry attention in 2019 with the unveiling of its new DC Class 8 truck, blending modern aesthetics with vintage styling cues.
A Business Investment Engineered for Durability
Autocar’s engineering philosophy for the DC model is centered on functionality and long-term value. Bruce Mochrie, business development specialist for construction at Autocar, emphasizes that the trucks are viewed by customers as significant business investments, expected to provide reliable service for many years beyond the typical five-year turnover.
This commitment to longevity and reliability is evident in the manufacturing process at Autocar’s Birmingham, Alabama, plant. Unlike typical mass-production facilities, Autocar employs a hand-built approach, with workers dedicating ample time to construct, test, and validate each vehicle. This meticulous process prioritizes quality over speed. Sensible design choices, such as a long-life aluminum coolant reservoir, color-coded wiring for easy identification, readily replaceable coolant hoses, and accessible fluid check points, all contribute to the truck’s durability and ease of maintenance.
Inside the Autocar DC Cab: Visibility and Smart Technology
The interior of the Autocar DC cab is designed to enhance driver comfort and operational efficiency. The DC-64D dump truck driven for this review featured a striking patriotic paint scheme and was spec’d to showcase Autocar’s capabilities in custom vocational truck building.
A key feature is the expansive glass enclosure, which includes a wrap-around windshield and rear-quarter windows, providing drivers with an exceptional 325-degree field of view. This design floods the cab with natural light and significantly boosts safety by improving situational awareness.
While the dashboard might evoke a retro feel with its large steering wheel and accents, it incorporates advanced technology. The centerpiece is Autocar’s proprietary Smart Display, a 7-inch screen that delivers real-time performance and health information. Crucially, this system also provides technicians with diagnostic data and in-cab access to service, body builder, and operator manuals, streamlining repairs. The intuitive interface is customizable, offering a distraction-free mode for drivers while ensuring that critical warnings are prominently displayed to prevent potential damage.
On the Road and Off: A Sure-Footed Performance
The test drive route included a challenging mix of city and highway driving, along with an off-road excursion at a gravel quarry, all set against the backdrop of Birmingham’s hilly terrain. The enhanced visibility from the cab proved immediately beneficial, particularly when merging into traffic.
The truck’s ride quality was notable, remaining smooth and stable even when heavily loaded to 76,000 lbs. The DC exhibited minimal lateral or front-to-back sway during acceleration, steering, and braking, contributing to a confident, sure-footed feel on the road that helps reduce driver fatigue.
On the wet, muddy haul roads at the quarry, the DC demonstrated excellent stability. Its surprisingly tight turning radius, combined with the excellent sight lines, made maneuvering and aligning with the loading equipment a straightforward task.
The 500-hp Cummins X12 diesel engine, paired with the Allison 4500 RDS Series automatic transmission, provided robust performance. The loaded truck accelerated effectively, handled highway driving with ease, and maintained a steady 35 mph on the steepest grades encountered during the return drive to the Autocar factory.
Conclusion: A Blend of Toughness and Technology
The Autocar DC is a testament to the brand’s enduring reputation for building tough, no-nonsense work vehicles. It successfully integrates modern technology and comfort in appropriate measures, enhancing both safety and performance. From its Smart Display and steel cab construction to its robust 160,000-PSI frame rails, every component is engineered for maximum uptime and efficiency. This thoughtful combination of advanced technology and rugged construction honors Autocar’s legacy of quality and durability in the demanding vocational truck market.
The DC64 is designed for ease of maintenance, with features like centralized air tank drains.
Specifications:
- Model: Autocar DC-64DVOC Class 8 Vocational Truck
- GVWR: 79,500 lbs.
- Body: R/S Godwin SCS, 14-Degree Asphalt Taper, 3/16 AR450 Hardox, Sloped Bulkhead with Man-Door, High-lift Tailgate, Backup Camera
- Engine: Cummins X12 diesel, 500 hp at 1,900 rpm
- Transmission: Allison 4500 RDS Series automatic 6-speed
- Axle ratio: 4:30
- Front suspension: Hendrickson Steertek 20,000 lbs.
- Rear suspension: Hendrickson HMX-460, 46,000 lbs.
- Lift Axle: Pusher Hendrickson Composilite EXS Steerable 13,500 lbs.
- Front brakes: Meritor EX-225 Air Disc
- Rear brakes: Meritor 16.5×7 Q Plus
- Additional Options: Underhood Service Lights, Air Reservoir Drain Central Manifold, 11.25” 160,000KSI 3.9M RBM Single Frame Rails
This article was originally published in the May 2022 issue of Heavy Duty Trucking.