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Like many New Zealand trucking companies, Hilton Haulage Transport Ltd, was built by men who did the hard yards and had a genuine passion for the industry.

The company was formed by Sid McAuley and Angus Murray 50 years ago and was originally known as Hilton Haulage Ltd. In 1977 the two business partners purchased their first new truck – a Mercedes-Benz 1924 – which was re-purchased and restored in 2010.

These days the company is known as Hilton Haulage Transport Ltd and the Mercedes-Benz marque still features prominently in day-to-day operations.

Recently, company driver, Erik Crosse was handed the keys to a new Mercedes-Benz Actros 5, 2663 LS/35 (6x4) tractor unit which has been paired with a Fruehauf 7-axle PSK flat deck B-train.

“I was born with diesel in the blood with both my dad and grandad driving trucks. I got my class 2 licence in 2011, but the wheels started turning for me in 2013,” Erik says.

Having worked his way up through his licences in different aspects of the industry, Erik joined Hilton Haulage in March 2021 and has been there since, enjoying the flat deck work on various units in the fleet.

Originally Erik wanted a Kenworth, but the big Mercedes-Benz has already changed his mind. 

“I’m blown away with how it turned out. It’s just so clean and has a big road presence,” Erik says.

The Actros is powered with a Mercedes-Benz OM473 16-litre Euro 6 engine developing 630hp at 1600rpm with 3000Nm torque from 1100rpm, driving to the Mercedes Powershift Advance G330 12-speed automated manual transmission.

“She’s a hundred horsepower more than my last Merc which helps a lot when I’m cruising all over the country,” says Erik.

“It keeps getting better with every kilometre travelled. Spending its first few weeks running the Napier-Taupo Road really opened my eyes. The torque band is great, and it pulls from low down all the way through the range.”

Built to meet Euro 6 emissions standards, the truck is perfectly set up to handle New Zealand’s demanding terrain as the unit will be crossing over the Cook Strait regularly.

“The first time putting the unit on the boat was pretty nerve racking with it being a new set up, but it actually turns around in one swing,” Erik says.

“The Mercedes-Benz electric steering helps a lot and the rear steer axle on the front trailer makes the rear trailer track perfectly, so it does cut in which helps in the confined space of the boat.”

The Stream Space cab is equipped with cruise control and a speed limiter, a safety package which includes proximity control, brake assist 5, stability control and driver’s airbag. Driver comfort is of the utmost importance, so the suspension leather driver and passenger seats make the ride second to none. 

Other features of the cab are an electric sliding glass sunroof, a double bunk with a pull-out fridge underneath, heated and electric rear-view mirrors, an upgraded sound system, an interactive multimedia system with navigation and Bluetooth, automatic rain and light sensors, LED headlights, LED day runners and cornering lights along with a Styleline cab interior with a chrome finish.

Following close behind the Mercedes-Benz is an impressive 7-axle PSK flat deck B-train built by the team at Fruehauf NZ. The lead unit is 12.2 metres long and the rear unit has a 6.1 metre deck. Both decks are fitted with container beams to support 40-foot, two x 20 foot and heavy 20-foot containers for the front and 20-foot containers for the rear trailer.

The B-train has SAF 19.5-inched disc braked axles (three fixed and one steer on the front and three fixed on the rear) with Alcoa Dura-bright wheels which have a Wabco brake and smartboard system attached. Hella LED side and tail lights adorn the entire length of the B-train. Both units have Jost landing legs along with headboards, stanchions, a toolbox, racks and storage.

“I couldn’t be happier with the trailer set up, they just fit the tractor unit perfectly and are just so versatile,” Erik says.

“Every day is different and it means I’m always busy. I’ve been carting a fair bit since hitting the road in the new rig – 12-metre plastic pipes, mixed freight loads, a few containers, steel mesh and a couple of pieces of machinery from time to time.

“Hilton Haulage Transport Limited has come a long way since I did work experience there as a schoolboy way back in 1987, you can still see the same values are there, except now they’re not `Carrying Canterbury’s Future’ they’re `Carrying New Zealand’s Future’.”