New Renault C280 grab lorry joins AJ Champion & Sons

Supplied by Elliot Tratt at Sparks Commercial Services, AJ Champion & Sons has taken delivery of a new Renault Trucks C280. Complete with a Palfinger alloy dropside body and a front-mounted PK 11.001 SLD 3 Palfinger Solid Range crane, the truck will be put to work delivering blocks, dumpy bags, and other construction materials across Bath, Bristol and the surrounding areas.

Transport manager, Elaine Champion, said: “Our long-standing relationship with Renault Trucks and Sparks is built on reliability, trust and excellent support, ensuring that running our fleet remains a smooth and efficient process. This Renault C is the ideal choice for our operations, offering the perfect balance of performance and accessibility.”

The new truck can lift up to 5.7 tonnes and reach 5.6m. To improve stability and safety, AJ Champion went for parabolic rear suspension and four-point cab air suspension with ride height control. VRU safety has been prioritised with a lower window in the passenger door. Additional features include Alcoa Dura-Bright alloy wheels and roof-mounted twin air horns. 

“The new C280 doesn’t just work hard - it looks the part too. We’ve chosen these optional extras because the driver enjoys taking the vehicle to truck shows and takes great pride in his work. His feedback has been overwhelmingly positive; he loves driving the C280 and has noticed significant improvements over the previous model,” Champion said.

AJ Champion runs an exclusively Renault fleet featuring a 26- and 18-tonne grab lorries, 8-wheel tippers, a 44-tonne tractor unit and a recovery van. The company has been working with Sparks Commercials since 2013 when it introduced two Renault Premium 8x4 tippers. 

 Champion added: “The service from Sparks Commercials and Elliot is excellent—whether it’s ordering a new truck, making changes to specifications, or handling parts queries, nothing is ever too much trouble. With a total of 22 Renault Trucks now in operation, we continue to benefit from the durability and dependability of the brand, ensuring our fleet is well-equipped to meet the demands of the construction sector.”

Renault Trucks will be exhibiting at Road Transport Expo 2025, which takes place at NAEC Stoneleigh between 24-26 June. It’s free to attend and registrations are now open.