DFAC Trucks Australia is expanding the local accessory offering for its Captain 45, confirming an Australian-designed and manufactured bullbar and a 3.5-tonne towbar aimed at operators that need additional protection and towing capability.
The company has partnered with Whitlock Bull Bars to develop a factory-approved bullbar specifically for the 4.5-tonne Captain 45. The locally manufactured unit is ADR compliant and has been designed to integrate with the truck’s onboard safety systems rather than being treated as an aftermarket add-on.
For fleet operators, that integration is particularly important as light trucks adopt more passenger-vehicle-style active safety technology. Adding frontal protection can become more complicated when vehicles are equipped with airbags, cameras, sensors and driver assistance systems.
“Bull bars are demanded by many truck customers in Australia and DFAC has ensured that this crucial option is available for the Captain 45,” said DFAC Trucks Australia Business and Network Development Manager Nathan James.
“The Whitlock bar was specifically designed to integrate with the vehicle and meets all the truck protection requirements as well as being fully airbag compliant.”
Whitlock has more than 30 years of experience and will manufacture the DFAC bullbar in Australia using locally sourced materials. DFAC says the design has also been developed with installation and ongoing maintenance in mind, backed by nationwide support and a lifetime manufacturing warranty.
3.5-tonne towing option added
At the rear, DFAC has worked with X-Country on a 3.5-tonne towbar developed specifically for the Captain 45.
The towbar carries a chassis-matched seven-year/250,000km warranty and uses a plug-and-play wiring harness designed to integrate with the truck’s electrical systems.
“On top of its 4.5-tonne GVM the all-new DFAC Captain 45 has a tow rating of 3.5-tonnes, and the towbar from X-Country meets the needs of what operators expect,” James said.
“We have worked with X-Country to make sure that the wiring harness integrates directly to the DFAC systems to once again ensure safety and easy installation.”
The availability of manufacturer-approved towing equipment should be relevant to councils, trades, service fleets and owner-drivers where trailers form part of the vehicle’s normal operating role.
Captain 45 targets the car-licence truck market
The Captain 45 is powered by a 2.5-litre turbo-diesel Cummins engine producing 121kW and 400Nm.
It has a 4.5-tonne GVM allowing it to be driven on a car licence, while operators with an LR licence can specify a six-tonne GVM configuration. The truck uses a 3300mm wheelbase.
Standard safety equipment includes driver and passenger airbags, autonomous emergency braking, lane-keep assist, a reversing camera, parking sensor and cruise control. Smartphone integration is provided through a 13-inch infotainment display.
The Captain 45 is available as a cab chassis or tray-bodied model, with pricing from $59,990 drive-away.
DFAC is distributed in Australia by KRW Motor Group, which is developing a network of dealerships and additional service centres around the country.
Importantly, the Australian accessory development will not stop with the Captain 45. DFAC says both Whitlock Bull Bars and X-Country will develop approved systems for future medium- and heavy-duty models as the brand expands its Australian truck range.
For fleets considering a relatively new truck brand, locally engineered accessories and integration with vehicle safety systems are more than cosmetic additions. They can simplify specification, reduce the risks associated with aftermarket modification and help ensure vehicles arrive ready for the applications they will perform from day one.
