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BG Archive – HET Heavy Equipment Trailer – DAF Tropco System

Note: The Tropco was an interim system leased from the Netherlands. This page is intended to provide background for the CF Doll HET.

Tropco - Broshuis heavy-duty transport trailer with DAF tractor

A pair of KL Tropcos in Uruzgan - Robert van Roosmalen Heavy Equipment Trailer – Canada Leases Dutch Army Tropco Systems for use in Afghanistan
CF HLVW tractor/low-boy combo being loaded - DND In 2007, Canadian Forces in Kandahar had the Leopard C2 tanks deployed and new Leopard 2A6Ms due to arrive. Neither tank type could be moved with the existing CF 'low-boy' trailer. Fortunately, the Dutch Army in neighbouring Uruzgan had Tropcos available – a transporter system specifically designed for the 65 tonne Leopard 2. [1] Sent to Afghanistan to haul 55 t SP howtizers, Tropcos could be spared for CF use.

KL Tropco 480 in Afghanistan - Robert van Roosmalen KL Tropco on the move in Afghanistan - Defensie photo The Koninklijke Landmacht has two variants of Tropco, the 480 (left) with a 4-axle trailer and the 530 (below) with a 7-axle. The Canadian Forces leased the latter from the Dutch. Both systems use DAF XF95 tractors (albeit with different drivetrains, the model numbers showing engine power). The Tropco DAF tractor and the Broshuis trailer used in Kandahar are covered separately.

New CF AHSVS on the road in Afghanistan - DND/CF Trekkeropleggercombinatie to Armoured Heavy Support Vehicle
The Tropco lease was a temporary solution to a CF capabilities gap. With the arrival of new CF AHSVS tractor and their seven-axle Doll trailer, the leased Tropcos could be returned to their rightful owners. AHSVS tractor for new 7-axle Doll trailer - CASR By all accounts, the new AHSVS transporters are excellent machines. One wonders, though, if the borrowed Tropcos were considered for AHSVS.

[1] Tropco, a contraction of trekkeropleggercombinatie (or tractor/semi-trailer combination) was a €58.4M project for the Dutch Ministry of Defence. Defensie wanted a commercial 6 x 6 tractor truck to simplify support. DAF Trucks won the contract in late 2002. With partners Broshuis BV and Plasan Sasa, prototypes were prepared in mid-2003, pre-series Tropcos in early 2004, production deliveries in April 2005.