When you operate an interstate line haul company, criss-crossing the country from coast to coast, your drivers need some creature comforts from home. A recent purchase of the DAF XG+ has seen Traction Wise Logistics (TWL) become a true believer.
South Australian start-up Traction Wise Logistics is backing the DAF XG+ to drive its interstate linehaul ambitions, with Operations Manager James O’Callaghan declaring the flagship prime mover a “home away from home” that is already reshaping the company’s bottom line.
Based in Strathalbyn, in the Adelaide Hills, Traction Wise Logistics might only be 18 months old, but it is thinking – and running – big.
Its trucks criss-cross the country from Perth to Cairns, from Far North Queensland to regional Western Australia, hauling specialised freight into some of the nation’s most demanding industrial environments.
“We focus primarily on interstate linehaul and point-to-point freight movements,” says James.
“While Treadwell remains an important foundation client, we also service a growing number of external customers across construction, infrastructure and industrial sectors.
In just a short time, the business is starting to bloom.
“We’ve recently secured new work through the tender process which starts in the coming months. In addition to interstate linehaul, we also have trucks operating locally within South Australia supporting construction and infrastructure projects.” James explains.
While the destinations sound heavy-duty, the freight itself often tells a different story.
“Our product is reinforced fibreglass plastic, which is actually not that heavy,” O’Callaghan says. “We’re hardly ever at our weight limit. Sometimes we’re at 21 tonnes, but the majority of the time we’re 15 to 16 tonnes.”
What it lacks in weight, however, it makes up for in size and complexity. Much of the freight is oversized and bulky, requiring careful planning and capable equipment.
“All of our Treadwell freight is oversized,” he says. “It could be one small pallet, or it could be 12-metre pallets. Our normal stock length might weigh 2.8 tonnes, but it takes up six pallet spaces. It’s big gear.”
Startup Momentum Traction Wise Logistics was formed as a spin-off from Treadwell Group, a fibreglass grating company that has been operating for more than 25 years. James explains that Treadwell made the strategic decision to take control of its own freight task.
“They made the decision to invest in their own fleet and begin delivering products directly to clients,” he says. “It allowed them to manage the process end-to-end, from the point of sale through to delivery.”
From that model, Traction Wise Logistics was born.
“We branched out and established Traction Wise Logistics as a dedicated transport operation,” O’Callaghan says. “Treadwell remains an important client, but we’re continuing to grow the business by servicing additional customers across a range of industries.”
Since O’Callaghan joined in May 2024, the fleet has more than doubled.
“We’ve grown from three trucks to five trucks, and we’re planning to continue expanding the fleet as demand continues to grow,” he says.
Two of those trucks are subcontracted locally within South Australia, servicing construction yards, while the core linehaul fleet handles interstate runs that can stretch for more than a week at a time.
“We operate Australia-wide with our linehaul work,” O’Callaghan says. “If there’s a full load available for a client, we’re able to move it.”
Recent jobs have included a full load of 44 pallets for a major South Road upgrade project at Tonsley and Darlington in Adelaide, alongside Treadwell freight heading all the way to Queensland.
A Cairns run, he notes, can take eight to nine days away from base.
DAF XG+ 660hp
To support that kind of distance and time on the road, comfort and efficiency are non-negotiable. That’s where the DAF XG + has made its mark.
Traction Wise currently operates three DAFs – a CF, a 530 and the XG + – alongside two Kenworth’s, K200 & K220. But if O’Callaghan has his way, the balance will shift decisively.
“We’ve been extremely impressed with the XG +” he says. “As we continue to grow the fleet, it’s certainly a model we would consider investing more heavily in.”
It’s a bold statement for a young fleet, but O’Callaghan is unequivocal.
“The drivers really enjoy driving it. It’s comfortable, easy to operate and presents well on the road,” he says. “From an efficiency point of view, it’s been outstanding, we’re seeing significant savings in fuel and overall running costs.”
He estimates the difference in running costs at between 20 and 30 cents per kilometre in favour of the DAF.
“You can clearly see the difference in the operating costs,” he says. “It’s a significant investment upfront, but over time it more than justifies itself.”
Space to live
For long-haul operators, the cab is more than a workplace; it is temporary accommodation. O’Callaghan says the XG + stands out precisely because it recognises that reality.
“It’s purpose-built for long-haul work,” he says.
“The drivers really enjoy it. The XG + is comfortable to drive, easy to operate, looks great on the road and the fuel economy has been excellent.”
The truck has already clocked around 102,000 kilometres since arriving in September 2025, regularly tackling runs to Perth and Far North Queensland.
On a recent trip, it travelled to Cairns and back, logging just under 8,000 kilometres. Another journey took it from South Australia to Perth and then north towards the Pilbara.
When drivers are away for more than a week at a time, the living space becomes critical.
“We can comfortably have three or four people standing inside the cab without feeling cramped,” James says.
“The space and headroom are impressive — it’s one of the biggest cabs we’ve worked with.”
“The bunk is noticeably larger than in the XG,” he says. “It’s almost like a hospital-style bed. You can adjust it electrically and raise the headrest, so it’s not just a flat bunk.”
Compared with the standard XG – which Traction Wise trialled for a week on a Perth run through CMV Kenworth DAF Adelaide – the XG + variant provides extra space and upgraded features.
“The XG was excellent and we were very impressed with it,” James says. “But the XG + just offers that little bit extra — more storage, a bigger bunk and a few additional features that make a real difference.” For drivers spending eight or nine consecutive days in the cab, those “little upgrades” add up, James notes.
“Everything the drivers need can be stored neatly in the cab,” he says.
“There’s space for their equipment, food and personal gear without having things sitting on the floor.
“The amount of storage and usable space makes it very practical for long-distance work.
“It really does become a home away from home for the drivers.”
“They spend a lot of time on the road, so that comfort and space makes a big difference.”
Driver incentive
At Traction Wise, the XG + is more than just the flagship truck; it is also a symbol of recognition.
“I allocate one driver to each truck, and that driver takes responsibility for it,” James says.
“They take pride in maintaining it and keeping it clean. If someone else uses the truck while they’re on leave, the expectation is that it’s returned in the same condition.”
At TWL the XG + is assigned to one of the company’s longest-serving and most trusted operators.
“One of my most consistent drivers was given the XG + as a bit of recognition,” James says. “He previously drove the K200 and then the DAF 530, and when I upgraded him into the XG + he rang me two hours later and said, ‘I love this truck.’”
James sees the truck as a reward for hard work – and a motivator for others.
“It’s our flagship truck, so assigning it to a driver who consistently performs well is a way of recognising that,” he says. “It also gives the other drivers something to work towards.”
Power and performance
Traction Wise runs its DAFs with closed tautliner trailers in B-double configuration. While much of the freight is relatively light, its bulk and dimensions demand stability and power.
“The power delivery has been excellent,” James says of the XG +.
“The 660 horsepower handles the work very comfortably, and we’ve found it has noticeably more pulling power than the Kenworth.”
For loads that might be long, awkward or oversized, that combination of horsepower and smooth handling makes a tangible difference.
“We often use the XG + for some of our bulkier freight,” he says. “The loads might not always be heavy, but they can be quite large in size, so having the power and stability makes a real difference.”
Fuel efficiency, driver comfort and usable power are a potent mix for a linehaul operator trying to carve out a reputation in a competitive market.
Service and support
Aftersales support is another area where James says the new DAF rig has really delivered the goods.
“In terms of service and maintenance, it’s been very reliable,” he says. “Aside from the standard scheduled servicing, we haven’t experienced any significant wear or mechanical issues.”
Downtime is minimal – typically around 24 hours for a scheduled service.
“That’s been important for us because the downtime is very manageable,” he says. “Generally it’s just a day for servicing and the truck is back on the road.”
He credits the hands-on approach of the CMV team for helping smooth the transition into the European brand.
“They gave us an XG for a week to trial, which gave us a good understanding of what to expect,” he says.
“The team has been very supportive and they understand the operational requirements we have.”
For a startup operation, that kind of partnership matters.
Although headquartered in regional South Australia, Traction Wise’s reach is national. Its trucks routinely head west to Perth, north to Queensland and across major freight corridors linking industrial hubs.
The company also coordinates freight into New Zealand for Treadwell, brokering loads through local operators rather than deploying its own fleet.
“We also coordinate freight movements into New Zealand for Treadwell,” James says. “At this stage we work with trusted local operators rather than running our own fleet there, although that’s something we may look at in the future.”
For now, the focus is firmly on consolidating and expanding the Australian fleet – with the XG + front and centre of those plans.
“As the business grows, we’re looking to expand the fleet beyond the five trucks we operate today,” he says.
“Vehicles like the DAF XG + will certainly play a key role in that growth.”
From a two-truck operation to a five-truck interstate fleet in just over a year, Traction Wise Logistics has wasted little time establishing itself.
With a clear preference for high-spec European prime movers, a driver-first philosophy and a growing client base, the Strathalbyn startup is positioning itself for steady expansion.
For James O’Callaghan, running an up-and-coming transport business, the formula is simple: invest in the right gear, look after the drivers and let the numbers speak for themselves.
“The XG + represents great value for the type of work we do,” he says. “It’s comfortable for the drivers, efficient to run and well suited to long-haul operations.”
And if early kilometres are any indication, that “Plus” power approach is already paying dividends on highways across Australia.
Article reproduced courtesy of Prime Mover Magazine (April 2026).
Writer: Paul Lancaster