Dongfeng Captain-E

Inside the cabin is a very basic, utilitarian set up. There is the analog instrument cluster with big gauges for a better view and a bi-spoke steering wheel. At the center are air conditioning vents, the stereo, and control knobs. The right side of the dashboard has an open cubby which also doubles as handgrips for the middle seat passenger. A large glove compartment and bottle holders are also welcome features of the interior. The gear shifter and hand brake serve as the much-needed partition between the driver and the front passenger bench which can accommodate two people. No power windows on this truck, as both windows use hand cranks. On the plus side, there are tons of handlebars by the door and around the sides of the cabin for climbing up and down the truck. The rear glass window provides additional cargo view and source of natural light.

The Dongfeng Captain-E series trucks look every bit of your typical commercial hauler. The huge, white cab gets an enormous windshield and side windows for a commanding view of the road. On either side are two manually adjusted side mirrors that are mounted on the lower sides of the windshield instead of the sides of the trucks or by the doors. Down below is a muted front chrome grille with the Dongfeng badge at the center. On each of the two sides are massive halogen headlights partnered with front fog lights on the lower bumper. The Captain-E 6W 14FT’s cab and chassis measure 5,995 mm long, 2,150 mm wide, and 2,410 tall while the cargo dimensions are at 4,150 mm long, 2,050 mm wide, and 450mm tall. The Captain-E 4W 10FT, conversely, has a cab and chassis that measures 4,990 mm long, 1,900 wide, 2,155 mm tall, and has a wheelbase of 2,515 mm. While cargo size is at 3,100 mm long, 1,880 mm wide, and 400 mm tall. Tons of body options are available to customize the trucks according to their purpose. These include a drop-side bed, aluminum van, FB body, and refrigerated van.

Driving a big truck like the Dongfeng Captain-E 6W 14FT requires professional skills. Steering is on the firmer side but very manageable and accurate even on turns. The wide steering wheel is an added help when navigating this road beast and needs a little caution when going through curves and tight turns mainly because of the size of the cargo. Backing up and driving on tight, packed, or narrow parking will also require some assistance since the rearview mirror can only show so much. The engine may not be the fastest on the road, considering the size of the truck and cargo, but it does have enough torque to get the job done. Space is ample but can be a tight squeeze for a tall driver. The gear shifter is strategically placed at the edge of the driver seat so it lessens the arm strain from changing gears during long trips. In terms of riding comfort, there is not much to speak of besides the basics. Though the cabin can accommodate three passengers including the driver, it can be a tight squeeze for the two front passengers. The lack of legroom can be compensated by the ample headroom and the rear glass window that make the cabin feel larger than it is. And since it is a working truck, comfort is not the priority as the rear seats can’t be reclined if the driver and or conductor wants to take a quick rest while on the road.

Dongfeng Captain-E 6W 14FT is equipped with YUCHAI YC4FA115-40 E4 Vertical, in-line,4-cylinder, 4-stroke engine with electronically controlled direct injection that can deliver 85 kW of power at 3,200 rpm and 300 Nm of torque at 1,600 – 2,400 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and has a fuel capacity of 80 liters. It also uses a water-cooled cooling system and Bosch electronic control high-pressure common rail for the fuel system.

The smaller Dongfeng Captain-E 4W 10FT, on the other hand, is fitted with DONGFENG D28D11-4DA E4 which is the same engine as that of the Captain-C 6W 14FT Narrow. The engine with a 76 liters fuel capacity can deliver 260 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission.

Just like most commercial working trucks, the Dongfeng Captain-E series comes with limited, bare essential, safety features. In fact, the only safety equipment it has are the seatbelts which are the minimum legal safety feature for vehicles. Though a two airbag system for driver and front passenger would be desirable, for its price point, these Dongfeng trucks are already a bang for your buck.

The Dongfeng Captain-E trucks are affordable logistical solutions to any business. The availability of in-house truck body options adds to the desirability of the Captain-E trucks as buyers can easily customize the cab & chassis to fit their business needs. However, since Autokid Truck Solutions operates mainly in Luzon and only has one truck service bay in Bulacan for after-sales services, you might want to consider that when buying.