Dongfeng Captain-C

Climb up the Dongfeng Captain-C cabin and you’d see a very utilitarian interior. The cabin seats 3 persons including the driver but will be most comfortable for two passengers. The wide windows and rear glass window provide tons of natural light which makes the interior feels larger than it is. The dashboard is very practical and functional. The multifunction steering wheel provides as the foreground to the analog instrument clusters with the usual gauges. On the center console are air conditioning vents, stereo, and large knobs for function control. The gear shifter is awkwardly placed at the center which can cause arm strains for the driver which could have been dashboard mounted or placed a bit closer to the seats. Leg space is ample with enough shoulder and headroom as well.

The Dongfeng Captain-C series, at first glance, is a robust, heavy-duty looking truck that can get the job done. The large sloping windshield provides the driver with a commanding view of the road while the curved shape adds aerodynamics. The massive exterior side mirrors provide additional safety. At the center of the front façade is a massive grille with an enormous Dongfeng badge smack at the center highlighted by narrow chrome strips. On the sides are huge headlights and on the lower bumper are a pair of fog lights and air intakes. The Captain-C series are in cab and chassis form with available body options. Auto buyers can choose from available drop sides, aluminum vans, mini-dumps, boom trucks, refrigerated vans, FB type trucks, double cabin trucks, and other special-purpose vehicles (SPVs) to fit any specific transportation needs.

For a driver and passenger, the cabin is sufficient for a comfortable enough, long ride. The backrest though could not be reclined just in case the driver and passenger would want to take a nap or short rest. The large headroom and plenty of natural light from the windows and rear glass window make the cabin feel larger so passengers won’t feel claustrophobic which makes the long truck drive bearable. The suspension system which uses semi-elliptical leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers in the front and rear is a bit stiff which makes for a firmer ride but just right for hauling heavy cargo as it provides better stability and balance. In terms of handling, the Dongfeng Captain-C trucks are reliable on the road. The steering is a bit on the heavier side but on point. Gear shifting is also heavy which takes a second to push through and for the engine to respond when accelerating and decelerating.

The Captain C series is available in two engine options. The first one is the Dongfeng Isuzu D28D11-4DA engine with 80 liters fuel capacity. It is capable of delivering 260 Nm of torque at 2,000 rpm and is mated to a 5-speed manual transmission. The Captain-C 4W 12.5FT and Captain-C 6W 14FT Narrow are fitted with this engine. The second engine is the Cummins ISF3.855154. The Cummins, with a fuel capacity of 120 liters, can deliver 154 Hp of power and 500 Nm of torque at 1,300 – 1,800 rpm. The engine is mated to a 6-speed manual transmission. The Captain C 6W 14FT Wide, Captain-C 6W 17FT, and Captain C 6W 20FT use the Cummins engine. Both diesel engines are Euro IV emissions standard-compliant.

When it comes to safety features, the Dongfeng Captain-C trucks are very basic. The only safety system it has is the 3 pt. seatbelts. Though this might sound lacking, do note that these trucks are for commercial purposes and would most likely not need speed-sensing locks or ISOFIX. Although the driver and front passenger airbags could have been an added improvement for safety measures. But then again, we don’t expect much bells and whistles when it comes to commercial trucks—whatever the size might be, since these are driven by a professional and experienced driver. And for its price point, you really couldn’t ask for more than the basic

Power and efficiency are what the Dongfeng Captain-C truck line offers entrepreneurs. The cab and chassis option is a flexible option that would cater to almost all kinds of commercial needs. The Captain-C 4W 12.5FT (E-22841), Captain-C 6W 14FT Narrow (E22-852), and Captain-C 6W 14FT Wide (C-821) are best for small businesses who could transform these Dongfeng trucks’ body through the aluminum van, dropside, or refrigerated van depending on their businesses’ needs. While the bigger Captain-C 6W 17FT (C73-861) and Captain-C 6W 20FT (C73-881) can haul more cargo and can be fitted with boom-type and mini-dump bodies among others. And since the Dongfeng brand is a relatively new player, the after-sales service support is something that needs to be considered especially since their truck bays for repair is located in Bulacan as of the moment.