{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2017}} {{Use British English|date=February 2017}}
{{Infobox automobile |name = Bedford TL |image = 1986 Bedford TL, J.K. Sturge.jpg |caption = |manufacturer = [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]]<br>[[AWD Trucks|AWD]] |aka = AWD TL |production = 1980–1986 (Bedford)<br>1988–1992 (AWD) |assembly = [[Bedford Dunstable plant|Dunstable]] |predecessor = [[Bedford TK]] |successor = |class = [[Commercial vehicle]] |body_style = [[Chassis cab]]<br>[[Dump truck|Tipper]] |layout = [[Longitudinal engine|Longitudinal]] [[Front-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout|front engine]] |platform = |engine = [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]]<br>[[Cummins UK|Cummins]]<br>[[Perkins Engines|Perkins]] |transmission = [[Eaton Corporation|Eaton]]<br>Turner<br>[[ZF Friedrichshafen]] |wheelbase = 6x4: {{cvt|4.45|m|in|0}} <br>{{cvt|6.30|m|in|0}} |length = |width = {{cvt|2.50|m|in|0}} |height = Cab: {{cvt|2.53|m|in|0}} |weight = |related = |designer = |sp = uk}}
The '''Bedford TL''' is a [[truck]] manufactured by [[Bedford Vehicles|Bedford]]. Launched in June 1980, the TL was intended to complement the [[Bedford TK]], on which it was heavily based. One of the main advantages of the TL over the TK was the incorporation of a tilt cab, improving maintenance. A tilt cab was a feature of the TK's main competitor, the [[Ford D series]], and had long been seen as a major advantage.
Production began in April 1980, to allow trucks to reach dealers for the premiere.<ref>[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/31st-may-1980/22/new-bedford-range-launched-today New Bedford range launched today] ''[[Commercial Motor]]'' 31 May 1980 page 20</ref><ref>[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/28th-june-1980/24/new-bedford-range-proves-its-paces New Bedford range proves its paces] ''Commercial Motor'' 28 June 1980 page 22</ref><ref name=Truck80>{{cite journal | journal = Truck | date = June 1980 | ref = truck80 | page = 29 | last = Kennett | first = Pat | title = What's new: Bedford lay on the luxury | location = London | publisher = FF Publishing}}</ref> The TL was taken out of production with Bedford's demise in 1986, but production recommenced in 1988 with new owners [[AWD Trucks|AWD]].<ref>[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/31st-march-1988/15/awd-wins-mod-order AWD wins MoD order] ''Commercial Motor'' 31 March 1988 page 15</ref> The range expanded to include various derivatives before production ceased in 1992 when AWD was placed in receivership.<ref>[http://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/23rd-june-2011/33/the-end-for-bedford The End for Bedford] ''Commercial Motor'' 23 June 2011 page 39</ref>
==History and use== The chassis was as for the TK, with some minor alterations at the front to accommodate the new flat-floor cab. The front suspension, now taper leaf sprung, was also new.<ref>New Bedford TL range ''[[Truck & Bus Transportation]]'' November 1980 page 64</ref> The TL was designed mainly for short hauls, but comfort was a bigger priority than for the TK. While an ample number of combinations were available, power outputs were higher than for the TK.<ref name=Truck80.31>[[#truck80|Kennett (ed), June 1980]], p. 31</ref> From launch, the TL was powered by petrol and diesel engines. The six-cylinder petrol power units were the 214P 3.5-litre and the 300P 4.9-litre. The diesel units were the updated versions of the TK's 3.6-litre four-cylinder 220D and the 5.4-litre six-cylinder 330D, with the option for heavier models of the 8.2-litre Blue Series. Power outputs are {{convert|83|or|114|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the petrols, while the diesels offer {{convert|65|or|98|hp|kW|abbr=on}} for the 220D and the 330D. The Blue Series offered either {{convert|128|or|151|hp|kW|0|abbr=on}} depending on the model.<ref name=Truck80.31/>
By 1984 the engine power was slightly increased with the adoption of turbocharging and the engines were reclassified and now called Red Series. The 3.6-litre 220D was now called the 70TD and the 5.4-litre 330D became the 105TD - the new names signified maximum power outputs. The 8.2-litre Blue Series engines continued in two version; the 130TD and the higher rated 175TD.<ref>{{cite web|title=Classic Truck: The Bedford TL|url=http://www.heritagecommercials.com/news/classic-truck-the-bedford-tl|work=Classic Truck|access-date=14 October 2013|date=7 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131016134812/http://www.heritagecommercials.com/news/classic-truck-the-bedford-tl|archive-date=16 October 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
When AWD re-launched the TL in 1988, it was equipped with two 6-cylinder engines; initially as the 17-18 model with a [[Perkins Engines|Perkins]] Phaser {{convert|180|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}} unit, and from 1990 with the 17–27 with a [[Cummins UK|Cummins]] C Series 8.3-litre producing {{convert|269|bhp|kW PS|0|abbr=on}}.
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{commons category-inline}} {{Bedford vehicles|state=autocollapse}}
[[Category:Bedford vehicles|TL]] [[Category:Vehicles introduced in 1980]] [[Category:Vehicles discontinued in 1992]]