Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

The speed limit on a UK motorway for an artic is 60mph. If your limiter is set to 60mph then you can do it all day. If your wagon is limited to 55mph then you must not exceed that limit as you will commit an offence of exceeding the fitted limiter. Not a simple speeding ticket as it is not covered by the RTA, but by eurocratic oafs!
They can't limit us to 53 or 55mph as there is no signage for this, although in brussels they do sign 85 and 90kmh.

Littleted

Ok good thread my question is.
Whats the best truck, as in the top of the range
Whats the most reliable truck
Whats the worst truck
Which truck that we see on the roads has the most bhp, ie standard eddiy stobart kinda hgv, none of them massive 100wheeler ones.

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Best / worst truck is an individual operators choice so it's an open book
BHP wise most 44ton articulated tractor units operate around the 410 -470 BHP mark
Special or limited versions can have 600-700 BHP

However it's the torque figures that count on a lorry , not the BHP
A 460 BHP merc will have 2300 nm torque
A 510 - 2500 nm / as a guide
Believe me , that's a lot of pull

jono300

iTrader: (8)

would be fun driving it without the trailer then ??!!

velohead66

I'm suprised no one has asked about weights.

I was wondering....
a) what is UK max laden weight for a standard artic (not low loader with overweight cargo)
b) does Europe have higher weight limits
c) how does axle weight fit in here
d) how heavy a load would a standard spec UK truck cope with, within a (say) 40 foot trailer, ignoring road damage, just hauling ability.

Just aside from above, we get some pretty big rigs over here (Aus), biggest size I've seen more than once or twice, is a tractor unit, with 3x 40 foot wagons in tow, these are real bu66ers to overtake ! (Thankfully, you only see them in the outback). (I dont take the scooby to the outback, !!)
Only seen a 4x 40 foot once, in NT.

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

EU max gross weight for standard 45ft trailer is 44T
Axle weight does come into play / depending on make / type etc
7-12T on axle
Its impos to say how much would a standard say 460bhp 2000nm tractor pulling a 40ft trailer max out at ? Once rolling it would be fine , but stop/ start : incline etc etc it would def feel the pain at 50T & above

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Operations exceeding 40T max gross
Drive axles must not exceed 10.500 T & be equipped with road friendly suspension (air)
& 8.500T with RFS respective

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

It is in the wet

I passed my class 1 approx 14 years ago, the biggest frustration for someone passing there HGV class 1 is trying to get work as a newly qualified driver, most reputable companies and agencies will tell you that before they can take you on you need to have 2 years experience, this is to do with the insurance companies that insure the drivers and the fleet of vehicles.

So basically if you pass your class 1 your still seen as not being a qualified driver.

I live in the North West, i moved down south to London for 2 years straight after i passed my test as it was virtually impossible to get work as a newly qualified HGV driver round this way, in London and surrounding areas it was totally different as i had no problem getting work and i drove for a lot of blue chip companies like Asda and the Royal mail etc.

Doing your class 1 involves a lot of expense, its a bit of a joke really that companies can turn round to a newly qualified driver that has met all the criteria of the tough HGV tests and say to him "We can't employ you due to you having no experience", so basically they are saying your not qualified enough for the real world.

Its hardly an incentive for someone that wants do do a full HGV course at a great expense to themselves.

jono300

iTrader: (8)

See what you are saying mate but surely you must see it from the companies point off view ie. who would you trust the most with your 200k+ trailer / load - a newly qualified driver who has just passed there test a few weeks ago or someone who has driven class one for 20+ years ??!!

like driving a car you dont automatically become a better driver because you have passed your test that particular day, hence why the insurance is cheaper the more experience you have driving.

Rob_Impreza99

iTrader: (3)

Jonjo, ive seen some newly qualified drivers that are head and shoulders above some of the so called experienced drivers with years of knowledge, ive seen blokes in their 40's and 50's needing numerous attempts to get on a bay

The HGV test is far tougher these days than when a lot of the older, experienced drivers took there tests. Back then it was just a matter of passing a class 1 with no class 2 test or theory test, its far more thorough these days.

Just because someone has experience it doesn't mean they are a better driver, some of the experienced drivers ive seen in the past i wouldn't trust them with a wheel barrow never mind a fully loaded articualted lorry.

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

That's a fair comment ROB
But that's a two way street , each person ( driver ) whatever is an individual , & should be taken on there own Merit , skill , & accomplishment
because if you say it like that , I to have seen Newley qualified drivers that couldn't reverse into a Hanger let alone a < 8ft > bay /

But hey , I'm not having a go - if that's your career choice , every 1 has to learn & deserves a chance in life

Regards

jono300

iTrader: (8)

Yep as I say its does seem harsh but again I honestly find it hard to belive as an experienced hgv driver yourself you cant see it from the operators point off view ? a newly qualified car driver could be a better driver than the 75 year old guy who drives once a week for his pension and yet the 75 year old will get his insurance for a fraction off the price off the newly qualified guy - why ?? purely down to experince and statics to say that the newly qualified driver will have an accident within the first few years. again I know its a catch 22 sitaution been there myself mate, 18 year old, hgv licence and yet no work due to the above problem but looking back I can honestly say I know for sure my weeks course driving an empy flat bed trailer would not have prepared me for driving a 40 foot artic day in day out around city centre streets, reversing into the tightest off shop loading bays etc as opposed to the wide open industrial estates that a lot off us would have learned to reverse in !!! again there is no argument that experience will win everytime.

again appreciatte you have done the job mate, I only practiced it !!! but again I certainly can see why insurance companies base there figures on experience and I would imagine its the exact same for haulage companies .

p.s I think the answer nowadays for anyone thinking off choosing this career would be to get a job within some off the major distribution companies who do in house HGV training and very often offer driving jobs at the end off it.

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

Yes there is MAN have had it for years, I believe that Volvo and a few other manufacturers have it as well.

I don't think it has ever taken off for the UK market though as it is an expensive build option which most UK operators would baulk at.

http://www.mantruckandbus.com/com/en...rol__ACC_.html

steve ex vauxhall

iTrader: (5)

Yep, got it on my actross

Cannon Fodder

iTrader: (100)

It's Actros by the way.

The best safety feature I have seen introduced on LGV's and PCV's are Alcolocks, the amount of drivers that pick their vehicles up from us and then can't drive them is laughable.

I have been asked to breathe into the sensor tube for one driver and told him to **** off, he's lucky I didn't phone his boss and tell him.

He wasn't too happy when he had to go away and come back later...

mikeWR1

iTrader: (1)

I would just like to add to this discussion...... REAL Truckers use ropes and sheets.

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

Cannon fodder thinks we're all .... Heads

DARB

That's enough about your private life, this threads about lorries !!

jazzyjembreaze

iTrader: (11)

I tell you a piece of technology that is worth it's weight in gold
( forward facing windscreen or dash cam- for 1 or a million reasons

Some crazy *** people out there like to cut up , pull out , play chicken with heavy metal ( mad )

DARB

I swear that 75% of car drivers merge onto motorways with their eyes closed tight, they have no idea of how to judge their approach speed to merge either in front or behind you!! I used to move or brake for them, but now I just close my eyes too, it's a game I doubt I'll lose

**jay**

iTrader: (1)

One of my big hates too, they come up the slip road and expect you too move, when its so easy for them to speed up a little or slow down and pull in at the back of you, ive stopped pulling over on motorways because 90% of the time the car driver will just match your speed and leave you sitting in the outside lane pissing everyone else off, i mean how hard can it be too enter a motorway and judge your speed?

Jamz3k

I started working for a Scania dealer recently. I was over at Scania's training centre in Loughborough a few weeks past and their training workshop is something else. Loved every minute of it.

mikeWR1

iTrader: (1)

my secret is out...

Jimbob

iTrader: (13)

Glowplug

iTrader: (8)

Yeah, unit only can be very entertaining. My MAN is auto with a disabled gearbox and the back end still steps out with out any effort, even with a trailer on! You learn to feel it and catch/compensate for it. It happenens alot slower (wheel base I suppose) but still makes me smile

rob 666

iTrader: (1)

haha spent many weeks up there myself good training school, dont think much to the grub at lunchtime tho lol

hodgy0_2

I have heard than the big distribution depots, Tescos, Asda, Argos Sainsburys etc etc

Will only let you deliver to them if you have passed their test, but these are transferrable so for instance the rest of the supermarkets will recognise the Tesco accreditation and vice versa

And the test is quite demanding, you have three goes to reverse up to a loading bay etc etc

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

perhaps they do but i think i would rather my tautliner.

steve ex vauxhall

iTrader: (5)

Not sure about that one fella, they all,use agency drivers, most have some sort of induction, as every firm does now, and probably take a driver out to make sure he can drive, but really can't see it being a tough test.

Dave Y

iTrader: (52)

They dont..i deliver to Sainsburys..Emerson green..Tesco..Magor..Asda..Chepstow none of them ask if i have passed any induction course.If you are an agency driver and have taken Tesco induction course you can drive at any Tesco depot.