tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Guys,

I have a house move across the irish sea coming up. To fit all the stuff into one move I reckon I need a 7.5 tonne van - the biggest i can drive on my license.

How difficult are these to drive when the largest vehicle I have driven in the past is a long wheel base transit.

Bearing in mind the route will be from stranraer to Carlisle then onward to manchester and back, about 250 miles down then all the way back.

Are these things more dangerous when they are empty or when they are loaded up - I assume the load should be evenly balanced.

I know they are fairly sore on fuel - any hints, tips or advice would be appreciated.

Brendan Hughes

They're more stable when loaded.

Reversing can be the biggest pain. You learn to use mirrors quite quickly. Best if you take a passenger to help.

For cornering, pull all the way out of the junction before turning the wheel, otherwise you'll cut the corner off.

jjones

get a yorkie bar

andy97

iTrader: (1)

Take out the hire company's own insurance as it can be quite easy to clip objects, especially in tight positions whilst reversing.

GC8

Left turns can be difficult, watch your mirrors and dont try to drive it like a car. Think of it as an HGV even though you dont need an HGV licence to drive it...


Simon

Steve Whitehorn

iTrader: (13)

Like everything it takes a little while to get comfortable with.
They tend be to light on the back end when empty and are RWD of course.
Had a few skip out on me on wet roads when empty when I first started driving them.
The more weight over the back wheels the better
These days some have a car gearbox layout and others have the traditional lorry gear box layout with 2nd where 1st is in a car. You just use 2-3-4 much of the time. Ist is for uphill,heavy loads etc.
Obviously you need to plan ahead when driving any type of lorry and constantly be thinking about your road positioning and what space is available to you. If in doubt swing it a bit wide when coming out of a junction.
Remember they dont stop as quick as car so allow for that.
I am sure you will be fine. Take it slow for the first few hours and you will feel at home with it.
Steve

51st state

like above
and read the road ahead, this will help you from getting into tricky spots
remember its size !! you can't just nip out and round obstackles!!
so use them mirrors and watch the road ahead

speye91

7.5t is for lightweights,you should have no probs just remember if it is long wheel base,your road position.

7.5t is just baby weight.You should have no probs.try getting this baby round a corner.

GC8

Id like to add that I passed my HGV test with only 6 minors: Im quite proud of that, as you can see.


Simon

Jay m A

iTrader: (2)

Air brakes pssst!

Just remember the LWB unlike I did when parking.

Jamo

iTrader: (23)

its been that long since I drove one I cannot remember, Id suggest taking your time and double and triple checking everything before any manouver.

james (class 2 tarmac driver)

KiwiGTI

Don't slam the brakes on while doing a full-lock turn, you may end up on the other side of the cabin.

fast bloke

Did you not drive one when you did the Northern job? - Oh right - you weren't driving

Seriously though - easier to drive than a car - you just need to think harder when you are reversing and look out for bridges

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

funny boy!!! The load was definately lighter that day!!!

Thanks for the hints, tips and comments chaps. Common sense and keeping your wits about you seem the order of the day, oh and remembering that your rear wheels are 20 feet behind you!!!

Thanks again

GC8

Thinking about corners and turns are the order of the day. 'Excessive' (by car-driving standards) signalling too.

Simon (the head examiner at VOSA Sheffield said it was "a ****-hot drive")

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

Thanks simon

OK OK Ok - six minor faults..... I'd still have you in the twisties!!! How about you show me how good by shifting all our furniture from Stockport to Belfast???

jaytc2003

iTrader: (1)

dont do what I did in the centre of manchester once in a hire 7.5t from lexfleet. A typical first gear layout was actually reverse. I will never forget the drivers face in the car behind me when pulling away from some lights.












TWICE

GC8

Twisties are where most people fail. To avoid bouncing over all of the kerbs, drive up to the white line: you can tell where it really is in relation to your vehicle by looking in your OS mirror.

Shark Man

Modern trucks are a easyto drive, just remember the long wheelbase and rear overhand when you swing out of junctions (unlike the feejit who gook down our gatepost, gate, and wall in one go by turning the wheel too early ). Keep checking your mirrors for feejit bikers/cars ignorantly hiding in your blind spots, especially on two lane roundabouts.

Full syncro box, cruise control, ABS. Doddle. Unless you get a knacker, in which case, practice your double-de-clutching. And the airbrakes can be a bit sensitive on some, so go easy on the brake pedal.

56blacksti

Biggs

iTrader: (14)

Thats nothing mate

try driving A recovery wrecker thats towing a 44 foot artic,thats when it starts to get hairy. Ontime Automotive - Rescue & Recovery

Reverseing is a pain at first as you get 2 pivot points

Chip

As it's got quite a short wheelbase it would be quite easy.

Chip