Lorries

[panholio]

I never really pay much attention to lorries on the motorway other than to think "get out of the way", however today on my commute across the M62 I weirdly started looking at them in more detail. Boredom, I know.

They seem to be limited to these brands:

MAN
DAF
Volvo
Scania
Mercedes-Benz
Renault

Got me thinking, what are the best ones? Do they correspond to their car equivalents in any way (those that have them),i.e. is the Merc a more luxury lorry, the Renault full of electrical gremlins and the Volvo safer in the inevitable falling asleep at the wheel incident?

And what about vans and other commercial vehicles?

[Oilchange]

My (limited) experience of Merc vans is that they rust even quicker than the cars and they rust really quickly...

[David87]

I've often thought about this too. Just by looking at them, I think I'd have a Volvo. With the biggest engine, obviously.

[C. Grimsley]

Can't tell you regards the lorries but mercedes vans rust like mad and also have electrical gremlins (steering locks for one) a bit like Renaults and any other, basically the main components are all made by Bosch, Valeo etc., doesn't seem to matter what van it is they are all made with the same electrical bits.

Seems the trucks never get switched off and must be ok, look at trucks for sale some have done 1000000 Kms

Carl

[gus607]

I have driven many lorries in the last 40 years.

The worst in my opinion are Ford or Leyland Daf. Best ? Has to be Mercdes Benz.

Had an Actross for 9 years (from new) only very superficial rust.

Edited by gus607 on Wednesday 16th October 20:12

[Matt UK]

Try asking here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/forum.asp?h=0&a...

[joncon]

the one with the best brakes...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ridS396W2BY

[panholio]

Matt UK said:

Try asking here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/forum.asp?h=0&a...

I had no idea that forum existed! Ha ha.

Off to read it whilst I'm in the mood...

[CBR JGWRR]

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/forum.asp?h=0&a...

ETA: Beaten to it...

[Matt UK]

panholio said:

Matt UK said:

Try asking here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/xforums/forum.asp?h=0&a...

I had no idea that forum existed! Ha ha.

Off to read it whilst I'm in the mood...

Yeah, I don't post as I have very little to add, but I like having a read

[Sogra]

I work for one of the companies listed and there is a lot of difference in the makes and their build quality etc doesnt have much relation to their car brands. they are often aimed for different markets, owner opperators or hire trucks and then some are focused on fleet business. Most trucks have their problems that are inherrent in their design but mostly there isnt a bad truck these days but you do tend to get what you pay for. Before the market collapsed in 2009 fleets would often buy trucks based on what a driver would drive so as to attract the best drivers.

Lots of fun when we go on launch days etc and you drive a fully laden truck round Bruntingthopre Proving Track! Easier than driving a car.