First step to becoming a HGV driver
Discussion
I hadn't even spotted that. No it's never caused a problem 
Thanks for the comments guys. First week done and it's been great. Out on the road again today.
Got the truck stuck! Good and proper!
I should have taken a photo but I was panicking a little over it. It was a sharp right handed that went steeply up hill, it was also in a wooded area so very sludgy on the ground.
I raised the air suspension as my rear leg was getting caught on the ground. stuck the diff lock on, TC off and gave it the beans in manual (1st) managed to pull forward enough to give me room to get back to where I was before I turned on to this hill. It was so tricky, I had a branch close to taking out one of my beacons. A tree to my left meaning I couldn't go full lock. Really wish I got a picture of how bad it was!
Told the guys back at the yard about it, I had to explain the ton of foliage I had accumulated in the process!
Lots of fun today! Really enjoying the work as a whole and really getting the hang of the crane. I can scope out a site and know what I can and can't do before doing it.
Got the truck stuck! Good and proper!
I should have taken a photo but I was panicking a little over it. It was a sharp right handed that went steeply up hill, it was also in a wooded area so very sludgy on the ground.
I raised the air suspension as my rear leg was getting caught on the ground. stuck the diff lock on, TC off and gave it the beans in manual (1st) managed to pull forward enough to give me room to get back to where I was before I turned on to this hill. It was so tricky, I had a branch close to taking out one of my beacons. A tree to my left meaning I couldn't go full lock. Really wish I got a picture of how bad it was!
Told the guys back at the yard about it, I had to explain the ton of foliage I had accumulated in the process!
Lots of fun today! Really enjoying the work as a whole and really getting the hang of the crane. I can scope out a site and know what I can and can't do before doing it.
truck71 said:
Good to see a couple of new entrants to the industry enjoying it and having a positive approach- it's not all doom and gloom.
Wouldn't go as far as to say I'm enjoying my current role but I don't blame that on the driving itself. Might as well be positive, there are plenty of crap positions out there (a lot seem to be circa minimum wage and wanting blood for it) but that's the same in any industry.carmadgaz said:
truck71 said:
Good to see a couple of new entrants to the industry enjoying it and having a positive approach- it's not all doom and gloom.
Wouldn't go as far as to say I'm enjoying my current role but I don't blame that on the driving itself. Might as well be positive, there are plenty of crap positions out there (a lot seem to be circa minimum wage and wanting blood for it) but that's the same in any industry.
mattfuey said:
I see you're in Kent Dave?
What Travis are you based from if you're going to Whitstable out of curiosity? Only ask as I order from most Travis' through Kent when at work!
I'm at the Ashford branch. I did do a drop in whitstable on Friday! What Travis are you based from if you're going to Whitstable out of curiosity? Only ask as I order from most Travis' through Kent when at work!
Do say hello if you see me around!
carmadgaz said:
Looks smart bud. Haven't ticked a Scania off yet 
. I don't mind the CFs except the 8yo 220 18T I'm in this week is painfully slow when loaded
How are you getting on?
Still really enjoying it. . I don't mind the CFs except the 8yo 220 18T I'm in this week is painfully slow when loaded How are you getting on?
Had a pallet of blocks fall over the other day, luckily they fell inwards and not outwards, I had to get on the bed (they keep telling us not too) and stack them all back up that took some effort.
Im really enjoying the variety, each site i visit is different, each load is different and unloading takes a bit of fore thought as to best unload it. I enjoy the challenge each drop provides, sometimes its a tight lane/driveway im trying to reverse up, sometimes its an awkward load sometimes theres obstacles in the way like walls or telegraph poles etc.
I have not yet had to refuse a delivery, some do take me longer than i think they should, but i do feel like I'm getting quicker at it. Im also starting to plan ahead a little more, like when I finish one drop, I start getting the next drop ready, like pre-slinging the load or moving stuff about while the crane is up to make the next drop quicker. etc.
Ive not been in a DAF yet, think ive been in everything but a DAF. MAN, Volvo, Renault and Scania. The Volvo was a nice truck but this Scania is my favourite, Maybe its just because its mine and Ive got it the way i like, but I'm really happy with it, I know its not the best one there but I know it and I enjoy driving it. I remember thinking on Sunday 'cant wait for work tomorrow' - that's something I haven't felt in a long time!
Is the Marquee work seasonal? I saw a marquee getting set up in headcorn today in the sunshine by 4 jays and it made me think if work could drop off in the winter months? I worry the same could happen for me being construction based.
GC8 said:
That's the lowest spec P cab Ive seen!
It took me a while to realise that it's missing about a foot of dashboard 
See it still has that annoying anti collision radar fitted though, 'BEEP BEEP BEEP, YOU'RE GOING TO DIE!!!' and the brakes come on down every country lane/London side street.
Glad to hear you're still enjoying it bud 
Never rush the job! That's how I bent my bumper the other week. The dents and scrapes on some of our wagons where the lads have just gone "POWER" begger belief.
Having "your own" truck would be nice. At the quarry the wagons ran almost 24hrs a day and on the marquees I could spend 5 days in 5 different lorries (there is usually an overlap but it can't be guaranteed).
The marquee work is seasonal and I currently only have a contract for the "summer". They have a core staff, some regulars that come in over the summer and the rest is usually college/uni students back for the summer. There is a possibility they will carry me on as a "core" person but it can't be guaranteed. Problem is I am looking for something more permanent but trying to get time off to go see people (especially on invariable short notice) is almost impossible. Made worse by the fact that while I dislike my job I do get on with my boss and I'm not the sort to "pull a sickie" and leave them in the lurch.
Never rush the job! That's how I bent my bumper the other week. The dents and scrapes on some of our wagons where the lads have just gone "POWER" begger belief.
Having "your own" truck would be nice. At the quarry the wagons ran almost 24hrs a day and on the marquees I could spend 5 days in 5 different lorries (there is usually an overlap but it can't be guaranteed).
The marquee work is seasonal and I currently only have a contract for the "summer". They have a core staff, some regulars that come in over the summer and the rest is usually college/uni students back for the summer. There is a possibility they will carry me on as a "core" person but it can't be guaranteed. Problem is I am looking for something more permanent but trying to get time off to go see people (especially on invariable short notice) is almost impossible. Made worse by the fact that while I dislike my job I do get on with my boss and I'm not the sort to "pull a sickie" and leave them in the lurch.
Sorry for no update for a while, time flies when you're having fun!
Work is going well, had a few issues, chipped someones wall as i was maneuvering in to a very tight drive, scraped along a fence post tearing a sticker off the side of the truck, but all pretty minor stuff.
Its been busy and ive had some challenges but im finding the job easier as i gain confidence with the truck but also working a little more efficiently, I spend a lot of time walking from one side to the other un/doing straps, dropping sides, out riggers in and out, so im starting to plan ahead a little and have the products placed in a certain way on the bed that makes it quicker to off load, im also learning some of the repeat customers so I know the guys at 43 want stuff dropped just over the wall, whereas the guy at 19 wants stuff up the end of the drive and the like.
Had a few difficult days and a few easy days but its the variety of it that im enjoying the most. I might have a full load of 1 tin bags, i might have a lorry full of all sorts for 5 different customers.
got soaked today with all the rain, but i still left with a grin on my face!
Work is going well, had a few issues, chipped someones wall as i was maneuvering in to a very tight drive, scraped along a fence post tearing a sticker off the side of the truck, but all pretty minor stuff.
Its been busy and ive had some challenges but im finding the job easier as i gain confidence with the truck but also working a little more efficiently, I spend a lot of time walking from one side to the other un/doing straps, dropping sides, out riggers in and out, so im starting to plan ahead a little and have the products placed in a certain way on the bed that makes it quicker to off load, im also learning some of the repeat customers so I know the guys at 43 want stuff dropped just over the wall, whereas the guy at 19 wants stuff up the end of the drive and the like.
Had a few difficult days and a few easy days but its the variety of it that im enjoying the most. I might have a full load of 1 tin bags, i might have a lorry full of all sorts for 5 different customers.
got soaked today with all the rain, but i still left with a grin on my face!
GC8 said:
Get out and look more. Drive slowly enough that you are able to watch both sides.
Agree. Had 6 drops today and 5 of them were tight to get in to. But managed them all by getting out taking a look and sorting it out. The last one I got it first time, pulled forward, started reversing, got full lock and it swept right in through the gate.
About time I add to this, Ive just signed up for lessons to get my class 2. Got my medical next week and forms for provisional came through last night.
Its a complete change of scenery for me too, Ive worked in the car trade for the last 15 years and now at age 37 Im in a crap job, my dad mentioned trying driving HGV and the more I thought about it, the more I decided its for me.
The HIAB truck above looks just like what I fancy doing!
This thread has been a good read, thanks to all that have inputted.
Its a complete change of scenery for me too, Ive worked in the car trade for the last 15 years and now at age 37 Im in a crap job, my dad mentioned trying driving HGV and the more I thought about it, the more I decided its for me.
The HIAB truck above looks just like what I fancy doing!
This thread has been a good read, thanks to all that have inputted.
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