First step to becoming a HGV driver

[K50 DEL]

warch said:

ezi said:

Easy way to remember how to steer the trailer is to put a single hand on the bottom centre of the steering wheel, move your hand to the right and the trailer will go right, move your hand to the left and the trailer will go left. When I first started on Class 1 I was always getting in a tackle steering the wrong way and that little tip transformed reversing for me.

That's brilliant, cheers!

Does that work for reversing trailers hitched to a car as well.... properly useful tip if so, I'm forever making a hash of it!

[ezi]

K50 DEL said:

warch said:

ezi said:

Easy way to remember how to steer the trailer is to put a single hand on the bottom centre of the steering wheel, move your hand to the right and the trailer will go right, move your hand to the left and the trailer will go left. When I first started on Class 1 I was always getting in a tackle steering the wrong way and that little tip transformed reversing for me.

That's brilliant, cheers!

Does that work for reversing trailers hitched to a car as well.... properly useful tip if so, I'm forever making a hash of it!

Yes it's the same principle

[K50 DEL]

ezi said:

K50 DEL said:

warch said:

ezi said:

Easy way to remember how to steer the trailer is to put a single hand on the bottom centre of the steering wheel, move your hand to the right and the trailer will go right, move your hand to the left and the trailer will go left. When I first started on Class 1 I was always getting in a tackle steering the wrong way and that little tip transformed reversing for me.

That's brilliant, cheers!

Does that work for reversing trailers hitched to a car as well.... properly useful tip if so, I'm forever making a hash of it!

Yes it's the same principle

Now I need to go and hitch up the trailer just to try it out lol, see if it transforms my reversing (lack of) skills lol

[Its Just Adz]

First lesson today, an eye opener!

The length didn’t bother me but the instructor kept reminding me to check mirrors before indicating and after passing basically everything.

It was a manual gearbox Daf, did a good long route with a mix of roads and hill starts.

Back in it tomorrow morning.

[ezi]

Its Just Adz said:

First lesson today, an eye opener!

The length didn’t bother me but the instructor kept reminding me to check mirrors before indicating and after passing basically everything.

It was a manual gearbox Daf, did a good long route with a mix of roads and hill starts.

Back in it tomorrow morning.

Best way to learn is in a manual, I'm assuming it's a 4 over 4 with a little toggle switch to change? Our company teaches both class 1 & 2 on manuals even though all our actual fleet trucks are auto, no excuses for us having drivers who can't drive them then

[GC8]

Any sort of automated shift is alright for C+E, as youre adding to your existing entitlement.

[Its Just Adz]

ezi said:

Best way to learn is in a manual, I'm assuming it's a 4 over 4 with a little toggle switch to change? Our company teaches both class 1 & 2 on manuals even though all our actual fleet trucks are auto, no excuses for us having drivers who can't drive them then

I thought that too, best to learn in manual.

Actually it was a straight 6, Daf FA55 if that helps?

No reverse camera either, not an issue but made me think it’s funny that people need sensors and cameras on Nissan Micra’s

[GC8]

Youre definitely better off learning initially in a vehicle with a range change transmission. Train hard, fight easy.

[callmedave]

Sat on the test centre. Waiting for my tester.......

[callmedave]

Failed!

I had a very tight mini roundabout and was turning left, as I did the rear wheel mounted the kerb, which the instructor said would not have been a problem on its own, but then a kid on a bike came flying up my inside and the instructor told me to stop. Apart from that I had one minor or not checking a mirror when indicating. Other than that It was fine.

If I was 10 seconds earlier or later it would have been fine. I'm both gutted and pissed off.
I need to re book etc but need to wait a minimum of 3 days.

I want to re-test asap so I don't forget anything.

I'm proper gutted. fking cyclists

[GC8]

Hitting the kerb will akways fail uou.

[CanoeSniffer]

GC8 said:

Youre definitely better off learning initially in a vehicle with a range change transmission. Train hard, fight easy.

This. I passed my test in a 9.5t auto in Hayes, to then be handed the keys to an 18t range-change road rail machine and it was rather eye-opening. The 32t machine is on the way shortly- eyes will be popping out entirely by that point.

[Its Just Adz]

Unlucky Dave, better luck next time.

[carmadgaz]

CanoeSniffer said:

GC8 said:

Youre definitely better off learning initially in a vehicle with a range change transmission. Train hard, fight easy.

This. I passed my test in a 9.5t auto in Hayes, to then be handed the keys to an 18t range-change road rail machine and it was rather eye-opening. The 32t machine is on the way shortly- eyes will be popping out entirely by that point.

Passed in a 6spd then in my 3rd tipper (after 2 autos) I got shoved into a 16spd (4/4 with splitter). Had to have a word with myself a few time but overall I can't see what the fuss is about!

Bad luck with the fail bud . Sometimes these things just line up to bugger us up. Better luck next time

[Its Just Adz]

Passed class 2 practical this morning with just 1 minor, I’m very pleased with that.
CPC tomorrow.

[callmedave]

Its Just Adz said:

Passed class 2 practical this morning with just 1 minor, I’m very pleased with that.
CPC tomorrow.

Well done chap! That's brilliant news!

[ezi]

Congrats Adz!

Dave when's the retest?

[carmadgaz]

Welcome to the asylum Adz

[callmedave]

ezi said:

Congrats Adz!

Dave when's the retest?

Waiting for the unorganised trainining school to get back to me. *rolls eyes.

Will chase them tomorrow. Hope to retest next week.

[rob0r]

Hi All! I'm after some advice....

I'm passing some of the various commercial licences but for personal use only. I'm a post '97 car test passer so I don't have the right to drive anything than a normal car. In the family we have a 7.5t Mercedes Atego we are converting into a car transporter purely for trackdays. Just for background, I've grown up on a farm driving large vehicles and trailers.

So far I have passed my LGV Hazard and my LGV Theory is booked in two weeks time, shortly after I will look for intensive training (Ipswich area) in class C. My thinking is the difference in tests between a 7.5t lorry and bigger class C lorry won't be that different but it will give me more freedom in the future if I want to drive anything bigger.

Am I right in that assumption?

I will then look to take a trailer test. For the forseeable future I will only need to tow with a class B vehicle eg a Land Rover, but again future proofing myself I'm thinking I should at least the test with a C1 7.5t, to gain C1+E. I'm now starting to think why not just go the whole hog and take a full C+E, and then that should cover me for everything.

Again, is my thinking logical or are there pitfalls I'm not seeing? Are any of the trailer tests significantly harder or are they much of a muchness? obviously respecting their relative sizes...

Thanks!