Cooking in Trucks
Discussion
I broke down a few days ago and pulled off where the HGVs were parked. I noticed several drivers cooking in their truck, well three one of whom was cooking on his trailer.
Now I worked briefly for a logistics company and they were strict with the driver, often drivers from abroad were refused entry as they did not have correct footwear or yellow vests, the company had safety officers running round ensuring correct procedures were followed.
So was surprised cooking in a truck was still allowed, is it not a fire risk?
Now I worked briefly for a logistics company and they were strict with the driver, often drivers from abroad were refused entry as they did not have correct footwear or yellow vests, the company had safety officers running round ensuring correct procedures were followed.
So was surprised cooking in a truck was still allowed, is it not a fire risk?
Caravans and houses have proper cookers fitted that are fixed and more space so you can stand over your cooker.
Guess it is no different than cooking in a tent although in a tent your not cooking at an angle and I do it outside or under the the flysheet if the weather isn't so good less things to catch fire. There are no H&S officers when I am camping either
Guess it is no different than cooking in a tent although in a tent your not cooking at an angle and I do it outside or under the the flysheet if the weather isn't so good less things to catch fire. There are no H&S officers when I am camping either
Edited by ConwyC on Thursday 10th October 03:00
smifffymoto said:
Believe me,drivers would rather not cook at all but facilities and wages stop it.As for foreign drivers cooking,some of those poor buggers are away for up to 4 months at a time,so have no other option.
Chatted to a couple of drivers while waiting and surprised they only got twenty something pounds for a night out, i get double that plus a hotel for the night when the company I work for keeps me away from home. I am just thought with big companies being so hot on H&S these days they would not allow it and neither would insurance companies.
A uncle used to be an owner driver for a while and on school holidays I would sometimes go out with him, he hardly ever cooked in his cab
The last firm I used to do nights out for didn’t allow cooking in the cab. They paid for parking so that meant Burger King in the services every night... then management said they’d pay parking but not for a meal voucher (extra £3 at the time) when asked what we were to do for food the transport manager said “can’t you just take some crisps or something?” We parted ways after that.
I used to cook frequently when on the trucks , and brewed up even more . If the weather was good it was done on the tail lift if not it was in the cab .
You soon learn the art of one pot cooking .
It certainly beats MSA grub when you master the art .
The cheapo far eastern gas cookers and dodgy canisters can be a lethal combination .
All our trucks had smoke alarms and Co2 detectors which I would certainly recommend to anyone who would be cooking in vehicles or enclosed spaces .
You soon learn the art of one pot cooking .
It certainly beats MSA grub when you master the art .
The cheapo far eastern gas cookers and dodgy canisters can be a lethal combination .
All our trucks had smoke alarms and Co2 detectors which I would certainly recommend to anyone who would be cooking in vehicles or enclosed spaces .
ConwyC said:
smifffymoto said:
Believe me,drivers would rather not cook at all but facilities and wages stop it.As for foreign drivers cooking,some of those poor buggers are away for up to 4 months at a time,so have no other option.
Chatted to a couple of drivers while waiting and surprised they only got twenty something pounds for a night out, i get double that plus a hotel for the night when the company I work for keeps me away from home. I am just thought with big companies being so hot on H&S these days they would not allow it and neither would insurance companies.
A uncle used to be an owner driver for a while and on school holidays I would sometimes go out with him, he hardly ever cooked in his cab
Haven't a clue why I looked in here as I don't have a lorry and am unlikely ever going to have one, however I work in the motor trade at a main dealer and a couple of years back, due to the manufacturer being exceptionally busy with new car sales, foreign drivers and their LHD car transporters were brought in from the Continent to help with car deliveries; it happens ocasionally.
One of these drivers rocked up to the delarship, we attempted to direct him to where to drop the cars off, literally a few hundred yards up the road in the opposite direction that he was facing, however his English wasn't great so he asked if I could hop in his cab and direct him.
Firstly I was amazed with his driving, he manged to get a LHD car transporter a full 360 around a mini roundabout in one go on the wrong side of the road for him and with the steering wheel on the "wrong side" too; some people struggle in their cars, also I noticed a single burner, grubby and clearly used gas stove in the passenger foot well, the cab smelt of cooking too, I was pretty surprised given how health and safety that we are nowadays.
One of these drivers rocked up to the delarship, we attempted to direct him to where to drop the cars off, literally a few hundred yards up the road in the opposite direction that he was facing, however his English wasn't great so he asked if I could hop in his cab and direct him.
Firstly I was amazed with his driving, he manged to get a LHD car transporter a full 360 around a mini roundabout in one go on the wrong side of the road for him and with the steering wheel on the "wrong side" too; some people struggle in their cars, also I noticed a single burner, grubby and clearly used gas stove in the passenger foot well, the cab smelt of cooking too, I was pretty surprised given how health and safety that we are nowadays.
As already mentioned a lot of the truckers from abroad will often be out for weeks, and weeks at a time especially those from the more Eastern European countries, often on a pretty low wage in comparison to many of their Western European counterparts. Costs for these guys is an issue hence a lot going down the in cab cooking route and i don't blame them.
With the huge influx of trucks and transport companies coming more and more these days from the east it has had a knock on effect on a lot of the European truck stops as the Eastern European guys don't really like spending money in these often top notch establishments as it would take too big a chunk out of their wages.
I used to always carry a 2 burner stove with me, pots, pans, pasta, etc. I never cooked in cab as i'm a bit OCD and to be fair i rarely cooked at all as our night out money would more than cover a cracking meal in any European truck stop, but it was always there just in case.
I have always admired the Turkish lads as they have been at long distance trucking for years and have it down to a fine art in many ways. A lot of these lads get to keep the same trailer and you'll often see them more than prepared to be self sufficient when on their travels. A lot will have a cracking setup in the trailer side boxes with cooking and washing facilities all built in. A very warm and welcoming bunch too, I've had some cracking meals cooked by the Turks over the years as if you are stuck out on your own, they would quite often invite you too dine with them.
With the huge influx of trucks and transport companies coming more and more these days from the east it has had a knock on effect on a lot of the European truck stops as the Eastern European guys don't really like spending money in these often top notch establishments as it would take too big a chunk out of their wages.
I used to always carry a 2 burner stove with me, pots, pans, pasta, etc. I never cooked in cab as i'm a bit OCD and to be fair i rarely cooked at all as our night out money would more than cover a cracking meal in any European truck stop, but it was always there just in case.
I have always admired the Turkish lads as they have been at long distance trucking for years and have it down to a fine art in many ways. A lot of these lads get to keep the same trailer and you'll often see them more than prepared to be self sufficient when on their travels. A lot will have a cracking setup in the trailer side boxes with cooking and washing facilities all built in. A very warm and welcoming bunch too, I've had some cracking meals cooked by the Turks over the years as if you are stuck out on your own, they would quite often invite you too dine with them.
smifffymoto said:
ConwyC said:
smifffymoto said:
Believe me,drivers would rather not cook at all but facilities and wages stop it.As for foreign drivers cooking,some of those poor buggers are away for up to 4 months at a time,so have no other option.
Chatted to a couple of drivers while waiting and surprised they only got twenty something pounds for a night out, i get double that plus a hotel for the night when the company I work for keeps me away from home. I am just thought with big companies being so hot on H&S these days they would not allow it and neither would insurance companies.
A uncle used to be an owner driver for a while and on school holidays I would sometimes go out with him, he hardly ever cooked in his cab
Are HGV drivers still badly paid, I see ads for drivers paying £15.00ph?
I think there should be a limit as to the nights a driver is allowed to spend in the cab, drivers can't be very rested having spent days in the cab.
Recall my uncle often used to run out of hours for the weekend close to home and was supposed to stay in his cab for a day or two
ConwyC said:
I think the money paid up front is taxable, companies could refund expenses without attracting tax in the same way they do for any other occupation. I can claim meal allowance when not away from base (place of work) but not staying away for the night.
Are HGV drivers still badly paid, I see ads for drivers paying £15.00ph?
I think there should be a limit as to the nights a driver is allowed to spend in the cab, drivers can't be very rested having spent days in the cab.
Recall my uncle often used to run out of hours for the weekend close to home and was supposed to stay in his cab for a day or two
Pay wise there are huge variances depending on job location, where the driver is from, region and country, employed, self employed, LTD company....Are HGV drivers still badly paid, I see ads for drivers paying £15.00ph?
I think there should be a limit as to the nights a driver is allowed to spend in the cab, drivers can't be very rested having spent days in the cab.
Recall my uncle often used to run out of hours for the weekend close to home and was supposed to stay in his cab for a day or two
Some firms still think its fine to pay LGV drivers at £8.something an hour
and often they will fill those seats. Peanuts, monkeys and all that.There are decent jobs out there but you really have to look for them, music tours, conference stuff, events and motorsport can pay well but often you have to be prepared for long stints away. I used to do the rock n roll stuff and an average European tour would be around 8-12 weeks.
I now only do UK stuff and home every shift and was lucky too get a job with one of the best payers currently. A rate similar to the one you mention at basic of 8 hours, time and a half after that, Sundays and bank hols are double time and a day in lieu if bank holiday. I'm led to believe that the Post Office and Fords are still the best payers, but only from what I've heard.
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