I had some good news today in that me, my brother and my mum
are going to get £25,000 pounds in the next 28 days and
£3,000 to £5,000 as got to go to legal bills ect. Then just
over £1,000 is going to pay my car loan up and then we
are going to decorate house ect. That should leave us
with about £10,000 at the very least. I am thinking of doing
my class 1 in march time as I am hoping if I passed class 1
then it would open more doors up for me as a lot of places I have
tried are only looking for class 1 drivers. I know if I passed class 1
that I may not get class 1 jobs straight away but hopefully
class 2 jobs should come easier.
I have driven a tipper truck last week from Doncaster to
Wakefield with a load in the back. I did ok but as that was
the first time I driven a truck with 16 gears, cruise, engine brake
retarder ect and in my steel toe capped boots
I now know I need more experience and the company thought
the same and suggested getting the experience with the agencies.
As I have not driven a class 2 since passing my test in
January and before that only driving up to 3.5 tons I was
thinking of working my way up from 7.5 tons ect while I
training to do my class 1.
I have been thinking of doing class 1 in a wagon and drag
but as I did that driving in that tipper I realised that I need
to get more experience with range change gearbox’s with
splitter ect so I think artic would be better for me.
When driving an artic with range change and splitter how
do you do it in the lessons. Do you go 2nd low,2nd high
3rd low ect or do you go 2nd low 3rd low 4th low then go
to 5th which would be where 1st is.
Sorry for going on but would like some advice on doing
class 1 and would it help with work and do you think it
would be easier and better to start with 7.5 tons and
move up with experience .
I did my class 1 in a Scania sleeper unit with 8 speed range change, pulling a 40 ft ex-fridge trailer. I did it this way as when I turn up for my first day at work I have a good idea of the type of vehicle I will be driving. We went into the Nottingham test centre yesterday where there was a driver who had just passed in a 10t wagon and drag (flat-bed). I feel sorry for him 'cos his 1st day at work is going to be scary unless he already works for someone who will show him the ropes.
As for gearboxes, I was lucky because I drove a Scania rigid for a year with the same gear box. It didn’t have splitter gears but I don’t think they would be used much. Block change for more progress. In the gear change exercise it was 1st to 5th then down again. I very much doubt if you would have to split every gear.
Cruise control, well you soon get used to that on a trip from Rotherham to Penzance
What did you find the Scania to be like driving as
a few people don’t like them. I have seen a company
that have a Mercedes artic with a 2
axle trailer or there is one down Devon with a
layland and 3 axle trailer and then there is the
one I did my class 2 with they have a Scania to
with a 2 axle trailer.
The chances of a training vehicle having a splitter is, as I understand it remote as if it’s not there you will not have to use it during the test, but if it’s fitted they will expect to see you use it.
My own choice would be to go for a normal artic training vehicle as it’s probably going to be what you will be driving after the test & it’s just one thing less to learn after you pass.
convoy:
What did you find the Scania to be like driving as
a few people don’t like them. I have seen a company
that have a Mercedes artic with a 2
axle trailer or there is one down Devon with a
layland and 3 axle trailer and then there is the
one I did my class 2 with they have a Scania to
with a 2 axle trailer.
I found the Scania fine to drive. I am used to driving an Actros (converted from a unit to a rigid) which is a lot higher off the ground making the Scania seem small. Like I said in my previous post, I drove a Scania for quite a while so was used to it already. If you do drive a Scania DON’T rush when changing range! When I first ever went out in one, I had to STOP on a steep hill cos I rushed through the change and it just went to neutral!
I would do your test in an artic Convoy, not a wagon and drag. It’d be better for you and you’ll feel more at home on artics once your out and about. To be honest I think artics are a lot more prevalent than wagon and drag as well.
As for the gears, you use the correct gear (sorry, not a lot of help I know). The gear is selected by taking into account a number of different factors, as it is for a rigid. Their are rigids with splitter boxes, range changes etc out their. It might help if you could get on one of those for a bit.
Having your Class 1 licence would certainly help with work - another string to your bow. You could then approach more eployers and see if they’ll give you the valuable experience. Personally I think that’s the way to go rather than use agencies for varying reasons.
I am going to go for training in a artic and will probably
do my training in a Scania with 8 speed range change
as it’s local and I can do 2 hour lessons whenever.
daxi:
The chances of a training vehicle having a splitter is, as I understand it remote as if it’s not there you will not have to use it during the test, but if it’s fitted they will expect to see you use it.
Our training vehicles (Merc Atego 1223 wagon & drags) have six-speed gearboxes with splitter. During the test, and consequently the training, the splitters are not used, even for the gear change exercise.
I have read that before about not rushing
Scanias when changing range. I don’t know
about other trucks but the foden tipper I got
to drive range changed easy. I will keep trying
and will get something.
convoy:
I have read that before about not rushing
Scanias when changing range. I don’t know
about other trucks but the foden tipper I got
to drive range changed easy. I will keep trying
and will get something.
You’ll find something, and having the cash is half the battle.
convoy:
I have read that before about not rushing
Scanias when changing range. I don’t know
about other trucks but the foden tipper I got
to drive range changed easy. I will keep trying
and will get something.
You’ll find something, and having the cash is half the battle.
I think class 1 cost about £1,000 but don’t know
about retests and extra lessons. I have to aim a little lower as the tipper company had top spec trucks and they got
good money so for that kind of job for me is a little down
the line. I thought most places would be looking for class 2
as most people seem to go straight to class 1 but most
jobs are for class 1. I got offered some work last night off the
agency loading and unloading trucks but no driving as yet.
Convoy your going the right way as you know I did my class 1 in a waggon and drag and regretted it. I found the range change and splitter easy to get the hang of. I have sympathy for anyone who passes in a W&G then gets a job driving artics.
By the way did you ever get an application form from the place I work at. They have sacked two drivers this week they will be looking to replace. I know it sounds harsh but some bodies going to take it
No I never got an application form the place you work
at knight I will give them a call. I seen one of your
artics knight on friday going on to tinsley viaduct in
a leyland daf cf. He was a youngish fella with black
hair I think. It might take me longer to pass in a artic
but I would be more confident and I would be getting
experience with range change gearbox’s.
That lad works for us part time the Daf he was driving is an R reg and is only used when hes workng or when one of the other units off the road. Strangely I was driving it to day due to a ■■■■ up in the office, nowt new there. Bit different from the Stralis but I enjoyed driving it, it still goes well and it was nice to use my left foot for a change.They took the pee went I got to the hub though.
little bit of drag for you but i can recomend euro-mark at dodworth j37 m1 they use a daf 85 with range change and splitter with a thirty five foot trailer cost me about seven hundred quid all in and they’ve got a big yard so you can practise the reverse all you want.
by the way you are not required to use the splitter in the test if it’s fitted because your running empty.
if your bothered i’l find the number out.
i wouldn’t recomend two hour lessons as you’ll have forgot half of what you’ve learnt by the time you get back in the wagon, if you’ve got the dosh go for a 3/4 day coarse with test at the end, in and out job done.
paul
I sent my cv off last night to two companies and spoken
to canute on the phone but no joy there but I will
send my cv as I have nothing to loose. I have been
looking around at different training schools and
what vehicles they have. The main things I am looking for are -
reversing area
same truck and instructor everytime.
spending sometime going around test routes
more driving than stopping for different reasons
Also if I get the chance I will probably do a course.
paul b where did you take your test Sheffield or Leeds with
euro-mark .
.
.
).have you tried canute,also wilkinsons, both less than half an hour from you, on A1.