Harry Monk:
One very simple improvement would be to standardise the position of the couplings on the front of trailers so you don’t end up with them crossed even before you leave the depot. I also don’t see why three suzies are required to take electricity to the trailer, one would be enough.
I agree - on all our trailers the electric susie plugs are the complete opposite to where they are on the units Oh it would help if the catwalk covered the whole chassis on some units -an accident waiting to happen on a dark wet night
I also don’t see why three suzies are required to take electricity to the trailer, one would be enough
true enough, modern caravan couplings have incorporated two suzies into one,and going back to the early scammell auto couplings they had no electric suzies but had electric points mounted on rubber stalks that pushed against similar on the trailer for lighting etc. Maybe a modernised version of that could be designed.
There wouls be a lot less 5th wheel grease spread around if the grease monkeys used the greasing ■■■■■■■ on the wheel instead of simply squirting it onto the surface, so that at the first coupling after service 90% is simply scraped off. I seem to remember that Teflon coated 5th wheels were trialed a few years ago that required no grease, what happened to them?
Alcpone:
I dont think I would trust it, I like the idea of getting out and hitching up so you can see for your own eyes its all connected properly.
I’ve worked with digger drivers who hated quick change buckets when they came out (they said something similar to Alcpone)…but I’d much rather press a button, move a lever and drop/pick up a bucket than mess about in the rain, getting grease everywhere…
So what is automatic coupling? A button to press instead of pulling a pin? So all you would save is pulling the pin? I would have thought most injuries occur when doing the susies, does automatic coupling have the technology to connect susie lines ? Im going to hazard a guess and say no so its a bit pointless really isnt it.
merc0447:
So what is automatic coupling? A button to press instead of pulling a pin? So all you would save is pulling the pin? I would have thought most injuries occur when doing the susies, does automatic coupling have the technology to connect susie lines ? Im going to hazard a guess and say no so its a bit pointless really isnt it.
The jost FAC does everything except put your number plate on - theres a demonstration video of how it works- someone will probably post the link on here
The number plate could be an LED unit that auto scans the tractor when coupling up. Costly to start with, but think how many replacement plates have to be paid for in the life of an average tractor unit.
Santa:
The number plate could be an LED unit that auto scans the tractor when coupling up. Costly to start with, but think how many replacement plates have to be paid for in the life of an average tractor unit.
Solved.
I love the simple ideas as they always seem to work best… WHY do ideas like that not get noticed■■?
I think someone (preferably a nice bit of crumpet) should come round and give you a gentle wake up call and a nice bit of breakfast, start the engine and let it warm up so the heater / air con’ is all ready for you, clean the screen and the mirrors and generally make sure that you get off to a good start for the day. After that you need someone to be waiting at every place where you might have to drop / hook up a trailer, open doors or curtains, or heaven forbid, undo straps or those ghastly ropes and sheets. What happens when you have to fill up with diesel… it smells so horrible and if you do it yourself, you might get a spot or two on your gucci shirt. I s’pose checking the engine oil’s outa the question.
FFS, you’re supposed to be a lorry driver, what the ■■■■ is wrong with changing trailers ? I’ve done about fifteen squillion (alright, a slight exaggeration) changes and never managed to find something to whinge about. Keep some gloves and hand cleaner… I did, and they don’t take up a lot of room. And don’t start going on about ‘times have changed’ cos it’s people that have changed. Too many that want everything done for them / automated.
I know I’ve had a bit of a go, but FFS you’ll automate yourself out of a job !
BTW, Scammell couplings weren’t that safe, I’ve seen 'em roll the trailers right off the unit on uneven ground.
peterm:
FFS, you’re supposed to be a lorry driver, what the [zb] is wrong with changing trailers ? I’ve done about fifteen squillion (alright, a slight exaggeration) changes and never managed to find something to whinge about. Keep some gloves and hand cleaner… I did, and they don’t take up a lot of room. And don’t start going on about ‘times have changed’ cos it’s people that have changed. Too many that want everything done for them / automated.
I know I’ve had a bit of a go, but FFS you’ll automate yourself out of a job !
peterm:
what the [zb] is wrong with changing trailers ? I’ve done about fifteen squillion (alright, a slight exaggeration) changes and never managed to find something to whinge about.
Honestly? You have never had cause to whinge about the ■■■■■■ who dropped it an inch high, or didn’t tell anyone that the lights were popping fuses? I tried dropping mine today, and the legs mechanism was frozen solid… Had to get the 2lb spanner out and adjust things…
But you are right enough. It isn’t the end of the world, is it…
American trucks used to be available with air operated pins… Not a great idea I would think.
peterm:
what the [zb] is wrong with changing trailers ? I’ve done about fifteen squillion (alright, a slight exaggeration) changes and never managed to find something to whinge about.
Honestly? You have never had cause to whinge about the ■■■■■■ who dropped it an inch high, or didn’t tell anyone that the lights were popping fuses? I tried dropping mine today, and the legs mechanism was frozen solid… Had to get the 2lb spanner out and adjust things…
But you are right enough. It isn’t the end of the world, is it…
American trucks used to be available with air operated pins… Not a great idea I would think.
Frequently, one of our local boys has an old Freightliner and everything he drops is way too high for me and I’ve got 11R24.5 tyres so I’m no midget, I’ve pulled him up on it and he said ‘It’s easy to drop it down an inch or two than to wind it up an inch or two’ …touche
peterm:
I think someone (preferably a nice bit of crumpet) should come round and give you a gentle wake up call and a nice bit of breakfast, start the engine and let it warm up so the heater / air con’ is all ready for you, clean the screen and the mirrors and generally make sure that you get off to a good start for the day. After that you need someone to be waiting at every place where you might have to drop / hook up a trailer, open doors or curtains, or heaven forbid, undo straps or those ghastly ropes and sheets. What happens when you have to fill up with diesel… it smells so horrible and if you do it yourself, you might get a spot or two on your gucci shirt. I s’pose checking the engine oil’s outa the question.
FFS, you’re supposed to be a lorry driver, what the [zb] is wrong with changing trailers ? I’ve done about fifteen squillion (alright, a slight exaggeration) changes and never managed to find something to whinge about. Keep some gloves and hand cleaner… I did, and they don’t take up a lot of room. And don’t start going on about ‘times have changed’ cos it’s people that have changed. Too many that want everything done for them / automated.
I know I’ve had a bit of a go, but FFS you’ll automate yourself out of a job !
BTW, Scammell couplings weren’t that safe, I’ve seen 'em roll the trailers right off the unit on uneven ground.
Why don’t we go back to roping and sheeting then & crash boxes 180BHP no power steering ! FFS It was just an observation that the coupling method hasn’t changed for 50 odd years yet the vehicles & trailers have! You just prove that most drivers are as thick as [zb]!!
Oh it would help if the catwalk covered the whole chassis on some units -an accident waiting to happen on a dark wet night 
- theres a demonstration video of how it works- someone will probably post the link on here
