The MAN grab wagon I drive has no air conditioning, no heated mirrors or mirror adjusters. Also it is the only truck I’ve ever driven that hasn’t had an electric passenger window. The truck is only a late 61 plate (bought from a truck rental company) and for a 6w is only rated at 290bhp (the last one I drove under 300 was a Foden with a 275 ■■■■■■■ on an N plate).
Strange thing is it’s actually a great little wagon (manual gearbox thankfully) and is really comfortable and reliable.
Anyone else been pleasantly surprised, driving “poverty spec” trucks?
No. I once only had five pounds disposable cash a day, I lived just fine, enjoyed life as much as I could.
Doesn’t mean I’d go back to it again though 
My mate has just got a new scan 8 wheeler with no air con.
I was quite surprised at that now days.
Lane departure? Anti-collision? Auto (Daf) gearbox? Id pay extra to have a truck without em.
Your ‘poverty spec’ MAN sounds far better specced than most of the things I drove Nathan! 
What is it they say, “the luxuries of today are the neccessities of tomorrow” or something similar?
Pete.
Bugger all wrong with that, things not fitted can’t go expensively wrong.
Juddian:
Bugger all wrong with that, things not fitted can’t go expensively wrong.
Well said that man , when will the penny drop by operators , manufacturers , etc etc , but I am always suspicious that the makers force this mostly unnecessary equipment on operators with the hope it will help sell motors , or perhaps if all this equipment starts to go wrong then an expensive visit to the dealers is on the cards .
Because drivers expect ac stereo and as standard were now in the 21 century not the 1960s
No heated mirrors is the thing I would have a problem with, heated mirrors aren’t a luxury, they are a vital safety issue on a misty day.
Harry Monk:
No heated mirrors is the thing I would have a problem with, heated mirrors aren’t a luxury, they are a vital safety issue on a misty day.
Yes I would miss them too Harry but I have never had air-con even in a car and the electric passenger window (though usefull in fog etc) I could manage without. Only ever had one truck fitted with one and that used to jam open at times! Got to still be a market for a ‘no frills’ truck for the construction industry at least, not so many years ago some manufacturers were offering different cab and trim options depending on what type of work it was going to be used on.
Pete.
Harry Monk:
No heated mirrors is the thing I would have a problem with, heated mirrors aren’t a luxury, they are a vital safety issue on a misty day.
I am all for having equipment to make the driver and other road users lot safer , but sound systems , microwaves , kitchen sinks etc etc , not necessary !!! , on the other hand if the driver cares to pay for his toys to give him a badge of honour and bragging rights at the coffee machine then fill your boots .
My FH500 is a basic model, it has few added extras like side skirts and a stack but less electrics less to go wrong. Its always been in Spain and has air con but thats about it, nothing at all wrong with a lower spec truck…
A very well known haulier in my part of the country who normally runs very top of the range motors on tramping has just put a large amount of very basic fleet motors into his tramping fleet , I suspect the penny has finally dropped with him .
Franglais:
Lane departure? Anti-collision? Auto (Daf) gearbox? Id pay extra to have a truck withoutem.
Ha Ha. We have mostly DAF’s and the auto gearbox is poor. You put your foot down at junctions and it has to think for a few seconds before it does anything.
Franglais:
Lane departure? Anti-collision? Auto (Daf) gearbox? Id pay extra to have a truck withoutem.
Ha Ha. We have mostly DAF’s and the auto gearbox is poor. You put your foot down at junctions and it has to think for a few seconds before it does anything.
Franglais:
Lane departure? Anti-collision? Auto (Daf) gearbox? Id pay extra to have a truck withoutem.
Ha Ha. We have mostly DAF’s and the auto gearbox is poor. You put your foot down at junctions and it has to think for a few seconds before it does anything.
When I had a Foden Alpha brand new, the firm wouldn’t pay extra for air conditioning because “other drivers will want air con’ too… But the wood effect dash trim wasn’t cheap.” 
One manager actually complained because I left the windows open in the quarry and it would “ruin the luxury interior.” When did tacky wood effect trim become “luxury”? It wasn’t on the side of mini estates.
sweepster:
Franglais:
Lane departure? Anti-collision? Auto (Daf) gearbox? Id pay extra to have a truck withoutem.Ha Ha. We have mostly DAF’s and the auto gearbox is poor. You put your foot down at junctions and it has to think for a few seconds before it does anything.
You need to teach the auto box when to change .
Change it manually a few times and it’ll learn
Harry Monk:
No heated mirrors is the thing I would have a problem with, heated mirrors aren’t a luxury, they are a vital safety issue on a misty day.
I’m with you on that one! When people ask me what '70s lorries I’d drive again, I usually answer with your proviso! Robert
Call me a ■■■■■■■■■■■■ but air-con is pretty much a standard requirement for me.
In fact I usually ask at the interview if its on the trucks as due to its removal being a false economy it speaks volumes about the company if it’s not included.