I only drove five trucks full time, a Sed Ak 400 and four Fodens, and they all had their good and bad points but nothing made would ever be 100% perfect. Just like drivers I suppose! 
Pete.
Very little driving experience here but basically driven a Volvo FH, which was very nice, no complaints about that.
The other was a Volvo FE where I could almost make a cup of tea in the time it took the gearbox to change from 1st to 2nd where you just rolled along with no drive.
Also driven a Mirrorcam Merc Actros 18t, that was ok, only the parking brake took several decades to disingage. If you wanted to move off at traffic lights you’d better preempt their changing otherwise you’d miss the cycle in the time it took that parking brake to actuate. I actually didn’t mind the cams once i’d got used to them, probably needed to be higher resolution though, tbh.
Peg:
Also driven a Mirrorcam Merc Actros 18t, that was ok, only the parking brake took several decades to disingage. If you wanted to move off at traffic lights you’d better preempt their changing otherwise you’d miss the cycle in the time it took that parking brake to actuate. I actually didn’t mind the cams once i’d got used to them, probably needed to be higher resolution though, tbh.
Been there - I gave up trying to use the actual parking brake button to disengage and instead put it in neutral then into drive at each set of lights. The mirrorcams in the rain at night can’t be much fun either.
Can’t go wrong with Scania, Volvo seem to have lost their way in recent years and MAN are usually pretty good.
I’ve always liked the Daf cf/xf but the smaller rigids are pretty nasty.
Never driven a Merc I liked.
Peg:
.Also driven a Mirrorcam Merc Actros 18t, that was ok, only the parking brake took several decades to disingage. If you wanted to move off at traffic lights you’d better preempt their changing otherwise you’d miss the cycle in the time it took that parking brake to actuate. I actually didn’t mind the cams once i’d got used to them, probably needed to be higher resolution though, tbh.
I’ve learnt to use the hill hold function rather than the parking brake. It does say “Hold” on the dashboard when in use which provides some comfort compared to the parking brake’s red light.
Goff118:
Been there - I gave up trying to use the actual parking brake button to disengage and instead put it in neutral then into drive at each set of lights. The mirrorcams in the rain at night can’t be much fun either.
stu675:
I’ve learnt to use the hill hold function rather than the parking brake. It does say “Hold” on the dashboard when in use which provides some comfort compared to the parking brake’s red light.
That is good to know. I was on the point of thinking that I was just being an idiot and not using the button correctly.
Juddian:
TruckDriverBen:
all the negative about Mercedes but none of the other truck have Active Drive Assist or No hands steering. surely this is a game changer on long motorway tripsnow the term steering wheel attendant will actually be real
In what universe will no hands steering be a good thing, what happens when error 404 crops up and that heap decides to drive up a tree or up an oncoming school bus.
We all know who’ll be to blame, the fool behind the wheel who left the most important part of driving (on an equal footing with braking, which they’ve already allowed the vehicle to override) to a bloody electronic box of tricks, and the need for someone to blame is why there will always be someone in the vehicle to carry the can when all hell breaks loose.Personally i’m in charge of the what the bloody lorry does, where it goes and when it brakes adjusts the steering and accelerates, if things go pear shaped i’m going to be the one facing the music, not the builder or designer or seller or maintenance tech, the driver will always be responsible so fight as much as you can the machine.
Can’t disagree with anything you say …no matter what electronics they fit the driver is ultimately responsible , the electronics are an aid to safety,but the driver is still ultimately responsible …We should have stuck with Euro 2 ,as since then electronics have taken over ,there is no such thing as a 5 min fix …Manufacturers are still pushing new electronics even though you can’t get chips to run them ,unless you want a NLAW or Javelin as they doesn’t seem to be an issue getting chips for them lol…On a plus point you will get as much for your kit today as you paid for it due to the chip shortage
WheelsofCardiff:
Actros now has the mirror option. After some regular customers wanted to switch motors they agreed it was loosing them business have been seeing lots of 22 plate Actros with mirrors.
I’ve seen a new DAF XF with both mirrors and camera
Juddian:
Nearly there again:
I remember a scania tractor unit I drove that had a clutch but was a automatic, it was not fun to drive as it was lacking any powerYou needed to select MH and change gear yourself to get the best from those (and that hasn’t changed with the very latest models), the programming of opticruise wasn’t great, left to its own devices pulling out of junctions and steep hill climbing were dodgy, you could actually come to a grinding halt on a rapidly steeping hill because the box couldn’t keep up with deceleration in auto mode even in AH, MH gave faster changes than normal M, once used to the changes you could make good progress with one because the system allowed up to 3 block changes either way instantly and rapidly.
I drive a G410 2016 2 pedal and I leave it in AP mode all the time as I can change gear manually if needed
We’ve also go a 66 plt 450 which is locked to eco and is pants
I’ve been using a old daf xf , it’s not far off the worst I’ve driven , every day is will I/ won’t I get back
norb:
Juddian:
TruckDriverBen:
all the negative about Mercedes but none of the other truck have Active Drive Assist or No hands steering. surely this is a game changer on long motorway tripsnow the term steering wheel attendant will actually be real
In what universe will no hands steering be a good thing, what happens when error 404 crops up and that heap decides to drive up a tree or up an oncoming school bus.
We all know who’ll be to blame, the fool behind the wheel who left the most important part of driving (on an equal footing with braking, which they’ve already allowed the vehicle to override) to a bloody electronic box of tricks, and the need for someone to blame is why there will always be someone in the vehicle to carry the can when all hell breaks loose.Personally i’m in charge of the what the bloody lorry does, where it goes and when it brakes adjusts the steering and accelerates, if things go pear shaped i’m going to be the one facing the music, not the builder or designer or seller or maintenance tech, the driver will always be responsible so fight as much as you can the machine.
Can’t disagree with anything you say …no matter what electronics they fit the driver is ultimately responsible , the electronics are an aid to safety,but the driver is still ultimately responsible …We should have stuck with Euro 2 ,as since then electronics have taken over ,there is no such thing as a 5 min fix …Manufacturers are still pushing new electronics even though you can’t get chips to run them ,unless you want a NLAW or Javelin as they doesn’t seem to be an issue getting chips for them lol…On a plus point you will get as much for your kit today as you paid for it due to the chip shortage
Norb i don’t know how you lads keep up with the stuff to be honest, it’s bad enough having to jump in one of the new generation wagons at 4am and try to work out what button or menu does what, how you techs are supposed to learn complete new wagons and systems well i can say is glad it aint me 
robthedog:
stu675:
Can’t wait to start in my mirrorless Actros (as long as my new boss hasn’t lied) hope I won’t be disappointed?You will be
I was going to say that!!!
gardun:
robthedog:
stu675:
Can’t wait to start in my mirrorless Actros (as long as my new boss hasn’t lied) hope I won’t be disappointed?You will be
I was going to say that!!!
I’m getting to like it. But the cameras don’t make reversing easy.
blue estate:
WheelsofCardiff:
Actros now has the mirror option. After some regular customers wanted to switch motors they agreed it was loosing them business have been seeing lots of 22 plate Actros with mirrors.I’ve seen a new DAF XF with both mirrors and camera
Reason you have seen them with both is simple they can’t get the
chips for the cameras. To save vehicles piling up at the factory
they fit both and when they get the chips the will remove the mirrors.
Merc, It’s truly shocking truck…
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So many postings on TNUK complaining about certain relatively “modern” vehicles, seating- pulling power- gearbox etc etc makes me wonder how long some of them have been in the “game”. How would they cope driving something like the old AECs Seddons Atkis to name but a few.with a 220 / 290 lump and no power steering and 6 speed box no aircon or plug socket for their gadgets. 
showing my age now
stu675:
gardun:
robthedog:
stu675:
Can’t wait to start in my mirrorless Actros (as long as my new boss hasn’t lied) hope I won’t be disappointed?You will be
I was going to say that!!!
I’m getting to like it. But the cameras don’t make reversing easy.
We’ve had one with cameras for nearly 18 months. I don’t drive it every night (thank God) but often enough to know that I hate it. In the dark the mirrors are next to useless and if it rains as well they are a waste of time. Reversing with them is a nightmare; you can’t even tell if the unit and trailer are straight.
The touch screen controls are downright stupid; unless you are on one of the rare sections of super-smooth motorway it’s hard work touching the right “button”. It also requires much more time with eyes off the road to see what you want, and even the steering wheel switches add to the problems with touch sensitive centres - the display changes every time you accidentally touch them. I can find all the traditional switches without having to look; the new ones are distracting.
The electric handbrake is slow to release, sometimes needing more pedal tapping than a church organ, and the brake assist and anti-collisions systems are the first to be turned off - I’m fed up with emergency braking for imaginary hazards.
All our units are Merc. and two are the new model - I see no improvement in the new ones - the are still uncomfortable, frightened of hills and quirky.
Since I don’t drive any other make I can’t make a comparison, but I really can’t imagine any other truck being as bad as them.
Neoo:
Merc, It’s truly shocking truck…Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
Apart from a little jolting, and the mirror cams, what am I missing from any better truck?
lolipop:
So many postings on TNUK complaining about certain relatively “modern” vehicles, seating- pulling power- gearbox etc etc makes me wonder how long some of them have been in the “game”. How would they cope driving something like the old AECs Seddons Atkis to name but a few.with a 220 / 290 lump and no power steering and 6 speed box no aircon or plug socket for their gadgets.
showing my age now
I’ve been driving hgv’s for 22 years now, started on 3 series Scania’s and the occasional Bedford TK and driven mostly Scania/Daf with occasional merc and Man along the way.
Modern trucks are much nicer to live with day to day and all the creature comforts make life a lot easier although I don’t think they’re as reliable.
Having said that my favourite truck was an 08 Daf cf six wheel rigid, had it from brand new till it left the fleet and looked forward to getting in it every day.
stu675:
Neoo:
Merc, It’s truly shocking truck…Sent from my SM-G970F using Tapatalk
Apart from a little jolting, and the mirror cams, what am I missing from any better truck?
Just to be clear, I’m talking about previous gen Actros, the one before mirrorles, I know there is some improvements in new model but I haven’t driven it and also people still say a lot of bad things. As per previous gen, gearbox absolutely shocking, speedometer unreadable, drive quality shocking most of the buttons make no sense, non stop warning lights about all sort of faults i could go on and on. I would take Renault or Daf over Merc any day, not talking about Scania or Volvo wich is just different league…
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