Hi everybody.
I’ve been OTR trucking for around a year in the US, and was wondering what the similarities are with you guys, regarding hours of service, non-sequential gearbox’s, tandem sliding and stuff, maybe even average mileage etc…
we don’t have log books any longer, we have tachographs.
our cabs are too small compared to those in the colonies.
however, the technology in european trucks is about 20 years ahead of yours.
in the UK, you would be lucky to do more than 350 miles in a day.
but in europe you can get in 550 miles per day. although germany is almost as bad as the UK.
expect the Romanians, and Bulgarians to steel everything from you, the turks will help you. when a scots police man speaks to you, see how many times you can say “what?” 
they really enjoy it, you know this by the lovely shade of purple that there face goes.
Welcome to the site, as I understand 3000 miles a week is the norm in the U.S, the U.K average is probably half of that regarding hours of service we call it drivers hours.
All driving data is recorded on a card, which looks very much like a credit card, most European trucks are automatic and have a set speed of 56MPH satellite tracking computers and electronics feature heavily.
I have an auxiliary socket for my Ipod and a heated seat, I set the cruise and climate control and think of all the unfortunate drivers in the states withe the engine poking out in front and getting shaken to death in something that still has three pedals* this is our rule book. dft.gov.uk/vosa/publications … guides.htm
*The sleeping arrangements it has to be said are somewhat better than ours.
all that said ask your boss if he would sponsor a british driver and i’ll move to the US by the end of the week 
me too
non-sequential gearbox’s
Most UK drivers have never even seen one never mind driven with one. You would have to go back 50 years to find a truck with two gear levers or a gate. Nearly all modern trucks are automatic two pedal jobs that do everything bar steer themselves (how long before they do that too?).
Even if the gearbox is manual it will be something like a four over four with a two speed axle to give sixteen (even though you probably would only ever use six).
Oh - and don’t forget the night heaters to keep us cosy in our little tin boxes on a frosty night.
mike68:
Welcome to the site, as I understand 3000 miles a week is the norm in the U.S, the U.K average is probably half of that regarding hours of service we call it drivers hours.thanks, id say my average is around 3400, this week for example i done 4400 from montana dwn to misipi and back,
I have an auxiliary socket for my Ipod and a heated seat, I set the cruise and climate control and think of all the unfortunate drivers in the states withe the engine poking out in front and getting shaken to death in something that still has three pedals*
I have the aux sockets and more little luxuries are coming to our new rigs its slow and the gearboxes we have really come in helpful and steep grades crossing the divide, and in town with practice you can get away with floating the gears without using the clutch, but as getting shaken to death, we some of these new volvos have front air ride, and the pete and KW’s are so long there more comfy, but they dont call my truck a freightshaker for no reason
*The sleeping arrangements it has to be said are somewhat better than ours.
without question, i have fridge freezer, micro toaster kettle coffee maker, 28inch tv and PS3…you know for the slow days.
drive safe
philtvc65:
all that said ask your boss if he would sponsor a british driver and i’ll move to the US by the end of the week
ill put in a word lol
philtvc65:
all that said ask your boss if he would sponsor a british driver and i’ll move to the US by the end of the week
Dream on … No trucking company can sponser a driver from any other country my dear friend 
You would also be making a big mistake…
Only 1 week per year vacation.
Paid by the mile, not by the hour.
Retarded trucks (I mean way behind in technology).
No workers rights.
Very poor working conditions.
After 12 years driving over here and I know i would rather be back driving over there in the UK.
But Pat…You say that. But from what I have read on what you post. You make it sound like Heaven on Earth. You have all that sky above you, yet you would rather drive in this small, overcrowded, unfriendly little dump? 
Pat Hasler:
philtvc65:
all that said ask your boss if he would sponsor a british driver and i’ll move to the US by the end of the weekDream on … No trucking company can sponser a driver from any other country my dear friend
You would also be making a big mistake…
Only 1 week per year vacation.(work for good company or run your own truck and budget yourself with the better salary
Paid by the mile, not by the hour.again, find a different company
Retarded trucks (I mean way behind in technology).you have a point here
No workers rights.another good point but again a good company would help that
Very poor working conditions.explain??
After 12 years driving over here and I know i would rather be back driving over there in the UK.