So this morning I loaded at erith and was heading for the tunnel. I know the left tunnel is 15’9" and the right is 16’6". My trailer was 15’10 so I knew I wanted the right tunnel. It’s the first time I’ve been through and I wasn’t sure from the way it looked on the maps if it’s possible to get from the a206 junction into the lanes you need for the right hand tunnel. So what I did was go through dartford and join the next junction south where I knew would be able to get into the correct lane. As I drove past I tried to have a good look to see if you can get from the 206 into the right lanes and I have to say to me it didn’t look like you could. So for future reference, can you or not?? Or do you have to go round like I did, or is there another way?
You are correct Sir, no access to the right tunnel from the 206, you need to go south & do a Flip Flop at the next junction, back towards the pipe, then get over to the right. [emoji106]
I wonder which way my sat nav was going to try and take me then! Haha glad I made the right choice there.
Rowley010:
So this morning I loaded at erith and was heading for the tunnel. I know the left tunnel is 15’9" and the right is 16’6". My trailer was 15’10 so I knew I wanted the right tunnel. It’s the first time I’ve been through and I wasn’t sure from the way it looked on the maps if it’s possible to get from the a206 junction into the lanes you need for the right hand tunnel. So what I did was go through dartford and join the next junction south where I knew would be able to get into the correct lane. As I drove past I tried to have a good look to see if you can get from the 206 into the right lanes and I have to say to me it didn’t look like you could. So for future reference, can you or not?? Or do you have to go round like I did, or is there another way?
No you cant get into the Right hand lane from 1A, from Erith, go straight over the top of junction 1A, then head south down the M25, to junction 1B, do a U-turn there, and then you can get over to that Right hand lane 
I have seen a double decker in the naughty corner and in the holding area of shame, the barrier goes down, lots of flashing lights, sirens, alarms and bells going off.
Then authorities issue an invitation to pay for the Christmas knees up bash .
Rowley010, you’re bang out of order there. WTF are you doing using common sense. I don’t know what the worlds coming to. Plenty of others manage to ■■■■ it up using the satnav excuse, and you get it right first time without any help.
peterm:
Rowley010, you’re bang out of order there. WTF are you doing using common sense. I don’t know what the worlds coming to. Plenty of others manage to ■■■■ it up using the satnav excuse, and you get it right first time without any help.
Common sense, maybe the greatest of all Virtues, but in such short supply
This is one of those reasons a Unionized workforce would be arguing for “extra pay for double decker drivers” - because of the additional perceived liability.
If a C+E driver can get more money over a C1 driver - then how come no extra money for driving these tripper-uppers of our licences, especially if the route is unfamiliar to you because you’re agency?
I wonder how many (or rather how few) Foreign truckers working via agency have had their licences “endorsed” for making the error of joining the M25 for the tunney at J1A? 
Good points Winseer.
Winseer:
This is one of those reasons a Unionized workforce would be arguing for “extra pay for double decker drivers” - because of the additional perceived liability.If a C+E driver can get more money over a C1 driver - then how come no extra money for driving these tripper-uppers of our licences, especially if the route is unfamiliar to you because you’re agency?
I wonder how many (or rather how few) Foreign truckers working via agency have had their licences “endorsed” for making the error of joining the M25 for the tunney at J1A?
I’m not against Unionisation, and have been in URTU for over 20 years.
In the past I’ve used, 15’6" and 16’ high single deck tautliners, I haven’t expected more money, because I didn’t ram them under a low bridge. I expect decent wage for all of my work, because I could go from a 45’ long 16’ high tautliner one day to 30’ long 13’ high tualiner the next, deliver all loads and return safely. More relevantly to My present work 45’ container to a 20’ container then a 40’ dry van to a 40’ high cube, all requiring different combination of locks and trailer length positioning. I’m no different to most of you guys on here, who’ll do or have done work with similar variables, and not had a problem.
To be told that because todays task was more taxing I earn extra, no, pay me for the ability I have to do the work with whatever equipment is required, if I get a low trailer one day, pay me the same as for the high trailer tomorrow, because my value doesn’t alter day by day
eddie snax:
Winseer:
This is one of those reasons a Unionized workforce would be arguing for “extra pay for double decker drivers” - because of the additional perceived liability.If a C+E driver can get more money over a C1 driver - then how come no extra money for driving these tripper-uppers of our licences, especially if the route is unfamiliar to you because you’re agency?
I wonder how many (or rather how few) Foreign truckers working via agency have had their licences “endorsed” for making the error of joining the M25 for the tunney at J1A?
I’m not against Unionisation, and have been in URTU for over 20 years.
In the past I’ve used, 15’6" and 16’ high single deck tautliners, I haven’t expected more money, because I didn’t ram them under a low bridge. I expect decent wage for all of my work, because I could go from a 45’ long 16’ high tautliner one day to 30’ long 13’ high tualiner the next, deliver all loads and return safely. More relevantly to My present work 45’ container to a 20’ container then a 40’ dry van to a 40’ high cube, all requiring different combination of locks and trailer length positioning. I’m no different to most of you guys on here, who’ll do or have done work with similar variables, and not had a problem.
To be told that because todays task was more taxing I earn extra, no, pay me for the ability I have to do the work with whatever equipment is required, if I get a low trailer one day, pay me the same as for the high trailer tomorrow, because my value doesn’t alter day by day
And another well said.
Part of the “big wide world fun” of being a trucker - is being able to go off-route as a professional judgement whenever you see fit.
I even had the nickname “Off-Route” for a while at my old workplace… 
With a double decker though, you’re ■■■■■■■■ bricks the moment you get tipped off the motorway closure in an unfamiliar neck of the woods… 
All that extra stress - no extra cash. Nowdays I’ll sidestep efforts to get me driving one as a matter of course, unless it’s a route I’m very familiar with.