Scarab:
I do prefer driving a truck with a nicer livery, yes.
Its not just an image thing on the road, but I’m sure some, if not all, of you have noticed that when pulling up to a customers in a nicely turned out vehicle they tend to treat you a little more like a respected professional (I’m talking smaller clients here, not RDCs
Alex
I agree with you Scarab. I drive all sorts of kit Clapped out red dafs, 5 minute old fleet motors and owner drivers pride and joy’s (?) to name a few. I always feel happier on a job with a tidy looking truck than a white clone. It doesn’t affect who I do business with though but it does make a week away that little bit more enjoyable.
ROG:
A clean and well presented truck helps to keep the officials from taking too much of an interest.
I agree with the above, there is nothing worse than a truck plastered with murals such as rock stars, naked ladies , animals etc, it just looks cheap, nasty and childish. Certainly not professional looking or a good business image.
Tiger
…I quite like naked ladies
Here’s one for you Shrek, I had to take this pic purely to assist my research
I’ve always been a fan of INNOVATE LOGISTICS paint jobs. Not too flashy but really stand out. Too bad they have been swallowed up by Stobarts.
I think it really does make a difference. Image is everything. I know customers want the cheapest price for transporting their goods, but lets face it, I’m sure a customer would rather have his goods transported in something half decent than a heap of rust.
Personally I will keep a brand new truck as clean as I can, washing it when needed. If I had a wreck I would just keep the windows clean and wouldn’t waste my time doing anything else.
Iimage is important… Look at the Heritage fleet… We get no end of good comments about our fleet …Spot the “New” and first of the “Tautliner” fleet in colours ?
As an agency driver I don’t get too much choice over the livery, but having worked for a range of companies there’s certainly more of a ‘feel-good factor’ when I’m driving something that looks a bit more noticeable. I did a fairly long stint with a general haulage co. that hired in both its units (plain white) & its trailers (plain blue) & it definitely didn’t have the same ‘belonging’ feel when driving them - almost felt like an outsider. Also, the car I use for my own business is always well turned out, the personalised reg. helps because it gets me recognised (plus I haven’t got to change it too often, having lost its age-mark )
I prefer a plain ordinary looking truck, yeah it can get you attention but sometimes not from the people you want attention from like the police and VOSA they will remember you.
Even working with a big company and find some of the other drivers have been stupid, suddenly your in the same boat as them getting pulled a lot etc…
One thing i do like on trucks tho is the light bars, ok pretty much usless on the motorway but when your doing a lot of A-roads are great in the middle of the night.
I think it is fair to say that a great number of people reading this thread agree that a smartly turned out truck and trailer or ridged for that matter has the edge over a plain looking fleet, bog standard truck. Its a pity more governers don’t surf this site then perhaps everyone will drive a nicely turned out Rig.
Asking that question to truckers its pretty obvious the answer is going to be they prefer a smarter looking truck compared to a plain one in a lot of cases.
But ask the same question to people dishing out contracts and work, think it would be really low down on their priorities these days, its all about money, which means its about being able to do the job reliably and for the cheapest.
Think in the olden days things were different, someone with a bunch of trucks all liveried out would create the right impression and look a lot more profesional than a plain fleet.
But the world has changed and its run by accountants its not an interest to them.
I agree a scabby looking heap doesent inspire confidence and would put you at a disadvantage, some people may think thats a wreck, its gonna break down, but a plain looking well kept truck i wouldnt say is any disadvantage or gives you less of an edge.
Another problem with liveries and pimped out trucks is, its all about style, one persons idea of style be the dogs ■■■■■■■■ to some people, to others espec nothing to do with trucks think it looks naff.
Thank goodness Little E didnt paint his trucks with the same “mind set” as his bikes!!!
Dont 4get that less is more!
You know when you have realy made it when you dont have to put your name on the side!
A truck can be your companies best or worst advert presentation is important as is the company logo. but if you want to get noticed I find L plates work even 12 hp scooters think they have the legs on you
harley charlie:
Thank goodness Little E didnt paint his trucks with the same “mind set” as his bikes!!!
Dont 4get that less is more!
You know when you have realy made it when you dont have to put your name on the side!
harley charlie:
Thank goodness Little E didnt paint his trucks with the same “mind set” as his bikes!!!
Dont 4get that less is more!
You know when you have realy made it when you dont have to put your name on the side!
i think maritime, wincanton, hanburys,stobarts and irlams all look good cos they are clean and thats what matters good kit clean unit and trailer. thats one of the things i dont like about freightliner … that they have someone in to wash them on a sunday and i think he must be on job and knock and the trailers dont get washed at all unless it rains.
jessicas dad:
i think maritime, wincanton, hanburys,stobarts and irlams all look good cos they are clean and thats what matters good kit clean unit and trailer. thats one of the things i dont like about freightliner … that they have someone in to wash them on a sunday and i think he must be on job and knock and the trailers dont get washed at all unless it rains.
When I worked for Gist Thatcham I always used to put the truck through the truck wash. BUT I was always being given a bollocking by management about getting out on time, even though it only took 3 minutes to put it through the wash. I made the comments about “customer image” but all they were interested in was the truck getting out the gate bang on time. My pet hates are lights not working and dirty rigs.
, animals etc, it just looks cheap, nasty and childish. Certainly not professional looking or a good business image.
and the trailers dont get washed at all unless it rains.