Out in a drawbar tomorrow delivering hay bales, never driven a drawbar before in my life so looking forward to the experience. What are they like to reverse? I am hoping & praying the same as an artic but really quite unsure. Don’t want to get any nasty surprises so any advice or tips would be most welcome from anyone with drawbar experience before the morning.
The majority of draw bars are now of the artic type…no more A frames…so no panic tramp…just back it up as you normally would.
truckyboy:
The majority of draw bars are now of the artic type…no more A frames…so no panic tramp…just back it up as you normally would.
Was hoping this was the case, cheers for that
UKtramp:
truckyboy:
The majority of draw bars are now of the artic type…no more A frames…so no panic tramp…just back it up as you normally would.Was hoping this was the case, cheers for that
It just bends in a different place 
If it turns out to be an A frame don’t worry too much, chances are the trailer will be longer wheelbase than the prime mover on a bale carrier, so just do as anyone new to artics would, have a play with it and get the hang of it before you need to do the biz.
I’m no expert with the bloody things but the few times i’ve used them i managed ok, just tried to avoid getting meself into situations calling for long or tight reverses.
I bet you’ll enjoy the coach like ride quality 
Juddian:
If it turns out to be an A frame don’t worry too much, chances are the trailer will be longer wheelbase than the prime mover on a bale carrier, so just do as anyone new to artics would, have a play with it and get the hang of it before you need to do the biz.
I’m no expert with the bloody things but the few times i’ve used them i managed ok, just tried to avoid getting meself into situations calling for long or tight reverses.I bet you’ll enjoy the coach like ride quality
Looking forward to it but a bit apprehensive at the same time, only caught up with one driver before leaving tonight and he said he drove it once and all he said was “don’t worry” which sort of played on me a bit.
UKtramp:
Out in a drawbar tomorrow delivering hay bales, never driven a drawbar before in my life so looking forward to the experience. What are they like to reverse? I am hoping & praying the same as an artic but really quite unsure. Don’t want to get any nasty surprises so any advice or tips would be most welcome from anyone with drawbar experience before the morning.
No need to use full lock tramp or even much steering at all ,it’s quite amusing watching an artic driver trying to reverse a lorry and trailer 
Punchy Dan:
UKtramp:
Out in a drawbar tomorrow delivering hay bales, never driven a drawbar before in my life so looking forward to the experience. What are they like to reverse? I am hoping & praying the same as an artic but really quite unsure. Don’t want to get any nasty surprises so any advice or tips would be most welcome from anyone with drawbar experience before the morning.No need to use full lock tramp or even much steering at all ,it’s quite amusing watching an artic driver trying to reverse a lorry and trailer
Sounds great this, I volunteered for this too 
You’ll be good.
mine is possibly the worst example to drive / reverse ,when Loaded it’s like it’s glued to the road ,the main problem is it’s not a rear steer and that it’s a spread axle .
Punchy Dan:
0mine is possibly the worst example to drive / reverse ,when Loaded it’s like it’s glued to the road ,the main problem is it’s not a rear steer and that it’s a spread axle .
That is beautiful to look at, I drove Foden in the army and never touched one since.
bobbya:
You’ll be good.
Fingers crossed bobbya
UKtramp:
Out in a drawbar tomorrow delivering hay bales, never driven a drawbar before in my life so looking forward to the experience. What are they like to reverse? I am hoping & praying the same as an artic but really quite unsure. Don’t want to get any nasty surprises so any advice or tips would be most welcome from anyone with drawbar experience before the morning.
Good luck with that tomorrow dozy 2
You won’t get much time tomorrow for your waffle
It might even make a driver out of you
No problem for you fella I reckon.Easier than an artic,less trailer cut in etc. You will probably find yourself going to wide initially but soon adapt.
Reversing is a piece of cake as well,again easier than an artic as you have far less blind spots.
Having said all that if it’s an A frame which is highly unlikely…Panic…No sweat going forwards but reversing takes a lot more practice than an artic.
Drove them on and off for about 5 years and it took a while to master going backwards!
If its a proper straw wagon with a bunk over the cab be prepared for sea sickness they sway down the road like nothing else
Also double check when its being loaded that all the trailer sections arnt feld down as you will be over length if there running the same trailer as most straw hauliers
Ive never reversed an arctic but drawbars are as easy as it comes to go backwards and forwards
Dr Damon:
No problem for you fella I reckon.Easier than an artic,less trailer cut in etc. You will probably find yourself going to wide initially but soon adapt.
Reversing is a piece of cake as well,again easier than an artic as you have far less blind spots.Having said all that if it’s an A frame which is highly unlikely…Panic…No sweat going forwards but reversing takes a lot more practice than an artic.
Drove them on and off for about 5 years and it took a while to master going backwards!
This is getting much more positive, I am unsure if it is an A frame or not, it has been out all week so not seen it yet. The regular driver is on holiday from tomorrow. My luck it will turn out to be an A frame!!
Smiffy101:
If its a proper straw wagon with a bunk over the cab be prepared for sea sickness they sway down the road like nothing else
Also double check when its being loaded that all the trailer sections arnt feld down as you will be over length if there running the same trailer as most straw hauliers
Ive never reversed an arctic but drawbars are as easy as it comes to go backwards and forwards
It will be a proper straw wagon as that is all this unit is used for, it is used all year round for straw, I will take some sea sick tablets with me. Thanks for the input
It’s a good job at this time of year. If it gets too chilly just get a wee fire going…
UKtramp:
Smiffy101:
If its a proper straw wagon with a bunk over the cab be prepared for sea sickness they sway down the road like nothing else
Also double check when its being loaded that all the trailer sections arnt feld down as you will be over length if there running the same trailer as most straw hauliers
Ive never reversed an arctic but drawbars are as easy as it comes to go backwards and forwardsIt will be a proper straw wagon as that is all this unit is used for, it is used all year round for straw, I will take some sea sick tablets with me. Thanks for the input
Some companys run the bunk some font it depends on the spec of the front axle and the bunk makes a difference
Also ask if you haven’t already been loaded already if anyone can tell you quickly the most efficient way to load it as if a farmers loading you they wont have a clue and sometimes bales have to be put on side and so on to get a proper load
UKtramp:
Smiffy101:
If its a proper straw wagon with a bunk over the cab be prepared for sea sickness they sway down the road like nothing else
Also double check when its being loaded that all the trailer sections arnt feld down as you will be over length if there running the same trailer as most straw hauliers
Ive never reversed an arctic but drawbars are as easy as it comes to go backwards and forwardsIt will be a proper straw wagon as that is all this unit is used for, it is used all year round for straw, I will take some sea sick tablets with me. Thanks for the input
Some companys run the bunk some font it depends on the spec of the front axle and the bunk makes a difference
Also ask if you haven’t already been loaded already if anyone can tell you quickly the most efficient way to load it as if a farmers loading you they wont have a clue and sometimes bales have to be put on side and so on to get a proper load