What is close coupling? I’ve only been driving about a year so still learning!
I had an interview a couple of years ago for TM at Park Logistics in Nottingham. They didn’t even bother to get in touch afterwards to let me know how I’d got on in the interview. When I rang weeks and weeks later he was full of excuses for not getting in touch. I’ve heard bad things about them from other people too.
Wheel Nut:
Roymondo:
Wheel Nut:
If I remember you don’t have to uncouple a drawbar trailer on test. We never had to uncouple an artic in class 1, we did have to light the boiler and get steam up though [emoji23]You certainly do have to do the coupling/uncoupling exercise on test on a drawbar trailer (although modern boilers and smokeless fuels have made building up steam a simple procedure
)
Thanks for that. I was imagining having to rely on the examiner with a Pin and Eye coupling or Manual hitch
lol…this is what we use over here ,bloody pain to hook up drags,after using 6 wheeler on hauling chip the ■■■■ stuff jams the tbar up so its a s show to release.
robroy:
Vid:
You two should get a room, Rick W is clearly another instance of a regular troll given recent posts, you want to follow his lead then fine, that’s up to you. Have a pleasant night!Wow two lots of advice in one night.
Cheers mate, if I need anymore, I’ll get back to you.
Have a good night yourself.
3rd piece of advice don’t eat the yellow snow!
4th piece definitely don’t eat the red snow, unless your first name is Vlad!
Vid:
robroy:
Vid:
You two should get a room, Rick W is clearly another instance of a regular troll given recent posts, you want to follow his lead then fine, that’s up to you. Have a pleasant night!Wow two lots of advice in one night.
Cheers mate, if I need anymore, I’ll get back to you.
Have a good night yourself.3rd piece of advice don’t eat the yellow snow!
4th piece definitely don’t eat the red snow, unless your first name is Vlad!
wanderingstar:
What is close coupling? I’ve only been driving about a year so still learning!I had an interview a couple of years ago for TM at Park Logistics in Nottingham. They didn’t even bother to get in touch afterwards to let me know how I’d got on in the interview. When I rang weeks and weeks later he was full of excuses for not getting in touch. I’ve heard bad things about them from other people too.
I think he may have meant “split coupling” - where you back the unit under the trailer (but still leave it a couple of feet short of engaging the fifth wheel) then connect the suzies before finally engaging the fifth wheel. Often done with fridge trailers where there isn’t enough room between cab and fridge to climb on the catwalk after the trailer is coupled up.
All I’m saying is if you never drove one you will not put it on the bay first time and thats only if you have been driving a artic before
It’s just takes a bit getting use to it
Maybe on 3 go’s, but very easy going foward and around corners
Roymondo:
I think he may have meant “split coupling” - where you back the unit under the trailer (but still leave it a couple of feet short of engaging the fifth wheel) then connect the suzies before finally engaging the fifth wheel. Often done with fridge trailers where there isn’t enough room between cab and fridge to climb on the catwalk after the trailer is coupled up.
Thank you! I did fridges for four months with NR Evans and did split coupling. As I remember they allowed it, but not split uncoupling - which I never tried.
wanderingstar:
Roymondo:
I think he may have meant “split coupling” - where you back the unit under the trailer (but still leave it a couple of feet short of engaging the fifth wheel) then connect the suzies before finally engaging the fifth wheel. Often done with fridge trailers where there isn’t enough room between cab and fridge to climb on the catwalk after the trailer is coupled up.Thank you! I did fridges for four months with NR Evans and did split coupling. As I remember they allowed it, but not split uncoupling - which I never tried.
With the trailer brake on or on the flat its fine as is split coupling. Sometimes theres little choice, we always run with the trailer as near the back of the cab as possible so its legs down, pull the pin and pull forward before releasing the suzies.
AndrewG:
With the trailer brake on or on the flat its fine as is split coupling. Sometimes theres little choice, we always run with the trailer as near the back of the cab as possible so its legs down, pull the pin and pull forward before releasing the suzies.
Thanks for the tip Andrew. I guess so long as the cab handbrake is definitely on you’re OK. And actually if you’re at that close range and in line, so long as you haven’t dropped the unit so far it would miss the pin on a roll back, the pin would catch it anyway.
wanderingstar:
AndrewG:
With the trailer brake on or on the flat its fine as is split coupling. Sometimes theres little choice, we always run with the trailer as near the back of the cab as possible so its legs down, pull the pin and pull forward before releasing the suzies.Thanks for the tip Andrew. I guess so long as the cab handbrake is definitely on you’re OK. And actually if you’re at that close range and in line, so long as you haven’t dropped the unit so far it would miss the pin on a roll back, the pin would catch it anyway.
Unit handbrake on is a must but also be aware of the trailer rolling forward back onto the pin when youre on the catwalk.
On the flat its ok but to be doubly safe apply the trailer brake as well…
AndrewG:
Unit handbrake on is a must but also be aware of the trailer rolling forward back onto the pin when youre on the catwalk. On the flat its ok but to be doubly safe apply the trailer brake as well…
Good advice. I never rely on trailer brakes automatically engaging when disconnecting the air. I’m amazed how often I collect a trailer and the brake is off.
UKtramp:
pware96:
The reason that i learnt in one of these was because the guy i learnt with is just like an independant guy who does it, so he doesnt own an artic i guess because more than half his work is in his rigid (cat c truck).
And i went into my class 1 straight after getting my class 2 and to be honest i didnt really think about it. I just figured im used to this truck already because ive just done cat c.
Had i thought about it beforehand i definately would have gone elsewhere that uses artics.Like i said ive managed to book a 4 hour refresher on the monday in an artic. So hopefully ill pick up the differences quickly.
So if anyone heres driving around hull monday afternoon, beware!Wasn’t parrot by any chance!!
It is parrot yeah. Why? Are the rubbish or something. Its only to have a go in an artic tho not a test or anything.
^^^^^^^^
At least if you fail your test, I reckon Parrot will repeat it for you. 
Thank you very much. 
pware96:
It is parrot yeah. Why? Are the rubbish or something. Its only to have a go in an artic tho not a test or anything.
No not rubbish as such, I know they do W&D as a class 1 licence, they must have an artic now if your doing the training in an artic
robroy:
Rick W:
robroy:
Why would a training school give you Class1 training on a drag motor, unless you (or the co that sent you for it) specified so ffs
The majority of Class 1 work is on artics unless I’m mistaken so why train a lad on a different vehicle type to what he is most likely to go on to in his job…beggars belief.Just a thought mate, but maybe the asessor will take you out in one of their W&Ds if you explain to him, who knows?
Good luck with it all anyway bud.I can tell you one of the reasons they use W&D is because it is far easier way to get a class one.
Going forwards not much cut in and less blind spots. Going backwards far easier to learn as well.
Not ideal but there you go.I wouldn’t know mate, never driven one.
But what is the point of taking a course to drive a vehicle type, getting a licence, then having no clue how to manouvre the main type of vehicle of that class.
It’s nearly as bad as that myth about EE drivers taking a Class1 on a tractor and trailer.
It’s the same situation as auto vs manual robroy, how many people pass in a auto then get a job on a manual and don’t have a clue
UKtramp:
pware96:
It is parrot yeah. Why? Are the rubbish or something. Its only to have a go in an artic tho not a test or anything.No not rubbish as such, I know they do W&D as a class 1 licence, they must have an artic now if your doing the training in an artic
Can’t think of the lads name who owns it, he’s a nice lad though i met him when he worked at welwyns… GoLGV have a proper unit and trailer, they are pretty much all ex welywyn! I did my class 1 with TIR who was in Beverley pretty sure they went under??
pware96:
I have an Eddie Stobart assessment and interview next week. I only passed my class 1 test a week ago but my problem is I did my class 1 lessons and test in like a rigid lorry with a drawbar trailer. And now my first ever time in a tractor unit will be a ■■■■ assessment. Can anyone give me some insight of what differences i should be aware of.
. If you have time it may be beneficial to book some further training an artic before your assessment . Do you know how to complete the tug test or hook up a trailer . ? You will be in a much better position to impress the interviwer with this additional training . Good luck . Edie Stobart are an extremelly successfull company .
yt03:
Can’t think of the lads name who owns it, he’s a nice lad though i met him when he worked at welwyns… GoLGV have a proper unit and trailer, they are pretty much all ex welywyn! I did my class 1 with TIR who was in Beverley pretty sure they went under??
Most of the TIR staff went to welwyn when they shut down. Debbie in the office was ex TIR.
yt03:
robroy:
Rick W:
robroy:
Why would a training school give you Class1 training on a drag motor, unless you (or the co that sent you for it) specified so ffs
The majority of Class 1 work is on artics unless I’m mistaken so why train a lad on a different vehicle type to what he is most likely to go on to in his job…beggars belief.Just a thought mate, but maybe the asessor will take you out in one of their W&Ds if you explain to him, who knows?
Good luck with it all anyway bud.I can tell you one of the reasons they use W&D is because it is far easier way to get a class one.
Going forwards not much cut in and less blind spots. Going backwards far easier to learn as well.
Not ideal but there you go.I wouldn’t know mate, never driven one.
But what is the point of taking a course to drive a vehicle type, getting a licence, then having no clue how to manouvre the main type of vehicle of that class.
It’s nearly as bad as that myth about EE drivers taking a Class1 on a tractor and trailer.It’s the same situation as auto vs manual robroy, how many people pass in a auto then get a job on a manual and don’t have a clue
Yeh, good point mate.
N.I Express:
pware96:
I have an Eddie Stobart assessment and interview next week. I only passed my class 1 test a week ago but my problem is I did my class 1 lessons and test in like a rigid lorry with a drawbar trailer. And now my first ever time in a tractor unit will be a ■■■■ assessment. Can anyone give me some insight of what differences i should be aware of.. If you have time it may be beneficial to book some further training an artic before your assessment . Do you know how to complete the tug test or hook up a trailer . ? You will be in a much better position to impress the interviwer with this additional training . Good luck . Edie Stobart are an extremelly successfull company .
You only read the op didn’t you 
