UKtramp:
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.
I had Debbie for my class 1, never had a 3 over 3 until i drove that volvo i think they even went on to w&d before they closed
yt03:
I had Debbie for my class 1, never had a 3 over 3 until i drove that volvo i think they even went on to w&d before they closed
debbie out of the office is at welwyn, debbie the driving instructor went to GoLGV, heard she might be going to parrrot but not sure that is true. My current wagon is a 3 over 3 with a splitter. Its a Scania 143 H V8. Certainly fun to drive but you get so used to the ease of an auto that it makes them seem so old fashioned!!.
Some of you have mentioned uncoupling and recoupling but in my W&D we did do that and i thought it would be pretty similar. The routine i did for my test was.
Engine off, Trailer brake on, Leg down, disconnect all the air lines and that, set the pin to disconnect.
Drive truck off park up next told it was new trailer, so do trailer checks make sure check trailer brake was on, reset pin thing on the truck. Get back in truck back it up too about 2 metres off the trailer, check heights were matching (which they never do) so lower suspension back it on, give it a couple of tugs to check im on. Get out connect the lines, leg up, trailer brake off, check lights working. And thats it. Oh and reset suspension height
I thought that would be very similar to an artic is it not?
Also i didnt think about that, i learnt in an auto. Does anyone know if stobarts trucks are automatics?
I did my training in a rigid with drawbar. It’s crap and wouldn’t recommend it if your wanting to go on artics. Although I can confirm it does give your full class 1 or C+E. Reason training companies do it is so they only have to own one vehicle and trailer, rather than owning a rigid, plus a tractor unit and trailer.
I struggled when I first got in an artic. You’ve got to watch the headboard swinging out when you turn which is something you don’t think about on a wagon and drag.
Tell the assessor straight away that you’ve learned in that vehicle and never driven an artic. That way they will most probably cut you some slack and it might even become part lesson and part assessment for you. That’s what happened with me at my first assessment.
pware96:
Also i didnt think about that, i learnt in an auto. Does anyone know if stobarts trucks are automatics?
Pretty sure they will be
Stobarts had a Manual at crick
Rowley010:
I did my training in a rigid with drawbar. It’s crap and wouldn’t recommend it if your wanting to go on artics. Although I can confirm it does give your full class 1 or C+E. Reason training companies do it is so they only have to own one vehicle and trailer, rather than owning a rigid, plus a tractor unit and trailer.I struggled when I first got in an artic. You’ve got to watch the headboard swinging out when you turn which is something you don’t think about on a wagon and drag.
Tell the assessor straight away that you’ve learned in that vehicle and never driven an artic. That way they will most probably cut you some slack and it might even become part lesson and part assessment for you. That’s what happened with me at my first assessment.
Yeah i will tell the assessor that. But then i doubt there just gonna cut some slack as I guess they want someone for the job who can do it. And at the end of the day if im stuggling to do that then thats that.
Im hoping that when i tell the assessor i last minute booked a 4 hour refresher session the day before so i could have a go in artic then maybe he will give me a job as i clearly want it 
If i dont get a job i plan to go round some of the agencys as no one else wants to give me a job. Hard when your only 21 and got no experience.
UKtramp:
yt03:
I had Debbie for my class 1, never had a 3 over 3 until i drove that volvo i think they even went on to w&d before they closeddebbie out of the office is at welwyn, debbie the driving instructor went to GoLGV, heard she might be going to parrrot but not sure that is true. My current wagon is a 3 over 3 with a splitter. Its a Scania 143 H V8. Certainly fun to drive but you get so used to the ease of an auto that it makes them seem so old fashioned!!.
debs was my instructor at golgv…brilliant woman to get aong with…still see her out and about every now and again.
but golgv gave me the chice of wagon n drag with the wagon i had passed me class 2 in or the artic, i did not see point in doing wagon and drag as that was not the aim
pware96:
Rowley010:
I did my training in a rigid with drawbar. It’s crap and wouldn’t recommend it if your wanting to go on artics. Although I can confirm it does give your full class 1 or C+E. Reason training companies do it is so they only have to own one vehicle and trailer, rather than owning a rigid, plus a tractor unit and trailer.I struggled when I first got in an artic. You’ve got to watch the headboard swinging out when you turn which is something you don’t think about on a wagon and drag.
Tell the assessor straight away that you’ve learned in that vehicle and never driven an artic. That way they will most probably cut you some slack and it might even become part lesson and part assessment for you. That’s what happened with me at my first assessment.
Yeah i will tell the assessor that. But then i doubt there just gonna cut some slack as I guess they want someone for the job who can do it. And at the end of the day if im stuggling to do that then thats that.
Im hoping that when i tell the assessor i last minute booked a 4 hour refresher session the day before so i could have a go in artic then maybe he will give me a job as i clearly want itIf i dont get a job i plan to go round some of the agencys as no one else wants to give me a job. Hard when your only 21 and got no experience.
i was 21 when i first started’ they is people who will give you a go just might not be what you wanted to do… keep batting on and you will get there.
Rowley010:
pware96:
Also i didnt think about that, i learnt in an auto. Does anyone know if stobarts trucks are automatics?Pretty sure they will be
Most of them are, but there are still some manuals.
UKtramp:
Rowley010:
pware96:
Also i didnt think about that, i learnt in an auto. Does anyone know if stobarts trucks are automatics?Pretty sure they will be
Most of them are, but there are still some manuals.
Here is one of Stobart’s Automatic Off Load Trailers at Tescos.
lczjs:
UKtramp:
Rowley010:
pware96:
Also i didnt think about that, i learnt in an auto. Does anyone know if stobarts trucks are automatics?Pretty sure they will be
Most of them are, but there are still some manuals.
Here is one of Stobart’s Automatic Off Load Trailers at Tescos.
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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
I have that exact same pintle hook on my units, we use them to shunt the converter dollies around, the trailers have the same type of hitch, but bigger with an air actuated zero free play thing that secures the hook of the converter dolly to the hitch. Trust me, they’re a PITA as you have to line them up perfectly, not so easy when the hook is on the back of a 53’ trailer and it’s dark outside, but practice makes perfect, I manage to get it right nine times out of ten, but that tenth time always involves lots of swearing and hitting things with a hammer and crowbar.
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Thanks everyone for the comments, did the 4 hour refresher in an artic and was surprised how similar it was really. Was good to get used to watching out for the headboard aswell which is something i didnt have to do before.
Anyway did my stobart assessment drive and interview and got offered a job there and then. Well after my 2 day induction and a few days out with another driver.
And to anyone who commented about reversing, i can definately say an artic is alot easier than the wagon and drag. Even tho id never reversed before in an artic i got it bang on straight between 2 trailers first time.
Congratulations mate. Hope you get to learn the job and not dropped off the deep end. I started on nights when I first passed. It was a big help having quiet roads. Keep us posted.
pware96:
Thanks everyone for the comments, did the 4 hour refresher in an artic and was surprised how similar it was really. Was good to get used to watching out for the headboard aswell which is something i didnt have to do before.
Anyway did my stobart assessment drive and interview and got offered a job there and then. Well after my 2 day induction and a few days out with another driver.
And to anyone who commented about reversing, i can definately say an artic is alot easier than the wagon and drag. Even tho id never reversed before in an artic i got it bang on straight between 2 trailers first time.
Nice one mate,.well done in getting the job offered, you obviously impressed them.
That’s that over, but the worst bit is to come,… You have to work everyday and be seen in the dreaded Elf Suit. 
My mate who works for them likens having to wear it to, …‘‘A bit like getting fixed up with a fat ugly bird…, it’s ok, but a bit embarrassing if any of your mates see you’’ 
