Hello all.
Please forgive me as I have only made a couple of posts but have always been a keen reader on this excellent site.
I have had my class 1 for some time now, but my main experience lies with class 2 (mainly pallet and multi drop work).
I qualified with my LLB and masters as a Lawyer and very quickly got bored with my new found “career”.
I then went back into what is in my blood. TRUCKING!
As i hobby, in 2002 i bought a Volvo f12. It needed work. It still needs work. In fact, it is currently having a tad of airbrushing.
Now my main intention was to enjoy this unit as something of a sound system / show truck. But the euro continent is screaming at me. I am bored. I need to have some adventure. I know that obviously we cant truck to the middle east in this day and age, but my intention is to have it upgraded to digi card and go through the procedure for an O licence.
My question is with a unit like the F12, how will i stand with euro regs and emissions?
As i stated it is a hobby truck so i do not mind spending money, however this will be my sole source of living. I have work lined up for car transportation but want to spread wings out of the UK. I know my unit wont be the best on fuel so wondered if any of you good people could make suggestions.
Many many thanks for reading my lecture and may this find you all well.
Tom
I’d say there would be difficulties with environmental compliance in many places, particularly tunnels, German road tax would cost a fortune and spares could be difficult to source if you broke down.
Cheers for the reply Harry.
I guess i am asking a ridiculous question here but surely somebody can supply a system and certificate to at least bring it to EU regs?
thanks for your patience
Bloody hell, I’m getting a feeling of Deja Vu, there was such a similar thread last week from somebody wanting to buy an F16 for Euro work.
Maybe you could start a company together, be like that bunch in Canada who fly DC3’s. 
Ironically a very similar question was asked a couple of days back…
muckles:
Bloody hell, I’m getting a feeling of Deja Vu, there was such a similar thread last week from somebody wanting to buy an F16 for Euro work.
Maybe you could start a company together, be like that bunch in Canada who fly DC3’s.
Good one 
In all honesty I never thought i could start a successful company with said truck. Just wanted honest opinions in what could be done. I think I will stick to what I do but just use my beast as a hobby. By the way, it’s an F12 
Another question I have - if there is anybody in the west midlands that can recommend a decent trimming company I would be much obliged.
philgor:
F16 470 - THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE) - Trucknet UK
Ironically a very similar question was asked a couple of days back…
Not me sir, I am just making an enquiry.
tomk86:
philgor:
F16 470 - THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE) - Trucknet UK
Ironically a very similar question was asked a couple of days back…
Not me sir, I am just making an enquiry.
We know it wasn’t you, it’s just bizarre it was a very similar question.
I think it’s a bit like saying “I’ve got a 1963 Humber Super Snipe and I’m thinking of going minicabbing in it”. 
Personally if I were you I’d be looking for a good full time job and keep the F12 as a hobby truck, probably enjoy it much more that way.
I would really love some good euro work just to keep the wife and mortguage happy
Problem is, my experience is all around the west mids doing multi drop and general pallet work.
I so wish I could have a go at the middle east run (which is still advertised on the Astran website?!?!)
The old truck is great to play with but like i first said really, I highly doubt it will ever go further than that 
tomk86:
I would really love some good euro work just to keep the wife and mortguage happy
Problem is, my experience is all around the west mids doing multi drop and general pallet work.
I so wish I could have a go at the middle east run (which is still advertised on the Astran website?!?!)
The old truck is great to play with but like i first said really, I highly doubt it will ever go further than that
Forgot to say as an employeeeeeeee lol
muckles:
tomk86:
philgor:
F16 470 - THE UK PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS FORUM (INTERACTIVE) - Trucknet UK
Ironically a very similar question was asked a couple of days back…
Not me sir, I am just making an enquiry.
We know it wasn’t you, it’s just bizarre it was a very similar question.
Now that WOULD be interesting
tomk86:
I would really love some good euro work just to keep the wife and mortguage happy
Problem is, my experience is all around the west mids doing multi drop and general pallet work.
I so wish I could have a go at the middle east run (which is still advertised on the Astran website?!?!)
The old truck is great to play with but like i first said really, I highly doubt it will ever go further than that
You’ll probably earn more on good UK work than Euro stuff, but if you have the yearning to do the long distance stuff you best bet is to get onto the Event and Exhibition stuff, I believe it’s mostly seasonal, but at least you might get a chance to go to a few relatively far flung places, just find the threads on here at the end of each year on who gone the furthest and it’s always those who work for event companies.
However whether long periods away keeps your wife happy is between you and her.
muckles:
You’ll probably earn more on good UK work than Euro stuff, but if you have the yearning to do the long distance stuff you best bet is to get onto the Event and Exhibition stuff, I believe it’s mostly seasonal, but at least you might get a chance to go to a few relatively far flung places, just find the threads on here at the end of each year on who gone the furthest and it’s always those who work for event companies.
I think event work is just about the only thing left where people are prepared to pay the extra to get a British driver. Certainly I wouldn’t be running up and down the M4 day in, day out if I could find profitable work to Athens, Rome etc.
Harry Monk:
muckles:
You’ll probably earn more on good UK work than Euro stuff, but if you have the yearning to do the long distance stuff you best bet is to get onto the Event and Exhibition stuff, I believe it’s mostly seasonal, but at least you might get a chance to go to a few relatively far flung places, just find the threads on here at the end of each year on who gone the furthest and it’s always those who work for event companies.
I think event work is just about the only thing left where people are prepared to pay the extra to get a British driver. Certainly I wouldn’t be running up and down the M4 day in, day out if I could find profitable work to Athens, Rome etc.
There is the Motorsport stuff I do, but that’s not really a trucks driving job, but a job that needs a truck driver. Although I know a few British companies who specialise in covered car transport, delivering high value or prototype cars all over Europe.
But there isn’t much for a young driver with a taste for long distance truck driving.
muckles:
But there isn’t much for a young driver with a taste for long distance truck driving.
No, all gone now. I suppose it’s just the way of the world, but when my children were born (1998) I stopped doing the ultra long haul stuff because my place was with them, but I thought that when they were grown (i.e. now) I would go back to it, but of course it just isn’t there any more.
tomk86:
muckles:
Bloody hell, I’m getting a feeling of Deja Vu, there was such a similar thread last week from somebody wanting to buy an F16 for Euro work.
Maybe you could start a company together, be like that bunch in Canada who fly DC3’s.
Good one
In all honesty I never thought i could start a successful company with said truck. Just wanted honest opinions in what could be done. I think I will stick to what I do but just use my beast as a hobby. By the way, it’s an F12
Another question I have - if there is anybody in the west midlands that can recommend a decent trimming company I would be much obliged.
Aldridge Trimming, Wolverhampton,01902 710805
Why would you go through the expense & bother to convert to digi tacho?
So glad and grateful the replies my friends thanks so much
The reason I would like it digi is simple really - im fat, lazy and bone idle hence digi card is for me
Thanks for the contact to the trimming company mate, i shall be in touch with them tomorrow
I just hate the sitting behind the desk and the drone of it all. I need to be out on the road. I dont know the reason it just gets into you i guess.