We used to have a drawbar training truck, bought it new in 1997 from Volvo, the trailer was custom made to our specs, it was as short as possible to meet the minimum test requirements (so they are not always longer) and boy was it easy to pass the test on, did it prepare you for the real world? Not a chance! But it reduced our costs and therefore the training course was cheaper, we felt it wasn’t right to train this way and now buy only proper artic trucks! Drawbars are specialist in this country, normally used by companies operating their own trucks within their business, where transport is not their main activity.
bigdavehull:
ive done 2 weeks on rigids with full loads and surprising how good most drivers are to you with help etc if you just ask
That’s the important bit, don’t pretend you know it all, if you’re struggling just ask one or two of the more approachable experienced drivers knocking about, most of 'em are only too glad to offer a bit of advice and help.
^^^^^this and the only silly question is the one you don’t ask, everyone remembers what it was like setting out, if I get to a shop and theres cars or its a bit tight I get the shop staff to watch me back dont be a hero and try to do it all ask if you need help.
Dont think people think your crap at your job by asking for help,used to think that but I would rather ask than hit something or worse someone.
I see too often people rattling on about passing in auto’s, how much “easier” it is, usually followed by some tosh about how most trucks are now auto. When I passed my class 2, I got work straight away, had a few agency jobs, and every single truck I drove upto now was a manual. Now I have my class 1, once my ADR is done, I’ll be driving my first auto.
Tockwith, without meaning to sound like a prick, but I’ve seen you mention that passing in auto’s easier and that’s why you train people in them, then you claim passing in the drawbar unit was too easy, hence you got rid of it. Bit contradictory, don’t you think?
bigdavehull:
ive done 2 weeks on rigids with full loads and surprising how good most drivers are to you with help etc if you just ask
That’s the important bit, don’t pretend you know it all, if you’re struggling just ask one or two of the more approachable experienced drivers knocking about, most of 'em are only too glad to offer a bit of advice and help.
^^^^^this and the only silly question is the one you don’t ask, everyone remembers what it was like setting out, if I get to a shop and theres cars or its a bit tight I get the shop staff to watch me back dont be a hero and try to do it all ask if you need help.
Dont think people think your crap at your job by asking for help,used to think that but I would rather ask than hit something or worse someone.
I’ve even had members of the public help me out of tight spots.
Tockwith Training:
We used to have a drawbar training truck, bought it new in 1997 from Volvo, the trailer was custom made to our specs, it was as short as possible to meet the minimum test requirements (so they are not always longer) and boy was it easy to pass the test on, did it prepare you for the real world? Not a chance! But it reduced our costs and therefore the training course was cheaper, we felt it wasn’t right to train this way and now buy only proper artic trucks! Drawbars are specialist in this country, normally used by companies operating their own trucks within their business, where transport is not their main activity.
There are a few specific applications for drawbars, such as demountable boxes (generally used by retail companies and one or two parcel companies), brick & block trucks (typically with a HIAB on the front wagon) and waste disposal. But I would estimate that most of the drawbars you’ll see are from the Continent and as a British driver you won’t get to drive them. However, mounting those demountable box trucks is a lot harder than coupling an artic.
Tockwith Training:
(so they are not always longer)
If that’s in ref to my quote that most are longer then I still stand by what I said
MOST
The maximum length for drawbars is longer than the current maximum for artics, except for the new long rear-steer trailers which are being used on a trial basis.
Thanks a lot for all the advice, I’ve got an new job today at a company today on rigids for a bit and they said after a month or so they will let me do some shunting in the yard before getting me out on artics full time. So I’m very happy with that as i can get some free practice under my belt, as if not i was going to get a couple of lessons on the matter. And for any new passes looking for work, I’m my experience so far as regards for looking for work, I’ve had much better luck writing an old fashioned letter and a copy of my C.V to different companies instead of dealing with agencies, they only seem got care about bums on seats at the moment. Thanks to everyone on this forum, been a real help for this newbie!
Nice one, sounds like a good solution to your situation. Everyone makes their own luck, and it sounds like you’ve made yours.
I hope it works out and the shunting helps you get your eye in on the artic reverse - that seems to be the key, to understand what the trailer is doing, recognise when it is doing something you don’t want it to, and knowing what you need to do to correct it. As a newbie myself I can vouch for the dozens of posters who have all said that it just takes experience…lots of reverses and eventually it’ll click. I still have much to learn, of course, but I feel more in control and more comfortable now than I did a few months ago.
So you’ve overcome the biggest obstacle, which is to find an opportunity to practice and build your experience.
Tockwith Training:
We used to have a drawbar training truck, bought it new in 1997 from Volvo, the trailer was custom made to our specs, it was as short as possible to meet the minimum test requirements (so they are not always longer) and boy was it easy to pass the test on, did it prepare you for the real world? Not a chance! But it reduced our costs and therefore the training course was cheaper, we felt it wasn’t right to train this way and now buy only proper artic trucks! Drawbars are specialist in this country, normally used by companies operating their own trucks within their business, where transport is not their main activity.
It was alright at the time, but then it wasn’t alright! Boy was it easy to pass on, did it prepare you for the real world? No!
So what about the poor buggers that did train on that wee money spinner, your saying that as long as costs where kept down you where happy enough to train them and take there money, knowing fine well that some if not all weren’t “prepared for the real world”! Great post for business,lol
