General Newbie Questions... [Moved here]

[captain_caveman_76]

Evil8Beezle:
1, Wing mirrors, hedges and telegraph poles!
Having driven a week on B roads, I’ve learnt that I have to pretty much play tickle with the hedges using my N/S wing mirror. I’d like to know if it’s like this all year, or is it currently at it’s worst this time of year.
Also, I’d also like to know why the telephone company have a nice row of poles most about 18" back from the kerb, and then a single random pole right on the kerb edge!

Be aware that hedges have branches! Your mirrors are your best friend, love them, cherish them, tuck them in and read them a bedtime story because, like your knees, you’ll miss them when they’ve gone!! If you think it’s tight, slow down. Nothing is worth banging a truck. Oh, and beware of overhanging tree branches, the can damage your cab mounted wind deflector.

2, Bridges
Driving under a bridge a few days ago that was supposedly 2" higher than myself, I wondered if the council have a safety margin at all on those marked heights. As I was clenching slightly as I made my way through and looked at all the scrap marks on the underside of the bridge.
Also, On the motorways, you sometimes get concrete bridges that have supports jutting out the banks at an angle, that look like they overhang the hard shoulder. So do you need to be careful of these if you have to use the hard shoulder. (Yes I know, my VAN’s not that high! )

Never, repeat NEVER play roulette with a bridge. If the sign says you’re not gonna make it, you’re probably not gonna make it, why risk it. Considering the grief drivers who hit bridges get on here, I’m surprised people have admitted to going under too low bridges on this thread.

3, Fuel
Is it only HGV services that require you to hand over your fuel card first before you can fill. Or is there some secret code I need to be initiated into while Dipper Dave dances around me bollock naked clutching a blow up sheep & singing a Wurzels track!
Why is my Adblue tank on the opposite side to my fuel?

Ad Blue is usually on opposite side to fuel to avoid doing a whoopsie, IMO. Not 100% though. As for fuel cards, if you use a filling station often enough, the staff get used to you and will let you fill up first. Just make sure you have taken your fuel card out with you. Not personal experience, honest.

4, Unsuitable for HGV’s
What exactly do they mean by that? As it doesn’t say “NO HGV’s”, so does it means; Be my guest Mr HGV, lets see you make a ■■■ of yourself! Or is a notice to discourage use of this route? As so far, I’ve bottled it when I’ve seen that sign, and reassessed my route to target. And in a couple of cases i’ve return that load to the yards saying that they need to send the 7.5t to do that drop. And if your wondering, my justification was that i didn’t want to bash the truck up, and they seemed happy with that, and if it was perfectly normal.

Unless I absolutely have to, I avoid these routes. There are a couple of rural routes near me with this sign. I’ve cycled down them and really wouldn’t like to take an LGV there. If possible, eyeball them first or ask a local.

5, 7.5 ton weight limit signs
Why is it that as you approach a weight restriction, the first signs to it say just that, and only the last one before the limited area do you get the sign that says “except for access”
On one occasion I ignored the first 2 signs on the way to a drop, as I could see it was a long way around to use any other route on the SatNav map. Also i could see there was a railway line, so when i didn’t see a low bridge sign with the weight limit sign, i assumed it would be an issue. So anyway, when i got to the last weight limit sign that said “except for access” I found also a low bridge sign, and by then I could see the bloody thing!

If you KNOW you’ll get away with it, go for it. You probably won’t get away with it though. IMO not worth the risk of driving past these signs (unless the drop is in the restricted zone of course).

6, Securing loads with a strap system like this.

For a start, what’s it called?
Next, would you really strap every load, or just the items you think might be an issue?
(Obviously the pic looks like an ADR load, so probably it should have the crap strapped out of it! )
As a lot of my deliveries I’ve not strapped, and when i have, it’s been the lighter and taller pallets. But the issue isn’t the load moving side to side, it’s falling forwards, and I’m not that impressed with putting a diagonal strap across the front of the load. It didn’t save a stupidly tall collection I made and then met a nutter on a roundabout.As I had to shove the anchors on when he changed his mind, and the first thing i though of was that pallet (well only after swearing to myself ) And when I opened the curtain back at the depot, I had a pallet to restack! - But at the same time, the client was taking the ■■■■ with paying for “1 pallet” of transport, as the pallet was the height of my wagon minus 2 inches!
So any tips about this system? i.e. When and how…

It’s tricky with multidrop because route order tends to dictate loading. As you found out, stuff tends to move forwards (as you brake) more than anything else. If in doubt, strap the crap out of it. Undoing straps is quicker than reloading or handballing a pallet of stock.

7, Taking control of the loading
At the place I’ve been for 3 days last week (which I really enjoy, and they want to tell me about their perm package! ) I’ve always been loaded and then told my truck is ready. But Thursday I had 2 runs to do, and was back ready to be reloaded at lunchtime. And this time the forklift driver said I was to tell him the order and placement of the loads. Well that was my expression at the time, but after the initial shock, it occured to me that this is the way I’d want it! And I shouldn’t rely on the forkies to think about how positioning will affect my drive, or using one load to support another under breaking. So should I be more assertive next week and try to get involved in the morning loading? I’m not saying take charge to start with, just watch and ensure it’s to my liking!

A decent forkie will know what they’re doing. Talk to them and ask them why they are loading it how they are. Get hints and tips off them, and other drivers too. Get yourself a bank of knowledge so when you don’t have a decent forkie, you can recognise it and get them to do it right. Oh, and be gentle with them, most forkies are sensitive souls.

I think I better stop there, and thanks for any help!

Oh, forgot to say, wear sunscreen. You’ll still get your badge of honour (drivers arm) but it wont hurt as much!

[evil8beezle]

Anther brilliant and helpful response, what is wrong with you lot?

I think I’ve got decent forkies where I am, and as you say the drop order sort of dictates the loading. I’ve not seen that much of the morning forkies, as up until now I’ve been told to wait in the canteen. But i’ll be in the warehouse from now on! But the forkie on the PM shift has some serious skills, and never needs a second attempt to get it perfect. Also an nice friendly guy who helped me restack the jenga disaster!
He was also supportive, as he said he’d seen much worse where pallets of bricks had been strewn everywhere!

[chris1207]

Not much more to add to the other good responses… except to say… arched bridges, STAY WITHIN THE MARKED LINES on it. i.e., in the middle of the road if need be.

This one gave me major squeaky bum time. Didn’t for one second believe the height marked on it was legit, and only had 2" to play with.

[own_account_driver]

As suggested you’re better asking someone like postie or someone who lives around there, regarding the unsuitable roads.

The customers, you’ll be delivering to will be very, very unreliable ‘we’ve had bigger in here’ is a phrase you’ll get to know well. I know you’re not on the big stuff yet but, particularly on rural, they will use the ‘artic milk tanker gets down here’ yardstick but that is no guarantee and artic pulling a 13.6m curtainsider with accompanying tail swing will.

Obviously try your best but anyone that reckons they’ve not bashed a mirror, at some point, should be treated as a possible career BSer that shouldn’t be trusted about anything.

[dipper_dave]

Evil8Beezle:
3, Fuel
Is it only HGV services that require you to hand over your fuel card first before you can fill. Or is there some secret code I need to be initiated into while Dipper Dave dances around me bollock naked clutching a blow up sheep & singing a Wurzels track!

Most garages will want to see your card first, unless they know your company or have the computer terminal thingys. These can be a faff though as sometimes they wont read your card and you might have to slide it in and out a few times before she accepts it, colder temperatures can make this more difficult but give her a little blow up the slot to warm her up if needed.

Although I always use a real sheep there are some useful tricks you will learn. Partcularly singles night on a Friday at Alconbury truckstop hotel. Now this maybe a myth but apparently at around 10pm you will see some well dressed truckers leaving their cabs on a hunting mission and heading off to the hotel. This time is perfect as the more desperate female looking for a single night of passion will be easier to spot and if you utter the magic words “V8 ram you, to my truck for goo” you will pull a sheila for the evening (other names are available but I always end up with a sheila, got a Brian once though).

[evil8beezle]

Chris1207:
Not much more to add to the other good responses… except to say… arched bridges, STAY WITHIN THE MARKED LINES on it. i.e., in the middle of the road if need be.

This one gave me major squeaky bum time. Didn’t for one second believe the height marked on it was legit, and only had 2" to play with.

Yep, I would be crawling under that bridge, I might become religious and start praying!

Own Account Driver:
As suggested you’re better asking someone like postie or someone who lives around there, regarding the unsuitable roads.

The customers, you’ll be delivering to will be very, very unreliable ‘we’ve had bigger in here’ is a phrase you’ll get to know well. I know you’re not on the big stuff yet but, particularly on rural, they will use the ‘artic milk tanker gets down here’ yardstick but that is no guarantee and artic pulling a 13.6m curtainsider with accompanying tail swing will.

Obviously try your best but anyone that reckons they’ve not bashed a mirror, at some point, should be treated as a possible career BSer that shouldn’t be trusted about anything.

LOL, I had some of that today, and to be fair, if they say Artic’s use that road, I’ve little excuse in my tiny little VAN!
I guess the only difference for me is that I’m delivering to some residential addresses and places an Artic wouldn’t necessarily expect to be.
Although I do see the odd Artic on a small road and think “Rather you than me pal!”

Dipper_Dave:

Evil8Beezle:
3, Fuel
Is it only HGV services that require you to hand over your fuel card first before you can fill. Or is there some secret code I need to be initiated into while Dipper Dave dances around me bollock naked clutching a blow up sheep & singing a Wurzels track!

Most garages will want to see your card first, unless they know your company or have the computer terminal thingys. These can be a faff though as sometimes they wont read your card and you might have to slide it in and out a few times before she accepts it, colder temperatures can make this more difficult but give her a little blow up the slot to warm her up if needed.

Although I always use a real sheep there are some useful tricks you will learn. Partcularly singles night on a Friday at Alconbury truckstop hotel. Now this maybe a myth but apparently at around 10pm you will see some well dressed truckers leaving their cabs on a hunting mission and heading off to the hotel. This time is perfect as the more desperate female looking for a single night of passion will be easier to spot and if you utter the magic words “V8 ram you, to my truck for goo” you will pull a sheila for the evening (other names are available but I always end up with a sheila, got a Brian once though).

You never fail to disappoint Dave, and I’m sure Brian says that as well!
I’ll give it a good rub if needed, and if it’s a cute little assistant, I’ll suggest she tries as well!
I think I’ll leave the sheep whispering to you mate, as if DVSA stop me, they may suggest the sheep could drive better!

[ash_001]

Captain Caveman 76:

Evil8Beezle:
1, Wing mirrors, hedges and telegraph poles!
Having driven a week on B roads, I’ve learnt that I have to pretty much play tickle with the hedges using my N/S wing mirror. I’d like to know if it’s like this all year, or is it currently at it’s worst this time of year.
Also, I’d also like to know why the telephone company have a nice row of poles most about 18" back from the kerb, and then a single random pole right on the kerb edge!

Be aware that hedges have branches! Your mirrors are your best friend, love them, cherish them, tuck them in and read them a bedtime story because, like your knees, you’ll miss them when they’ve gone!! If you think it’s tight, slow down. Nothing is worth banging a truck. Oh, and beware of overhanging tree branches, the can damage your cab mounted wind deflector.

2, Bridges
Driving under a bridge a few days ago that was supposedly 2" higher than myself, I wondered if the council have a safety margin at all on those marked heights. As I was clenching slightly as I made my way through and looked at all the scrap marks on the underside of the bridge.
Also, On the motorways, you sometimes get concrete bridges that have supports jutting out the banks at an angle, that look like they overhang the hard shoulder. So do you need to be careful of these if you have to use the hard shoulder. (Yes I know, my VAN’s not that high! )

Never, repeat NEVER play roulette with a bridge. If the sign says you’re not gonna make it, you’re probably not gonna make it, why risk it. Considering the grief drivers who hit bridges get on here, I’m surprised people have admitted to going under too low bridges on this thread.

3, Fuel
Is it only HGV services that require you to hand over your fuel card first before you can fill. Or is there some secret code I need to be initiated into while Dipper Dave dances around me bollock naked clutching a blow up sheep & singing a Wurzels track!
Why is my Adblue tank on the opposite side to my fuel?

Ad Blue is usually on opposite side to fuel to avoid doing a whoopsie, IMO. Not 100% though. As for fuel cards, if you use a filling station often enough, the staff get used to you and will let you fill up first. Just make sure you have taken your fuel card out with you. Not personal experience, honest.

4, Unsuitable for HGV’s
What exactly do they mean by that? As it doesn’t say “NO HGV’s”, so does it means; Be my guest Mr HGV, lets see you make a ■■■ of yourself! Or is a notice to discourage use of this route? As so far, I’ve bottled it when I’ve seen that sign, and reassessed my route to target. And in a couple of cases i’ve return that load to the yards saying that they need to send the 7.5t to do that drop. And if your wondering, my justification was that i didn’t want to bash the truck up, and they seemed happy with that, and if it was perfectly normal.

Unless I absolutely have to, I avoid these routes. There are a couple of rural routes near me with this sign. I’ve cycled down them and really wouldn’t like to take an LGV there. If possible, eyeball them first or ask a local.

5, 7.5 ton weight limit signs
Why is it that as you approach a weight restriction, the first signs to it say just that, and only the last one before the limited area do you get the sign that says “except for access”
On one occasion I ignored the first 2 signs on the way to a drop, as I could see it was a long way around to use any other route on the SatNav map. Also i could see there was a railway line, so when i didn’t see a low bridge sign with the weight limit sign, i assumed it would be an issue. So anyway, when i got to the last weight limit sign that said “except for access” I found also a low bridge sign, and by then I could see the bloody thing!

If you KNOW you’ll get away with it, go for it. You probably won’t get away with it though. IMO not worth the risk of driving past these signs (unless the drop is in the restricted zone of course).

6, Securing loads with a strap system like this.

For a start, what’s it called?
Next, would you really strap every load, or just the items you think might be an issue?
(Obviously the pic looks like an ADR load, so probably it should have the crap strapped out of it! )
As a lot of my deliveries I’ve not strapped, and when i have, it’s been the lighter and taller pallets. But the issue isn’t the load moving side to side, it’s falling forwards, and I’m not that impressed with putting a diagonal strap across the front of the load. It didn’t save a stupidly tall collection I made and then met a nutter on a roundabout.As I had to shove the anchors on when he changed his mind, and the first thing i though of was that pallet (well only after swearing to myself ) And when I opened the curtain back at the depot, I had a pallet to restack! - But at the same time, the client was taking the ■■■■ with paying for “1 pallet” of transport, as the pallet was the height of my wagon minus 2 inches!
So any tips about this system? i.e. When and how…

It’s tricky with multidrop because route order tends to dictate loading. As you found out, stuff tends to move forwards (as you brake) more than anything else. If in doubt, strap the crap out of it. Undoing straps is quicker than reloading or handballing a pallet of stock.

7, Taking control of the loading
At the place I’ve been for 3 days last week (which I really enjoy, and they want to tell me about their perm package! ) I’ve always been loaded and then told my truck is ready. But Thursday I had 2 runs to do, and was back ready to be reloaded at lunchtime. And this time the forklift driver said I was to tell him the order and placement of the loads. Well that was my expression at the time, but after the initial shock, it occured to me that this is the way I’d want it! And I shouldn’t rely on the forkies to think about how positioning will affect my drive, or using one load to support another under breaking. So should I be more assertive next week and try to get involved in the morning loading? I’m not saying take charge to start with, just watch and ensure it’s to my liking!

A decent forkie will know what they’re doing. Talk to them and ask them why they are loading it how they are. Get hints and tips off them, and other drivers too. Get yourself a bank of knowledge so when you don’t have a decent forkie, you can recognise it and get them to do it right. Oh, and be gentle with them, most forkies are sensitive souls.

I think I better stop there, and thanks for any help!

Oh, forgot to say, wear sunscreen. You’ll still get your badge of honour (drivers arm) but it wont hurt as much!

Only one that is marked wrong and that was when I was not professionally driving on a tacho

[dieseldave]

Following a suggestion received, I’ve moved this topic to this forum.

This post will bump it nicely to the top.

[adonis]

ash 001:
Wow lots of good questions there evil, trees are a nightmare mate just keep your mirrors safe like people have said, as for bridge heights unmarked are 5m but ones that are marked up give you an allowance of 3 to 4 inches so a 9ft bridge you can be 9.2 or 9.3 and still get under As for adblue where do you fill this up at depo then? annoying that is not the same side as your fuel tank How do the authorities take kindly to you going through restrictions if you are delivering there to residential addresses? if there are no signs for access only do you just take it back? as i will be doing house deliveries this would be some useful information.

I do it literally every day, never had a problem. Usually if I come up to the signs for ‘Access Only’ I’ll have a look on the satnav and see where the address is, if its in the limit or not. If its not, I’ll scoot around, if it is well I’m using the road to access something.

I’ve had one incident involving a bitter old hag when I was sitting at traffic lights in one such limit. I could feel her willing me to burst into flames, I gave her a cheery wave after catching her glaring twice, her response was to shake her stick at me as I drove away. At my drop who should turn up but Skelator herself.

‘That was some look you gave me, hen.’

‘Lorries aren’t supposed to be in here.’

‘Except for access, my dear. And if I couldn’t access here your daughter wouldn’t be getting her lovely new furniture!’ I said with a cheery smile.

I got a tenner from her Son in Law who told me they were seriously considering a home for the old bat.

Most of the folk in these places probably don’t even notice the signs except for the curtain twitchers and God bothering do-gooders, the same type who stand at the side of the road with a hi-vis vest and speed gun eyes writing down number plates. Lettuces the lot of them. I’ve had traffic polis behind me and drive past me in the limits, ‘HOME DELIVERY SERVICE FOR…’ in foot high letters probably gets me away with it.

A.

[mercury]

The issue is load integrity after a roll. A public safety issue this load doesn’t meet regs

[muckles]

Adonis.:

ash 001:
Wow lots of good questions there evil, trees are a nightmare mate just keep your mirrors safe like people have said, as for bridge heights unmarked are 5m but ones that are marked up give you an allowance of 3 to 4 inches so a 9ft bridge you can be 9.2 or 9.3 and still get under As for adblue where do you fill this up at depo then? annoying that is not the same side as your fuel tank How do the authorities take kindly to you going through restrictions if you are delivering there to residential addresses? if there are no signs for access only do you just take it back? as i will be doing house deliveries this would be some useful information.

I do it literally every day, never had a problem. Usually if I come up to the signs for ‘Access Only’ I’ll have a look on the satnav and see where the address is, if its in the limit or not. If its not, I’ll scoot around, if it is well I’m using the road to access something.

I’ve had one incident involving a bitter old hag when I was sitting at traffic lights in one such limit. I could feel her willing me to burst into flames, I gave her a cheery wave after catching her glaring twice, her response was to shake her stick at me as I drove away. At my drop who should turn up but Skelator herself.

‘That was some look you gave me, hen.’

‘Lorries aren’t supposed to be in here.’

‘Except for access, my dear. And if I couldn’t access here your daughter wouldn’t be getting her lovely new furniture!’ I said with a cheery smile.

I got a tenner from her Son in Law who told me they were seriously considering a home for the old bat.

Most of the folk in these places probably don’t even notice the signs except for the curtain twitchers and God bothering do-gooders, the same type who stand at the side of the road with a hi-vis vest and speed gun eyes writing down number plates. Lettuces the lot of them. I’ve had traffic polis behind me and drive past me in the limits, ‘HOME DELIVERY SERVICE FOR…’ in foot high letters probably gets me away with it.

A.

Ok if it says access only, or deliveries or words to that affect then you can go down there if you have a reason to be there, but although most people can’t be bothered that your truck is there, it’s the window twitching NIMBY’s who write letters to the council and start petitions to get the weight limit and report trucks that go down there.

if it doesn’t have any exemptions with the weight limit its for another reason such as a weak bridge, round a few country lanes in Norfolk they have bridges with an MGW limit. but then at the bottom it says except empty trailers.

[ash_001]

I have learnt that people speak to you and treat you like ■■■■ but as soon as your nice to them, they are like ■■■■ whats going on. They are actually baffled and start being nice back!