As a trainer I don’t get the opportunity to drive much apart from a few minutes demo. Until today, when I picked up the trade plates and made my way from sunny Mansfield to rainy Clitheroe in Lancashire. Plates on a recently acquired bus and made my way back to Mansfield where it will undergo a total refurb. Then off to collect a brand new Iveco 12 tonner and deliver that to the training centre.
It’s made a nice change to get out and about and, although the two bits of kit are totally different, they’re both good fun in their own way.
The change in rules to “pass your test in an automatic” has cost a small fortune! 4 autos purchased since April!! And not finished yet.
Need to drink plenty of tea and settle down now!, Pete
I’m interested in why the change in rules has cost a small fortune. Why the need to buy so many autos when you could have continued using a manual fleet.
I’m interested in why the change in rules has cost a small fortune. Why the need to buy so many autos when you could have continued using a manual fleet.
Keeping up with the times and offering choice of manual or auto to the customer. In fairness, we’d have had at least one new truck regardless of the change of rules.
To each their own. I was in the happy position of being able to invest heavily this year and this coincided with the new rules. So we now have a split of manual and auto. And if the customer wishes to choose, they’re welcome. I have had a policy for some years of purchasing new trucks. Partly because they look good and help promote a professional image, partly because they’re relaxing to drive but also because I personally have limited mechanical knowledge and have no desire to be paying for continual repairs and copping the downtime which was my experience some years ago. The new truck/old truck debate is one that can go on forever but, as I said, to each their own.
I wasn’t knocking it but was just curious as to your statement that the rules to “pass your test in an automatic” has cost a small fortune.
Do you have many trainees ask the question about what gearbox the truck has when they make initial enquiries? Do you think it’s a significant factor when people come to book training? I’d be interested to hear both your and Paul’s opinion as from the above replies your experiences may be different.
Peter Smythe:
To each their own. I was in the happy position of being able to invest heavily this year and this coincided with the new rules. So we now have a split of manual and auto. And if the customer wishes to choose, they’re welcome. I have had a policy for some years of purchasing new trucks. Partly because they look good and help promote a professional image, partly because they’re relaxing to drive but also because I personally have limited mechanical knowledge and have no desire to be paying for continual repairs and copping the downtime which was my experience some years ago. The new truck/old truck debate is one that can go on forever but, as I said, to each their own.
Pete
A 10 year old well maintained truck is easier to drive than some of today’s new trucks. I was recently driving a new Scania with a clutch saver in and what a strange feeling that was.
I like to think I promote my image with well maintained clean trucks that are easy to drive (IMO age is irrelevant for a training truck) and good quality affordable training and a pass rate to be proud of.
But at the end of the day Pete we both seem to do well and get good reviews on this forum so like you say each to their own.
Do you have many trainees ask the question about what gearbox the truck has when they make initial enquiries? Do you think it’s a significant factor when people come to book training?
The short answer is “no”. But the discussion arises when choices are given. And then a good number plump for auto. This, I believe, will be more and more the case as the rules become more widely known.
My prediction is that very little manual training will be around in 3 years time. In the meantime we’ll continue to offer the choice.
I don’t want this to become a Pete vs Paul competition. We have differing views on how we wish to operate our business’s but I respect Paul as a trainer and nothing I say should be construed otherwise.
Peter Smythe:
I don’t want this to become a Pete vs Paul competition.
Not my intention at all. Just an opportunity to hear two differing reasonings from the same profession.
Exactly Pete is more vocal than me on this site, I don’t see it as a “Pete v Paul” competition lol! ( Pete’s words) I only give views from my side which hopefully gives a good read.
Yep, better the devil you know! But can you tell me where the “cheap” bit comes from!! Clearly there are more expensive trucks that would simply be OTT for the job. Glad you enjoyed your experience.
