My favourite lorry, (and the reason why)!

[saviem]

ChrisArbon:
0

If you can’t be with the one you love; love the one you’re with.

2011 Peterbilt 386, 450 ■■■■■■■■ 13 speed Eaton-Fuller, 63 inch double-bunk sleeper.

Evening all, Chris that is a beautiful photograph, did you take it in the US, or Canada? I was hoping when I started this thread,to see if any of you “exiles” would prefer the US iron to that you drove in Europe. From your comment it seems that you are having to “make do”, with what you have today, (and that is a pretty spectacular piece of kit to say the least)!! So what lorry really has your heart??

Jazzandy, the bogie on that trailer in Izmir is pure US, but I bet it was a strong piece of kit. Did OHS run many Dorseys?? I only ever drove one Astro, belonging to the Lefebvre family, (TAF, Aix Noulette), but I can imagine how you would become enamoured with it. I can only remember the screaming Detroit, and the slickest changing 13speed Fuller, hurtling the loaded outfit towards the horizon! The only way that I could describe the experience was it was like riding a free reving racing motorcycle…only it was a lorry!! I do not think that I had ever driven a more “driveable” lorry, either before, or in the many years after! To this day the family,they remain firm friends, but I could never sell them a big Berliet,…Maxi Couple, their drivers would never have managed the discipline!!

Well Im away to a copious Bollinger, its the V Festival, and we are only a mile away, and in direct line with the sound stage that, (judging by the calcophony), Stone Roses are “performing” upon!! I shall sup my nightcap outside, to musical accompnyment , and watch my hens “boogie”, (bet we are “light” on eggs in the morning)!! Cheerio for now.

[newmercman]

To answer that question, the US iron we pilot around now, is with my road tester’s head on, better at doing the job than the Euro lorries

But they do lack the emotional pull that the older stuff I have driven has by the bucket full, I am very fond of my current Peterbilt (it’s a proper one, not the modern version like Chris’s) as said, it does its job better than any lorry I’ve ever driven, it has plenty of power, all the shiny bits and is the truck that everyone admires, but it just doesn’t have the character of the 143 I voted for in this thread

[muckaway]

I’ll give a mention of Dads’ favourite, B501 AUD. Foden S108 with Gardner 270 turbo, Eaton Twin Splitter and Wilcox alloy body. He’d still rather have it today than his Alpha. Or either the new MAN or Scania units on coming in October. (Not sure which he’s having at the mo as 2x Alphas are going)

[jazzandy]

I have to be honest. I loved my GMC. The cab was a simple version with none of the bling that a lot of them had BUT it was an absolute dog to drive. Detroit 320 bhp with an Allison automatic box. It had five speeds with a kind of range change which could only be switched when you were stationary! It also took a lot of muscle to hold the accelerator down and if had to be on the floor all the time to get you anywhere. Now I suffer from varicose veins in my right leg as a result!

My all time best truck was ATM 3L, a Scania 110 which I drove for Dave Simmons of European Traction. That was a real driver comfort truck and an absolute pleasure to drive.

[juddian]

Jazzandy:
It also took a lot of muscle to hold the accelerator down and if had to be on the floor all the time to get you anywhere. Now I suffer from varicose veins in my right leg as a result!

Should have had a chat with a bloke who drove Gardners, stick cut to size and jammed between dash and throttle was the cruise control of the day… , don’t think i ever drove one that didn’t come so supplied by its previous or regular pilot.

[chrisarbon]

Saviem:

ChrisArbon:
0

If you can’t be with the one you love; love the one you’re with.

2011 Peterbilt 386, 450 ■■■■■■■■ 13 speed Eaton-Fuller, 63 inch double-bunk sleeper.

Evening all, Chris that is a beautiful photograph, did you take it in the US, or Canada? I was hoping when I started this thread,to see if any of you “exiles” would prefer the US iron to that you drove in Europe. From your comment it seems that you are having to “make do”, with what you have today, (and that is a pretty spectacular piece of kit to say the least)!! So what lorry really has your heart??

The picture was taken on US Highway 81 in South Dakota; it was flooded for a couple of months during the Spring of 2011.

I’ve never owned a lorry, so have only driven what I’ve been given. But in over 35 years of long-distance lorry-driving, I have bonded with a few. Being away for weeks at a time; eating, sleeping, driving; 24/7 with the same vehicle creates a strong bond.The driver needs the truck to keep him dry and warm, as well as earn him money. The truck needs the driver to look after it; keep it on the straight and narrow. I admit to talking to my lorries and patting them on the dash when they have done well. Often I will just stand beside the lorry and let it draw my attention to what’s wrong or about to go wrong. I never talk disrespectfully about the lorry I’m driving; in it or any where near it.

I’ve not been lucky enough to drive Top of the Range models, but have been fortunate to be given the keys of three brand-new motors. All have taken me to my destination and returned me safely, although there have been plenty of adventures along the way.
Roll of Honour: My Magnificent Seven.
JDX 315 V - Mercedes-Benz 1626 - Bartrums of Diss -1978-82
JPV 357 V - Scania 111- Fredk.J.Archer of Ipswich - 1983-84
BPV 534 Y - Mercedes-Benz 2028 - Fredk. J. Archer - 1985-86
C 85 SJO - Volvo F10 - South Villa of Waltham Cross -1987-90
M-SY 2001 -Magnum 430 - H.Weber of Munich [LKW Walter Subbie] -1998-2004
PBE 831 - Kenworth T 800 - Big Freight [Canada] - 2007-10
PBW 847 - Peterbilt 386 - Flying Eagle [Canada] - 2011-12

[newmercman]

Juddian:

Jazzandy:
It also took a lot of muscle to hold the accelerator down and if had to be on the floor all the time to get you anywhere. Now I suffer from varicose veins in my right leg as a result!

Should have had a chat with a bloke who drove Gardners, stick cut to size and jammed between dash and throttle was the cruise control of the day… , don’t think i ever drove one that didn’t come so supplied by its previous or regular pilot.

Never did that with the Gardners I had, but I did do it with a D series Ford, I used the supplied wheelbrace which was the perfect size, it wasn’t a safety issue either as the lorry was an ex road sweeper, so it never went faster than 45mph unless there was a lot of weight and a big hill involved

[carryfast]

Saviem:
I only ever drove one Astro, belonging to the Lefebvre family, (TAF, Aix Noulette), but I can imagine how you would become enamoured with it. I can only remember the screaming Detroit, and the slickest changing 13speed Fuller, hurtling the loaded outfit towards the horizon! The only way that I could describe the experience was it was like riding a free reving racing motorcycle…only it was a lorry!! I do not think that I had ever driven a more “driveable” lorry, either before, or in the many years after!

That’s also a reasonable description of a Bedford TM fire truck.

[f88vol]

ramone:

Stralisnumerouno:
Iveco 190.48 I’m afraid the combination of the Italian charisma the noise And the fact it would out pull the merc 1748 and the Scania 143 450 just to rub salt in the wounds !!!

I drove 1 of those now and again when it was new G380 JCP i think, and that thing just could pull

[jimbo47]

1981 leyland clydsdale tipper…it was 6mnths old ,the day after passing my class1 the days o starting at the bottom and working your way up the fleet …lol ended up spare lowboy driver,did a few wks on 6x6 maggies,rievers etc but drove that clydesdale for 4yrs never ever let me down ,always got me home.! you couldnt ask for anymore.10tn + tar sheet legal.
then a LHD maggie drawbar came into my life…
jimmy.

[sammyopisite]

I have only just decided which was my favourite lorry as having a few to choose from and it was one which I was not the regular driver but I did quite a few trips with it and that was the Scammell Samson as when it was new it was ahead of anything else at the time and it was the first wagon I drove with a fuller gear box ( instead of having to wait to change gear ) having a Detroit Diesel V8 rated at 290 bhp and rated at 85 tons GTW it was a superb heavy haulage wagon and it was not uncommon for general haulage wagons to be under foot (especially percy powered wagons and bedford and ford artics on hills ) even when loaded as with the fuller you could not change gear fast enough with the two stroke dying so quickly. The speed restrictions at the time was 12 mph for special types but you could not drive that slow so 10 hours driving was 120 miles but H H you were able to drive 11 hours a day and 66 hours per week so it was generally an average of 132 miles per day for the week. This wagon was also very manoeuvrable for its size and it had rear steering on the trailer if it was required.

The other two which I had as my regular motors were an Atkinson viewline powered by a 250 ■■■■■■■ but only a straight six ZF gear box and the only time this let me down in the 4 years I drove it was when the power steering packed up a few miles from the yard but I was able to get it back to the yard. The other was one of the last Volvo’s 290s which had some tests bits on for the F10/12s as it had to go into Volvos Friday dinner until Monday lunch time every few months and this never let me down on the road as well.

[ramone]

Muckaway:
I’ll give a mention of Dads’ favourite, B501 AUD. Foden S108 with Gardner 270 turbo, Eaton Twin Splitter and Wilcox alloy body. He’d still rather have it today than his Alpha. Or either the new MAN or Scania units on coming in October. (Not sure which he’s having at the mo as 2x Alphas are going)

Tell him to go for the Scania imho those MANs are pretty poor

[muckaway]

ramone:

Muckaway:
I’ll give a mention of Dads’ favourite, B501 AUD. Foden S108 with Gardner 270 turbo, Eaton Twin Splitter and Wilcox alloy body. He’d still rather have it today than his Alpha. Or either the new MAN or Scania units on coming in October. (Not sure which he’s having at the mo as 2x Alphas are going)

Tell him to go for the Scania imho those MANs are pretty poor

I think he’d rather they buy a restored Foden and run that Mind you, the V (1999) reg he had from about 2 months old is languishing in the yard awaiting restoration; He’s not the only one wanting that

[chris_webb]

The wagon I have fondest memories of was an AEC MK5 Mammoth Major,reg 526 GYG,with a 4000 gall tank when I worked for A E Evans. It never let me down,would do nearly 60 mph (with a touch of black smoke ),was comfortable to drive and the steering was acceptably light even though it wasn’t power assisted. It was well on top of the job at 24 t gross and I was loath to part with it when offered a Mandator,it was just that the money was better.

[paul_john]

My first real lorry in the U.K. was a TK Bedford at the age of 17,just gave me the feeling of being a real driver, roping sheeting and using dogs and chains. My other favourite there was a F reg E14 320 6x2 ERF, with a twin splitter, was a treat to drive, went like the clappers and made me money,great to sleep in as well.
In the States a 1995/6 Volvo WA 6x4 ■■■■■■■ red top 525 celect, just an eight speed Eaton Fuller range change but what a tool.Four year old when I got her, but drove and handled well, good ride and never left me down.
And finally in 2006 a brand new Volvo VN 6x4 D12 volvo pre emission crap, eight speed again 580 miles /day pure class, looked the business and gave me a feel of professionalism.

[14_ltr]

Foden 4000 465 14 ltr ■■■■■■■ 13 speed fuller comfy pulled better than a southbound steam train and sounds better than a brass band at full chat.

[lawrence_dunbar]

JIMBO47:
1981 leyland clydsdale tipper…it was 6mnths old ,the day after passing my class1 the days o starting at the bottom and working your way up the fleet …lol ended up spare lowboy driver,did a few wks on 6x6 maggies,rievers etc but drove that clydesdale for 4yrs never ever let me down ,always got me home.! you couldnt ask for anymore.10tn + tar sheet legal.
then a LHD maggie drawbar came into my life…
jimmy.

Well here is one of the best Leyland Clydesdales that we operated, It was a Tanker I think Belonging to Hamlyn Animal Feeds Ltd then converted into a Tipper, 10.800.Payload we ran it for 7 Years had a couple of head gaskets & a clutch, plus brake relines just the normal run of the mill stuff, Regards Larry.

[lawrence_dunbar]

This Photo was taken at Hemscot Hill Farm Cresswell , The driver Walter Moore from Throckley who drove this Leyland for a long time before we replaced it with a Leyland Freighter, Which he also drove from new, This photo was taken at Harden Red Stone Quarry at Biddlestone, Regards Larry.

[v7victor]

Lawrence Dunbar:
000This Photo was taken at Hemscot Hill Farm Cresswell , The driver Walter Moore from Throckley who drove this Leyland for a long time before we replaced it with a Leyland Freighter, Which he also drove from new, This photo was taken at Harden Red Stone Quarry at Biddlestone, Regards Larry.

Thats a long way out, a lot of the lads on here will not know were Harden Quarry is Larry

[windrush]

v7victor:

Lawrence Dunbar:
000This Photo was taken at Hemscot Hill Farm Cresswell , The driver Walter Moore from Throckley who drove this Leyland for a long time before we replaced it with a Leyland Freighter, Which he also drove from new, This photo was taken at Harden Red Stone Quarry at Biddlestone, Regards Larry.

Thats a long way out, a lot of the lads on here will not know were Harden Quarry is Larry

Tilcon’s plant at Weaste used Harden Red stone, some of our trucks used to backload to there.

Pete.