New job nerves!

So I left my Mickey Mouse run job couple of weeks ago and I remember when I started that job (my first class 1 job) I was all hyped up and confident to get into the industry but the job ground me down to dust as I expressed on this forum lol! And I guess it’s set me up wrong and knocked my confidence for starting this new job on Monday for a different firm! With slightly different work. [TIRED FACE]

Aside from that this job I will be driving an artic, which I have never even climbed the steps of, let alone drive one and it includes going to a yard full of trailers and finding which one I need and the whole couple/uncoupling process and it’s transporting massive concrete slab things for big builds ( not sure of they’re proper name) haha! [FLUSHED FACE]

Has anyone got any tips for me? [SMILING FACE WITH SMILING EYES]

Any help will be much appreciated

First thing- Set your alarm for Monday morning. :laughing:

When you say you’ve never even climbed into an Artic or driven one :confused:
You must have passed a test ?
or did you get your licence free with an Eddie Stobbart Model ?

Joking aside, here’s a bit of guidance on hooking up a trailer, no doubt others will add to some of these points, but they are a general outline of how to do it.

Hooking up a trailer.

  1. Reverse up to trailer, but not under.

  2. Get out, check height & trailer brake is on/red button pulled out.

  3. Reverse under trailer, slowly, (making sure fifth wheel is in contact with bottom of trailer, use the air/ride height button, usually to the right of the drivers seat) until it Clicks/locks on the pin. Tug test twice.Handbrake on, Switch off, keys in pocket, switch lights & indicators off. (Can stop you blowing a fuse while you mess about pushing the Leky lines in)

  4. Dog clip, check the lock/bar has gone across (need a torch, look behind the tractor, between the two rear wheels at the fifth wheel)

  5. Connect all lines.

  6. Switch on, lights & hazards, walk round checking all lights, tyres, check for loose wheels, cracks & loose wheel nuts, mudguards, loose bits, MOT, put number plate on.

  7. Wind legs up all the way. (raise the cab suspension if the landing legs are still on the ground/saves a million winds on the handle :unamused: ) Push trailer brake button in/off.

  8. Switch off lights & check brake lights. (Either get someone to check while you press the brake or jam something on the pedal, I use my leatherman-just the right size for a TGX)

  9. Test drive for a few yards to make sure everything is ok.

  10. Obviously, make sure the load is secure.

  11. When dropping the trailer, hand brake on, cab suspension in drive position, trailer brake on, wind the legs down so they are just touching the floor, take number plate off, disconnect suzies, dog clip off, pull 5th wheel handle to release the lock, pull away slowly so it drops the trailer off the back of the tractor (you can even drop the suspension so it doesn’t Smash onto the ground)

If you are unsure ! ASK !
explain that you are new to driving Artics & certain models & need a bit of familiarization training, they are all a bit different, manual, auto, stick shifts, column shifts.
Take your time (your 1st day will probably be a long one or a very short one if you get it wrong) If it starts to go Pear Shape, Stop & think !
If your really stuck, PM me & I will give you my number. (can’t promise that I can help but I can give it a go !)

Assuming you passed CE on a W&D not artic

Inform new employer of that fact and get a little training from them before setting off

Thanks for the tips guys, I failed to
mention the fact I’ve only driven a drawbar on test and for a few months on the road! I failed to mention it to the employer too because he was well aware I was new and wanted to give me a chance of gaining some experience, plus he asked if I had class 1 experience which I said yes and then in the flow of the interview we moved on from the topic and I failed to mention it!
I’ve only got to be there at 9 on Monday morning for an induction but the first thing I’ll say is about my lack of know how on an artic and I can’t imagine he’ll have a problem but it’ll probably just mean another day or 2 induction.

There is quite a bit on artics in the LGV TRAINING TIPS link in my signature below

If you can drive a draw bar you’ll manage an artic easy. Good luck and if in doubt ask, then ask again if you’re not sure, better to have them think you’re a fool than break something and leave them in no doubt at all.

Only got my class 2 so not qualified to giv advice on artics just posting to giv support I’m sure you’ll be fine just take it slowly till you find your feet and as the guys said don’t be afraid to ask rather than guessing and getting it wrong all the best m8 post a wee diary on TNUK so we can read how your doing I’m sure everything will be fine all the best

Tipper Tom:
If you can drive a draw bar you’ll manage an artic easy. Good luck and if in doubt ask, then ask again if you’re not sure, better to have them think you’re a fool than break something and leave them in no doubt at all.

that advice helps alot mate, because I was driving a drawbar for a couple of months and I got really comfortable with it and never really had many problems even with matchbox tight sites, but I am very much one for stopping and asking help if I’m not 100% with something rather than knacker something and they say “why didn’t you just ask?”

Just a quick point-
I’ve never driven a wagon n drag, but I understand that the trailer follows your back wheels round corners (basically, once the wagon is round the corner you know the trailer is going to follow)

In an artic, if you try to cut the corner (thinking that the trailer will follow you) it will mount the kerb/footpath :blush:
so take it wide/give yourself plenty of room. (saves embarrassing reversing moments back onto main roads :laughing: )

Simple steering advice from drawbar to artic is to always make the “sharp” end go the long way round. Yes, it will be too wide but you will be amazed how quickly you tidy it up. If it’s too wide, especially on a left turn, beware of cars etc coming into that space.

IMO you will be surprised how quickly you settle into it.

And, as said, don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Good luck, Pete :laughing: :laughing: