Hi everyone,
I am a newly qualified Class 1 driver in the last couple of years.
Up until now I have been doing day runs for a company on class 2 lorries. That was going well until I decided that it was time that I make use of my articulated licence, otherwise if I don’t do it now I never will. I’m now a 44yo guy who decided to change career paths ( as I was sick of the job that I was in) and follow a job that I always wanted to do.
I have been fortunate enough to find a company to take me on with the experience levels that I have. I am driving through an agency for this company.
My job will eventually be a tramper working 4 on/ 4 off rota. I will be carrying chilled and frozen goods for this company.
This opens up a whole new world for me, to be honest I’m looking forward to the challenge of driving the artics but there are a lot of things that I’d like help with from the guys who have been there and done it.
I have driven a couple of days for them on a day run basis which was fantastic, just to get me back into he swing of it.
My concern is with actual tramping, is there a way of keeping tabs of my rest periods, I know I have the tacho for my 45 mins breaks but how do you keep your other hours in check. Your daily and weekly rest periods. How do you manage to know where to stop to get the most out of your time.
Are there better places to stop overnight than others or places to avoid stopping at?
What do I take with me if I know I’m away for 4 days?
Are there places to shower and shave?
These are silly things for most drivers but I’d like any help that you can provide.
Many thanks in sparing the time to read this,
Welsh Warrior.
Rest periods, best thing to do is get a diary and make notes each day.
Stopping places, you will get to know. I make a note of places on my map as I’m driving round. If i see a big laybay or deliver to an industrial estate, where I could park for the night. Mark it in the book.
Showers and shave, most services and truck stops. Some better than others.
Taking stuff, there a loads of past threads. I’m sure someone will kindly put you a link to one.
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Welsh_Warrior:
How do you manage to know where to stop to get the most out of your time.
Are there better places to stop overnight than others or places to avoid stopping at?
With time and experience you will figure out when it’s a good time to do a 15hr day or 10hr drive to max distance or sometimes it’s better to stop earlier due to heavy traffic and instead set off early hours the next day on clear roads.
As for parking up you will find some yourself which suit you but it’s also worth asking other drivers at your firm about good parking near or on the way to customers for a delivery the next day.
Pick up a copy of that truckers free newspaper, think it’s called Trucknews. It’ll have a list of truckstops around the country which are usually cheaper than services for somewhere to park. You usually get a shower and a discount off the food in the café at a truckstop included in the parking price. Other than that you could install motorway buddy app on your phone. That app will list all the nearest truckstops to your location so you can find somewhere safe to park and get a shower etc. However, some are good and some are ■■■■ poor and you’ll get to know that as you go.
With regards rest periods. Keep a diary but most tachographs tell you exactly how much driving time you have left or what rest period you need.
Hi Everyone,
Just a quick thank you to the people that have kindly taken the time to reply to my post.
It’s always good to get help from guys who have been through the same experience themselves.
I have taken on board what you have said and will in some way or other be implementing it.
I’m open any help and suggestions people can offer.
Thanks everyone.
