Javiatrix:
I live in the midlands and earn 700 a week (anything between 650 and 750 ish), C+E tramping on general haulage. That includes everything.
That’s a standard, middle of the ground rate round this neck of the woods. Lots of hours, but hey, you’re tramping, it doesn’t really matter so much as if you’re doing days.
What you’ll probably find is that you’ll earn about 2 1/2 times as much as you’re earning now, but due to some of your earnings falling into the higher tax band, you’ll ultimately end up with about 2 1/4 times as much in you bank as you’re netting now. For me it’s a minimum of 2k a month in the bank.
It’s certainly a worthwhile investment to make, that’s for sure, as even if you don’t like tramping, you’ll blow your old wage out the water even if you settle on days C+E.
Thanks Javiatrix. I hope I can earn something along those lines in the future.Thanks again Thomas
bob96:
Should get that easy supermarket work on the whole is easy sometimes you’ll only be driving 2 hrs a day and 8 hr shifts.Don’t worry about the experience barrier plenty of work about and you already have the experience under your belt.
montytom:
I have been reading through all these different posts about pay and some wages seem crazy.
Me personally driving 3.5 tonne home shopping vans im earning £900-£1000 every 4 weeks working 6 days a week.
I have got it into my head that by class 1 tramping I can earn double that per month.
Is that at all possible in this day and age?
The reason I am asking is I want to get myself a house in the future and working where I am that is going to be impossible.
Thanks in advance Thomas
You want to buy a house, so you’re going to get a job living on the road all week?
All things being equal, you will earn more on HGVs than vans, but there’s the cost of training, the lost wages during training, and the possible irregularity of your income while you establish yourself.
Many guys already in this game wouldn’t recommend it to family or friends.
Thanks I have always wanted to do it so I am going to give it a go.
Thanks again for your insight it is much appreciated
Tgtrucker:
Unfortunately where you live there aren’t any supermarket RDC’s, the closest to that work you’ll get is Fowler Welch who have a depot at Heathfield.
They trunk trailers from other depots to it and do supermarkets in the West Country. They’re often advertising for drivers (that might tell you something about them) so if you get your licence they could well be worth a call even if it’s just to get some experiemce before moving on to other things.
Pay in this area can differ wildly, there are 2 companies within spitting distance of you that demonstrate the point. 1 of them does general haulage and from what I’ve been led to understand pay not a lot more for 5 1/2 days (day work, no nights out) than you’re on now.
The other does international work and requires you to be away up to 3 weeks, for that you would increase your income by 2.5 times what you’re on now.
But would you want to buy a house and then be away from it that long?
If you’re young and single, it’s a good way to save up to buy the house.
But if you’re a family man, forget it !
Travel further and you have Conway Bailey in Redruth. Frequently looking for drivers, apparently willing to take on freshly qualified drivers. They pay £100 per day + nights out. Expect to do 5 nights out a week and minimum legal hours weekend breaks.
Thankyou for your reply it is appreciated.
I am single yes so have no qualms about being on the road all week or even out for a few weeks.
Thanks again
montytom:
I have been reading through all these different posts about pay and some wages seem crazy.
Me personally driving 3.5 tonne home shopping vans im earning £900-£1000 every 4 weeks working 6 days a week.
I have got it into my head that by class 1 tramping I can earn double that per month.
Is that at all possible in this day and age?
The reason I am asking is I want to get myself a house in the future and working where I am that is going to be impossible.
Thanks in advance Thomas
Maybe consider moving towards Bristol and working out of Avonmouth rent a place for a couple of years then buy within 30-40 minute drive away from the Avonmouth DC where they are looking for drivers.
Thankyou. In the end I am hoping either to go home (Isle of Wight) or move to South Wales. I keep hearing about Avonmouth. Thanks for your advice
Have a word with mum ( maybe not as there not always that obliging ), but the bank that is dad will help you out to get your first foot on the housing ladder , that said I’ve been offering too get my girl a flat for years , but she’s happy where she is ( rent / board free ) , you got ta love kids
I was delivering shopping for Sainsburys 10 years ago then I decided driving was the job for me so I went and I got my class 2 licence and Iv never looked back I’d say if driving for a living floats your boat then do it the cost will soon pay for itself in the long run… I do miss all the tasty part time students though
eagerbeaver:
I know it sounds obvious Thomas, but take into account travelling time and costs, as well as ease of job and how you are treated.
It’s all very well banging on about the £££’s, but make sure the job suits you. I don’t tramp, but I do the odd night out for Wincanton here and there, and it’s not fun trying to sleep in a wagon when it’s raining or a [zb]ing bird is wandering around on top of your cab.
You should easily earn £2000 a month class 1 tramping though.
Thanks eagerbeaver. I will make sure the job suits me. Maybe I am being silly but I am scared I will be renting till I die and as such cannot retire.
Im not just doing my training for that reason(ive wanted to drive for as long as I can remember)
you’ll be renting off your mortgage/ bank lender anyway til you pay it off! You may have the keys to your home but until you’ve the deeds in YOUR hands it’s THEIRS! And they can take it off you. Think you should go for it, find a nice woman/ home maker then kill her, do less for murder then all the house will be paid off and everyone’s a winner! if you go class one tramping she may kill you first! and if you have children, well that’ll be a different story altogether. If you want Samaritans phone number on the other hand
Berty:
I was delivering shopping for Sainsburys 10 years ago then I decided driving was the job for me so I went and I got my class 2 licence and Iv never looked back I’d say if driving for a living floats your boat then do it the cost will soon pay for itself in the long run… I do miss all the tasty part time students though
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Thanks Berty I must admit admit maybe as I am getting older but the part time students look like little kids.
Ive wanted to do this since I can remember but have always had stumbling blocks. Now eveything seems to be put into place.
Thanks again Thomas
In Exeter you should earn about £10 an hour on paye agency work. Any less is taking the pee. You can get more in Bristol.
Class 1 permanent gets you £23 to 26k a year in this area without working too hard. There seems to be more night trunking or class 2 multi drop on days work at the moment, just from looking at ads.
The work is out there but will they let you drive the lorry with no experience? I see job ads online from agencies pitching for newly passed drivers but these may be non jobs.
Exeter is easily commutable from Lee Mill, or look at Calor Gas on the Lee Mill Estate for class 2 multi drop. You would need ADR for this though.
In Exeter you should earn about £10 an hour on paye agency work. Any less is taking the pee. You can get more in Bristol.
Class 1 permanent gets you £23 to 26k a year in this area without working too hard. There seems to be more night trunking or class 2 multi drop on days work at the moment, just from looking at ads.
The work is out there but will they let you drive the lorry with no experience? I see job ads online from agencies pitching for newly passed drivers but these may be non jobs.
Exeter is easily commutable from Lee Mill, or look at Calor Gas on the Lee Mill Estate for class 2 multi drop. You would need ADR for this though.
Thanks Cheersdrive.
On agency work class 2 when I can due to work hours I earn £7.50 per hour. I dont mind travelling for a job at all. Im doing multidrop at the moment and truth be told if I never do another day of it in my life Ill be a happy bunny.
Once I complete C+E training I will be looking to do my ADR.
if you go class one tramping she may kill you first! 
and if you have children, well that’ll be a different story altogether. If you want Samaritans phone number on the other hand 