glen958:
Harry Monk:
It’s not very good on mpg, although that’s partly because it is heavy, it has a 4.42 metre wheelbase so it is maximum length for a 6x2 tractor unit. But that gives it a very good ride.
I also regularly go into the depths of Cornwall and once past Exeter it is like being on a roller-coaster. Up, down, up, down, loaded to 44 tonnes. I don’t think the Hella roof bar makes much difference over the course of a week. Maybe a pound or two.
I get a fairly good rate, certainly more than I would get from Sealane, Stobart, Dentressangle or anyone else in the sub-contracting game and I’m earning a reasonable amount from doing what I do. I’m not expecting to earn a fortune, just a living, but at the same time I will be driving a truck maintained to my standards, rather than by the standards of someone who doesn’t care if I get my neck snapped.
As many on here know, Angie (Animal) was recently injured when she was sent to Romania by a cowboy firm in a vehicle with a defective handbrake. I have, in the past, had to work for similar firms myself, but am fortunate enough to be in a position where I am liberated from this degradation.
Fraid to say the handbrake was not defective. It just wasn’t applied properly.
Surely it’s either applied or it’s not been?
If you’ve pulled it and it’s not clicked it should spring back to the off position, if it doesn’t do that it’s defective shouldn’t be any in between position.
My car sometimes moves slightly if I don’t pull it up enough. Still passed the MOT.
Own Account Driver:
glen958:
Harry Monk:
It’s not very good on mpg, although that’s partly because it is heavy, it has a 4.42 metre wheelbase so it is maximum length for a 6x2 tractor unit. But that gives it a very good ride.
I also regularly go into the depths of Cornwall and once past Exeter it is like being on a roller-coaster. Up, down, up, down, loaded to 44 tonnes. I don’t think the Hella roof bar makes much difference over the course of a week. Maybe a pound or two.
I get a fairly good rate, certainly more than I would get from Sealane, Stobart, Dentressangle or anyone else in the sub-contracting game and I’m earning a reasonable amount from doing what I do. I’m not expecting to earn a fortune, just a living, but at the same time I will be driving a truck maintained to my standards, rather than by the standards of someone who doesn’t care if I get my neck snapped.
As many on here know, Angie (Animal) was recently injured when she was sent to Romania by a cowboy firm in a vehicle with a defective handbrake. I have, in the past, had to work for similar firms myself, but am fortunate enough to be in a position where I am liberated from this degradation.
Fraid to say the handbrake was not defective. It just wasn’t applied properly.
Surely it’s either applied or it’s not been?
If you’ve pulled it and it’s not clicked it should spring back to the off position, if it doesn’t do that it’s defective shouldn’t be any in between position.
Well everytime I have driven the van since and applied the handbrake its clicked on and stayed on even on a gradient. so in my eyes that not a defect.
Any company these days that expects drivers to sleep across seats - is not going to get a good press…( and yes thats illegal even under domestic hours)
Any driver that accepts that as an acceptable working practice probably isnt in the best place to criticise others who have put everything on the line to buy top of the range gear to work in.
I know which company I would choose to work for 
glen958:
Fraid to say the handbrake was not defective. It just wasn’t applied properly.
Yeah, because it’s really difficult to apply a handbrake and Angie just wasn’t up to the job. 
glen958:
Own Account Driver:
glen958:
Harry Monk:
It’s not very good on mpg, although that’s partly because it is heavy, it has a 4.42 metre wheelbase so it is maximum length for a 6x2 tractor unit. But that gives it a very good ride.
I also regularly go into the depths of Cornwall and once past Exeter it is like being on a roller-coaster. Up, down, up, down, loaded to 44 tonnes. I don’t think the Hella roof bar makes much difference over the course of a week. Maybe a pound or two.
I get a fairly good rate, certainly more than I would get from Sealane, Stobart, Dentressangle or anyone else in the sub-contracting game and I’m earning a reasonable amount from doing what I do. I’m not expecting to earn a fortune, just a living, but at the same time I will be driving a truck maintained to my standards, rather than by the standards of someone who doesn’t care if I get my neck snapped.
As many on here know, Angie (Animal) was recently injured when she was sent to Romania by a cowboy firm in a vehicle with a defective handbrake. I have, in the past, had to work for similar firms myself, but am fortunate enough to be in a position where I am liberated from this degradation.
Fraid to say the handbrake was not defective. It just wasn’t applied properly.
Surely it’s either applied or it’s not been?
If you’ve pulled it and it’s not clicked it should spring back to the off position, if it doesn’t do that it’s defective shouldn’t be any in between position.
Well everytime I have driven the van since and applied the handbrake its clicked on and stayed on even on a gradient. so in my eyes that not a defect.
Ok, I wrongly assumed it was the handbrake on a truck rather than a van. 
I’II take it as an opportunity for a top-tip that female or drivers with limited arm strength might find useful. On cars and vans you can often get a much stronger handbrake application by pressing and holding the brake pedal down as hard as possible, rather than the minimum to keep the vehicle stationery, then yanking the handbrake on.
bigvern1:
Each to their own.
Yup. I will take a sleepercab and being legal, at least then I have some standing when trying to be rightous on internet forums.
Really? Having a sleeper cab makes you righteous? Must get one then.
bigvern1:
Really? Having a sleeper cab makes you righteous? Must get one then.
Breaking the law and admitting it doesnt… doesnt stop some folk from trying though
Your working in a way thats illegal and you know it, and having having a go at a bloke who is trying to do it right… doesnt make you look good in any way, If I was you I would quit posting before you look even more daft.
Ah well…What can you do eh?
bald bloke:
Own Account Driver:
I’ve never yet bought a light bar but I do quite like the under-run one on the front bumper on that truck.
Yes I like those under run bars and they dont damage the mpg,s like the spots might do.
It’ll damage your wallet a bit if you break down and need it wreckered in.
You’ll have to take that bar off to get the underlift under.
And will the wrecker driver take it off for you■■? What do you think 
Time is money…
bigvern1:
Ah well…What can you do eh?
Work for a decent boss who provides the right gear for the job? - or even have a word with your boss and tell him that you wont work illegaly any more and to hire the correct tools for the job rather than the cheapest?
Post from Big Vern removed- PM’s are private and discussions between members and the admin team are also private and not to be discussed on the forums.
Harry Monk:
It’s not very good on mpg, although that’s partly because it is heavy, it has a 4.42 metre wheelbase so it is maximum length for a 6x2 tractor unit. But that gives it a very good ride.
The colour, the lights and bars and the interior design by Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen don’t bother me one bit, but as an owner operator the mpg most certainly would, I’d suffer a bit of comfort for ten grand or so extra in the bank each year 
newmercman:
The colour, the lights and bars and the interior design by Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen don’t bother me one bit, but as an owner operator the mpg most certainly would, I’d suffer a bit of comfort for ten grand or so extra in the bank each year
Well, luckily enough I’ve got enough money not to have to worry about the odd ten grand here or there.
I seen you Thursday morning harry on the M180 between j3 & j4. Truck looks very nice 
Harry Monk:
newmercman:
The colour, the lights and bars and the interior design by Lawrence Llewellyn-Bowen don’t bother me one bit, but as an owner operator the mpg most certainly would, I’d suffer a bit of comfort for ten grand or so extra in the bank each year
Well, luckily enough I’ve got enough money not to have to worry about the odd ten grand here or there.
You won’t have if you keep giving it to Keyfuels
Seriously though, as you said yourself, you’ve slowed down now you’re paying the bills, so you know the importance of mpg. I know you’ve said that you’re not doing this to become a millionaire (you’d need at least two million in the bank now to do that by next year anyway, if you’re lucky ) You only need to cover your expenses and make a small profit and you’ll be a happy camper. Nice position to be in, but the line between that and losing money is very easy to cross and it will soon put a stop to enjoying the job when you’re getting up at 4am to get [zb]ed about all day and not earning a penny out of it
It would be interesting to see a thread about all the steps you’ve taken so far, from the idea, through all the bureaucracy, to getting on the road and getting the first cheque in the bank. You’ve been pretty open about things so far, I reckon it would be an eye opener for others who want to follow in your footsteps
I will now resume my ■■■■ taking…
Is the rumour that you were thinking of having stone cladding put on the cab true 
Rikki-UK:
bigvern1:
Ah well…What can you do eh?
Work for a decent boss who provides the right gear for the job? - or even have a word with your boss and tell him that you wont work illegaly any more and to hire the correct tools for the job rather than the cheapest?
Who I work for is none of your business. Or is that one of your new rules? Can’t say too much on it or else.