summary of first few runs

Hi all

Having recently got back into driving I thought I would share some of my experiences going out in artics, hopefully some other newbies will find it useful

I wont go into specific days and journeys as you will probably just get bored!

But having come back into driving after a few years break, due to personal circumstances, I was rather scared to taking out artics. I got my artic licence sometime back but never had a chance to out it in use.

So did a refresher and all was fine. Until of course I had to do a ‘proper’ run :blush:

Been absolutely loving the work I have done. Artic work is so much easier that rigids. But that could just be me getting lucky and not having to do any handball :smiley:

All has been well but I still have a very big pain in the a** - yes the REVERSE!!! That just gives me the willies! I figured out my major problem, which is that I cant get my starting position right and then try to compensate by making sharp bends and then over steering etc….

I must have lost a stone from all the sweating lol — yeh like when I am freaking out about being late, or couldn’t get king pin out, or tying straps down super fast as other drivers wait for me, trying to reverse while I have 4 wagons on each side waiting for me to move!!!

One thing I wanted to highlight in this post is the overwhelming and tremendous help I have had from fellow drivers. Fantastic is the only word. One shunter has been like a mentor, from being my banksman, giving me tips, generally helping me out he has been a life saver. And same with another shunter at a delivery site where for the life of me I couldn’t get it onto the bay, he also helped.

So to my delight there are so very friendly people out in the trucking world, maybe only a few but I have been lucky enough to meet them. :smiley:

If anyone has any tips on reverse then please share…mainly starting position. Thank for reading.

Just take ur time and it you will find the way within a month :wink:

You won’t always be able to place your truck in the perfect starting position for the space your reversing into.
For instance if reversing between two trailers and its tight try and get your trailer straight before going between the two even if it means driving in front of them and putting on a full lock bringing the trailer all the way round and then go back between making small corrections as you go.