Tramping v day shift

[stevebarnsleytrucker]

robroy:

SteveBarnsleytrucker:
Also the only people who say tramping is for tramps and say they dont want to be dossin in lay bys full of ■■■■ or services being kept awake by a fridge all night etc are those who don’t know how to engage their brains and think off the beaten track. Too much hard work for some folk you see.
I always look for the industrial estates near pubs, town centres, council run car parks where trucks can park in town centres ( plenty around Wales) or bits of waste ground near amenities where I can go for a wonder, have a couple of jars and a nice pub meal or go for a takeaway or even sit down Chinese, Indian etc and have a chat to the locals.
Trouble is with this job too many drivers just want to be hermits when the card is pulled and close the curtains and that’s it untill the card goes back in. Once you have done a few week/month at it you will build a good portfolio of places where you know you can enjoy your “night out” even other drivers through word of mouth will give you good spots, however if you find a tidy spot just watch who you tell about it as before long every Tom, ■■■■ and Harry will be parking up there, ■■■■■■■ and [zb] in bottles and bags dumping them and leaving rubbish everywhere and you won’t be able to park there again.

Agree with all if that. I am exactly the same.
I can never understand these guys that overnight in lay bys as it is, never mind the narrow lay bys with their mirrors pulled in …do they not realise that the fact that their brain is telling them to pull their mirror in, that it also telling them…"It aint bloody suitable’'.! !
I have tramped for years, but I would not last 5 minutes living like that.

It’s a last resort for me to park in lay bys and then they have to be off the road. Can’t see how you can get a good nights kip being rocked from side to side every 30 seconds or so and thinking at the back of your mind the next truck that’s going to past doing 56mph could actually smash into you probably killing you.
I’ve heard drivers say they sleep with their head on the passenger side as it’s safer when sleeping in lay bys at the side of the road
How ■■■■■■■ stupid can you get? If a truck hits you going flat out then it doesn’t matter which side of the bed you lay your head… You are ■■■■■■!

[system]

robroy:

dafdave:

robroy:
I’ ve tramped for most of my life, it aint for everybody and it deffo aint as good as it used to be, especially on the social side. (You guys who park in lay bys won’t know wtf I’m on about )

I aint sure I would actually recommend it to anybody today, but there you go.
If you make it as comfortsble as poss in terms of in cab kit, eat properly, shower regularly, and park with facilities it aint too bad its trampING…not being a tramp

If it don’t suit you don’t do it, I suppose I’m old fashioned I’ve always looked upon nights out as something that goes hand in hand with the job, … no offence but I have always looked upon day men as just playing at it. (That honestly aint meant as an insult btw, so don’t bother retaliating)

As for the marriage thing, it aint always negative, in all cases.
Out of a group of us who have known each other from school, we went to Prague for a lad’s wk.end, the 2 of us that were life long trampers were the only two that had the one wife from young, the other lads were on their second and third.

If the o/p fancies it, give it a go but it’s a way of life rather than a job, and you won’t know until you try it.

Good post mate everything spot on.I did it 32yrs before ret.no regrets.
regards dave.

After your 32 yrs did you not find it hard to adjust to being home every night. I know that will sound sad to the ‘unbelievers’ on here, but I have tramped for a similar amount of time to you.

My mate, an ex. tramper, who is also ex forces, reckons it is the same feeling as when he came out of the army, hard to re.adapt, you get into a habit and as you know it becomes a way of life.
I have been off since 19 Dec on hol, I definitely am not missing work, but have found it strange being home all the time.
Actually, come to think of it they’e right,… that DOES sound bloody sad

Well it did but my driving career was cut short when I fell off the trl and was ret injured at 56yrs old.

[robroy]

dafdave:

robroy:
After your 32 yrs did you not find it hard to adjust to being home every night. I know that will sound sad to the ‘unbelievers’ on here, but I have tramped for a similar amount of time to you.

My mate, an ex. tramper, who is also ex forces, reckons it is the same feeling as when he came out of the army, hard to re.adapt, you get into a habit and as you know it becomes a way of life.
I have been off since 19 Dec on hol, I definitely am not missing work, but have found it strange being home all the time.
Actually, come to think of it they’e right,… that DOES sound bloody sad

Well it did but my driving career was cut short when I fell off the trl and was ret injured at 56yrs old.

Ok, sorry to hear that mate, didn’t know that. So it looks like you had no choice, are you ok now btw, and do you miss it at all.
Probably not eh?

[eddie_snax]

I am surprised how many guys equate hating your Mrs with tramping or it being the main reason to tramp. Mrs Snax and I have been married for 20 years, and I’ve tramped most of that time, and found that its suited us.

Tramping has served Us well, its funded our lifestyle, because I work away from Norfolk, I earn more than if I worked locally to me, I couldn’t commute 150 miles a day, which is what I do a week. That means we get to carry on living in a nice part of the country where people pay to have holidays or holiday homes, but where local pay rates are shoddy

As for lay by parking, as has already been said, its a last resort, we are supposed to park in lorry parks or MSA’s, but I prefer Industrial estates, and has already been said you build your own network of preferred stops. As I almost totally self cater or can if I choose too, I’m afraid to say, I am one of those hermits(these days), or at least a bit of a loner, its not that I want to be on My own, its just that some of the crap other drivers want to tell you, is well crap so I tend to keep myself to my myself.

I enjoy getting parked for 11-12 hrs, getting the stove out and have a cook up, get some home cooked food in the Microwave, then have a stroll to walk it off, well when the weather is decent

The few attempts I’ve had on local work, always seemed to entail getting home after teatime, so having tea re-heated then grabbing a quick shower, and hitting the sack as I was out the door early hours next day, the time at home always seemed rushed, and certainly not quality

I would say that it takes a couple of hours to settle down when return home at the end of each week, and get into the conversation of the house.

To anyone who is married and thinking of tramping for the first time, and wanting to stay married, make sure you make time to ring home each evening, and don’t let to much get in the way off that. If you want to go for a pint with a fellow driver, ring home first, if you tell her you’re going for a pint with a mate, that’s fine, ring her from a busy Pub, that stinks

[robroy]

eddie snax:
The few attempts I’ve had on local work, always seemed to entail getting home after teatime, so having tea re-heated then grabbing a quick shower, and hitting the sack as I was out the door early hours next day, the time at home always seemed rushed, and certainly not quality

That’s the bit that I don’t get when day men come on here taking the ■■■■■ with the old ‘living in a tin box’ and rather ‘sleep in my own bed’ chestnuts.
Getting back home knackered after a 15 hour day, rushing your
tea, shower, unwind, then up to ‘your own bed’ (maybe for all of 6 hours) so you can start again after 9 off is hardly an enjoyable ‘home life’ alternative to tramping I would reckon.

Then again 9 off in a lay by aint ideal either after saying that, so I don’t do it.

[eagerbeaver]

Being a day man is a cushy number Rob, if the pay is good and you never do more than 12 hours.

[evil8beezle]

eagerbeaver:
Being a day man is a cushy number Rob, if the pay is good and you never do more than 12 hours.

The better looking rent boys work the night shift!

[beakfreak81]

What started off as an occasional night out job quite quickly progressed into Monday to Friday tramping.

Been at it for 3 months now.At first i found it quite a culture shock but steadily i’ve found decent places to stay.If i’m ever stuck for time in an area i don’t know i use an MSA.

Got caught short once and ended up parking in a layby …never again!

[animal]

I have parked in plenty lay by don’t mind them at all I don’t get bothered but I am careful of which ones I use don’t like them close to road also use industrial est have a few never park in a truckstop or mSA if can help it but that is me will stop in 1 to use there facilities but then move on a I self cater this is not a problem for me

Would rather do tramping then day work any time but yes I do tend to sit in my cab pull the curtain or part of it along often go for a run / walk then eat read my book sleep sorted never have a passenger never double man I do enjoy the lifestyle of it need to get back to work then back to tramping as still off with ankle soon be back

[ajt]

Give it a go it doesn’t have to be forever.

[bigvern1]

I would tramp again, but not full time. Maybe holiday cover for example.

[system]

robroy:

dafdave:

robroy:
After your 32 yrs did you not find it hard to adjust to being home every night. I know that will sound sad to the ‘unbelievers’ on here, but I have tramped for a similar amount of time to you.

My mate, an ex. tramper, who is also ex forces, reckons it is the same feeling as when he came out of the army, hard to re.adapt, you get into a habit and as you know it becomes a way of life.
I have been off since 19 Dec on hol, I definitely am not missing work, but have found it strange being home all the time.
Actually, come to think of it they’e right,… that DOES sound bloody sad

Well it did but my driving career was cut short when I fell off the trl and was ret injured at 56yrs old.

Ok, sorry to hear that mate, didn’t know that. So it looks like you had no choice, are you ok now btw, and do you miss it at all.
Im 70yrs old now and I still miss it.Sad as it may sound I loved tramping.
regards dave.
Probably not eh?

[captain62]

i’ve tramped for many years now, need to stop this year, i’m not looking forward to day work but need to be home for family reasons,

[the_maoster]

I find that the only problem with tramping is that this guy always manages to park right next to me! …
facebook.com/truckfail/vide … 167357536/

[dozy]

SteveBarnsleytrucker:
Also the only people who say tramping is for tramps and say they dont want to be dossin in lay bys full of ■■■■ or services being kept awake by a fridge all night etc are those who don’t know how to engage their brains and think off the beaten track. Too much hard work for some folk you see.
I always look for the industrial estates near pubs, town centres, council run car parks where trucks can park in town centres ( plenty around Wales) or bits of waste ground near amenities where I can go for a wonder, have a couple of jars and a nice pub meal or go for a takeaway or even sit down Chinese, Indian etc and have a chat to the locals.
Trouble is with this job too many drivers just want to be hermits when the card is pulled and close the curtains and that’s it untill the card goes back in. Once you have done a few week/month at it you will build a good portfolio of places where you know you can enjoy your “night out” even other drivers through word of mouth will give you good spots, however if you find a tidy spot just watch who you tell about it as before long every Tom, ■■■■ and Harry will be parking up there, ■■■■■■■ and [zb] in bottles and bags dumping them and leaving rubbish everywhere and you won’t be able to park there again.

Steve , some of us are run to the limit ( or 90% of the time ) , all you’ve time for is to dive in the nearest layby , but there’s still no excuse for not getting a shower , I just wet wipe myself down at night and get one on first break , no need to look like a tramp

[paulnowak]

I looked more like a tramp when I was an “arse on fire” day man

[eddie_snax]

dozy:
Steve , some of us are run to the limit ( or 90% of the time ) , all you’ve time for is to dive in the nearest layby , but there’s still no excuse for not getting a shower , I just wet wipe myself down at night and get one on first break , no need to look like a tramp

You might find it better to carry a washing up bowl, then use that as a stand by, not as good as a shower, but better than baby wipes, but agree, that the first job the next morning is to find a shower

[burnley-si]

you love your wife and treasure your kids then why would you want to be away from them all week or more

for a quiet life

[robroy]

dozy:

SteveBarnsleytrucker:
Also the only people who say tramping is for tramps and say they dont want to be dossin in lay bys full of ■■■■ or services being kept awake by a fridge all night etc are those who don’t know how to engage their brains and think off the beaten track. Too much hard work for some folk you see.
I always look for the industrial estates near pubs, town centres, council run car parks where trucks can park in town centres ( plenty around Wales) or bits of waste ground near amenities where I can go for a wonder, have a couple of jars and a nice pub meal or go for a takeaway or even sit down Chinese, Indian etc and have a chat to the locals.
Trouble is with this job too many drivers just want to be hermits when the card is pulled and close the curtains and that’s it untill the card goes back in. Once you have done a few week/month at it you will build a good portfolio of places where you know you can enjoy your “night out” even other drivers through word of mouth will give you good spots, however if you find a tidy spot just watch who you tell about it as before long every Tom, ■■■■ and Harry will be parking up there, ■■■■■■■ and [zb] in bottles and bags dumping them and leaving rubbish everywhere and you won’t be able to park there again.

Steve , some of us are run to the limit ( or 90% of the time ) , all you’ve time for is to dive in the nearest layby , but there’s still no excuse for not getting a shower , I just wet wipe myself down at night and get one on first break , no need to look like a tramp

Dozy, dozy , dozy, …sit back and listen to yourself ffs.
You say you are run to the limit, what you are really saying is you allow yourself to be put under pressure with no resistance.
They ALL try it !.. I’ve worked for the Dutch, they are ■■■■ experts at it, I still managed a decent quality of life alongside the tramping.
You just politely put your point of view forward. it’s how much, or little, you allow them to that determines your quality of life as a driver and/or tramper.

Does your planner sacrifice a decent quality of life and forsake basic human comforts for HIS job, I’d bet you a weeks wages and then some that the answer aint ‘Yes he does’ .
Dozy mate, a lightbulb moment for you…You are being taken for a ■■■■, sort youself out bud.

[themoocher]

robroy:

dozy:

SteveBarnsleytrucker:
Also the only people who say tramping is for tramps and say they dont want to be dossin in lay bys full of ■■■■ or services being kept awake by a fridge all night etc are those who don’t know how to engage their brains and think off the beaten track. Too much hard work for some folk you see.
I always look for the industrial estates near pubs, town centres, council run car parks where trucks can park in town centres ( plenty around Wales) or bits of waste ground near amenities where I can go for a wonder, have a couple of jars and a nice pub meal or go for a takeaway or even sit down Chinese, Indian etc and have a chat to the locals.
Trouble is with this job too many drivers just want to be hermits when the card is pulled and close the curtains and that’s it untill the card goes back in. Once you have done a few week/month at it you will build a good portfolio of places where you know you can enjoy your “night out” even other drivers through word of mouth will give you good spots, however if you find a tidy spot just watch who you tell about it as before long every Tom, ■■■■ and Harry will be parking up there, ■■■■■■■ and [zb] in bottles and bags dumping them and leaving rubbish everywhere and you won’t be able to park there again.

Steve , some of us are run to the limit ( or 90% of the time ) , all you’ve time for is to dive in the nearest layby , but there’s still no excuse for not getting a shower , I just wet wipe myself down at night and get one on first break , no need to look like a tramp

Dozy, dozy , dozy, …sit back and listen to yourself ffs.
You say you are run to the limit, what you are really saying is you allow yourself to be put under pressure with no resistance.
They ALL try it !.. I’ve worked for the Dutch, they are [zb] experts at it, I still managed a decent quality of life alongside the tramping.
You just politely put your point of view forward. it’s how much, or little, you allow them to that determines your quality of life as a driver and/or tramper.

Does your planner sacrifice a decent quality of life and forsake basic human comforts for HIS job, I’d bet you a weeks wages and then some that the answer aint ‘Yes he does’ .
Dozy mate, a lightbulb moment for you…You are being taken for a [zb], sort youself out bud.

Your dead right Roy.
My first driving job I got ■■■■ took out of my been a yes man and got ran into the ground.
Next job I say Learned how to say NO.
Makes your life so much easier