What were you, or indeed what are you driving during your most enjoyable period behind the wheel of a truck.
My biggest regret is never taking the opportunities I had to do european work, but that aside, I had a short spell working for Bergen Transport in the early 90s. I was in my early 20s and was given the keys to a brand new ERF with a 365 ■■■■■■■ engine, and the famous twin splitter gearbox. Being single and tramping all over the UK on container work, I was in my element. Definitely one of my most enjoyable periods as a driver. Unfortunately I was forced to take a local job a few months later due to a family illness.
Now boys and girls,
this is a post to try and cheer us all up a little given the amount of moaning and arguing that’s being going on lately. So no whinging…
My best times were undoubtedly spent in various DAF lorries, from a 3300 to a 3600 and eventually my own 2800. I was young free to choose where I went and when I went. The pub came first and the job fitted around that
Wheel Nut:
My best times were undoubtedly spent in various DAF lorries, from a 3300 to a 3600 and eventually my own 2800. I was young free to choose where I went and when I went. The pub came first and the job fitted around that
2800 was a cracking truck Malc. Never ever got allocated one infortunately.
Loved it to bits and went all over the country with it.
It was replaced by an L reg Daf 85 330 with twin splitter after 5 years, I love the Eaton and would happily have a new truck with one fitted instead of the zf autotragics we have now
Seeing as this is a whine free zone, I have to say that I couldn’t pick a specific time frame, I’ve been at it for 25yrs now and I’ve enjoyed most of it
Highlights…My 1st day on the road in a Scania 111, then my 1st trip to Italy (Wheel Nut will be pleased to know that was in a 3300) my first left ■■■■■■, a 142. My 1st lorry as an O/D, my first decent motor as an O/D (an F16 Globetrotter) then the1st brand new lorry I bought, through to getting my current Peterbilt and driving all over North America
My best times where definitley when I drove for Dow freight, not only do I remember all the drivers , but we all keep in touch and have a reunion every year in Blackpool, and at 69 I am one of the youngest…
From the first time I took an artic out on my own,for various agencies,through driving a lovely F12 and FH12 race transporter around UK and Europe,through my experiences with different trucks throughout Canada and the Northern U.S.,just never know what’s around the corner and I have hopefully got a few more unexpected surprises to come along between now and “then”.Happy days and nights
Late 80’s early 90’s definately, Leyland Daf 95 with the strange 4 speed quad splitter, away all week but going home Friday night or saturday morning excited to see the wife and kids after a week priceless, no over the top stupid rules and regulations , no cameras everywhere.
My most enjoyable time was when I bought my first and only HGV rigid, paid cash and all insurances etc up front for 12 mths. The bad bit was the fact it was a Leyland Roadtrain ex GPO. Was tipping in London after an singing all dancing brand new MAN and new curtainsider but due to the extremely strong wind the O/D was struggling to close the curtains so helped him out. This is what you want mate says I as I pressed the button on my heap and the curtains rolled up nicely to the top, only motor I have seen with electric curtains. The ONLY good thing about it, and thats not a winge either !!
When I got my 2nd ever brand new motor. An 818 Atego with high roof and twin bunks.
No-one but me drove it. Even on a fortnights holiday, she stayed in the yard. Was 1st time I had “my” truck. It may be small, but to me it was the ■■■■■■■■. Went all over UK and the odd venture to Germany.
As Duke Ditchlogic Vermin would say…Good times!
It wasn’t a truck but a transit and it was the mid '80s. I could drive as long as I wanted until tiredness dictated I stop. No tacho. I could park anywhere. No parking fees after two hours. I didn’t have a bed but when I had the job sorted I used some nice B & B’s. Used to start collecting my work around Friday lunchtime with deliveries scheduled as “As long as it’s there by Monday 9am”, I’d have 3-5 drops anywhere from Bristol to St Andrews. Mostly to universities. And one of the good things about university towns is lots of attractive young fillies! York was especially fantastic for lassies! I soon learned to sort things out so that I could have the Saturday night in York whenever possible! And I was on bloody good money!
My first job! Driving a Merc Sprinter Luton on store deliveries for Kookai! Beautiful women at 9 different stores in London!! Oh! Those were the days!! 2000-2003! Very good money at the time at DTS in Enfield!
In my early to mid twenties tramping all over but a lot of Scotch runs from Bristol in a nearly new F10, this was just over 20 years ago now, i really enjoyed it and must have known nearly every great place to stay.
My best time I think was when I got given the keys to a brand new Merc powerliner, unrestricted, 65 mph down the M6 oh happy days.
Especially using that button under the accelerator pedal to overtake an ERF or a DAF 2800
probably has to be a low roof volvo Fm 26 ton flatbed i used to drive, must have been about 6 years old when i had it, drove like brand new, after that its probably an xf daf 105
mercedes 3025 eight wheel bulker non turbo v8 d reg was underpowered and old but it was well paying work id just passed my test at 21 back in 2000 and worked with some realy good people and even though it was a bit like hell drivers at times id do it all again but it was a good time in my personal life no responsibilitys still living at home etc
ERF EC10, yes with Eaton twinsplit the best piece of engineering since the invention of the bridge, carrying rebar steel to sites across the country for Kierbeck. It was just everything at the time in my life, the job, the truck, the firm, (the gearbox), really miss it sometimes.
gogzy:
probably has to be a low roof volvo Fm 26 ton flatbed i used to drive, must have been about 6 years old when i had it, drove like brand new, after that its probably an xf daf 105
A bit young to be driving trucks, wern’t you Gogzy ■■
