and today i have mostly been...

[piglet]

So have you run the feed wire round the screen rubber?
And does it automatically run with key on?

[steve_earwig]

From behind the centre console, across under the steering column, up the driver's a-pillar and around the screen with the connector drooping out behind the rear view mirror.

It's fed from the (non-existent) heated seat switch connector so yeah. it comes on with the ignition.

[Welly]

I've driven in Germany twice so I'm obviously an expert at forrin roundabouts; that black glof? might have thought you were going around to the major left and kinda joined on that basis. From what I've seen the 'go all the way around the outside lane' thing seems to stop others trying to enter. In Germany you must only indicate when leaving the roundabout so no-one has a clue where you're heading anyway

Those two fodgy duckers stopping like that were best swerved as you did

[Doggy]

...passing my category C+E LGV (Class 1 HGV) test.

after a fun weekend, driving this beast for 8 hours a day.


That there's an 18 tonne Eurocargo + trailer hauled by 230 asthmatic horses + 12-speed arsetronic 'box
To my surpise this was the easiest trailer I have ever reversed.

Next surpise was to pass Class 1 at the first attempt, well chuffed.

Then, I had a 3-hour conversion course on this beast.



Proper Tonka Toy innit?

Iveco Stralis 480 BHP, again a 12-speed auto plus 13.6m trailer. This is something else, levver seats, wooden dash, really plush/quiet, displays everywhere.
Unlike the wagon and drag, which is pretty much fully loaded and slow as a glacier, the artic's only carrying 8 tons and goes like stink, (comparatively).
Great fun, but needs masses of concentration. I have serious respect for the boys and girls that do this well.

[steve_earwig]

Very well done yung maan!

It always amazes me when I see artics reversed into tight spaces, the tractor's going all over the place yet the trailer slides right on it, perfect. I'm absolutely certain I couldn't do that!

[Doggy]

Thankee kindly sir.
The wagon & drag is really forgiving, I got it out of shape loads of times but could always recover it.
The artic's a different beast altogether - I fluked it first attempt straight into the 'bay' you use on test, but then screwed it up royally the next few times.
The secret is to 'bend' it a little then get back in line to see where you are, repeat as necessary, or something.

[dirtydirtydiesel]

Well done Doggy
Makes my outfit seem small

[PeterN]

Congratulations Doggy, I have always had a hankering to do that but I'm way to old now, and anyway one of those wouldn't go in the lanes round here.

Peter

[Welly]

Doggy you qualify for a huge well done from me, I iz well jealous of yer skillz.

So what kind of wagon can you legally drive now?

Do you have to eat fried breakfasts everyday from now on?

Can you urinate into an Evian bottle at 56mph and throw it with enough force out the passenger window to clear the hard shoulder?

All of these things need answers for the good of the forum.

[stevewalsh]

Congratulations on your CE

Passed mine in 2007 and now spend my days delivering mobile homes across Europe, Always found artic easier than rigid, good luck for the future

[Doggy]

That looks fun Steve.

Thank you everyone.

In answer to welly's questions:
Anything non-hazardous, (fuel tankers and the like need an ADR qualification).
No.
You may be surprised, but this isn't normally attempted with an instructor on board.....

[Welly]

Steve Walsh - you must have to be super-smooth maneuvering that sort of load, must take a lot of forward planning and thinking.

I always remember my Uncle who spent his whole career driving lorries for Ford Motor Co. based in Dagenham; he advised me as a car driver to always give way to lorries where possible as it takes them a lot longer to stop and, more importantly, get going again and I always look for the chance to help them keep moving. I think a lot of car drivers see a lorry coming and think 'slow moving' so pull out in front of it not knowing the poor driver now has sh*t loads of work undone in an instant.

[stevewalsh]

They are not as bad to transport as they look, Been doing them for about 8 years now, the width is the biggest problem, mainly about 4 metres wide, but sometimes more, Lots of forward planning with routes etc, Bridge heights...... I usually manage to get my height down to just under 4.5 metres, Love the job, but I remember the first couple of weeks I was cr*pping myself at every roundabout and junction. and the fact that we can't use the toll motorways makes it interesting....

Good luck for the future Doggy, may see you out on a road somewhere, I have a delivery to Redruth in UK before xmas, via Roscoff Plymouth Ferry

[Doggy]

Thanks Steve. Much as I'd love to be out on the road, I'm kinda stuck with a non-driving job until I retire.

Aren't unmarked EU bridges half a metre or so lower than ours?
Must take a while to get the hang of 4m wide too, I'd have more than a few weeks with need for laxatives.
Avoiding the peage must be tricky - I did Montpelier to Geneva & back by a different route during the summer in a biggish motorhome.
Some of those towns and villages were memorable*.

Whereabouts are those mobile homes built?

[GingerMagic]

A belated 'well done' from too Doggy...
I didn't realise you were going for the class 1 too..!!
All you need now is to pass your HIAB license, learn to get a 35ft long lorry around narrow streets with random German cars parked* on corners - and you could cover for me when me and the Magic family are swanning it up in England's finest* caravan parks