So what’s it like going to the dark side and coming back? Well this is my experience as an owner-driver for four years between 2007 and 2011. I’d done my national CPC back in 2005 as I thought it may come in useful one day and then due to circumstances changing at home, I decided to take the plunge at the end of 2006. It was either that or do my motorbike test and I reasoned being an owner-driver was a safer option.
I was able to source a second hand 2001 Renault Premium from friend Mark Bailey at Conway Bailey, knowing it would have been looked after well and benefiting from mates rates. I contacted IH Jordan brick transport, having seen their advert for subbies in Truck & Driver for probably the last 10 years and signed up with them. I did a couple of weeks for a friend trunking, just to iron out any niggles with the lorry which unfortunately meant dropping the gearbox as the synchro had gone on 3rd and I wanted her right for day one.
I know brick transport wouldn’t be every owner driver’s first choice, particularly with zero experience, but with a farming background, it was far more appealing than RDCs or pallet hubs at the time.
Esta historia es de la edición June 2020 de Truck & Driver.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición June 2020 de Truck & Driver.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
