Got to do something I always wanted to do

[Ean Austral]

Gday All,


Ever since I was a kid and seen my first road train, I always wanted to drive one, but as I got older the ocean beckoned and I spent close to 30 yrs at sea. Since coming ashore a couple of years ago have upgraded my license and the time finally came when a good friend needed a hand to drive a road train from Darwin to Townsville, Just by chance it was loaded with fish from my work, so it worked out well.


https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/354x472q90/571/hktt.jpg


This is us getting ready to leave Darwin
https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/354x472q90/690/vl3q.jpg


and this is the Christmas tree as it lights up at night.


I know its not everyone's idea of a must do, but it opened my eye's to the world of long haul driving, and I enjoyed every second of it.


My hat goes off to all truck drivers be it small ones or road trains, as the idiots I seen in my very short experience was mind blowing, add that to the attentions of the authorities and they are a very under rated and under appreciated group of people.


Cant wait till next chance, but wont be throwing in my current job.


Safe travels to all that share the roads.


Cheers Ean

[d2dave]

Am I jealous or what!

Ean. I have my HC licence and do have plans to upgrade to MC. I have always thought I would like to drive one of those, and after my recent trip to Darwin I really want to do it.

It is high on my bucket list. I was contemplating when I sell my business to try to get into it.

Any chance this good friend might need a back up driver down the track?

[Ean Austral]

Am I jealous or what!

Ean. I have my HC licence and do have plans to upgrade to MC. I have always thought I would like to drive one of those, and after my recent trip to Darwin I really want to do it.

It is high on my bucket list. I was contemplating when I sell my business to try to get into it.

Any chance this good friend might need a back up driver down the track?


He has 34 road trains so anything is possible.


If its something you are interested in then I really don't think you will be disappointed.


Cheers Ean

[d2dave]

That makes 120 trailers, and 2108 tyres!

[wrinklearthur]

Good on you Ean for having a go, I don't desire to drive one of those handfuls at all and besides I would take too long on the road ---- after I factor in all the poppy naps I would need to have between Darwin and Townsville.

Do they still do a milk run between the Atherton Tablelands and Darwin?

Cheers for Christmas

PS to Ean, the Wife is back home ( came home on the 21st ) after her stint in Darwin, mixed feelings about her time there though.
.

[Ean Austral]

That makes 120 trailers, and 2380 tyres!


I will take your word for it.:D


I know he was buying tyres by the container load.




Cheers Ean

[Ean Austral]

Good on you Ean for having a go, I don't desire to drive one of those handfuls at all and besides I would take too long on the road ---- after I factor in all the poppy naps I would need to have between Darwin and Townsville.

Do they still do a milk run between the Atherton Tablelands and Darwin?

Cheers for Christmas

PS to Ean, the Wife is back home ( came home on the 21st ) after her stint in Darwin, mixed feelings about her time there though.
.


Glad to hear your wife is home safe and well, am sure if she was here in june/july the mixed feelings may have been more to favour Darwin.


We did pass a couple of road trains carting milk, but not sure where it was coming from.


Cheers Ean

[Chops]

Awesome stuff Ean. Like you, I'm wanting to have a go at that. Then I watch a show like Truckers, or whatever it's called, and it just adds fuel to the fire to see them working the run up the West Coast.
Looks like hard work though, but it'd be the travel part of it I reckon you wouldn't be able to beat.

[Ean Austral]

Awesome stuff Ean. Like you, I'm wanting to have a go at that. Then I watch a show like Truckers, or whatever it's called, and it just adds fuel to the fire to see them working the run up the West Coast.
Looks like hard work though, but it'd be the travel part of it I reckon you wouldn't be able to beat.


I have no doubt that doing it on your own as most drivers do would be very draining. The concentration alone is very draining and then throw in the long hours and it would be a very mentally tough job. I was fortunate as when I was fishing we did long hours and mostly night time so I never had to many problems.


Funny I watched that truckers show, and remember the way they hyped up a road train passing another and I have no doubt its not easy, but 20 mins after I first started driving at about 1am a road train that was empty came barrelling up and over took me. I don't have to tell you how tight my arse was puckered..


I guess I am lucky to know someone who was happy to give me a go, and am very thankful that he had the trust in me to do so.


DO IT IS ALL I CAN SAY.


Cheers Ean

[isuzurover]

I also need to get an HC Licence...

[V8Ian]

I doubt that the average driver would change his/her habits even after a stint behind the wheel of a big one, Ean. I have found that a lack of appreciation of the dynamics of a roadtrain isn't usually the issue, the problem seems to be the self-centred attitude of so many drivers today. For all the whinging that is heard about nomads, I find them to be the most courtious as a group. I've spoken to many caravaners in rest areas and they have a genuine interest in learning to share the road with heavies.
Recently I caught up to a small (car licence) truck, I was travelling at 90-95k (best speed for economy/time balance), he slowed to 75-80k baulking me for 30ish kilometres. I finally rounded him up and he increased his speed to follow 100 metres behind me. After a while he started a conversation with me on the UHF. He explained that he had slowed to make it easier for me to pass. He didn't know he'd actually made it harder. He also went on to say it was a pleasure following me as I stuck to the speed limits and stayed between the lines. :angel::cool:

[Ean Austral]

I doubt that the average driver would change his/her habits even after a stint behind the wheel of a big one, Ean. I have found that a lack of appreciation of the dynamics of a roadtrain isn't usually the issue, the problem seems to be the self-centred attitude of so many drivers today. For all the whinging that is heard about nomads, I find them to be the most courtious as a group. I've spoken to many caravaners in rest areas and they have a genuine interest in learning to share the road with heavies.
Recently I caught up to a small (car licence) truck, I was travelling at 90-95k (best speed for economy/time balance), he slowed to 75-80k baulking me for 30ish kilometres. I finally rounded him up and he increased his speed to follow 100 metres behind me. After a while he started a conversation with me on the UHF. He explained that he had slowed to make it easier for me to pass. He didn't know he'd actually made it harder. He also went on to say it was a pleasure following me as I stuck to the speed limits and stayed between the lines. :angel::cool:


Gday Ian,


Funny we never seen any grey nomads, altho I drove during the night so likely they were off the road. All I can say is lucky that bloke wasn't following me, the 3rd trailer travelled a lot more ks than the rest of the truck when I was driving, got a good old wobble up that's for sure.




Cheers Ean

[LandyAndy]

I also need to get an HC Licence...

That will get you 1 trailer;);););););)
Andrew

[V8Ian]

Back off when approaching another truck, power on just before passing, they don't sway under power. If the sway bothers you, don't look in the mirrors. :D That third can need up to ten feet of width. :o

[V8Ian]

How'd you cope with the Gilbert Ean? :o:o:o Or was Brad driving?

[LandyAndy]

I get to drive our semi from time to time.Always wanted to drive them,honestly I find it boring.Give me a grader anyday;););););););).
Andrew

[discoverybob]

Reading about Ean`s trip in a Road Train brought a tear to my eyes. I retired about 3 months ago after having spent the last 43 years driving trucks mostly Interstate, the last 15 years in B-Doubles running up and down the East Coast of Oz, and doing runs from Melbourne to Brisbane then across to Adelaide then across to Sydney and back home down to Melbourne, or to any of the Cities mentioned. It is a hard life, low pay rates, strict law enforcement(logbook fines can be $1000`s of dollars)and away from family and friends for weeks at a time. Now I am enjoying my enforced early retirement due to health reasons, so now spend my time working on Discoverys.;):cool:

[Ean Austral]

How'd you cope with the Gilbert Ean? :o:o:o Or was Brad driving?


I never found it a real problem Ian, I worked on the theory he was overtaking me so when I seen him coming round just concentrated on keeping it straight and very gradually slowed once he drew level.


He was empty so was motoring and I was loaded, think Bradley said 115ton, so there wasn't much chance of me trying to stop him


Cheers Ean

[V8Ian]

Reading about Ean`s trip in a Road Train brought a tear to my eyes. I retired about 3 months ago after having spent the last 43 years driving trucks mostly Interstate, the last 15 years in B-Doubles running up and down the East Coast of Oz, and doing runs from Melbourne to Brisbane then across to Adelaide then across to Sydney and back home down to Melbourne, or to any of the Cities mentioned. It is a hard life, low pay rates, strict law enforcement(logbook fines can be $1000`s of dollars)and away from family and friends for weeks at a time. Now I am enjoying my enforced early retirement due to health reasons, so now spend my time working on Discoverys.;):cool:Did one for the postman about ten years ago. Thirty two pallecon thingies. Found the DC in Adelaide and pulled back the A curtains, started to open the B when the forkie told me I wouldn't need them opened. He came out with thirty two empty and folded pallecons.........four pallet spaces and two straps. Got paid for a full load though. :banana::banana::banana: Gotta be satisfied with little wins. ;)

[V8Ian]

I never found it a real problem Ian, I worked on the theory he was overtaking me so when I seen him coming round just concentrated on keeping it straight and very gradually slowed once he drew level.


He was empty so was motoring and I was loaded, think Bradley said 115ton, so there wasn't much chance of me trying to stop him


Cheers Ean
My bad Ean, wrong road. I was referring to the Gilbert River west of Georgetown. Scared the crap out of me the first time. Between Croydon and Georgetown there are about three million floodway, each with their own sign "NARROW BRIDGE". By the time you get to the Gilbert it's a case of yeah right, the boy who cried wolf. S bend, steep drop omto a ten foot wide bridge, a puckering moment in a triple at 90k. :censored:

[wrinklearthur]

Australia's Wild Men Truckers ! Documentary - YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=54JA8DdLS8I)
..
.

[Ean Austral]

My bad Ean, wrong road. I was referring to the Gilbert River west of Georgetown. Scared the crap out of me the first time. Between Croydon and Georgetown there are about three million floodway, each with their own sign "NARROW BRIDGE". By the time you get to the Gilbert it's a case of yeah right, the boy who cried wolf. S bend, steep drop omto a ten foot wide bridge, a puckering moment in a triple at 90k. :censored:


Ah was wondering, funny as it was a Gilberts transport road train that overtook me and thought I somehow mentioned it. I know the place you speak of, but haven't driven a road train or truck down there, its bad enough in a car.


Cheers Ean

[Landy Smurf]

Awesome stuff. Something I have always wanted to do too

[Ean Austral]

Wanted to post a better pic of the truck itself, it was a pleasure to drive and to be able to stand up inside the cab was a very different feeling.




https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/629x472q90/19/vos4.jpg


it was a Kenworth K200 big cab,


Wow they fit trucks out pretty smick, but guess you spend enough time in them so want nothing less.


Cheers Ean

[d2dave]

Ean. What freight did you bring back on your return trip?

[V8Ian]

Is it the photo Ean or has Brad changed the fleet colour from dark blue?

[Ean Austral]

Is it the photo Ean or has Brad changed the fleet colour from dark blue?


No that truck is monaro maroon, its the Darwin freight truck, all the others are dark blue /silver. Personally I like the blue/silver better but its a close second.


Cheers Ean

[Ean Austral]

Ean. What freight did you bring back on your return trip?


I flew back from Townsville Dave, but he bought all our freight up for the fish trawler and also 1 trailer of fruit.


Cheers Ean

[V8Ian]

I flew back from Townsville Dave, but he bought all our freight up for the fish trawler and also 1 trailer of fruit.


Cheers EanYou big sook. :p

[Ean Austral]

You big sook. :p


I guess I could have hitch hiked back.

[Ean Austral]

Is it the photo Ean or has Brad changed the fleet colour from dark blue?




https://imagizer.imageshack.us/v2/629x472q90/89/wpov.jpg


I like this colour scheme better. plus its not a holden colour:wasntme:




Cheers Ean

[Cobber]

It's an eye opening experience that's for sure, well done :BigThumb:

[Davo]

That's nice to see that you got your chance. I had a C-class licence years ago when that would let you drive anything . . . but no-one would hire me. And I still mutter a little curse when I see a roadtrain!