Driving a HGV horsebox.

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Mr Punch

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I’ve recently passed my Class C so can now drive a HGV rigid horsebox.

I learnt and did my test in an automatic. However my licence is full so I can drive a manual. This worried me at the time as I knew when I’d come to buy a horsebox I wouldn’t be able to afford a newer automatic.

I’ve purchased a 13 tonne box which is fab. It’s an older box and is of course a manual.

The person I bought it off said that with a HGV you don’t set off in 1st gear but either 2nd or 3rd. First time I drove it took me ages to get used to the gears and thought OMG what have I done. However my friends husband had a drive and said the clutch is knackered and needs replacing. He said it’s probably being worn out from not setting off in 1st.

So now it’s waiting for a new clutch so I can drive it. I’m going to spend a huge amount of time driving it empty before I think of even travelling anything in it.

Does anyone else have their HGV licence that can give me some tips. Is it best to always set off in first?

Thanks xx
 
I had a 12 1/2 tonne and used to drive 18 tonne for work (horse transport).

We always set off in 1st in a normal junction! Apart from anything else the horses need a slow set off from stationary not to lose balance.

If we were slightly downhill or still slightly moving then I would set off in 2nd, as 1st is a very low gear compared with a car. But if the wagon is heavy it will need the low gear in normal circumstances (i.e not very downhill or not still moving).

One thing I would do is learn to double declutch. It makes it smoother down the gears and will make the lorry last longer.
 
That’s great thanks. How do I double clutch? My Dad has his class 1 so hoping he will help me but he’s working abroad for another few months xx
 
Are you near Leicester? - if yes then I can help you for FREE with expenses covered
Ex LGV instructor & ex senior advanced driving observer for car & LGV

Are you ok with the EU regulations which will govern you especially the weekly rest rules? - any other job cannot count as rest time for the EU regs
 
Red-1 said:
I had a 12 1/2 tonne and used to drive 18 tonne for work (horse transport).

We always set off in 1st in a normal junction! Apart from anything else the horses need a slow set off from stationary not to lose balance.

If we were slightly downhill or still slightly moving then I would set off in 2nd, as 1st is a very low gear compared with a car. But if the wagon is heavy it will need the low gear in normal circumstances (i.e not very downhill or not still moving).

One thing I would do is learn to double declutch. It makes it smoother down the gears and will make the lorry last longer.
Click to expand...

This.

Dad is a hgv mechanic and driver and he says to set off in first. He replaces a lot of clutches from people not doing that.

And also stay off the clutch as much as possible. Dont hover over it or that will burn it out.
 
I used to always set off in 2nd gear but was told a few years ago by a mechanic, to use 1st gear for the very reason you’re mentioning.
 
How many gears does it have - 6 or 8 or more?

The lower half of the number of gears will be low range and the upper half are high range
 
Hi ROG

I was trying to send you a PM about a towing problem, but HHO says you don't accept PMs :(

Sorry OP for diverging....

Fiona
 
Fiona said:
Hi ROG

I was trying to send you a PM about a towing problem, but HHO says you don't accept PMs :(

Sorry OP for diverging....

Fiona
Click to expand...
PMs blocked as all my answers go public in case of any errors

Please post on the HHO TOWING CLINIC link below in signature
 
I was told to pull away in 2nd unless you were straining the clutch and needed to pull away in 1st - so it depends on the size of the load, if its uphill etc
 
Thanks ROG. Thad is vv kind of you. I am in West Yorkshire but the box is still in Scotland waiting for the clutch to be replaced. It has 6 gears and is an Iveco.
 
i allways set off in 2nd on the flat..but to be fair you should be able to tell if the wagon is struggling to set off in a higher gear .
 
It actually totally depends on the lorry, what engine and gearbox and rear axle configuration you have and whether the lorry is loaded or unloaded.
I wouldn’t panic about it... within a couple of drives you will soon get used to it and what your truck requires...our 12 tonner is normally started in first to get it rolling...

I would only ever use a second gear start when the lorry is unloaded and there is a slight downhill away from the lights...

Ours is a six speed manual
 
DOUBLE DE CLUTCH - not really needed on vehicles with synchromesh gearboxes - needed on old crash boxes

Does not do any harm to modern box

Dip clutch - put into neutral - lift clutch - dip clutch - put into gear with perhaps a little blip on the accelerator

If got clutch cable and that has snapped then it can be driven .....
engine off - put into gear - handrake off/footbrake on - start engine/release footbrake and off it goes
to change gear when going then get revs right and double de clutch

If coming to a stop then it will stall so the whole procedure has to started again
 
Clutch has now been replaced so got the train up to Scotland at the weekend and brought it down. Motorway is great, gear changes still not great but I’ll hopefully get there with lots of practice!
 
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