Lorry driving experience

[Madam_max]

How long had you been driving your lorry when you took horses out? Or did you just get on with it right away?

 

[Kate_13]

I had been driving Luton transit vans and sprinters first through moving house and work e.t.c

My first lorry I bought was 3.5 hours away from home so it gave me 3.5 hours to familiarise myself with the lorry.

If you are worried just drive your lorry around for a while without horsey, go round roundabouts, tight lanes e.t.c Once you know the lorry and how to take corners and roundabouts you will be well away!

 

[miller]

Drove it 2 or 3 times picking up hay then got on with it

 

[dieseldog]

I drove it once to pick up some wood for my sister and then took the horses out.

 

[Madam_max]

Cool, that makes me feel better. I have had 8 hours of instuction from an HGV driver.

A friend and I were going to a comp together on Saturday, but our times are so far apart, I don't think it would be fair to keep both horses there for 7 hours, so I really should just drive myself.

 

[Toby_Zaphod]

It matter's little how long you've been driving the lorry, you will always be apprehensive when you take horses out for the first time....you've just got to do it. Just extend your vision further ahead so you brake earlier & smoothly & go steadily through bends, corners & islands.

Above all, always assume the vehicle infront will do something stupid & you won't be surprised when they do & you'll have time to react.

Good Luck & a safe journey

 

[evsj]

Give yourself LOADS of time, anticipate and ask your passenger not to talk to you while you are concentrating!!

 

[lillie07]

When Mum started driving our lorry YO told her to drive it like you dont have breaks- so you always think far enough ahead to be able to come to a gradual stop and not to give a monkey about the cars behind you (at first it is quite un nerving causing a traffic jam) but you soon learn just to ignore that fact you are causing it. Sit back and enjoy

 

[starllight]

How glad am I that you posted this. Was just about to post the same things as I am picking up new 3.5T box tomorrow and wondered best thing to do. Thanks for the info everyone!

 

[benrolo]

Watch out for the idiots that jumps into your 'braking gap' when in heavy traffic, it's infuriating!

 

[Magicmillbrook]

We give ourselves a bonus point for a nice long traffic jam behind. As suggetsed just try to forget about the cars behind you, and beleive me you will get some idiot who will tail gate you waiting to sqeeze by. I got hooted at the other day because I had slowed right down to take a very sharp turn off a road. If you are on a busy road and get the chance to pull over please do - gets horse owners some brownie points. You will be amazed how quickly you settle in to it - good luck.

 

[Llwyncwn]

Mine was the first lorry I had driven. I wasnt intimidated by it, but was so scared driving down steep hills etc. I must have taken it on a dozen journeys before I felt confident enough to put any precious cargo on.

Its a bit old hat to me now, apart from always being aware of the ejots pulling out in front of you, and that cat/dog sitting on the side of the road wondering if they should make a run for it

 

[Stella]

Its steep hills that get me even though my 3.5 is just a friendly Renault Master

Nevertheless going down and up steep hills with a big mare on the back is still new to me. I have been up and down to my trainers many times and to a show, but both were just off the motorway. I first encountered steep hills last weekend and was very white knuckle about it all (not helped by taking a wrong turn and living in dread of reversing unaided - I was alone). It will get easier no doubt, but it was just figuring out how much to break going down (in my head it was all I wanted to do) and whether it was reasonable to remain in second going up

 

[Allykat]

Oooh I was just going to post the same sort of question

Also having never driven a lorry of any kind.... is it feasble to just turn up somewhere to try one out to buy?