How to drive a 7.5 ton truck. I like trucking!

[@cibie01]

I think it would do all us car drivers good if we got forced to drive a truck for a short while and then we would appreciate what a truck drives has to deal with every day so top marks for putting this across Ian have a Yorkie well deserved great video.

[@HubNut]

Aye. It's an insight that car drivers really should experience.

[@wikkadoo]

I think it should be a mandatory feature in learning to drive a car. I've been a HGV driver for over 20 years, and have often thought this would be a good idea.

[@uk1snobbybbb922]

cibie01 u need a licence to drive a truck it's nowhere near like driving a car

[@cibie01]

Of coarse you need an extra licence over 7.5 i was talking about road use and road awareness experiencing it from the other side, my family come from a line of truckers so spent many many hours seeing it from there side as a passenger.

[@tamberp]

Definitely. A bit of time (off the public highway, o'course) behind the wheel of something larger might do some folk some good. Particularly to have them sit there with a car sat in the blind-spot, and ask them "Can you see that car?" ("...what car?" "Exactly.")

[@darrenmartin3462]

I had just passed my test in 1987 and was driving these at 18 back then there were no limiters and these were good for 80mph. I think they brought these regulations in to foil people like me.lol. but seriously, I drove one for a few years and it does give you another perspective and enhance your driving skills for life.

[@millomweb]

No seat belts either ;)

[@TruckinAboutWithSteve]

some 7.5t are still not restricted. I can do 85 in my Horsebox.

[@drbennyboombatz9195]

@@TruckinAboutWithSteve Are you allowed in the outside lane if it's not restricted?

[@TruckinAboutWithSteve]

@@drbennyboombatz9195 yes if the gross weight does not exceed 7.5t and also not towing.

[@Error-fourOfour]

Absolutely spot on advice! 60mph will keep you out of trouble.

[@Mercmad]

About 20plus years i drove a truck in outback Australia from Cobar in New South wales, up through Bourke into Queensland and then up to townsville via Longreach . I was fully laden each trip and apart from a diff losing the pinon carrier bolts in the middle of no where i had zero trouble except the truck was only able to max out at 60kph. At a constant speed driving 20 hours per day(!!) it took two days to drive. I often got passed on the worst roadfs in trhe world by road trains, three trailer rigs carry close to 100 tons.

[@darrenmartin3462]

I used to to drive one of these Leyland's back in the late eighties and the quality was woeful back then, interior quality was as poor. And you had to remember to be gentle with the brakes first thing in the morning otherwise you'd end up going through the windscreen! So glad when the company upgraded me to a Mercedes 814. Brilliant.

[@millomweb]

Was the door handle pop-riveted back on ;)

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

And then you rocked around from side to side ! 😂

[@BlueXonar]

I'm quite amazed that so much of it is broken in such a low amount of miles (for a truck) - People really do abuse rentals huh!

[@stevek3036]

If its a four-pot you did well as it was only running on 3 1/2 cylinders - good observations regarding mirrors, you are a skilled driver. I have an LGV C+E (class 1) although never drove for a living but it taught me to use the nearside mirror to good effect which has saved me from a few close encounters on roundabouts in the car over the years

[@HubNut]

Thanks. I've always been pretty hot on mirror use, but undergoing MiDAS minibus training (and then becoming a trainer for a time) really helped reinforce it!

[@chriswalford9228]

Years ago I was waiting at the roundabout to go across on my way home from work. Four lanes to enter . Large artic in lane 3 out from the left kerb and tiny KA in lane 2 sat in half way along the truck. Truck pulls away at an angle and rear set of wheels ride up over the KA crushing the back. So little KA couldn't see past truck to the right and didn't know if they could pull out and truck couldn't see KA . No one hurt thankfully.

[@johnmelling9950]

We have had one of these since 03 and its still going strong and drives like new. We only do short runs so its only done around 230K miles but being that theres only 2 of us drive it, its not been abused although we are always carrying some weight and never empty, Never had a [roblem going up hills to be honest, im normally overtaking anything thats loaded.

[@Phiyedough]

The only 7.5 tonne I drove was a Leyland Roadrunner I hired in 1997 to move my stuff to Scotland. If I recall correctly there was no drivers seat belt.

[@dodgydruid]

Best (or worse depending on ones standpoint) indi noise was 2nd gen Hillman Hunter, dampness used to make it change pitch from a high ping to a squawky quack like a Vespa's horn and sometimes a pow pow noise lol

[@fightersweep]

Out of all the trucks I drove at Royal Mail, the 45 Series Leyland DAFs were my favourite drive. No limiters back then either (oops! another tacograph infringement!). If I had at least half a good reason to own one now, it would be my daily drive! Nice video once again Ian!

[@TheCounty90]

If you don't like trucking TOUGH LUCK! Love that sketch.

[@Crazycarbloke]

Not the 9 o’clock news with Rowan Atkinson by any chance

[@TheCounty90]

@@Crazycarbloke Correct, 6 points to you.

[@kevinwhelan8126]

Good insights Ian, and yes I agree with your observations re the indicator noises. Don’t get me going on the Ford Focus (let’s just say I owned one for a couple of years and the best thing I ever did was get rid of it).

[@erik_dk842]

Came here from the Ford Cargo episode. What a rent-a-wreck truck this DAF was. At least they could have had the wipers working.

[@phil955i]

Those who passed their car driving test before 1996 (?) can still legally drive a 7.5 tonner, those who passed their test after have to do a HGV3 (?) test before driving one. I hired one twice to move house 20-odd years ago, quite scary just being let loose in one without any instruction lol. I just remember the weird handbrake, the gearbox that wouldn't be hurried (especially when cold) & being very aware of the width, especially when driving down country lanes. I think you'll find they're mostly 6 cylinder turbo-diesels BTW.

[@2812helenpaul]

Having held a class 1 for many years it was always fun to drive a Puddle Jumper at times :)

[@tonys1636]

Rule of thumb for Cyclists, Motorcyclists and car drivers coming alongside a truck, if you can see the drivers head in one of the truck's mirrors then he/she can see you, if you can't see the driver then move your bike or car so that you can see him/her.

[@gunnarkvinlaug7226]

I drove a LF55.250 wich is basicly the same truck in 15 tons confiderasion with a 8 speed girbox, and exept for some engineproblems it was nice.

[@Aussiedave54]

You're a real man calling it a Truck and not a Lorry, Hats off to you Sir 😂

[@nickb5391]

I was driving 7 1/2 tonners when i was 18 in the mid 70's, Leyland Terrier's, Leyland FG's, Bedford TK's, Ford 'D' Series, Ford Cargo's & i can still drive them today as i have 'grandfather rights' lol

[@nervo6321]

You are exactly right about annoying car drivers.....i have driven HGV class 1 for 30 years and as the trucks are limited to 56 mph what can be more annoying than a car travelling at 54 mph on the motorway? Who then speeds up when you are three quarters of the way past them grrrrr.....

[@gordonfairbrother8421]

Love it I started in 7.5 tonne trucks a long long time ago I got my HGV 1 over 30 years ago but I remember thinking I was the dogs bollocks in one i sine moved on to continental work..sadly all that came to an end when I caught sepsis and went into septic shock I doubt I could climb in the cab now 🥺

[@Jademyheart]

That's shit, fellow buddy 👌, Trucker here in S Africa, Was a great job in UK , but multi drop work , drove me to leave UK , life's better here, even with the fookin jackers! ( We can carry pieces here legally) Very best of luck to you.

[@martynrussell7568]

I agree the Ford focus indicates are a bit noisey!

[@pepedrat2982]

Don't use first gear. Use your mirrors constantly. You need to build up a picture of what's around you, like a motorcyclist does. Take turns wide, and use your mirror as you do so, watching where your back wheel is. Spend as much time on a roundabout looking behind, as you do looking ahead. People foolishly try to pass you. You can tell where your position on the road is by looking in your mirror. So..mirrors, basically, and don't use first. And the handbrake's a bit binary.

[@HubNut]

I used first gear, as it didn't seem keen on pulling away in second.

[@pepedrat2982]

HubNut It's odd as every truck has a sticker urging first gear, but anyone in the business says second. Did I mention mirrors? lol

[@glenrea]

Flash Herbert drive these regularly. They hate pulling away in second. Later ones with the 6-speeder will.

[@pepedrat2982]

Glen. I drove a few of these ten years ago, and don't remember ever having to use first gear. A few 18 tonners, too. Maybe they've changed. Cheers.

[@glenrea]

The previous shape DAF 45 based on the old Leyland Roadrunner did pull off in second easily, because it was so low geared. This shape and later I have driven, 5 and 6 speed versions as well as some fitted with a lovely smooth Allison 5 speed auto. It may be the gearing on the 5 speeders at work as the difference between 1 & 2 is really wide. General rule I was taught in 2001 by my HGV instructor was pull away in 1st for 5spd, 2nd for 6, 3rd for 8 or more forward gears. 8 years later my PSV instructor said the same thing, not realising I had an HGV

[@thelivingdodo2]

That's one of my pet hates, cars which can go faster doing less than 60 mph on the motorway. When you pull out to overtake they speed up and slow down again when you pull back in behind.

[@zogworth]

Scott Worse are the ones that do that. But in the middle lane.

[@bill1682]

So true

[@brunob442]

I own an old 89 Ford cargo 6pot its brilliant on fuel returns low 20's loaded and high 20's empty the gearing is spot on I never use 1st ( it's like a crawler gear ) and no limiter or electric gizmos to go wrong 😁

[@HubNut]

Sounds ace!

[@thehighwaycowboy2822]

Bruno B I love the Ford Cargo 0813 myself. Best truck ever built by a merry mile. I had one for years and absolutely loved it. I didn't want the days to end when driving my Cargo.

[@brunob442]

The Highway Cowboy T.H.C I agree one of the best trucks I've owned ☺

[@melvyncox3361]

@The Highway Cowboy I love the old Cargo!Drove them all,from 7.5 to 32 tons.The 16 & 17 tonnes were brilliant.Best exhaust brake ever,with a Cummins V8.Always had the window down! Luuurrvly.Good times❤😎👍!

[@matharm78]

Speed isn't what's annoying on the motorway or even a roads ... It's inconsistent drivers .... Oh I do 75 ... Now 68 ... Then 80.... Perhaps do 60 for a while until I get overtaken ... Then I speed up ... 🤣🤣🤣 Not annoying at all

[@HubNut]

Oh yes! Using cruise control in the Lexus, you notice this behaviour all the more. Infuriating! Mind you, in the 2CV, speed is very much wind/hill dependant, so it does change a fair bit...

[@JaidenJimenez86]

This is why I don't do 70 in my car, as people who aim for 70 seem the worst for it. I could possibly understand if it is an older car, but when it's a 3 year old BMW (with the EASIEST cruise control system in the world), it does annoy you. That button is there for a reason... use it!

[@rx6180]

I feel your frustration at car drivers who accelerate when you catch them up and try to pass. It really only became a major problem for me during the last two years of my five year stint doing Class 2s, and I was doing longer motorway miles at busier times. I did begin to wonder if the car driver has an involuntary muscle reaction in straightening the right leg as the truck cab gets alongside his or her window, as that is the point at which the near invisible car down on the left usually decides to block you and accelerate. In fact most of the time just keeping pace at 56mph, forcing me to drop back and pull in behind again (which then creates an issue if somebody filled the gap I left when I pulled out) whereas before I'd caught up with them while they were doing 50mph. Maybe they are thinking "Why don't you accelerate past me?" Because, dear car driver, I was flat out when I caught you, I was flat out when I pulled out and drew alongside you, and I'm flat out now you've gone faster. And then I used to think fine, I'll drop back. and let you go. Two minutes later, they are back to 50mph and I've caught them again. If I keep a safe distance, they maintain 50mph. If I pull out to overtake, they speed up again. Then next bit is not in the highway code. Towards the end, before I got fed up with the job, if they did this to me three times, I came over all Duel, and they were Dennis Weaver. It works. Two or three minutes of that sort of claustrophobia and they get the message and bog off. Now I don't believe in doing that in 50mph restricted zones on the motorway, and I've seen 44 tonners intimidating cars in the middle lane, and if they are doing 50mph and that's the speed limit, that is wrong. But the dawdling BMW or VW Passat on flowing fast roads stopping a truck getting past is just as bad. What's the rush, you ask? I'm working. I've got time sensitive deadlines to make. Losing 6mph over many many miles makes a lot of difference.

[@JaidenJimenez86]

Late reply, but - yes definitely on the last point. There are MANY trunk runs I've done where a delay of 5 or 10 minutes means you've missed the window on your tacho and you have to get parked for 45 minutes. Worst case, that 45m break pushes you past your daily 15 hour limit and you have to park up and get the company to send a van or taxi out...

[@numberplateguy8511]

Just brilliant Not ok sighed so much for years as it's so true You should write a book

[@numberplateguy8511]

That should read Not laughed so much in years me cheeks were hurting lol

[@hunchanchoc8418]

I feel your pain. I am very poor nowadays but still have to drive long distances, and often do about 55mph (indicated). But if a truck overtakes me I usually throttle-off once he has pulled out, to let him get past me as quick as possible. I like to hope I have a brain. One of the best policies - for me - is to encounter a truck who seems to be doing a constant 50mph, and then tag along behind it. It serves my economy, and I'm not really holding anyone else up, as they'd have to pass the truck anyway: They just have to pull out a bit earlier and pass me as well.

[@alistairlambert3275]

Another great video. Very informative as always.

[@HubNut]

Thank you.

[@glenrea]

The DAF 45 LF is a vast improvement on the previous Leyland Roadrunner based 7.5 tonner, though they kept the same crappy old gearbox from the older model that works best when you double declutch both up and down the cogs (certainly a smoother change), though it’s better than the semi-auto fitted to some Ivecos. It does sound like you hired from rent-a-wreck.

[@HubNut]

I've no complaints really. It's a 9-year old truck that I imagine has rarely been treated well in its life. I thought it was good value at £100 a day. An immaculate truck wouldn't have done it any quicker...

[@glenrea]

HubNut that is very true. No reason for a 7.5 to be limited as they’re near the top of the rev range at 56mph I often drive one of these at work, 10-plate with 335,000 km on it. They hide their miles well.

[@Velocipedium]

The best job of my whole life was drivione of these round mid wales for TNT. That’s including being a real proper rally driver!

[@BurritoSenor]

Was the money any good for TNT? Was looking at them

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

I learned in an LF, although mine had a range changer switch on the gearbox. 8 forward, plus reverse (I think). Speed limiters aren't good, in my opinion they're dangerous - I had an argument with another driver that was with me the otherday when I got told "you're on the motorway, go on the limiter". No, I'll set the cruise at 86, and set the overspeed to not allow me to go over 3km/h, so theoretically I shouldn't then go above 89, and the vehicle's limited to 90. Of course going down hills I'd manually override it and put the engine brakes on at the top of the hill. I've had cars sit next to me on motorways, worse place to sit is next to the cab on the passenger side (it's why LHD trucks always sit cars on the front by the cab). Car drivers pulling in front of the vehicle closely is also irritating, 44 tonnes doesn't stop anything like a car, you must've noticed it in your 7.5T vehicle. Mine without product (work for a bulk powder company driving tankers) is 13.5T. I do believe that as part of the driving test car drivers should be put in a truck and forced to drive around a small circuit to appreciate the amount of room that we need, and room to safely stop. There's a reason why I've left such a huge gap between me and the vehicle in front.

[@michaelsimms76]

Totally agree make all new drivers go out in a 7.5 tonne van around a course of cones and obstacles and see how many they hit, maybe then they wouldn't sit in their cars leaving a gap a mini would struggle to get through waiving you through and moaning when you don't go for it . Its bad enough driving through towns and down narrow streets as it is , it would make the new drivers better in my opinion.

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

I definitely think so, at the very least hopefully they'd be a lot more sympathetic towards HGV drivers.

[@koconnor]

As long as you do not exceed 60mph (96.5kph) on a motorway you are not exceeding the speed limit. This means you can drive to the limiter at 90kph and have the overspeed set at 96kph.

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

Yes, that is the legal speed limit. However, if you go above the vehicles limited speed (whatever it may be, 90km/h by European law) for more than a minutes it gets recorded on the Digicard. Whether or not it's classed as an infringement, I don't know because you're not breaking any law, so it shouldn't?

[@ianinnes8063]

It looks and sounds like a wreck id be scared incase i got pulled by dvsa and a mechanical inspection as i think it would be impounded and ud be getting a bus or taxi home lol

[@swirlgalaxy]

The average person hasn't a clue that trucks take longer to stop, accelerate or turn! I used to drive American semi-trucks & they can easily "eat" an average car & often do because people are daft & don't pay attention to what they are doing!

[@melvyncox3361]

Great vid lan.And that's coming from a class 1 driver👍!

[@johncouriermeh]

Me as well Melvyn. Class1 and good vid.

[@peteredwards338]

That truck needs some TLC.My 7.5ton.truck performed much better but it was serviced every six weeks.You are right about car drivers, trucks are limited to,56mph,so please car drivers do a minimum of 60 mph unless weather/traffic is bad!

[@RETROCAM73]

Good info I'd love to drive an old ford d series like my dad used to

[@HubNut]

I must be a little younger. I've always wanted to drive a Ford Cargo, because that's why my dad used to drive.

[@RETROCAM73]

I was born in 1973 dad drove the d series in 1982/83 for Palmer and Harvey I used to go on deliverys with him in the summer holidays wasn't meant to great time it was a non hgv one free sweets and top deck drink 👌🏻😀

[@jaggass]

That gear lever looks like its came straight out of a Rover 200 and the air vents as well. If the ad blue system doesn't work or is low on it the engine goes into limp mode.

[@HubNut]

I've no idea. I did mention the DPF warning light to the people hiring it, but they didn't seem to think it made a difference.

[@jaggass]

If the DPF light is on it could be blocked which restricts power as well. Modern day technology sucks. A Ford Cargo or a Leyland Road Runner would leave this for dead.

[@Wetthewhistle]

I do this think the hire people bothered about anything judging by the video 😂

[@MadOldBiker]

what a nice guy...maybe more car drivers should watch this ...

[@cal9987]

That truck is quite tidy compared to the ones i get in work

[@kensherwood4866]

I rented a Merc and it jumped out of first if you pulled away without holding the selector in position. I only made that mistake once on the roundabout near Ross hoping to get away as market traffic came round towards me!. I can only assume Ian you have the addition for the larger vehicle on your licence as you're too young to have got it when you passed your test. ;- )

[@HubNut]

Ken Sherwood Ha! Very kind Ken but I must me older than I look...

[@numberplateguy8511]

Trying to get reverse in a merc used to fun

[@timl1481]

I've recently driven one of these to help out with a house move. It was very limited!!! I used to drive these for a living back in the day and I remember driving an unlimited hire vehicle once. Christ that thing could shift!!! I have no idea what engine it had. I suspect it was a nuclear bomb!!! Great vid keep them coming 👍

[@MomoWax1000]

Just turned 18, happiest moment of my life. Found out I can legally drive a 7.5 tonner ( as we truckers call them ;) ). Been waiting for this moment my whole life.

[@HubNut]

Only if you passed your test before January 1997...

[@MomoWax1000]

@@HubNut Wow, this is officially the worst moment of my life :(

[@andrewbailey2547]

Steptoe was going to upgrade from his horse and cart, however after seen the video they decided to keep the horse and cart.

[@stevenjones19-m8i]

Driving a truck to a car seems small,great video.

[@HubNut]

Thank you.

[@barryphillips7327]

Sounds like some repairs are necessary!

[@hans2406]

After driving a XL inter with a 6-pot petrol engine no synchromesh 5-speed coupled to a pole trailer transporting a few rockets for nearly a year, I assure you, trucking was not my favourite pastime any more

[@TruckinAboutWithSteve]

surprised that is allowed on the road with that many defects as it be illegal

[@paulshortall1461]

try driving a pre 00 merc atego. they didnt even had seat belts before then. scared of a slight hill empty

[@glenrea]

Any Merc commercial is scared of a slight hill empty.

[@Rob-H]

@@glenrea agreed, my work Atego 816 will drop to about 20 on Detling Hill when loaded! Quite embarrassing I'll say.

[@JaidenJimenez86]

And too much weight on the front - I felt the arse end begin to go on one once when going through a downhill corner. Not fit for purpose (I was only doing about 20mph at the time, too!)

[@grahamlive]

The climate controls on the new DAFs are even less accessible than the ones here. They’re almost under the dashboard and the side of your leg is always inadvertently turning the heat up to full. Whoever designed that deserves a good flogging.

[@jackfrazer576]

Nice video, also Please do more Invacar videos .

[@HubNut]

Don't worry. More Invacar videos will be forthcoming. Not much to report yet.

[@twocvbloke]

Euro Truck Simulator makes it seem so easy (well, they're artic trucks rather than fixed-chassis ones like this DAFt), but then, everything simulated on a computer is easy 'til you experience it in reality... :P

[@SuperFIFTHGEAR]

In reality those rigids are much more difficult to turn (not so much the LF, but vehicles like the CF 8 wheeler, tippers) than artics. Artics you turn wider, but you turn a lot less, and can turn much sharply. Only pain with the artics (as I'm finding out) is the sodding reversing...

[@JaidenJimenez86]

Late reply - but - I drive better IRL than in ETS... although parking is a little easier as there's no pressure, and you always have perfect visibility. The trouble IRL is managing your tacho, FINDING the sodding places (some places I swear are like a secret), navigating labyrinthine 7.5t restrictions, and keeping a second pair of eyes out for low bridge signs. Oh, then there's the night time motorway diversions, which are signed up by madmen. As above says, rigids are harder to drive irl (well, the full-length 12 metre ones anway), as they have a HYUGE turn radius. Artics turn on a dime, but they do cut-in on the inside of the turn, so although you can U turn in half the room as an artic, tight corners are a nightmare. The main problem with artics is that as soon as you turn, you lose sight of the back of the trailer so you have NO IDEA how far the arse end is swinging out - you just have to allow 5-6 feet and hope there's no crunching sound xD

[@Clive-js8ej]

The only thing that worked properly on my DAF were all the warning lights!

[@doveronefoxtrot4417]

Part of the HGV 2 family now hubnut, (depending when you took your car test ?

[@hectorshouse7348]

It’d make a nice spacious camper😃

[@ecutechltd]

That's not a truck...it's a puddle jumper!!!

[@HubNut]

I did feel a bit of a fraud parking at the truck stop, with all the 'proper' trucks...

[@ecutechltd]

Haha :)

[@151CHAVIN]

Its just a over sized van 🤣 if it dosent bend inthe middle and have to go though 24 gears its not a lorry 🤣🤣

[@GaryVandalize]

ecutech puddle splasher

[@numberplateguy8511]

It's only half a puddle jumper because half of it don't work lol But as I drive a puddle jumper there's nothing wrong with puddle jumpers lol

Fit an HHO2 kit and gain 10% more power and 30% better economy. Another bonus are no black soot particulates...

[@HubNut]

The downsides are that HHO2 is complete hogwash, and it isn't my lorry, but there you go!

[@HubNut]

+MARTIN STRANGE I'm referring to it as being snake oil. True that hydrogen can improve combustion, but the claims made are ridiculous and never account for producing the hydrogen.

[@zogworth]

If you want more power out a Diesel and aren't averse to modifying it LPG injection works marvellously. In this comment section we obey the laws of thermodynamics

[@micpal176]

Of course you managed to find the most HubNut of trucks. Just think of all the fun you'd have fixing this if it were yours.

[@cajonesy]

Guessing your driving the lf45 160 seen as you only have 5 gears the lf45 180 is much better also has a 6 speed box and has good pulling power however the 180hp is rare in a 7.5 ton i have a euro 5 180 and its fantastic

[@numberplateguy8511]

I don't know about the tech spec as long as the wheels go round but the new daf are great but a brilliant video for us puddle jumpers but the best bit is how excited he is driving it most would have left in vor

[@dalemr2]

I own a 96 ls400 and a 2007 ls460... Fancy doing a review on the ls460?

[@HubNut]

Would certainly be interesting to compare. Drop me a message via www.hubnut.org

[@rollingtroll]

How did you end up with a truck driving license? Or is that not obligatory for 7.5 tonnes in the UK? Also, that truck doesn't look old at all and the mileage is low. How can so many things be broken already? Shocking! Do you have any idea of its history? A friend of mine is a truckdriver and he drives DAF's. But even when he started out and he got the crappiest mid 90's DAF of the company with almost a million miles on it, it still all sort of worked. I never hear him complaining about the newer ones. It keeps baffling me how some cars enter the highway next to an overtaking truck and expect to be seen...

[@HubNut]

If you passed your test before 1997, like I did, you can drive a 7.5 tonner without requiring any form of tuition. Which is a bit daft, I'll admit. Before I ever drove one on the road, I'd already driven a full-size HGV on an airfield (at 56mph!) to get a feel for it. Very useful.

[@TheWacoKid1963]

Bring back the Bedford TK LOL

[@mauricebrereton7662]

Oh yeah them were the days! No power steering and brakes that would put you through the windscreen when you weren't loaded lol!(that's what made me the man I am today lol!)

[@homiepug189]

tut tut....Ian said a naughty word lol

[@marcustoomey8631]

I have grandad's right I've been told I can have a trailer on on a 7.5 tonne

[@668725]

Don't use first its a crawler gear also that much not working is a park up lol.

[@station240]

Clearly the "T" fell off too, it's supposed to say DAFT.

[@wikkadoo]

Were you exempt from using a tachograph due to the nature of your journey? i.e. You aren't using it for hire & reward?

[@HubNut]

Correct. Private use, so no problems.

[@quirksandfeatures3215]

What's the add blue about? My cousins have 2016 Scania V8 R580 that was like a spaceship inside and automatic.

[@HubNut]

AdBlue is derived from pig's urine and is used to try and clean diesels up. Only it didn't seem to work on this truck.

[@quirksandfeatures3215]

HubNut Ah right interesting, I think all Trucks should run on cherry as their taxed too much my cousins are spending 6,000 Euros a month to keep their Scania running.

[@pepedrat2982]

I think they go in limp mode if it's not working. Dial problem, maybe.

[@MrScotttraynor]

is that a rental truck? if so, they let you rent trucks with so much stuff wonky?

[@HubNut]

Yes. It was cheap to be fair.

[@ronaldderooij1774]

The heavy DAF's are among the best of the world. The small DAF's were not good. I don't think DAF makes small trucks anymore. The company is booming, however.

[@petewasere2000]

daf still makes 7.5 tonne gvw trucks and will never stop

[@MajorKlanga]

I'm surprised there's a delay on the brakes on such a small vehicle; I used to drive air braked buses which didn't have that problem. The trains I drive now (HSTs and Class 57 locos and coaches) , they have quite some delay on them.

[@HubNut]

It wasn't a massive delay, but reversing it down our driveway was not very smooth. Very hard to get a gentle brake application.

[@Wetthewhistle]

Yeah the brakes on these are horrific. If the exhaust brake worked it may have helped a little bit

[@PhilOsGarage]

HubNut I used to occasionally drive a MAN 7.5t, I found that just touching the brake pedal until the brakes came on, then braking normally was the smoothest way to brake with air brakes. If I tried to brake like a hydraulic system the initial braking was very snatchy. Must say though, I did like driving it.

[@thatsthatsgbh]

7.5 Tonne Invacar :) anyway what is your name on the Autoshite website?

[@HubNut]

Dollywobbler.

[@thatsthatsgbh]

Thank you! Maybe we could have a conversation about cars someday.

[@buckleyboyben]

Wow, even a 100 litre tank doesn't give a huge range then at say 15-20mpg

[@HubNut]

Nope. Lexus feels quite thrifty now!

[@chriseccles1454]

One trip I did from Bath to Glasgow in a rental Ford Cargo loaded with glass display units foot to the floor meant stop for a (rest)break and fill up at every services. Only qualification my firm needed was over 25, clean licence and a credit card. Took a week to get fuel used refunded but it got me out of the factory just before Xmas most years.

[@JaidenJimenez86]

The comment about filling a 100 litre tank made me chuckle. I've racked up a bill closer to a grand before when I filled an artic from empty with diesel, put 3/4 of a tank in the fridge tank, and filled the adblue (in itself that cost 60 quid). I'm pretty sure I heard the bloke behind me choke a little.

[@ianinnes8063]

Did u use the tachograph by the way lol

[@numberplateguy8511]

It looks approx a 56 to 58 ish reg by the interior no headrests etc

[@AdrianWilsonBridders1234]

I’ve drove a few of these and yes......they’re appalling, Ivecos and Mercs aren’t much better either

[@rodneyfisher1593]

Great video did you need to do a sound test to get 7.5 ton licence.

[@HubNut]

No test required, due to my age. Not sure what a sound test is...

[@rodneyfisher1593]

Cool I pass my car test in 2006 so my licence only allows me to drive a van no more than 3.5 tons.

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

When did the licence change as I passed my test in 2001 and I cannot drive a 7.5 ton truck? Intresting video ,always good to see something different on Hubnut.

[@HubNut]

January 1997. I'm old!

[@scottishcarenthusiastsandtrain]

@@HubNut makes me old thinking about 1997.....

[@Tehgoat]

Why overtake if YOU're LIMITED?

[@HubNut]

Because different trucks have different speeds, especially with gradient changes.

[@Tehgoat]

@@HubNut Hills, sure but it''s futile overtaking another truck on a level dual carriageway. It's holding up other traffic. Anyone wanting to pass me is welcome, I'll even drop the power to let them get in a little quicker

[@sitedrm]

Do you have a HGV license, or do you not need one for these?

[@millomweb]

He'll have cat C1E which covers 7.5T.

[@phil955i]

If you passed your car driving test before 1996 then you can legally drive a 7.5 tonner. Those who passed afyter have to do a HGV3 test (I think) before they can legally drive one.

[@mikehydropneumatic2583]

"This is Rubber Duck to Ian, do you want to drive in my convoy? over"

[@POOLEYTONY1]

56 is too slow for a truck. i thibk they should be able to go 65. im a van driver. my van has no limiter. i think trucks would be safer at 65. then no build up overtaking

[@JaidenJimenez86]

The thing is, there are so many variables to consider in a lorry, particularly with the load. An empty rigid I can quite happily drive like a van. Even an artic with an empty trailer is very stable these days - but if you've got 26 tonnes of stuff in a double-decker trailer, you can very very easily get into some serious trouble if you mishandle it. A temporary override to allow you an extra 5mph once every 20 minutes could be a way to improve traffic flow - but then if your speed difference is that low you need an override, why not just knock 2kmh off your cruise control and forget about it?

[@valentinog1670]

Here in the us the speed limit for trucks is the same as cars. 70 mph

[@TheStwat]

How many hedgehogs did you manage to get?

[@HubNut]

No animals were harmed in the making of this video.

[@chriseccles1454]

@@HubNut Remember when road kill was quite common with badgers foxes by the road side. Even windshield bugs are less now remember bugshifter spray and pads to clean glass!! headlights.

[@notsamsamsucks3586]

My dad has 2 of these lf

[@JaidenJimenez86]

Very familiar with smol DAFs, and yeh, they're bags of shite. Surprisingly, those funny Japanese boxes (e.g. the Mitsubishi Canter), do a job of a 7.5 tonner far better, particularly as the autos are proper autos (not automated manual), have a greater payload and can quite easily keep up with car traffic (even with a full load of concrete lintels and bags of cement in the back). Problem with them, of course, is no air - so the ride isn't as good as it could be, though of course you make fuel savings with there being no compressor. Another disadvantage, as they're scaled-up vans, you don't get all the conveniences of a true HGV, such as convex mirrors, heated mirrors, cruise control, manual speed limiter and so on. I'd take one of those over a smol DAF any day, though. If you really are a glutton for punishment, I'd recommend an old Renault Midlum 7.5t. Imagine a DAF LF cab that a French engineer has pulled apart to put their dashboard in... Once you get up to artics, things get better, mind - as you're more likely to spend extended periods of time moving in them. Climate control, heated seats, adaptive cruise control, etc, are all pretty standard. I've yet to drive an artic I've found unpleasant - even older CF artics are nice compared to their rigid axle brethren. As an aside, it's nice to hear from car drivers who understand the pain of being held out in the middle lane by people increasing their speed.

[@numberplateguy8511]

There is nothing fun about driving a mitsubishi canter Car handbrake for a truck that carries much more than a daf in weight If you have a back problem before you start your day in a mitsubishi canter you'll have a back problem after 10 hours in one of those plus no space to put your juice etc for the day you feel like Peter sellers driving that pool cleaner truck

[@leighhogben1423]

A small DAFT truck !! 🤣👍

[@ASCIITerminal]

Cool truck! Nothing works, no tie downs and the world's smallest tail lift. Great...

[@HubNut]

It would have been far too easy with a decent vehicle. Not how we operate!

[@ASCIITerminal]

Far more entertaining that way! I've just discovered your channel after a friend recommended it.

[@HubNut]

Ace. Tell your friend that sadly, there is no commission, but I'm grateful anyway.

[@shepshepherd]

Get your provisional entitlement and try driving a Class C/Class 2 truck one day, preferably one with a manual gearshift. They are an entirely different proposition :)

[@jesuspobre88]

Yes. Maybe even go out with an instructor do a lesson all camera'd up! 18 tonner or something similar. ⛟⛟⛟

[@millomweb]

@@jesuspobre88 Recently been watching a learner in a rigid - doing reversing. If I had a go at that, I'd want an artic !

[@WheelieMacBin]

I prefer driving an 18 tonner than a 7.5 tonner.

[@shepshepherd]

@@WheelieMacBinSame here :)

[@jamesmullen262]

That's not a truck that's a van, I hope your doing your duty telling everyone you see I'm only in this today my normal wagon is an artic.

[@HubNut]

I'm not licenced for artics, so this is as big as I can go. 7.5 ton is a truck in my book!

[@numberplateguy8511]

I forgot what a manual daf looks like I drive 7.5t trucks and you'd like the new daf with the telematics Great video I can't keep up I was trying to concentrate and I was doing OK until you mentioned the 2 cv and cyclists lol

[@millomweb]

Haven't driven an auto or one with seat belts yet !

[@MrFlyboy1972]

If you don’t like trucking tough luck!

[@TheCounty90]

Those 7.5t were good fun before the restrictions come in. Now they are limited to 60. Boooooo!

[@HubNut]

Even worse than that. They're limited to 56, even though it's still legal to drive one at 70mph on the motorway. It's a funny old world. I normally drive minibuses, which are also legal to drive at 70, but limited to 62mph instead. Not that we have any motorway in mid-Wales...

[@TheCounty90]

I thought they had a 60 speed limit? Oh well today I learnt something. I remember just after passing my class 2 in 2007 I was working for a van hire company on agency and i was chatting away while driving a 7.5 fridge Daf along the A34, looked down and I was doing 87 mph and had blue lights behind me. I crapped myself, pulled over but the fuzz carried on pass on to something more important. I was lucky that day.

[@stevekenilworth]

​@@TheCounty90 I thought they had a 60 speed limit?, The new regulations in England and Wales for heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) over 7.5 tonnes speed limits rise from 40mph to 50mph on single carriageways, and from 50mph to 60mph on dual carriageways. The national speed limits for HGVs over 7.5 tonnes, travelling on a single carriageway increased from 40mph to 50mph. The issue is that left hand drive trucks, are limited to 56mph cause were they are from, you very often see uk trucks flying past non uk trucks. and it could also be a reason why they remove the nanny what is also dangerous according to the police as it can affect braking so they can match the other trucks. most Europe it is 56mph but slightly higher in a few eastern country's, all the data i see the uk has the fastest limit for trucks or a least in the top 2

[@TheCounty90]

@@stevekenilworth Up until 2006 7.5T was restricted to 70 mph but then they put limiters on them. This restriction coupled with the fact that you need a special test if you passed car test after 1997 makes 7.5t less viable in the UK now.

[@johnnypsycho9628]

Rental Lorries are always treated bad For stress drive a Double Decker Bus those added noises of crisp packets phones and questions while trying to avoid Cyclists FUN .I drove them in London for 20 Yrs

[@HubNut]

I've driven a couple of double-deckers, but never on the road. Oxford must be an extra special hell for bus drivers.

[@johnnypsycho9628]

London route masters then Big Bus tours If I had a pound for everytime I got asked the time under the clock at westminster

[@DAFPvnk]

my worst experience regarding trucks was the other week driving an 18Tonner up the steep hill near Watford on the M1, and hte AdBlue "creep mode" activated and got me slugging down to just over 25MPH in freeflowing traffic.

[@stugill4513]

daf lf 45 /130 thats what it is

[@EdgyNumber1]

Crikey, don't let the DVSA see this... lol

[@HubNut]

Why?

[@Jademyheart]

Idiot 🤣😭😂

[@Jademyheart]

What a knobber!!!

[@jt-bg6ey]

DAF should be DAFT

[@abidchaudhary1782]

Why a Foreign truck

[@stevekenilworth]

So if you drive a DAF LF or a right-hand drive XF and CF, the chances are it was manufactured right here in the UK at the Leyland factory, and if you drive and left-hand drive DAF XF or CF it would have been built in Eindhoven. Leyland DAF was a commercial vehicle manufacturing company based in Leyland, United ... company to form DAF NV which was owned by DAF Beheer (60%) and Rover Group (40%). ... Cosworth · Cummins UK, that is the only info i can see online, do not know if its still 40%

[@nigelrudd670]

Fitters hate Leyland dafs 🤬 have you done your cpc and your daily wakround 🤓

[@blobby273]

Did you need to use a taco ?

[@HubNut]

No, as it was private use.

[@Dez456]

frustratednomad i love Mexican food

[@ronsimpson261]

Driven most makes of 7.5 t trucks Daf is worst by a county mile , burn em !!!

[@thomasshepard6030]

That’s not a truck it’s just a big van