Mercedes Benz truck, my thoughts

[@paularbery5014]

I love the feature where you start climbing into the cab, the wind catches the door, and you haven't got your right hand high enough up the bar yet - perfect for crushing your hand between the door trim and the bar. Yes, seat is pretty ordinary. On a rough-ish road there's so much lateral movement of the cab that you really want to hang on! Thanks for the review.

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Only need one hand to drive with, lucky it's an auto.

[@shaney-nq9nr]

Going from Argosy to Merc has been painfull mainly due to space.

[@navjotgill-sm8nn]

Gday mate I have been watching your videos for a while and I was looking to see if it’s possible to get a start with the change over work I have got a HC licence(auto), can you please recommend me any place where I can begin the changeover work. I live in lara(geelong)

[@rodruskin3651]

Sorry for the late reply. Some of the companies that run HC that I can think of are MKD Transcorp not sure where their Melbourne depot is, Wettenhalls, and possibly Watsons run single trailers on changeovers. If you would like the try regional runs Sargents Transport or Roadmaster all these have depots in the western suburbs and there is Wettenhalls Regional in Altona and Geelong. Hope this helps maybe somewhere to start. All have modern auto trucks should not have an issue with that. Also Kennedy transport and Skyroad but they are in Tullamarine.

[@greggardiner9066]

G'day Rod Driving a 2020 Benz at the moment and love most things about it although seat could be a little better. Depends on what you were driving before 😅. You could put a step in the toolbox😊. They all have there problems I guess🤷‍♂️🙃

[@cal-king]

I've always been told its the super single steer tyres that wander because they are a bit wider track than the grooves worn in the road.

[@smekul1790]

I was driving a 2021 Actros a while ago for a company in NSW. I wasn't a fan of it either. I much prefer Volvo's, the new ones with matrix headlights and android auto are so easy to live with.

[@you4dgrmi4dafam62]

What made you jump into Gibson freight ?

[@bushmaster9576]

Hey rod do you think autonomous trucks are a real threat for truck drivers any time soon in Australia? And is it worth getting into trucking as of 2023?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

My opinion, autonomous trucks have been put on hold for the next 10 years. Australian interstate roads are not set up for it to work. The federal government will spend any extra money on defence. Truck manufacturers are right now focusing on clean energy trucks.

[@ESPSJ]

I've always thought the Euro trucks do certain things really poorly, but they never seem to improve on it. Such as the steps to get in, lots of places are very tight parking and it's hard to get the door open wide enough to get into the cab. The seats not going far enough back is another problem, I know on some trucks you can lean the mattress up against the back of the sleeper to give yourself that little bit extra seat movement. Have you tried the Argosy parked next to it? I can't imagine it drives as nice but at least you might be more comfortable in the cab, much easier to get into as well.

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Hi. Yes have driven the Argosy, does 100kph the Benz only 98. It does have this stick thing to change gears, what's the deal with that? 🤔 euro trucks can be dangerous if you can't open the door fully and the steps are wet. To answer your question from video, 10 hours driving time from Nth Laverton to Tarcutta return plus 1hr break, can be done with 30min break but can be a bit tight on standard hours.

[@StaffordMagnus]

Drove one of these for about a year a while back, one minor thing which give me the shits was the plastic chrome Mercedes emblem in the middle of the steering wheel, when the sun is at just the right angle it will reflect straight into your face! If they'd painted it satin silver or a similar matte colour that would have fixed the issue. Agree on the seat, after about 4 hours it starts to feel really hard. Fridge is good, keeps everything cold as it should and in a convenient location. Lastly they can't tow road trains worth a damn, might be ok with two trailers but we had them hauling fuel tanker triples and quads and the trailers were all over the place like a mad womans shit, once we changed to 909s they ran arrow straight. Here's some footage of a GoPro mounted on the back of the lead trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/qpuulal9dr2sq9U

[@paulsullivan9697]

I think for the price they must look attractive , for the bean counter . No regard for the operator ! Just wondering why some freight companies opt for more expensive options ? Can't be the badges that sell them .

[@alexsiega9651]

G’day Rod, I drive a new actros. Terrible with the digital mirrors. No bloody good

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Good to know, would be worried when they malfunction after it's 2 years old and in heavy traffic in the centre lane of a motorway.

[@dalemiller5893]

Rod what's the boss gunna say now with all the I don't like features maybe another new rig eh but you really do need the best air ride seat, good luck with that eh.

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

The boss is looking at new trucks, he wants a truck with american running gear. Benzs have increased in price by $70,000 and the delivery time is August 2024. Also looking at Kenworth.

[@kyal4130]

Ron Finemore Transport and Rod Pilon Transport have Mercs and they're really good.

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Have heard their is some good service and lease deals with the euro trucks.

[@kyal4130]

@@australiantruckerrod1070 yeah

[@benmurray8689]

Do you regret leaving thorpes and loosing the fat cab?

[@gstringOT]

As long as it's a K200 or T908 I'm fine with it

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Copy that. The K220 might be interesting, seam like might have designed the interior on the 610

[@vineshchand2287]

How is scania?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Sorry for the late reply, Have driven a Scania but only a ridged truck, was good.

[@MrAceHornet]

Where are all the videos? Have you retired mate?

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

I wish. Sorry for the late reply. Yes it has been some time. There will be more coming soon, leaving in the dark and returning in the dark, not too much to see. But have some too do, just busy with medical stuff at the moment.

[@MrAceHornet]

@@australiantruckerrod1070 okay take care of yourself! Looking forward to the return :)

[@xzseng4524]

I believed the compartments were meant to be lower. The European driver videos seem to be lower. Maybe its due to aussie tyres maybe?

[@rohangaming642]

After Mercedes benz Actros got quiet successful Daimler decided to discontinue Argosy BTW have you ever driven a Scania before

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Hi. Have only driven a Scania in the Scania driver competition many years ago, have heard they are good. Can understand why they dropped they Argosy, I think they got a bad reputation towards the end, did like the fold-out steps

[@villainjohnnoel8075]

Hi from France, i live and work here in France (drive a petrol tanker) i hate Mercedes Benz trucks,the're German,bloody reliable,great fuel economy but the ride rough as guts,i just hated the one i drove for a year,just hated it,hated every single thing about it......

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

I have a feeling you don't like Mercedes trucks too much, I do not hate them but they could sure do with some improvements..

[@adriandavis9790]

Rod if you think mercs are bad try a Mean And Nasty (MAN) they are crap ad blue troubles gutless uncomfortable seat I could go on 😂😂😂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

[@benjigray8690]

Trucks are a bit like Holdens and Fords; Some swear by 'em, and some swear at 'em. Maybe I like a challenge, because I've operated untolds of diferent makes of trucks, often things that look like they came outta the Ark; Old LH drive Macks and Kaisers; Leaders, and just before I retired, a near new 8 X 8 MAN, with all the automatic bells and whistles, and hot and cold running women. I think that seating is really important. I know one bloke that had a new seat fitted, at his boss's expense, because the seat sucked, majorly.

[@haulinclass7478]

Auto with car exhaust belong in Europe

[@brent1486]

I drove one couple weeks ago it was comfortable but your right terrible seat and only does 97 but shows 100 on dash all of ours do it but after driving a 2002 401 for couple years it was nice 😂

[@maria-wb7ym]

Third test

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Hi. I believe it's working. If that's what your testing for.🙂

[@maria-wb7ym]

Another test

[@vineshchand2287]

Try freighter see

[@australiantruckerrod1070]

Have driven the Freightliner but have to change gears.

[@vineshchand2287]

@@australiantruckerrod1070 automatic

[@brianabbey3969]

Horrible truck you’re right

[@maria-wb7ym]

Test