1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141
142
143
144
145
146
147
148
149
150
151
152
153
154 
Dave Young, stand-in community manager for TruckNet UK, talks suzies, jack-knifing and failed firms.
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Despite it being the holiday season, with most drivers en famille in Barbados, TruckNet UK is busy as ever.
On the UK Professional Drivers' forum, a very frequently asked question receives an airing: 'Why are suzies called suzies?'
The name derives from the designer, Mrs Susan Chamberlain. She worked for Allied Plastics of Stockport (who made them) during the early 60s, I think," ventures one member.
"It's short for 'suspended couplings" declares one contributor confidently. Both derivations have the ring of plausibility and aren't mutually exclusive; but seekers after further enlightenment might best avoid Googling 'sussies' as did some contributors with unexpected results.
The subject of flashing (to inform a truck overtaking you when it's safe to pull in, not the sleazy version) is debated under the heading 'Bad drivers'. Common courtesy or outmoded practice? Such consensus as exists suggests whether to flash, or not, should depend on speed. "If I pass you like you're parked, I won't expect to be flashed in, but if I've just spent five minutes passing you, then I'd like to know when it's safe to pull in please," says one respondent.
'My first jack-knife' is a must-read title, and, although the incident in question did not result in serious injury, the thread contains useful information on how to arrest a sliding trailer.
The 'No longer in business' thread begins as an attempt to chronicle those firms recently fallen on the haulage battlefield, kicking off with Macfarlane and Ramage Distribution.
Most haulage businesses go bust because they tie themselves into contracts at a crippling rate with low profit margins. The fuel price goes up, they go bust." is one comment.
And some cheery reading on the New and Wannabe Drivers forum: 'Got my first job/ questions' writes one rookie, struggling with the complexities of digitachs. Immediately TruckNet UK members pitch in with advice based on years of experience to guide him through those first few solo days. Restores your faith in fellow drivers, it really does...