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It's good to talk, and the TruckNet UK Internet forums are the ideal place to do it, argues Rikki Chequer.
Page 9
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The owner and fleet operator discussions seem to be a reflection on what is happening in road transport at the moment. Some of you are reporting an upturn in work, while a couple are even taking advantage of main dealers' anxiety to shift their stock to buy new vehicles.
Denis Fuller, for instance, an agricultural and livestock owner-driver, has just taken delivery of a new Renault Premium 6x2, 450hp, 26-tonner rigid, which has been fitted to pull his existing drawbar trailer. Fitted with a flat body, it has been designed so his livestock body can be quickly mounted/demounted.
Another small operator is using the forums to garner opinion on the Renault Magnum, because, as he says, he Is being offered some really competitive deals by the dealer.
On the other hand, we're still seeing ownerdrivers having rates cut and suffering from a dearth of decent work. Requests for information on subcontracting for various national firms has increased. While many of the original requests are made publicly on the forums, often the conversation Is taken to private messaging via the forum software. In the current climate, many owner-drivers are wary of broadcasting about where they're getting decent paid work from. They choose to divulge it privately to those they know and trust on the forums, instead.
One of the strengths of the online transport community is the level of support that can be given. One owner-driver's vehicle was recently damaged. He voiced his concerns that, given the bad year he has had, if repairs drag on for long, it could push his business over the edge.
Other operators jumped in to assist with offers that included driving work on a day-today basis to an offer of a loan tractor unit while his is off the road.
This all adds up to the fact that an internet community is more than just a talking shop it can keep your business afloat.
• Turn to page i2 for a view on how drivers are using the Internet in their working lives.