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
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180 
tiAIA .t( 'J fi
Page 13
If you've noticed an error in this article please click here to report it so we can fix it.
Rikki Chequer, community manager of TruckNet UK, reports on current hot topics at the driver forum.
Despite the whiff of doom and gloom that seems to be permeating the industry at the moment, a number of drivers are using the TruckNet UK forums to report that their bosses are getting new trucks. Photos of new lorries for James In am in the well-known Eddie Stobart livery have been posted. Most people commenting on the pictures are pleased that the Warn name has been retained on the vehicles.
The new-look MAN XXL seems to have drivers drooling at the thought of acquiring one. Even die-hard fans of other marques agree the stylish overhaul of the exterior gives a great image on the road.
A not-so-fortunate driver posts a picture of the latest truck to arrive at the transport yard, a rather battered and weather-worn Ford Transcontinental. He is somewhat relieved to hear that this is not, in fact, his new ride, but rather a restoration project by his boss. As a fan of the truck, I hope he continues to post pictures of the project's progress.
The uncertainty felt across the haulage industry is reflected in the forums with rumours flying about regarding takeovers. redundancies and business failures. These verge from spot-on through doubtful to the downright ridiculous, It is via the forums that gossip and rumour normally heard at truckstop bars and transport cafes filter through to the web. And most of the time it is. "My mate said..." or, "A driver told me that...". It's sometimes hard to pick out from the gossip which bits have an element of truth.
Finally, on a happier note, it is that time of year again. Hordes of people and trucks will be descending on Peterborough over the bank holiday weekend for Truckfest.
TruckNet UK, Truck & Driver and Commercial Motor will be there. On our stand, we will have health checks, Volvo's Alcholock, an unusual bonneted tractor unit, lots of information on the Driver CPC, our resident DJ, goodie bags for sale and a discount for those taking out new subscriptions.
And at the rear of the stand will be an undercover hospitality area for TruckNet UK users to rest up and have a natter over a cuppa. Make sure you drop by and meet the team...