IVECO
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EUROSTAR
DRIVERS' VIEWS
• ALAN GUDGEON was waiting for news of a return load that would take him home to Newcastle when we met up with him at BP's South Mimms Truck Park. He drives a Mercedes-Benz 1838 for MFL transport. "The gearbox is a lot easier than mine and it's there on the power," he told us. "The function button is like the EPS on a Mercedes." he added, dropping from 11th to 7th gear at a roundabout. But this picks up on the correct gear for the mad speed. The exhaust brake and the foot brake are responsive. I'm 6ft 2In tall and the bunk is big enough for me and the mattress is softer now, but I'd like a fridge."
IR MARK SIELD immigrated to the South four years ago and now drives a Volvo F11380 for Nippress Continental out of Felixstowe. "It's got an extra step," he said, climbing into the cab, "and I sit further back but the steering wheel does not have as much rake as mine. It's so quiet it sounds like a car on startup. There's no clutch pedal and apparently it will start off in third gear. It feels a bit weird to start with but the gear change is sweet. It pulls well but the engine brake doesn't do much in top. The service brake starts to bite at the top of the pedal. The ride is smooth. The screen is massive but the mirror on the offside is a hit small." Manoeuvring back on the park he added: "it's not as sensitive as I thought it might boat slow speed. I like the curtains, they don't let the daylight in."
• BRIAN MOYLE drives an 1838 Actros for F Edmanson Transport out of Blackburn. "My loads are much lighter than this but this pulls very well for 41 tonnes," he said. "It sounds a lot quieter than mine and its much more comfortable. The seat gives much better support. I like the dogleg dash; everything is within reach and I can see all of the Instruments through the steering wheel. It's more roomy than the Actros and it's got more stowage space but cress cab access is not as good," he added. "The one-piece mattress is better to lay on. The roof hatch can't be reached from the driver's seat so it has to be switch operated. The document box keeps the paperwork tidy. Best of all, it's nice and easy to drive."