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Rikki Chequer, TruckNet UK's community manager talks Top Gear, tyres and 10-tonners
Page 9
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Last Sunday's episode of Top Gear was being discussed in depth on the forums even before it aired and, of course, after transmission.
The programme's coverage of trucks, truck driving and truck drivers was the subject of further postings.
Most of you seem to feel that, on the whole, the programme was sympathetic to the difficulties of driving an HGV, and made some good punts aimed at car drivers on the problems of manoeuvring such vehicles.
Many forum members point out that, first and foremost, Top Gear is an entertainment show, not a serious motoring news show — a lot of the comments dismiss the programme as a bit of a laugh. However, a few drivers are unhappy with the way they were portrayed. It would be interesting to hear more views on this: was the episode good for the industry?
Continuing the theme of 'trucks in the media', the News of the World columnist Carole Malone has made a couple of comments that have bought her to the attention of the forum users. In a recent column, she claims she was overtaken by a articulated truck weighing 10 tonnes and doing 90mph.
To say that her statement has been greeted with 'just a little bit of scepticism' on the forums is to put it mildly.
Apart from comments about Malone's journalistic and research talents, others wonder which model of truck it was and who the trailer manufacturer was, as many would be only too happy to find an artic and trailer combination that weighed just 10 tonnes empty.
Tyres are also proving to be a stand-out issue this week for the owner-drivers on TruckNet UK.
Is it worth it in the long run to buy cheaper, lesser-known brands, or should you stick with the brand leaders?
Opinion seems fairly mixed on this one. Some owners will only buy the best, while others will go solely on price.
No one single manufacturer seems to have the monopoly on good or Pad — although plenty of scare stories about tyres are being posted in the thread.