Thanks for posting Rod. These are the sort of videos that untolds of folks can relate to, not just truck drivers. You must be doing something right, for your boss to help you finding a position that suits you better. I've found that good communication with your employers, and honesty, are a big factor in not ending up in the situation where you tell 'em to shove it. This last week has had me restoring a pranged cab over Kenny. Blood sweat and fibreglass! Stay safe Mate.
Thank you Ben. Leon Thorpe looked after me and my wife over the time I worked there, wanted to show respect and not just leave. Can go back anytime. The best part of the restoration will be the end result, standing back and seeing your hard work pay-off.
@@australiantruckerrod1070 Thanks for replying. Slowly, the Ol' Darlin' is recovering, with the aid of our healing hands, and socket sets and fibreglass. Your video brought back some great memories of my early days as a teen driving slow old trucks twixt Seymore, and Melbourne, up Pretty Sally, miss the change from top cog, down one, and I ended up in 3rd all the way up that hill, with my friends haulin' on the lanyard , as they cruised passed me. I laugh now. Cheers.
My dad drives a Mercedes Benz Actros for DRT Damorange. It’s a good looking truck but the build Quality just suck. In my dad’s Benz the passenger seat is in the Bunk, you have to fold the seats down to have a sleep, the fridge Cables to Unlatch it might Snap Which did happen to my dad. But my dad’s truck has 6 led driving lights, HID Highbeams, Super singles on the front, awesome looking bull bar. But DRT got lazy and didn’t put a stone Guard on it
Hey Rod hope you’re well. I’ve just started my own transport company (starting small) and was wondering if you could do a video on how to find work as an operator and how to grow your business especially interstate transport. Thanks mate enjoy watching all your videos
Hi from France, Great to see your vidéos again. I drive à petrol tanker here in France. I'm originally from Melbourne. I drive à Renault T460 confort here pulling à petrol tanker,I'm home every night. Just à couple of replies to a couple of things. Yep the sleeper (the bunk)is narrow because over here the law states that it's just built for a nap and not for nights out. Personally i hate Merc's,Man's and Scania's,no hate mail please. I loved the "W" models i drove in Australia but i'm more à Volvo/Renault man myself,but hey after 40 years behind the wheel i'm a little entitled to my opinion. Merc's are pretty unconfortable, it's just à German culture thing,the're built to last,they never break down,fucking unbelievable fuel economy,but braking is horrific,takes forever to pull them up,you gotta anticipate. Have you the electronic log book in your Merc ? It's usually à little black box just above your head. Keep on keeping on.
hi mate hope you're well, been a bit since your last video. they're upgrading the servo at pheasants nest just south of sydney, hopefully they do a good job.
@@australiantruckerrod1070 hi mate they are doing both sides. Building the whole lot plenty of parking I saw the plans on the council website. I saw they're still working on the pumps after the fire.
The trucking industry wants to embrace autonomous trucks. But how to get the trucks from the loading dock, thru the parking lot, thru city streets to the freeway? Truck drivers like driving but it is tough to live & eat & sleep & work in a truck for weeks, sometimes months at a time. They’d like to have a home life too you know. Here's the solution for both- ua-cam.com/video/-7xg3DQyOXw/v-deo.html !
I really liked the K200 you drove, I have seen it on the road multiple times (or at least the other ones your old boss had). It's still quite a mystery to me why the Euro trucks don't have longer cabs. I drove a DAF for a while and I'm by no means tall or large, but even I would have struggled sleeping in the euro sized sleeper it had. I always thought the Mercedes and Volvo interiors were quite bland, especially considering Mercedes (and their other brands) are probably the top dogs for luxury vehicles. Either way it's still a nice truck. Is the cab higher up in the Mercedes compared to the K200? Sometimes when I'm next to a Mercedes I'm amazed at how tall they really are.
I think there is a few factor’s. the k200 cab is built in Australia only where as European trucks built here have imported cabs or use the same tooling as in Europe. Kw uses aluminium extrusions for frame and sheet metal which is going to be more flexible in building different cab sizes as opposed to a pressed steel cab. European designed cab overs are designed for more steer axle weight than here in Australia so larger cabs are going to likely cause issues in regards to extra weight
Glad to see you posting again. I thought something had happened. Just out of curiosity, have you ever contracted covid? I have recently, glad I got the vaccine though. God it could have been worser than I expected Glad you're back working. Hope the European trucks make it alittle comfortable for you aussie truckers
HI. Have been lucky to have not contracted covid, had all the vaccines so far, have had flu-like symptoms but turned out negative European trucks are great, not a fan of the Benz I'm driving could use some improvements.
Hi buddy. Doing good, thank you. Did not start driving trucks until I was 21. With some breaks doing other jobs. Around 29 to 30 years. Driving local, country and long distance to 4 different states.
@@vineshchand2287. Have had back. Surgery, but the same can be for many jobs where you sit for long periods. It does effect your health if you get lazy like me and don't do extra exercise and not eat right. Or maybe I'm just getting old.🤔
I’m in the same merc everyday. Great for city driving they turn well they are Quiet and smooth. But they need a revision on the gearbox. Doesn’t know what it wants to do. They tend to lose traction easily on a slight un even bit of ground or going around a roundabout. It does have some big blind spots but I think kenworths have worse. They are an improvement from the old generation of mercs.
Yes and no, their are approved electronic diaries that can be used, it's not mandatory, but if you have an approved electronic diary fitted you must not use a paper diary. I still use a paper one.
Hi, Depending on the company you work for, it should not be a problem, I have taken 2 months off in the passed without pay, and six weeks paid leave another time.
Thanks for posting Rod.
These are the sort of videos that untolds of folks can relate to, not just truck drivers.
You must be doing something right, for your boss to help you finding a position that suits you better.
I've found that good communication with your employers, and honesty,
are a big factor in not ending up in the situation where you tell 'em to shove it.
This last week has had me restoring a pranged cab over Kenny.
Blood sweat and fibreglass!
Stay safe Mate.
Thank you Ben. Leon Thorpe looked after me and my wife over the time I worked there, wanted to show respect and not just leave. Can go back anytime.
The best part of the restoration will be the end result, standing back and seeing your hard work pay-off.
@@australiantruckerrod1070
Thanks for replying.
Slowly, the Ol' Darlin' is recovering, with the aid of our healing hands, and socket sets and fibreglass.
Your video brought back some great memories of my early days as a teen driving slow old trucks twixt Seymore, and Melbourne, up Pretty Sally,
miss the change from top cog, down one, and I ended up in 3rd all the way up that hill, with my friends haulin' on the lanyard , as they cruised passed me.
I laugh now.
Cheers.
Good luck with your new job Rod keep the videos coming 👍
Hi new to your channel
I live in Sydney
My dad use to drive a truck he was a glass truck driver
Always be a Kenworth fan, but change is good. All the best Rod.
Nice truck
My dad drives a Mercedes Benz Actros for DRT Damorange. It’s a good looking truck but the build Quality just suck. In my dad’s Benz the passenger seat is in the Bunk, you have to fold the seats down to have a sleep, the fridge Cables to Unlatch it might Snap Which did happen to my dad. But my dad’s truck has 6 led driving lights, HID Highbeams, Super singles on the front, awesome looking bull bar. But DRT got lazy and didn’t put a stone Guard on it
Great advice love ya work keen fan
Kenworth power
thanks for the update
Come back Rod we miss you!
Hey Rod hope you’re well. I’ve just started my own transport company (starting small) and was wondering if you could do a video on how to find work as an operator and how to grow your business especially interstate transport. Thanks mate enjoy watching all your videos
Hi. You would not happen to have a prime mover and single trailer and live in Sydney and looking for a load to Brisbane?
hey Bud, I’m from Melbourne. Plus all the trucks are working none going to brissy
I was in my dad Mercedes Benz actros and they have a very small bed but very powerful truck
Rod I'm not a tall person and the upper metal surround on the stone guard on our new K200 is exactly in my field of vision. It's so annoying.
lift your seat up a bit
@@cal-king yep and I'll attach wooden blocks to the bottom of my shoes so I can operate the pedals 👍
@@gb4408 lol that could work i suppose
Hi from France,
Great to see your vidéos again.
I drive à petrol tanker here in France.
I'm originally from Melbourne.
I drive à Renault T460 confort here pulling à petrol tanker,I'm home every night.
Just à couple of replies to a couple of things.
Yep the sleeper (the bunk)is narrow because over here the law states that it's just built for a nap and not for nights out.
Personally i hate Merc's,Man's and Scania's,no hate mail please.
I loved the "W" models i drove in Australia but i'm more à Volvo/Renault man myself,but hey after 40 years behind the wheel i'm a little entitled to my opinion.
Merc's are pretty unconfortable, it's just à German culture thing,the're built to last,they never break down,fucking unbelievable fuel economy,but braking is horrific,takes forever to pull them up,you gotta anticipate.
Have you the electronic log book in your Merc ? It's usually à little black box just above your head.
Keep on keeping on.
hi mate hope you're well, been a bit since your last video. they're upgrading the servo at pheasants nest just south of sydney, hopefully they do a good job.
Hi. Is it the south bound side. Upgrading or repairing from the truck fire?
@@australiantruckerrod1070 hi mate they are doing both sides. Building the whole lot plenty of parking I saw the plans on the council website. I saw they're still working on the pumps after the fire.
The trucking industry wants to embrace autonomous trucks. But how to get the trucks from the loading dock, thru the parking lot, thru city streets to the freeway? Truck drivers like driving but it is tough to live & eat & sleep & work in a truck for weeks, sometimes months at a time. They’d like to have a home life too you know. Here's the solution for both- ua-cam.com/video/-7xg3DQyOXw/v-deo.html
!
What are they like Re Fuel consumption compared to the K200 & HP ?
Bring it down and we will look after it for your boss
Is it auto with car 🚗 exhaust
I believe so, underneath the truck, not sure of the size.
How do you find driving a Mercedes’ compèred to a K200?
I really liked the K200 you drove, I have seen it on the road multiple times (or at least the other ones your old boss had). It's still quite a mystery to me why the Euro trucks don't have longer cabs. I drove a DAF for a while and I'm by no means tall or large, but even I would have struggled sleeping in the euro sized sleeper it had. I always thought the Mercedes and Volvo interiors were quite bland, especially considering Mercedes (and their other brands) are probably the top dogs for luxury vehicles. Either way it's still a nice truck. Is the cab higher up in the Mercedes compared to the K200? Sometimes when I'm next to a Mercedes I'm amazed at how tall they really are.
I think there is a few factor’s. the k200 cab is built in Australia only where as European trucks built here have imported cabs or use the same tooling as in Europe. Kw uses aluminium extrusions for frame and sheet metal which is going to be more flexible in building different cab sizes as opposed to a pressed steel cab.
European designed cab overs are designed for more steer axle weight than here in Australia so larger cabs are going to likely cause issues in regards to extra weight
I can only drive a truck where i can get rid of my traveling cramp and hope it doesnt make a mess of the windscreen.
Yes, know what you mean, some trucks don't give you much room to work with and not much leg space.😊
👍
Looking at the damage to the truck makes Me think it was a good thing a car did not hit that tree.
K220 new computer nice
Yes, making the K series truck more modern with the electronic dash. And removing the roof widows, should make it cooler in summer.
Glad to see you posting again. I thought something had happened. Just out of curiosity, have you ever contracted covid?
I have recently, glad I got the vaccine though. God it could have been worser than I expected
Glad you're back working. Hope the European trucks make it alittle comfortable for you aussie truckers
HI. Have been lucky to have not contracted covid, had all the vaccines so far, have had flu-like symptoms but turned out negative
European trucks are great, not a fan of the Benz I'm driving could use some improvements.
The old Jew burners are not a bad truck, plenty of work out there at the moment, good to hear from you mate 👍
Hello how are you mate. How many year you work driver Melbourne to Sydney and around.
Hi buddy. Doing good, thank you. Did not start driving trucks until I was 21. With some breaks doing other jobs. Around 29 to 30 years. Driving local, country and long distance to 4 different states.
@@australiantruckerrod1070 and you body back pain or fine. Our work said Melbourne to Sydney back pain ??
@@vineshchand2287. Have had back. Surgery, but the same can be for many jobs where you sit for long periods. It does effect your health if you get lazy like me and don't do extra exercise and not eat right. Or maybe I'm just getting old.🤔
I’m in the same merc everyday. Great for city driving they turn well they are Quiet and smooth.
But they need a revision on the gearbox. Doesn’t know what it wants to do. They tend to lose traction easily on a slight un even bit of ground or going around a roundabout. It does have some big blind spots but I think kenworths have worse. They are an improvement from the old generation of mercs.
I thought it was just me with the roundabout blind-spots, especially with Volvos.
I drive the exact same lol gearbox definiteʻy needs revision
Oh change truck
Are you still using a paper workbook diary?
Yes and no, their are approved electronic diaries that can be used, it's not mandatory, but if you have an approved electronic diary fitted you must not use a paper diary. I still use a paper one.
How easy is it to take a month or two off as a truck driver?
Hi, Depending on the company you work for, it should not be a problem, I have taken 2 months off in the passed without pay, and six weeks paid leave another time.
@@rodruskin3651 thanks Rod. Love your channel mate
Where are you rob we miss you
Still out and about, will have a new video soon.
@@australiantruckerrod1070 can’t wait bud
Hey you new job
I liked ur K200 what's the company u work for now??
Hey, work for Gibson. Going good so far.
@@australiantruckerrod1070 yeah nice mate I'm going for my HR licence atm I want to drive trucks myself.
These mercs are terrible on rough uneven roads
Who are you working for now rod
Looks like Gibson.
Why would you think that lard head.