The economic crisis caused a diminution of 20 to 25% in the number of goods transported throught the Alps. A bad thing or the economy, a wonderful news for the environment...

Temporary only.

And I bet it makes less than 2% difference to air quality...

The ocean is made by drops...

There is a big business of...water. Italian water is sold in France, French water is sold in Italy. I have ever seen a bottle filled in Soth Africa in a restaurant in Danemark. Obviously if someone do this is because it is profitable. But this doesn't mean it is a good thing for environment. All these transport are a disaster in a long term.

Do you want to prohibit French water in Holland or German water in the UK?
This is ridiculous.
So maybe everything should be produced around the corner?

I don't say that Fiji water should be promoted. I never buy any water apart from supermarket own brands because it is all the same anyway. But if someone want to pay extra for it let him do it.
I don't want government to interfere with my life at the every step.
Please leave people at lest some freedoms. (I know not much left in Europe anyway)

Do you want to prohibit French water in Holland or German water in the UK?
This is ridiculous.
So maybe everything should be produced around the corner?

I don't say that Fiji water should be promoted. I never buy any water apart from supermarket own brands because it is all the same anyway. But if someone want to pay extra for it let him do it.
I don't want government to interfere with my life at the every step.
Please leave people at lest some freedoms. (I know not much left in Europe anyway)

I am proud to say that I have never bought a bottle of water, it costs just as much to buy a coke or another less boring drink, so that's what i typically buy. True, if your local tap water isn't quite fit for drinking, then it's your only option, but where i live the tap water is just fine.

Back to trucking now plz?

Transport politic is an interesting discussion that may be continued on another thread. And, as trucks are used to transport things, it is not a completely off-topic discussion.

So maybe everything should be produced around the corner?

Yes. Or, if not everything, the simplest objects that can be manufactured locally (water, soap, pencils, ...). And obviously useless transports (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=39909710#post39909710) should be avodied.

There is a big business of...water. Italian water is sold in France, French water is sold in Italy. I have ever seen a bottle filled in Soth Africa in a restaurant in Danemark. Obviously if someone do this is because it is profitable. But this doesn't mean it is a good thing for environment. All these transport are a disaster in a long term.

So what? There's a demand for it, and people pay for it. You can't say one transport is good and the other is bad. Don't blame the transport sector, blame us - consumers - for buying that stuff... If we wouldn't want it there was no need to transport it.

The target should be a reduction of transport, and the transfer of the remaining traffic on railways as more as possible. Even if this is more expensive.

I wonder how much people share that vision. It means people only have to pay more and more taxes while there's no apparent return for it.

The economic crisis caused a diminution of 20 to 25% in the number of goods transported throught the Alps. A bad thing or the economy, a wonderful news for the environment...

Well, hell what a wonderful news. The crisis costed millions of jobs worldwide, but hey, hurray for the environment. Do you really think the environment is more important than the well-being of people?

I wonder how much people share that vision. It means people only have to pay more and more taxes while there's no apparent return for it.

Not much, because in the short term it's only a cost.

Do you really think the environment is more important than the well-being of people?

Both are important, but the second doesn't need the distruction of the first, nor viceversa.

20 years ago there were less transports, but I don't think people were poorer because of that.

And again, I don't think people should use the same objects manufactured by the same company in the same city they live. But I think that cream should be bottled where it is produced (in Switzerland, not in Central Italy), rubbish burnt near the city (in Naples/Austria, not in Germany/Lausanne), water taken fromk the aqueduct (if of good quality...because tap water it is drinkable nearly everywhere in Europe).

20 years ago there were less transports, but I don't think people were poorer because of that.


20 years ago, the eastern block was very poor compared to now. Also: population was less in many areas 20 years ago.

Not much, because in the short term it's only a cost.

No, this is not just a short term cost. A railway needs expensive exploitation. Trains, employees, track maintanance etc...

Both are important, but the second doesn't need the distruction of the first, nor viceversa.

The money has to come from somewhere, my friend. As I said, taxes will have to raise since governments don't have moneytrees in their garden...

20 years ago there were less transports, but I don't think people were poorer because of that.

Depends on your definition of "poor". A hunderd years ago there probably was even much less transport, but would you want to go back to that time? Transportation made our lifes so much better. And yes, you can discuss whether people currently aren't too spoiled with so much products from so many different countries. But that's the price you have to pay for of a good wellfare.

And again, I don't think people should use the same objects manufactured by the same company in the same city they live. But I think that cream should be bottled where it is produced (in Switzerland, not in Central Italy), rubbish burnt near the city (in Naples/Austria, not in Germany/Lausanne), water taken fromk the aqueduct (if of good quality...because tap water it is drinkable nearly everywhere in Europe).

Why do people buy Japanese or American cars instead of European ones?
Why do people go on holiday to New Zealand or the US, while they also can stay in their own country?
Why do people have relationships with people that live hunderds/thousands of kms away, while there sure will be sweet guys/girls living on the corner?

How far do you want to go in this vision?

Depends on your definition of "poor". A hunderd years ago there probably was even much less transport, but would you want to go back to that time?

I'm not speaking of 1895, but of the '80-'90. As I have found some statistics, I give the example of goods transported throught the Alps, defined from Ventimiglia to the Sememring/Wechsel passes.

1986: 97.6
1996: 138.3
2000: 173.3
2007: 210.0

I don't think that in 1996 life was really more difficult than today just because there were less transports.

How far do you want to go in this vision?

American and Japanese cars are different, and one might want visit the US one year and Europe the next.

I accept these transports, as they offer different products. I don't want to go back to the XIX centtury. What I like less are useless transport like Italian rubbish recycled or burnt in Germany, Swiss cream bottled in italy, or South African water sold in in Danemark.

I don't think that in 1996 life was really more difficult than today just because there were less transports.

Again, you're forgetting that there are more countries than Switzerland alone. Tens of millions of people faced significant welfare increase in central Europe.

I'm not surpirsed by the increase of transports, but I don't think it's all fundamental for our lives. Traffic at the Brenner Pass: 20.4-26.9-48.2 (again 1986-1996-2007).

It is true that traffic betweend Italy and Switzerland/Austria (and then Central Europe) increased more than between Italy and France (I still use this examples because they are the only ones I have found for each year from 1984 onwards). Ventimiglia+Fréjus+Mont Blanc: 28-46.3-49.1 (againe same years, the traffic has not increased much in 11 years).

I'm not surpirsed by the increase of transports, but I don't think it's all fundamental for our lives.

There are very few things fundamental for our lives... Even cars can be seen as a luxury, since millions of people (even in europe) can easily live without it. Still we allow people to have it, despite of all the problems. Why?

American and Japanese cars are different, and one might want visit the US one year and Europe the next.

I accept these transports, as they offer different products.

Both American and Japanese cars bring people from A to B. And going on holiday is a luxury in the first place. In the Netherlands this year about 3 million people stay in their own country during the holidays, and can still be very happy about that.

What I like less are useless transport like Italian rubbish recycled or burnt in Germany, Swiss cream bottled in italy, or South African water sold in in Danemark.

Again: there just are people willing to pay for it. And who says water produced in South Africa tastes exactly the same? As an outsider you just can't judge about what people need, and what they don't need. If you want people to have less 'need', raise income taxes for high incomes. (I'm definately for that) But please don't tell people what to buy, and what not to buy (and so what has to be transported or not)...

EU: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drivers%27_working_hours

USA: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hours_of_Service

The amount of driving hours between the two is staggering. A European driver can only drive 90 hours in 2 weeks, while an American driver can drive for almost 140 hours in 2 weeks. Considering the speed limits, an American trucker can drive twice the mileage of a European trucker.

Why do people have relationships with people that live hunderds/thousands of kms away, while there sure will be sweet guys/girls living on the corner?

Off topic but fun fact, there isn't one woman between 18-40 years old that's single in my town of 2200 people. We had some journalist here doing an article on it a while back. Therefore there are lots of single guys that need to travel 60-80kms just to find a woman to date.

The amount of driving hours between the two is staggering. A European driver can only drive 90 hours in 2 weeks, while an American driver can drive for almost 140 hours in 2 weeks. Considering the speed limits, an American trucker can drive twice the mileage of a European trucker.

Something that happens here in the USA are husband/wife trucking teams. They travel together so that one rests while the other drives. Is there something analogous in Europe?

^^ I don't think many truckers do that.

A problem is that European trucks have far less living space for the driver than American trucks. In Europe, the length is limited for the total combination, not only the trailer. That's also why most trucks are cab-overs.

I find it interesting that there are so many restrictions on trucking there when Europe is much more dependent on it than the US is thanks to the very large freight rail system in North America.

I find it interesting that there are so many restrictions on trucking there when Europe is much more dependent on it than the US is thanks to the very large freight rail system in North America.

That's a myth.

In tonnage kilometers;

US: road: 84% source: wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trucking_industry_in_the_United_States#Economic_impact)
EU: road: 77% source: Eurostat (http://epp.eurostat.ec.europa.eu/portal/page/portal/transport/data/main_tables)

(only comparing road to rail, leaving out other modes)

Fast forward this one to 1 minute. Taken on I-80 in Wyoming I think.

X3glfnDCQRk

Always a bunch of suckers who think they can drive 60 mph on a snow-covered road.

^^ wow, that was cool...
where do you get the 60mph? (was it your estimation?)

That's just my guesstimate. He goes pretty fast.

I like these; Turnpike doubles.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3106/2717986686_5886b30816_b.jpg

Triples are even longer:
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/rhys_crosskills/1st_fleet_triple_2_dp.jpg

Here's a knucklehead who thinks he can go down Donner Pass at 65 mph.

Bfi6SGjAc3k

Fast forward this one to 1 minute. Taken on I-80 in Wyoming I think.

X3glfnDCQRk

Always a bunch of suckers who think they can drive 60 mph on a snow-covered road.

What language do they speak?
Dutch? German?
What are they doing driving truck in US?

Excellent thread guys I am a truck driver from Australia with over 20 years heavy vehicle driving behind me and have to say I am surprised that most of your comments regarding the industry are correct and very perceptive. Trucking the world over is much the same you know move freight from point A to point B sounds simple eh ? but not always.

The total international freight task is growing at a staggering rate each year on average and the authorities are struggling to keep up with the demand. As there are many more trucks hitting the road each year there appears less rest areas due to them being mainly full. This is due to new enforcement techniques for drivers rest hours.

I confine myself to just driving Petrol and Lpg tankers around town or near country trips and won't do any more long distance work due to the increased surveilance/harrassment/policing of the industry. There are many experienced guys like me that have left the industry due to the new rules.

Long distance driving in Australia is a bit different to Europe in that the majority of freight runs are 800 - 1000 k's + per leg and are usually done on an overnight basis. We also have the long runs across the country and up into the north where I used to drive Road Trains. The average working day then was about 18-20 hrs now it's 12-14. Like the US most of the long distance drivers are payed by distance and not by the hour so it's all about making miles as they say.

I am going to Europe next month and will be doing 2 weeks of driving in France and Spain and will be looking forward to driving on some nice Euro roads and seeing different trucks from what I am used to here. Last time I had an interesting meal with some truckers in Innsbruck so this time am hoping to chat with some French or Spanish guys. I approach truckers all over the world and usually have no trouble engaging them once I establish I am a fellow driver. A Cuban guy in Florida thought I was spying on him when he saw my camera though :)

cheers

What language do they speak?
Dutch? German?
What are they doing driving truck in US?

Some kind of German, though I couldn't understand everything. In the end, he said "du scheisse jah" (you shit yeah), so I think it's German. There are more videos circulating on youtube with German truck drivers in the U.S. When it comes to truck driving, the U.S. is still the land of opportunities compared to over-regulated Europe.


I am going to Europe next month and will be doing 2 weeks of driving in France and Spain and will be looking forward to driving on some nice Euro roads and seeing different trucks from what I am used to here. Last time I had an interesting meal with some truckers in Innsbruck so this time am hoping to chat with some French or Spanish guys.


That's nice. First of all, nearly all trucks in Europe are cab-overs with a total combination length of 16.5 meters. Only car carriers are somewhat longer, aroudn 18 meters. Some countries do have longer trucks, but they are not as common as regular trucks, except for like Sweden and Finland.

The problem is many truckers here in Europe do not speak much English, especially not from southern and central Europe. I was once trucking with a neighbor in Germany, and a UK trucker asked for road conditions ahead over the CB. A long time no response, until some German trucker answered something that looked a bit like English. :-S

Here's a knucklehead who thinks he can go down Donner Pass at 65 mph.

wow. that was even cooler than the previous one...

but why didnt he (driver of the cameracar) stop?

It was very dangerous to drive in the smoke, and he should have help to the crashed driver...

What language do they speak?
Dutch? German?
What are they doing driving truck in US?

They speak german. The one guy says: "Look over there..."

After the truck has crashed the same guy says: "Did you record it?"

The others one says: "Yes of course!"

The first guy finishes with the sentence chris already translated.

It is kind of a southern german accent so it is not that easy to understand.

Excellent thread guys I am a truck driver from Australia with over 20 years heavy vehicle driving behind me and have to say I am surprised that most of your comments regarding the industry are correct and very perceptive.

Nice to have another trucker here. :) You said you've driven the real big stuff, maybe you can show us some pics?

The total international freight task is growing at a staggering rate each year on average and the authorities are struggling to keep up with the demand. As there are many more trucks hitting the road each year there appears less rest areas due to them being mainly full. This is due to new enforcement techniques for drivers rest hours.

Same problem here. It's quite difficult to find a parking spot at rest areas on major truck routes, though they say it's become less of a problem since the crisis.

The average working day then was about 18-20 hrs now it's 12-14. Like the US most of the long distance drivers are payed by distance and not by the hour so it's all about making miles as they say.

Paying truckers by distance is forbidden here. I think paying by mileage encourages people to drive unsafe speeds, doesn't it?

I am going to Europe next month and will be doing 2 weeks of driving in France and Spain and will be looking forward to driving on some nice Euro roads and seeing different trucks from what I am used to here.

Have fun! :) Maybe this (http://www.truckstar.nl/photogallery.asp?catID=334&page=1) can be a preview of what some european trucks can look like. ;)

Another nice set of Doubles. These trucks pull 2 48 foot trailers, so the total length is around 35 m or 115 ft.

MD7YqgtU3YU

in a roundabout they can catch themselves... :)

^^Or they topple over :lol:

This one had a little problem:
http://i29.tinypic.com/ab1kj9.jpg
A28 motorway near Nijkerk, NL

Sometimes along interstate 81 i see multiple identical trucks, usually 2 or 3 brand new ones, hooked up to another identical truck like trailers, using the trailer hitch to link them together - I don't have any images, but how common is this?

This one had a little problem:

these ones had not so little problem:
http://i.telegraph.co.uk/telegraph/multimedia/archive/01477/TURKEY-_1477997c.jpg

http://assets.nydailynews.com/img/2009/09/10/alg_floods_istanbul_aerial.jpg

Sometimes along interstate 81 i see multiple identical trucks, usually 2 or 3 brand new ones, hooked up to another identical truck like trailers, using the trailer hitch to link them together - I don't have any images, but how common is this?

What section of I-81? I have never seen what you describe, but chances are your travels take you near a truck factory, which is not surprising if you are on the southern/mid sections of I-81.

Sometimes along interstate 81 i see multiple identical trucks, usually 2 or 3 brand new ones, hooked up to another identical truck like trailers, using the trailer hitch to link them together - I don't have any images, but how common is this?
I think that that is 'SOP' for delivering new cabs to truck dealers as well as to major trucking companies. I often see that here.

Mike

Like this?
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/2/2c/HuckepackCrop.JPG

The Chinese way :D
http://www.pantherhouse.com/newshelton/wp-content/uploads/2007/05/trucks.jpg

It looks like we will be getting bigger trucks here in Victoria (Australia), with conditions that limit this to certain vehicles that meet specific safety standards, and restrictions to routes and times that also keep them out of peak hour. In Victoria (as in the rest of Australia) trucks can travel at up to 100km/h and there are no restrictions as to lane use on freeways.


Roads and Ports Minister Tim Pallas today released guidelines for the cutting-edge trial of longer B-double trucks to significantly improve the way goods are moved around the state.

...

Mr Pallas said the trial would allow B-doubles, capable of carrying two 40-foot containers, on to key metropolitan freeways that link the Port of Melbourne with major industrial areas in the west and north of Melbourne, and certain roads around Portland in south western Victoria.

"Victoria’s freight task is expected to double in the next 20 years and High Productivity Freight Vehicles (HPFV) could be an important way to tackle that freight task, reduce traffic congestion, reduce emissions and keep the cost of our goods down," he said.

"These larger vehicles can carry 30 per cent more freight, which will reduce the number of trucks needed on our roads to perform the same freight task. The efficient movement of freight is crucial to Victoria’s economic growth and social wellbeing."

From today, operators can start using the routes outlined in the two year trial. The trial will take place between the Melbourne Port and western and northern metropolitan freight areas mainly along the West Gate Freeway, Western Ring Road and Hume Freeway up to Somerton.

Mr Pallas said the trial would also run in the Green Triangle around Portland mainly on the Princes and Henty Highways, with the Brumby Labor Government committing $5 million to boost road infrastructure in the region.

...

The longer B-doubles have additional axles and can carry heavier loads on approved routes. A B-double with one quad-axle group can carry up to 72.5 tonnes and a B-double with two quad-axle groups up to 77.5 tonnes, compared to a standard B-double – permitted up to 68.0 tonnes.

Mr Pallas said road safety would also be improved with the trial vehicles having to pass 16 rigorous road safety standards, including ABS brakes requirements and front, side and rear under-run protection, as part of the national Performance-Based Standards process.


Road trains are longer and heavier than this, but are not permitted in Victoria at all, and generally not within the more densely populated parts in other states.

They have been trialling those combos around Footscray for about 12 years now, maybe more. It's also the same in Sydney atm they are restricted to the roads around Port Botany.

cheers

Poland is now running a trial with 14.9 meter trailers (49 foot). I believe regular European trailers are 13.6 meters, so it's not a big improvement. They won't be longer than the existing 18.75 m truck-trailer combo's

Every extra foot of space makes a difference to the revenue earned and where your transporting say groceries and continually run the trailers full it becomes very worthwile to get an extra 2 pallet spac. es.
The down side is due to a maximum combination length the prime movers used get shorter and less stable and more uncomfortable to drive. In fact I believe they become dangerous, but extra profit is king .. right.:)

cheers

You mean the total allowed length isn't longer with a 14,9m trailer? Then how the hell will you get a decent sleep cabin when you've got only 1,60m between the front of the trailer and the front of the truck? :nuts:

You need special permit, a pilot and you have to transport it during the night.(I'm not sure about the last one, but surely in extreme cases)

I think it's ridiculous to enforce 16.5 meter lengths in Europe for international trucking. This leads to very small cabs for drivers, especially those who are away from home for several days or even weeks. American cabs are much more comfortable. The amount of space they have is sometimes 3 - 4 times bigger than European cab-overs.

I think they should put limits on trailer lengths only, not on the cab. Especially with those long-haul truckers who drive mainly on freeways and main roads, it doesn't really matter if a truck is 16.5 m or 18.5 m.

City distribution is a whole other thing, cab-overs are clearly in advantage in such environments.

There's only one problem. Parking spaces on rest areas are usually not made for some extra meters length. However, if a 18,75 combination with cabover fits, why wouldn't a 18,75 combination of torpedotruck + trailer fit?

It's a pity Volvo and Scania stopped producing torpedo trucks for the european market. Currently, there's only one real european torpedotruck, which is the Iveco Strator.

http://www.cornelis-bedrijfsautos.nl/files/strator%20560.jpg

Those are called "conventionals" in North America. Cab-overs used to be popular in N.A. until the 70's, when limitations were dropped, and everybody switched to conventionals. Now the cab-overmarket is primarily in Europe and some Asian countries.

Conventionals are now getting increasingly better fuel economy, and consume as much as European cab-overs at somewhat higher speeds. Under 70 mph, a constant speed is a larger factor to fuel economy than the speed itself. Try a road with a roundabout every 500 meters with a truck. The fuel consumption is off the charts at such roads.

How about these sleepers? :D
http://www.freewebs.com/joeyspage3/awesome%20cab%20over%20for%20web.JPG

Here is a new American one for comparison's sake

http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/loLoneStar_Aero_Silver_lo.jpg

:cheers:

Those are called "conventionals" in North America. Cab-overs used to be popular in N.A. until the 70's, when limitations were dropped, and everybody switched to conventionals. Now the cab-overmarket is primarily in Europe and some Asian countries.

Conventionals are now getting increasingly better fuel economy, and consume as much as European cab-overs at somewhat higher speeds. Under 70 mph, a constant speed is a larger factor to fuel economy than the speed itself. Try a road with a roundabout every 500 meters with a truck. The fuel consumption is off the charts at such roads.

How about these sleepers? :D
http://www.freewebs.com/joeyspage3/awesome%20cab%20over%20for%20web.JPG

Thats a really old truck, with a really old paint job, but its still a REALLY nice truck. :cheers:

Here is a new American one for comparison's sake

http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/loLoneStar_Aero_Silver_lo.jpg

:cheers:

Wow, I always wanted to be truck driver.
Now it is probably to late to start.
Ech, pity.

By the way, I used to hitchhike a lot in the past. My favorite options were always trucks even if they were slower than normal cars.
I don't hitchhike too often nowadays but from time to time I wouldn't mind to join some trucker on some trips.
Is there any online forum where you can hook up with truck drivers traveling particular routes?
I used to go to big motorway service station and just ask truckers where they go hoping for lift. I would be perfect to find someone going in particular direction in advance.

geogregor, I think I know where your avatar is.

It's around Wytheville VA, right?

Great song, remake of the 1975 song (from the 1978 movie)

JuyLTDAC7fE

Great song, remake of the 1975 song (from the 1978 movie)

JuyLTDAC7fE

Wow!!!!!
I've seen this movie when I was very young, it was before iron curtain collapsed. We still had just two TV channels then and only two hours of programs before afternoon (the same movie which they screened later in the evening - for people who worked late shifts).
I was sick so I didn't go to school and that's how I managed to see it.
Ech, old times.
I loved this movie but I have never actually seen it again.

@mattec
Yes, it is somewhere in Virginia but I don't remember exact location

Wow!!!!!
I've seen this movie when I was very young, it was before iron curtain collapsed. We still had just two TV channels then and only two hours of programs before afternoon (the same movie which they screened later in the evening - for people who worked late shifts).
I was sick so I didn't go to school and that's how I managed to see it.
Ech, old times.
I loved this movie but I have never actually seen it again.

@mattec
Yes, it is somewhere in Virginia but I don't remember exact location

Yup, its near Wytheville.

These truck drivers are just asking for accidents...
http://i31.tinypic.com/148m9w9.jpg

^^ even if i didn't care about safety, i would hate looking at nothing else but he back of that truck all the time.

^^ even if i didn't care about safety, i would hate looking at nothing else but he back of that truck all the time.

don't worry, he will catch first situation to take left lane and try to overpass the other one (what will last for some 3 km)

^^ even if i didn't care about safety, i would hate looking at nothing else but he back of that truck all the time.

Now you understand why truckers also want to overtake :)

^^ even if i didn't care about safety, i would hate looking at nothing else but he back of that truck all the time.

Probably trying to save fuel by slipstreaming:)

Probably trying to save fuel by slipstreaming:)

Nope .... if you look again you will see a slower vehicle up front which has caused the trucks to start to bunch up a bit. That car with the weird box thing on the trailer is probably going slowly. I have been in this same situation a thousand times at least.

Still not much to worry about as trucking in Europe is slower than here or in the states.

Cheers

These truck drivers are just asking for accidents...
http://i31.tinypic.com/148m9w9.jpg
Where is that photo taken? I wonder... because few truck drivers in Greek motorways (hopefully not all) are drive like in the photo above :ohno:

A28 near Zwolle, the Netherlands.

Unfortunately, there seem to be some truckers who are conscious of the weight of their vehicle, and others who think they are out for a Sunday drive. Driving through the hills of Vermont on I-91, I was faced with one trucker like this. I-91 has many steep grades, often 6-8%. This trucker sat behind me and refused to maintain distance. I initially came upon him as he was cresting a hill. He had slowed down to about 30mph as he crested. Minimum speed limit if unposted on Vermont Interstate highways is 45mph. I gave about 400ft, enough to see the headlights in the rearview, and moved into the right lane in front of him. As we came down the hill, he brought himself as close as in the photo above. This happened over and over again. You'd think with the hills he'd fall behind as he slowed down on the ascent, but he always caught up in the same way on the descent. Okay, you might say, I should get out of the way, this truck is heavy and despite brakes is going to have variant speeds. But even once we reached the relatively flat sections of I-91 in Massachusetts, this guy still sat on my tail with at most 20 ft between us.

Where is that photo taken? I wonder... because few truck drivers in Greek motorways (hopefully not all) are drive like in the photo above :ohno:


The second truck is with bulgarian registration("E"-Blagoevgrad area). :)

Check the end of this video:

I-80 near Reno, Nevada

yf-F8AvQqOQ

The open borders of Europe....


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3522/3979871953_25a4e1b81f_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2619/3979872039_aa976c23fb_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2526/3979872139_304c756b49_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2435/3979872225_80aea5c126_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2635/3980630574_e5f5cf72a7_o.jpg

Chris,

Is this the dutch A1 near Oldenzaal ???
I though they made a big truck parking place near Hengelo to avoid this .

Yeah, it's at the German border. This was nothing by the way, the line was only 1.5 km long. If there's a German federal holiday during the workweek, the line can be 10 km long.

As far as I know, they want to increase capacity of this rest area at the border, plus expanding the Lonnekermeer rest area. However, all capacity for truck parkings are already taken east of Apeldoorn, so they have no other option than to drive to the border and have a nice 24 hours at the shoulder. (2 days in this case, as saturday October 3rd was the German unification day + sunday)

Unfortunately, there seem to be some truckers who are conscious of the weight of their vehicle, and others who think they are out for a Sunday drive. Driving through the hills of Vermont on I-91, I was faced with one trucker like this. I-91 has many steep grades, often 6-8%. This trucker sat behind me and refused to maintain distance. I initially came upon him as he was cresting a hill. He had slowed down to about 30mph as he crested. Minimum speed limit if unposted on Vermont Interstate highways is 45mph. I gave about 400ft, enough to see the headlights in the rearview, and moved into the right lane in front of him. As we came down the hill, he brought himself as close as in the photo above. This happened over and over again. You'd think with the hills he'd fall behind as he slowed down on the ascent, but he always caught up in the same way on the descent. Okay, you might say, I should get out of the way, this truck is heavy and despite brakes is going to have variant speeds. But even once we reached the relatively flat sections of I-91 in Massachusetts, this guy still sat on my tail with at most 20 ft between us.

Why didn't you drive a bit quicker and get out of his way or just sit behind him and let him go . Obviously you wanted to get under his skin like I have seen many like you do.

cheers

Riksveg 60 between Olden and Innvik in Norway:

guB1OGWjz1M

Riksveg 60 between Olden and Innvik in Norway:


Unfortunately I didn't understand a thing of what they said, but that road is something unbelievable! :nuts:

As far as i understand, the guy talks about the problems with large trucks in the area, and the importance of the transport company, and later that rolf thing talking about his transport company. Later some guy says that there is 10 buses and 34 trucks on the road - a day! And later Einar talks about problems with passing other trucks on that road.

As far as i understand, the guy talks about the problems with large trucks in the area, and the importance of the transport company, and later that rolf thing talking about his transport company. Later some guy says that there is 10 buses and 34 trucks on the road - a day! And later Einar talks about problems with passing other trucks on that road.

Thank you very much for the translation. :)

Nice piece of technique. :)

l6877RfBzdU

Disturbing video about the parking problems along Italian motorways:

Y5sfRNu8Z-Y

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Malaysia - MB Actros 2640

From PrimaPlus
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab151/dur10/zPrimaPlusACTROS2640_244_21G.jpg?t=1258841082

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Malaysia - MB Actros 2540

From PrimaPlus
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab151/dur10/zPrimaPlusSHELLACTROS2540_244_2AA.jpg?t=1258841179

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Malaysia - Scania P124L 360

From PrimaPlus
http://i859.photobucket.com/albums/ab151/dur10/zPrimaPlusP124L_224_2AB.jpg?t=1258841567

What a thread!!!

I love the trucks!!!

I'd like to post some pics of mexican trucks...:D

Disturbing video about the parking problems along Italian motorways:

Y5sfRNu8Z-Y

Is it legal to park in these small lay-bays?

....this guy still sat on my tail with at most 20 ft between us.

Duel? (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duel_(1971_film)) :lol:

Is it legal to park in these small lay-bays?

No, they're SOS lots, because Italian shoulders are not wide enough to accomodate trucks, and they're usually not safe for cars too, because Italian motorway usually have guardrails or barriers right next to the small shoulder. But if there's no alternative for those truckers, I can understand they have to use them.

The alternative is to keep on driving and the chances of getting caught for exceeding hours of service is quite big, because of the digital tagographs they have these days. Truckers can be fined up to 4 weeks after the violation 2000 kilometers away.

Riksveg 60 between Olden and Innvik in Norway:

guB1OGWjz1M

thats crazy... :bash:

why dont they signal it between passing points?

Disturbing video about the parking problems along Italian motorways:

fucking idioten... :bash:

europe is a big shit heap...

spends horrible amount of money for the uneconomic railways and kicks and plunders the road transport... :bash:

Need a truck?
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wjgqMM4Vruw/Sl9_zdeyO_I/AAAAAAAAAmc/MWF1rbfz4Eg/s1600/P7080056.JPG
Photo by Roger Trucker!

Well, one of the most interesting experinces I had interacting with trucks in Italy was on A3 highway, connectin Salerno to Reggio Calabria. It's a 2x2 highway than runs mostly through very mountainous terrain in Southern Italy, and they are upgrading it from old standards (3,4m lanes, no hard shoulder, 80km/h limit in most places) to modern Italian standards. Therefore, they're not only widening the carriageway, but reconstructing the highway, shortening some segments, cutting new tunnels to avoid sharp curves etc.

Near Villa San Giovanni (where you can take the ferry to Sicily) there's a long 40km segment which is being modernized, but is almost only tunnels and bridges one after another. Therefore, the road there is 2X1 until they modernize the opposite carriageway, then they'll transfer all trafic there, modernize the other carriageway and finally clear everything up.

I'll never forget: there's a 60km/h limit in the WHOLE 42km strecht, which has absolutely NO PASSING POINT. I'm very afraid of speed traps (Autovelox), so I play it safe and abide to them. Point is: I've not driven there for a while, so I made an "extra acceleration maneuver" to pass a truck in a hill, only to find myself holding the whole lane back into 42km (most of it was in the descent lane, from 1.300m to almost sea level).

So, you imagine me, at dusk, holding an Italian big lorry for 42km! The driver cursed me, honked, flashlighted me in the tunnels etc. There was no way I could "yield" to him: one tight lane, no shoulder, temporary median placed on. It was very frightening, I had just moved back to Italyu, and it was my first long-distance trip alone in Italy after I'd got my license. There was no visible traffic in front of me, but tons of advises of Autovelox. After 10 or 15km, I just turn the radio volume higher and tried to ignore the honking from following drivers, but singal would go off inside the tunnels.

I was kind of relieved when my exit came... and I could strecht my legs while crossing to Sicily.

Mate you must be the dumbest shit alive if you think that cyclist get a whole lane...you dont thats why they give u a little bit on the side of the road..its painted in green and has a white cyclist..thats were you ride.

MORE PICS OF AUSTRALIAN ROAD TRIANS

http://i45.tinypic.com/5kpq4n.jpg

http://i45.tinypic.com/fx46de.jpg

http://i47.tinypic.com/2eezdiv.jpg

http://i46.tinypic.com/inhetu.jpg

wow! thas its big. Here (in Mexico) we do not have anything like this.

We don't have anything like this but we have this:

SOME PICS OF MEXICAN TRUCKS

http://i50.tinypic.com/npqhy9.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/efq686.jpg

http://i48.tinypic.com/2803yg0.jpg

:banana:

Need a truck?

:lol: :lol: :eek:

That's original!!

^^So?

i don't see anything special about those pics.

Those are Turnpike Doubles. Unheard of in most parts of Europe, but common in North America.

Those are Turnpike Doubles. Unheard of in most parts of Europe, but common in North America.

They're everywhere here in Chile.

They aren't that big compaired to a road train.

^^ Obviously.

But every country has thier own "big" trucks.

Mmm... I wonder if Australian road trains have "normal" engines with 400-600 HP:?

There was an incident like that in my hometown a couple of years ago where a cyclist got run over by a truck because the driver couldn't see him in the mirrors. Cyclist died :/
Which is why I have seen large stickers on the backs of trailers, warning that the truck has large blind spots and may swing wide in order to turn. Generally geared towards motorists, but have seen a few geared towards cyclists.

Just out of curiousity: What kind of power plants are fitted to these Australian monsters? Typically 60-ton loads in Europe are pulled by 550-700 hp Mercedes/Scania/Volvo/MAN trucks.
Similar sized engines in the trucks down under.

Those are Turnpike Doubles. Unheard of in most parts of Europe, but common in North America.
Also known as a B train.
A Train: One tailer
B Train: Two trailers
C Train: Three trailers

Mmm... I wonder if Australian road trains have "normal" engines with 400-600 HP:?
See second quote in my reply.

Oversized transportrs
http://www.trost.co.at/img/bilder/schwertransport2_gr.jpg

http://www.cmbit.de/drupal/sites/default/files/schwertransport/IMG_8209.JPG

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/98/Baureihe_18_316_auf_Schwertransport_101_0982.jpg/800px-Baureihe_18_316_auf_Schwertransport_101_0982.jpg

http://autopixx.de/bilder/24883/schwertransport.jpg

http://www.moelter-luckenwalde.de/bilder/Schwertransport-1.jpg

http://autopixx.de/bilder/28215/schwertransport.jpg

http://www.markus-jordan.de/blog/wp-content/bur3.jpg
http://www.markus-jordan.de/blog/wp-content/bur21.jpg

http://www.richter-ag.de/media/images/Bohnet-Transport-unter-der-Werratal-Br-cke.jpg
http://www.richter-ag.de/media/images/09guei_hamue398-1-.jpg
http://www.richter-ag.de/media/images/Schwertransport-Fa.-A.-Richter-20_21.06.09-025.jpg

http://www.wiedemeyer-logistik.de/wiedemeyer/04/02/02/big/spezialtransport_16.jpg
http://www.wiedemeyer-logistik.de/wiedemeyer/04/02/02/big/spezialtransport_19.jpg

^^
http://lh5.google.ca/abramsv/R7PsAqoD2HI/AAAAAAAAIcE/9KFGPfu4E8Q/317629055_ac68b2dada_o.jpg?imgmax=512

http://lh3.google.ca/abramsv/R7PsCKoD2JI/AAAAAAAAIcU/H86QgEhxYtw/317628764_2ac53f111c_o.jpg?imgmax=512

(darkroastedblend.com)

:eek2:

That's REALLY awesome!!!

And AMAZING!

More heavy trucks here: http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/big-lorry-blog/heavy-haulage/

Parts of a small ferry in Tallinn:
http://f.postimees.ee/f/2008/12/12/104691t44hd365.jpg
http://f.postimees.ee/f/2008/12/12/104689t44hf0c3.jpg

This one is big too

http://users.skynet.be/spotterfreak/images/A380transport_02.jpg
Image is from: http://users.skynet.be/spotterfreak/airbusa380.html (it has nice Airbus A380 images too)


This one has the airbus A380 inside, so it must be really big (like the Tardis) :)

http://home.casema.nl/goldewijk/airbus_truck.jpg
from http://members.casema.nl/goldewijk/

One of the advantages of Canberra is that the roads are alot wider compared to other Australian cities. There is usually less traffic on the roads than the other cities, and little truck traffic.

It's lanes which are, in the main, wider than many other city's arterials, having been built usually to 3.7m wide. Many of the urban arterials have shoulders and the divided carriageways are often linemarked with the kerbside lane wider than the median lane.

You often see many semi-trailers move around the city without any problems, even during peak hours.

http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/842/woolworths8641.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/3489/woolworths8642.jpg

How come so many Australian trucks have round headlights? In the US, they switched from round headlights to square or rectangle in the early 70s, and in the early-mid-90s from rectangle to most any shape that looks nice.

How come so many Australian trucks have round headlights? In the US, they switched from round headlights to square or rectangle in the early 70s, and in the early-mid-90s from rectangle to most any shape that looks nice.

Yes get with the program Australia!:) Most of the new Australian Kenworth models are still built with the round headlights, but the modern exterior design of the trucks look ok.
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1263/kenworthmodels.jpg

http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/631/t3series.jpg


here's some other pics of trucks in Australia...
http://img38.imageshack.us/img38/9190/australiapostvolvo.jpg

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/4229/woolworths187b.jpg

http://img35.imageshack.us/img35/5571/scaniacoke.jpg

A german Coca-Cola Christmas truck (in Dronninglund, Denmark)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2545/4199864672_ffc139e95a_m.jpg

Truck in Borneo island Indonesia

Mining truck hauling coal.
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/kristyas_orisanto/2007/03-14/actros-4240.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/kristyas_orisanto/2007/03-14/kw-2.jpg

Some highway still on gravel but it's solid so heavy truck could going through.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3269/2564904200_b0e7d86e96.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2564077379_4d21cd9f6c.jpg

Crossing the river by ferry, since the road infrastructure is minimum in the inland area.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3154/2570666966_1cb2f6079d.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3063/2570667252_bdd5a4527d_o.jpg

Some 25.25 m trucks I spotted today in the Netherlands.

1.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4056/4443585376_194e341bbf_o.jpg

2.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2681/4443585422_6645aaaa78_o.jpg

3.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4037/4442809995_e006f910ab_o.jpg

4.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4026/4443585524_8fa5102650_o.jpg

5.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2678/4442810115_12b6fa7c00_o.jpg

brazilian trucks

http://revistaepoca.globo.com/Revista/Epoca/foto/0,,15575684,00.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_-gu_VYCEuAo/SsVx92N404I/AAAAAAAAAFw/7NfV6rriU94/s320/Skol+-+caminhao+surf.jpg

http://www.tribunadomaranhao.com.br/fotos/01%20a%2031%20de%20outubro%20de%202009/Caminh%C3%A3o%20da%20cidadania.jpg

http://www.mlou.com.br/imagens/transportadora-veiculos.jpg

http://www.intelog.net/Imagens/ramos3.JPG

http://www.primeiramao.com.br/editorial/transposhop/images_editorial/transposhop_caminhoes146ag.jpg

http://www.jovemcracia.com.br/img/pq_0.53154900_1225370696_gb2_frota_bx.jpg

http://images.quebarato.com.br/photos/big/D/6/5F40D6_1.jpg

http://karlacunha.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/caminh%C3%A3o_ecourbis.jpg

http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Carros/foto/0,,18093448-EX,00.jpg

http://maroso.com.br/imagens/transportadora+maroso+2+ampli.jpg

http://www.rondonia.ro.gov.br/imagens-noticias-comunicados/%7B055B920D-532F-40A3-BB90-20D854624B71%7D_CAMIHOES-PRANCHA__E_BAU%20net.JPG

http://images02.olx.com.br/ui/2/02/49/32099349_1.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3781296883_4e5f1114f4_o.jpg

http://www.maringa.pr.gov.br/sistema_maringa/adm/imagens/gd_a7e927fce00f.jpg

http://www.grupodare.com.br/Dare/truck_dare.jpg

http://ipt.olhares.com/data/big/139/1396730.jpg

http://www.santavitoria.mg.gov.br/noticias/09/06/15/pics/1320g.jpg

http://www.camarapocos.mg.gov.br/imagens/noticias/20090506_ta2bu9lu7va1.jpg

http://gazetaweb.globo.com/Fotos/Noticias/210110caminhao_hanseniase.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_VyIBfu7zsXk/SuDDq5qeXwI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/TOlAHaLo-c0/s400/Caminh%C3%A3o+Xalingo+003+copy.jpg

http://www.acontecendoaqui.com.br/MyFiles/1112_et_rodrigo_caminhao.jpg

http://www.mundodomarketing.com.br/images/materias/gilette_caminhao.jpg

http://www.biodieselbrasil.com.br/clip2005/Maio/caminhoes11.jpg

^^ Do you have anything else from Brazil to show except for googled pics? It's not a contest to post as much googled pics from Brazil in any thread as possible...

^^ Quite a lot of people on SSC put dozen of photos in the same post. I think that posting too much informations is useless as not all people want to read all the text/see all the photos. One single photo that everybody look is much more useful than 50 photos that nobody see.

No, they're SOS lots, because Italian shoulders are not wide enough to accomodate trucks, and they're usually not safe for cars too, because Italian motorway usually have guardrails or barriers right next to the small shoulder. But if there's no alternative for those truckers, I can understand they have to use them.

The alternative is to keep on driving and the chances of getting caught for exceeding hours of service is quite big, because of the digital tagographs they have these days. Truckers can be fined up to 4 weeks after the violation 2000 kilometers away.

Youi cannot park on the hard shoulder. The hard shoulder is an emergency lane where you drive slowly until you reach a slot or a rest area. Emergency lanes must be kept clear for the emergency respomse vehicles.

A large economy, with a dense population and montanious terrains all over a tiny country will always have some smaller rest areas. I concede it's dangerous...but not as much as a dork parking on the emergency late at night with the lights off.

A large economy, with a dense population and montanious terrains all over a tiny country will always have some smaller rest areas.

Did you even watch the video? These rest areas are just FULL, already in the early evening. Big european countries like Germany and Italy are suffering from a big lack of parking space for trucks. No, the hard shoulder is far from a safe parking space, but getting fined for some hundreds/thousands of euros by the police for driving just a little over driving time isn't fun either. :ohno:

Did you even watch the video? These rest areas are just FULL, already in the early evening. Big european countries like Germany and Italy are suffering from a big lack of parking space for trucks. No, the hard shoulder is far from a safe parking space, but getting fined for some hundreds/thousands of euros by the police for driving just a little over driving time isn't fun either. :ohno:

yes I did and all I can say is that it is slightly different than how it looks though. You never get to a situation where parking lots overspill because of drivers reaching their driving time limit... that's more like a traffic ban situation, probaly a night between a Saturday and a Sunaday.

I do agree that parking space is never enough and especially in those countries drawing thousands of trucks. As far as we are concerned you have to consider the rugged terrain and the fact that virtually all our borders are mountains, channelling massive international traffic on a few nbarrow valleys.

Just imagine what it feels like on the first holyday season weekend, the black sticker days when you have truck bans and the highways full of people...

But honestly, even with extra investments,, I see little chance of a dramatic improvement.

And yes, hard shoulders are not for parking.

Did you even watch the video? These rest areas are just FULL, already in the early evening. Big european countries like Germany and Italy are suffering from a big lack of parking space for trucks. No, the hard shoulder is far from a safe parking space, but getting fined for some hundreds/thousands of euros by the police for driving just a little over driving time isn't fun either. :ohno:

Also:

Sorry by "will have some smaller rest areas" I meant that "some rest area will be very tiny and will fill up in a few minutes". My bad

Chris, one of the largest freight-carriers in Brazil, Mercurio, was sold some years ago to the Dutch company TNT, and is now called TNT Mercurio. :)

I saw 4 trucks of Huncargo yesterday within 20 kilometers :) Their trucks always look very new.

Some pics of A1 motorway in central Netherlands - a major truck corridor.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4473621722_9bfbb1e18b_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4032/4473623308_05cb87de6a_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2804/4473625952_c429c83013_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4063/4473628620_2cf10ecafc_b.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2781/4473630020_b1e37f0fd9_b.jpg

Daf-Ginaf! Quite unusual and very rare sight out of the Netherlands.

^^ Do you have anything else from Brazil to show except for googled pics? It's not a contest to post as much googled pics from Brazil in any thread as possible...
Do not be nervous !!!!!!!!! As Brazil is very big, so we have put too many pictures to show for all !!!!!!!!

When it comes to trucks, Brazil is one of the 4 largest markets in the world, then, another reason for so many pictures !!!!!!!!okay:

^^ Do you have anything else from Brazil to show except for googled pics? It's not a contest to post as much googled pics from Brazil in any thread as possible...

Do not be nervous !!!!!!!!! As Brazil is very big, so we have put too many pictures to show for all !!!!!!!!

When it comes to trucks, Brazil is one of the 4 largest markets in the world, then, another reason for so many pictures !!!!!!!:banana:

Fellow member Jeroen saw a long truck on the A50 in the Netherlands around 12.45 near Nijmegen, and I happened to catch the exact same truck on video around 13.15 between Arnhem and Apeldoorn.

What's interesting about this truck, is that it is 25 meters long, yet has only 4 axles. So it's load can never be too heavy. Also; a truck out of 3 sections is also a rare variant of the ecocombi.

http://i42.tinypic.com/2jaaogg.jpg

Hmm. Reversing with that must be really tricky. I know couple of things about truck driving, but this vehicle makes me full of admiration for the driver pulling all this stuff ahead(and backwards :)

European trucks all look so clean and new... American trucks often looks old, rickety and rusty... (Mainly the old ones.) I guess it's because with European trucks, most of the parts are put together without many extra gaps - on American trucks, there are plenty of gaps that just aren't there on European ones.

Another ecocombi on the Dutch A28 motorway between Amersfoort and Zwolle.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4639362766_1b2aa5976e_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4639362766/)

Trucking has become a more and more popular way of transportation in Morocco. This started since the enlargement of motorways and the creation of highways. Spanish and Dutch trucks are widely spotted on the Moroccan autoroutes. Also a lot of trucks with a Dutch/Spanish trailer and a Moroccan licensed truck pulling it.

The boom has some "disadvantages" though, heavy truck traffic often cause traffic jams (which used to be very rare in Morocco!). Compared to European truck traffic, the amount of trucks shown in this small video is ofcourse nothing, but for African standards this is pretty "special".

ZQZ9CQ9gWW4

The Dutch truck various stuff to Morocco.

* flowers
* greenhouse products (also from/to Spain)
* shrimp. They catch them in the North Sea, cheaply process them in Morocco, and then haul them back to the Netherlands to sell them.

The last thing is an example of unnecessary, but apparently economic practice. I mean, driving 6,000 kilometers must cost € 2.200 in fuel alone, not to mention a trucker which cost € 15 per hour and must drive like 80 hours to get back and forth (= € 1.200). Add maintenance, tolls, and write-offs to that, and it must cost like € 4.000 to transport this stuff. But apparently it is still economic, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

The Dutch truck various stuff to Morocco.

* flowers
* greenhouse products (also from/to Spain)
* shrimp. They catch them in the North Sea, cheaply process them in Morocco, and then haul them back to the Netherlands to sell them.

The last thing is an example of unnecessary, but apparently economic practice. I mean, driving 6,000 kilometers must cost € 2.200 in fuel alone, not to mention a trucker which cost € 15 per hour and must drive like 80 hours to get back and forth (= € 1.200). Add maintenance, tolls, and write-offs to that, and it must cost like € 4.000 to transport this stuff. But apparently it is still economic, otherwise they wouldn't do it.

I'm not sure what "Breda Transport" transports, but they sure do have a lot of trucks going back and forth. I actually think they are the largest Dutch transport company in Morocco.

Yeah, they're a company from Tilburg (not nearby Breda, strangely) and drive mainly to North Africa, including Morocco, Libya, Tunesia and Algeria.

Daf-Ginaf! Quite unusual and very rare sight out of the Netherlands.
I've never even heard of that make. Must me a very small/specialized truck manufacturer.

Hmm. Reversing with that must be really tricky. I know couple of things about truck driving, but this vehicle makes me full of admiration for the driver pulling all this stuff ahead(and backwards :)
Can't tell from the pic if it's one straight truck, two trailer, or if it's one tractor (semi) and three trailers. If it's the latter, it's not intended to be reversed. In either case, the driver will most likely just separate the trailers. Here in Canada, I HAVE seen skilled drivers reverse a B-Train (two trailers).

^^ Box truck + 2 trailers. (well, those aren't actually trailers but I don't know the correct english word for it...):dunno:

And Ginaf is just the specialisation of DAF in construction materials like tipper trucks, mixers, etc. The cabin is just exactly the same as a regular DAF.

Next question: 5th wheel, or (most likely), drawbar setup? If it's the former, then yes, it IS possible to reverse such a setup. If it's the latter: I'm not so sure. Canadian Freightways does use a drawbar setup, but drivers split the trailers for maneuverability.

Anyone from Europe know what the rules for truck drivers in Europe are(driving time, sleeper berth time)? I do understand that they do use onboard electronic recorders...I just wanted to compare since Im a driver myself in the USofA. I tried researching the info myself but with no luck.
thanks

^^ With the lower speed limits and much more strict hours of service, a European trucker can drive approximately 40 or 50% of the mileage an American trucker can drive in 2 weeks.

A European trucker is not allowed to drive more than 9 hours per day. They are allowed to drive 10 hours per day twice a week. The longest sustained driving is 4.5 hours, after which a 45 minute break is mandatory. A driver is not allowed to drive more than 56 hours per week. In two weeks, a trucker cannot drive more than 90 hours.

Next question: 5th wheel, or (most likely), drawbar setup? If it's the former, then yes, it IS possible to reverse such a setup. If it's the latter: I'm not so sure. Canadian Freightways does use a drawbar setup, but drivers split the trailers for maneuverability.

Indeed, drawbar setup (with centre placed axles), quite similar to this:

http://img517.imageshack.us/img517/305/lzvjankrediet.jpg

If that's the case, then the driver would drop the second trailer.

Another "LZV" in the Netherlands. I've read Germany and Belgium are also interested in 25.25 m trucks.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4007/4665706765_d43278329a_b.jpg

A European trucker is not allowed to drive more than 9 hours per day. They are allowed to drive 10 hours per day twice a week. The longest sustained driving is 4.5 hours, after which a 45 minute break is mandatory. A driver is not allowed to drive more than 56 hours per week. In two weeks, a trucker cannot drive more than 90 hours.

That's all correct. I let myself to add one less important thing. This 45 mins break can be split in two and taken earlier, but first break must be no shorter than 30 mins, then after next 15 mins break(altogether 45) driving time begins afresh. As Chris said, twice a week driving time can be extended by 1 hr, however 45 mins rest has to be done before that.

Two more LZV trucks of 25.25 m in the Netherlands.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4053/4690966796_106223ce56_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4003/4690332965_d2d115851f_b.jpg

An unfinished, but already running, truck. Photo taken today in Italy.

http://img266.imageshack.us/img266/896/dsc01135rs.jpg (http://img266.imageshack.us/i/dsc01135rs.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

A Dutch LZV for city distribution, showing it's manoeuvrability. They intend to drive long-distance with these LZV's, then uncouple them near the city and individually haul them into the cities.

SRvogZIE4-E

This is typical of the freeways in Melbourne. It is not uncommon to be completely boxed in by big rigs.

http://img375.imageshack.us/img375/8945/trucks.jpg

Australian trucks:

http://img18.imageshack.us/img18/9186/truck2u.jpg

http://img408.imageshack.us/img408/3024/btrain1.jpg

Flickr "truckaus".
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/7916/truck3.jpg

More Aussie trucks

In Melbourne - from FLickr "truckaus"
http://img822.imageshack.us/img822/4619/truck5s.jpg

http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/9620/truck6.jpg

Roadtrain in Northern Territory
http://img641.imageshack.us/img641/7287/roadtrain1.jpg

In Melbourne - from Flickr "Truckaus"
http://img197.imageshack.us/img197/8434/pbtruckaus.jpg



Melbourne:
http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/8656/pb2k.jpg

http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/6564/melb2.jpg


Road train in Melbourne....FLickr "palmygirl99"
http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/298/melb1.jpg


Road Trains
http://img709.imageshack.us/img709/4683/2mack.jpg

They look so American, lol. Nice pics.

^^They are (Peterbilt, Kenworth) I like it.

What is it with round headlights on Australian trucks? So many of them that would have rectangular ones in the States have round ones in Australia...

What is it with round headlights on Australian trucks? So many of them that would have rectangular ones in the States have round ones in Australia...

dunno man, maybe they are more powerful than square lights, benefitting travel in remote areas?

They look so American, lol. Nice pics.

That's because they were the only British Colony that tried to be as American as possible. That's why there are so many North American vehicles, though built as RHD, in the country. You'll find Ford, Chevy and Dodge P/U trucks, as well as familiar models of cars and vans. The same applies to the highway trucks, most of which are built under license in the country. New Zealand is also experiencing an increase in North American trucks, both P/U (the Ford F-Series being the most popular) and heavy trucks.

old truck - again from Australia

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/6718/pb1g.jpg

9PjYgKI_o5I&feature=related

:cheers:

Some brazilian trucks:

VW:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x116/Vic_Prudentino/z01.jpg
by zé 01(Flickr)

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x116/Vic_Prudentino/z012.jpg
by zé 01(Flickr)


Volvo:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x116/Vic_Prudentino/dsciphone.jpg
by dsciphone(Flickr)


Scania:

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x116/Vic_Prudentino/DelfinoMattos.jpg
by DelfinoMattos(Flickr)

.

Another "LZV" (25.25m) truck in the Netherlands.

Location: A28 motorway near Staphorst
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4141/4912859129_1e90a567af_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859129/)
LZV-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859129/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr


A "convoy exceptionnel" (I doubt if it's really a CE) carrying fruits from the Greenery to the north of the Netherlands.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4096/4912859233_e234c1a4f8_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859233/)
truck-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859233/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr


A Benny Wezenberg truck. This one will supply an Albert Heijn supermarket.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4076/4912859349_286e8157ce_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859349/)
truck-2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/4912859349/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

Convoy exceptionnel in England. Blue one has interesting numberplate.

http://lh6.ggpht.com/_V2LiHArsadY/THArsp_ntfI/AAAAAAAADns/0KUFl1zdS0A/new%20forest%20578.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_V2LiHArsadY/THAvknBGpfI/AAAAAAAADoE/P0GBWTUZVqc/new%20forest%20580.JPG

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_V2LiHArsadY/THA4r7bR_II/AAAAAAAADoQ/OJ3t2ifeR0o/new%20forest%20582.JPG

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_V2LiHArsadY/THAveKKeIYI/AAAAAAAADoA/VEciMgDWdes/new%20forest%20579.JPG

Transport of two cars of the Davos-Parsenn funicular up to 2700 m above sea level: http://la1.rsi.ch/home/networks/la1/telegiornale.html?po=266e8c3e-b574-419f-8b58-c5f792e0dabf&pos=e44c11bb-0edb-4085-9f3b-e900704bf882&date=05.09.2010&stream=low#tabEdition

The vehicle run 3.3 km/h uphill and 0.5 km/h downhill, the cars were too heavy (17 tonnes) to be transported with an helicopter.

Trucking the antennae (100 tons each) of ALMA astronomic facility on site, at almost 5000m of altitude in the Chilean Andes:
http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2009/09/alma-telescope/

Due to extreme altitude, vehicles are pressurized.

I've read regular combustion engines don't work very well at altitudes over 4.000 meters.

I've read regular combustion engines don't work very well at altitudes over 4.000 meters.

Here are the specs of ALMA Transporters:
http://www.eso.org/sci/publications/messenger/archive/no.132-jun08/messenger-no132-23.pdf

They don't explain it very well, they just say that they are equipped with 2 500kW diesel engines, functioning at 320kW at 5000m.

There is only about 60% of normal atmospheric pressure at 4000 m. Still, engines do work, but power output is reduced compared to normal altitudes (no different as with people).

Trucks on the waiting line for the Paranagua's Harbour in southern Brazil.

They transport soybeans for 2,000 kilometers and have to wait lines of 15 kilometers in a 40 C weather.

http://www.radiosorriso.com.br/medias/photo/09_02_2010_08_14_39.jpg

Brazilian trucks again
Vw
http://www.intelog.net/Imagens/vwftrucks2008.jpg
Scania
http://www.vilelaecastro.com.br/bitrend.jpg

http://blogcaminhao.mercedes-benz.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/IMG_78981.jpg

http://globorural.globo.com/edic/295/caminhao.jpg

http://www.parana-online.com.br/media/uploads/2008/outubro/29-10-08/caminhao291008.jpg

vw
http://www.transportadoradinamica.com.br/site/veiculos/fotos_g/5.jpg

http://www.canaldotransporte.com.br/volvosadiavanderfrigo.jpg

http://www.novonordeste.com.br/pics/conhecanos/foto06.jpg

http://www.3rba.com.br/galeria/caminhao3r

http://www.guiropa.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/carreta02.jpg

http://www.cowboysdoasfalto.com.br/garagem/petrobras_quer_paz/img02.jpg
http://www.janna.com.br/fotos/tanque.jpg

http://www.tottalmarketing.com/upload/Trio-claudia-leite_021_8bc0e5.jpg

http://images.orkut.com/orkut/albums2/ATgAAADrLJX-BDlWOzy8ArH3oAQoAa-9sMKM4Mino5_JjNbgTRxN6Lau8ZK5tBpKhTJs9gbtnAFCy0RAyXdIBWvoelGYAJtU9VBCUKwadrkt4QBBUWFBOrb6k0ow0w.jpg

http://images02.olx.com.br/ui/3/64/07/58645707_1.jpg



http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_VPFIzicVG4M/TDTKV3_EJzI/AAAAAAAAAJQ/DBb4GAF9yEA/s1600/wallpaper_7_800_600.jpg

http://esporte.ig.com.br/grandepremio/images/419/168/67/2987381.marcos_gomes_e_o_caminhao_grande_premio_375_500.jpg

http://blog.caramez.com.br/up/c/ca/blog.caramez.com.br/img/.resized_Imagem1.jpg

http://www.motorpasion.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/caminhao-matheis.jpg

http://www.arizonagrupo.com.br/img/fotos/pracha.jpg

http://images02.olx.com.br/ui/6/65/35/1278428570_18206035_1-Fotos-de--TRANSPORTES-DE-CARGAS-1278428570.jpg

http://www.torque4.com.br/EVENTOS/expedicao2008/carreta%20(4).jpg

http://www.notransito.com/wp-content/gallery/maserati-quattroporte-2/_dsc2001.jpg

brazil could do with some railroads...

Yep, trucking bulk goods (like sugarcane or soybeans) thousands of kilometers is not very efficient.

We know, it's just the lobby of the automoblistic industry from the US, Germany and others that always corrupted our week governament to stop building new railways... and keep selling trucks, cars.
The results? Nowadays more than 70% of our economy depend on roads to keep moving... our products cost more than it should.. and rich countries keep getting wealthier and we still stuck in this third world misery... we just don't take advantage of our potential.

Another LZV (Long, Heavy Truck) with three containers.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4144/5012052588_d3d3f10c43_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5012052588/)
LZV (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5012052588/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr


A Mack truck working as a shock absorber to prevent collisions between cars and road workers at emergency repairs.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5011449811_a1b7777b41_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5011449811/)
Mack (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5011449811/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

What is the central axe on the first photo?

They need to lift certain axles to comply with axle load regulation. They can now divide the weight of the truck over the right axles. For example, if the containers are empty (which looks like it), they lift certain axles. If it is heavy, they need to drop more axles to prevent damage to the pavement.

Thank you. This system is common, but I have never seen an axle so spaced from the others on the rear (maybe because it is steering?).

I think the last two containers are on one individual trailer. This type of trailer is not commonly used for other purposes than LZV.

The first vehicle is a normal truck with 3 axles. Then there is certainly an indipendent dolly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_(trailer)), and then this strange 1+3 axles trailer. The "medium" axle may also be used only to park the trailer when there isn't the dolly, just like this (http://images03.olx.it/ui/2/95/50/19889550_1.jpg).

It doesn't look like a dolly to me. LZV's with dolly's do exist, but this seems to be a mega trailer of 12 - 13 m length.

Look at the layout-sticker on the back:
http://img834.imageshack.us/img834/4428/lzvnodolly.jpg

We know, it's just the lobby of the automoblistic industry from the US, Germany and others that always corrupted our week governament to stop building new railways... and keep selling trucks, cars.
The results? Nowadays more than 70% of our economy depend on roads to keep moving... our products cost more than it should.. and rich countries keep getting wealthier and we still stuck in this third world misery... we just don't take advantage of our potential.

Interesting. If such a big country can't go on it's own way of development, that's a pity.

The first vehicle is a normal truck with 3 axles. Then there is certainly an indipendent dolly (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_(trailer)), and then this strange 1+3 axles trailer. The "medium" axle may also be used only to park the trailer when there isn't the dolly, just like this (http://images03.olx.it/ui/2/95/50/19889550_1.jpg).

I was a bit confused about the 4th axle of the trailer as well, but the orange-yellow plate in the middle betrays that this trailer must be splitable. You'll see that sometimes with sea containers too, when there are 2 20 ft's loaded on one chassis. Nice piece of technique. :)

brazilian trucks
http://images02.olx.com.br/ui/2/02/49/32099349_1.jpg


My eyes! I can't see those hearts unless it says "Frigo" below!

Interesting. If such a big country can't go on it's own way of development, that's a pity.


Welcome to the third world, or the 'real world' considering that the majority of the world's population live on this condition.
Those things are slowly changing, wait a few more decades and you will see.

A pity is what humans can do with humans.. in such a big proportion such as europe did with africans, south americans....

My eyes! I can't see those hearts unless it says "Frigo" below!
:lol::lol:

http://adoropromocoes.zip.net/images/kibon.JPG

Frigo es española, en brasil llama Kibon=quebuen

My eyes! I can't see those hearts unless it says "Frigo" below!

hmmm Algida in Poland :D

http://www.i-jedynka.pl/images/produkty/2008030411_Algida_1L.jpg

^^ In Italy is also Algida. In France is Miko and in Portugal Olá. I continue on the roadside rest area.

Usual road trains in Australia are up to 4 trailers long. However, the Granite Gold Mine in the Northern Territory runs 7-trailer road trains on private property (hence not limited by government regulations). These are called "powertrains", and they have an additional engine unit.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/9779/bulkhaulroadtrain.jpg

http://img689.imageshack.us/img689/7935/kversionroadtrain.png

^^ :crazy:. Once, I saw a photo with a truck with some 20-30 trailers, I don't remember.

Yes, those are guiness book of records attempts. I believe the record is 112 trailers. However, these are not actually used in transport. The K-variant of the road train (pictured above) is the longest truck combination in use in the world, but not legal on public roads. (they operate on private property of the mine, and drive a 100 km round-trip. They substitute dump trucks).

^^ :crazy:. Once, I saw a photo with a truck with some 20-30 trailers, I don't remember.
I know when I took my air brakes course, the instructor mentioned that in some Dutch/Danish container ports, there are trains of up to 20, 20 foot long, close coupled container trailers. Not legal on the road of course, but effective at moving a lot of short containers around.

Apparently, there was a trial in the UK with 90 meter trucks. Not sure if this pic is fake (parked trailers it seems)

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4146/4845867349_95bb2f1c29_z.jpg

^^ Definately parked. I don't see any dolly's and the 'legs' of the trailers are all put down.

I know when I took my air brakes course, the instructor mentioned that in some Dutch/Danish container ports, there are trains of up to 20, 20 foot long, close coupled container trailers. Not legal on the road of course, but effective at moving a lot of short containers around.

I used to be at the container termainals in Rotterdam quite often in 2008, but I haven't seen them that long. More like 5 of 6 40ft's. For example here (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=nl&geocode=&q=markweg+131,+rotterdam&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=31.095668,86.572266&ie=UTF8&hq=markweg+131,&hnear=Rotterdam,+Zuid-Holland,+Nederland&ll=51.953366,4.055339&spn=0.000737,0.002642&t=k&z=19), at the Delta Terminal on the Maasvlakte.

A nice ecocombi combination I spotted on the A1 motorway. This configuration is rather unusual. These are probably used for voluminous transport with not too much weight considering the low number of axles.

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4153/5202437452_e686b33b6e_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5202437452/)
LZV 25,25 m (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5202437452/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

More Australian hardware

Flickr Adze45
http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/9220/truck1j.jpg

http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2210/truck2x.jpg

http://img152.imageshack.us/img152/7916/truck3.jpg

http://img541.imageshack.us/img541/5982/truck4.jpg

http://img831.imageshack.us/img831/6866/truck5.jpg

http://img189.imageshack.us/img189/922/truck6p.jpg

This one is in Melbourne
http://img829.imageshack.us/img829/7193/truck7.jpg

http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/2782/truck8p.jpg

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/5508/truck9.jpg

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/5694/truck100.jpg




some Australian fire trucks:


http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/7122/fire1c.jpg

http://img683.imageshack.us/img683/3568/fire2f.jpg

http://img696.imageshack.us/img696/6641/fire3i.jpg

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7421/fire4j.jpg

http://img585.imageshack.us/img585/7461/fire5.jpg

Australian Trucks

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/7271/1013ceconkww900sidetipp.jpg

http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/207/daf1.jpg

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/7178/daf2g.jpg

http://img818.imageshack.us/img818/4283/daf3.jpg

http://img59.imageshack.us/img59/2936/iveco2.jpg

http://img444.imageshack.us/img444/7198/iveco.jpg

http://img809.imageshack.us/img809/7923/mack2.jpg

http://img97.imageshack.us/img97/252/mackb.jpg

http://img219.imageshack.us/img219/8080/truckjam.jpg

border of Krasnoyarsk krai and Tuva, Siberia
mITEzkl3KIM

http://1.2.3.9/bmi/img59.imageshack.us/img59/2936/iveco2.jpg
Some panels of this nosed Iveco are shared with regular Stralis sold in Europe. Compare doors, for instance.
http://1.2.3.10/bmi/upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/5d/Iveco_Stralis_ITOY_2003.jpgwiki

Polish trucks in Kazakhstan
L7FSpf_o6Z4
kmkc7BNfRqA
_0yH7yBCeeY

hardcore siberian trucking:

http://b.imagehost.org/0655/240859.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0655/240859)

http://b.imagehost.org/0523/240861.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0523/240861)

http://b.imagehost.org/0872/240909.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0872/240909)

http://b.imagehost.org/0504/240917.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0504/240917)

http://d.imagehost.org/0348/240863.jpg (http://d.imagehost.org/view/0348/240863)

http://b.imagehost.org/0797/240933.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0797/240933)

http://b.imagehost.org/0965/240963.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0965/240963)

http://b.imagehost.org/0036/240893.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0036/240893)

http://b.imagehost.org/0423/240855.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0423/240855)

http://b.imagehost.org/0575/13_1.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0575/13_1)

http://b.imagehost.org/0303/12_10.jpg (http://b.imagehost.org/view/0303/12_10)

http://d.imagehost.org/0636/6_4.jpg (http://d.imagehost.org/view/0636/6_4)

Trip to Sweden
po_-uKeVSmw
Trip to Spain
UWCn3Y4iX1g

Polish trucks in Kazakhstan
L7FSpf_o6Z4
kmkc7BNfRqA
_0yH7yBCeeY

3000 km from home - that's a real trucking! :cheers:

That's true. This is real trucking. I watched these videos with kind of jealousy.

Then buy a truck and get out drivin'

It is not necessary to buy a big truck,
for the begining you can repeat the journey of these guys.
LODZ-MAGADAN 12 000 km
http://maps.google.ru/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=%D0%9B%D0%BE%D0%B4%D0%B7%D1%8C,+%D0%9F%D0%BE%D0%BB%D1%8C%D1%88%D0%B0&daddr=%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD%D1%81%D0%BA%D0%B0%D1%8F+%D0%BE%D0%B1%D0%BB%D0%B0%D1%81%D1%82%D1%8C,+%D0%9C%D0%B0%D0%B3%D0%B0%D0%B4%D0%B0%D0%BD&hl=ru&geocode=%3BFeDBjAMdmDn9CCnpSlItgYRpWTFbBpzh50zJOQ&mra=ls&sll=56.069184,84.067612&sspn=74.135344,155.742188&ie=UTF8&ll=55.776573,85.429688&spn=74.555939,155.742188&z=3
2rvXPEZbwJ0
W07861t8hZ0
k5eEuMudgHE

hardcore siberian trucking:
Definitely a candidate for History Channel's show "Ice Road Truckers." They swapped their parkas, for the deadliest roads in Nepal, for the new season.
3000 km from home - that's a real trucking! :cheers:
I'm curious to know why the driver was repeating the name of a ranch in Colorado. :dunno: Interesting to see how much the landscape there, looks like areas where I am. :)

3000 km from home - that's a real trucking! :cheers:

Depends. Northern Scandinavia is also some 3.000 kilometers, and for an American, Canadian or Australian trucker it means halfway through the country. Of course, Kazakhstan is a different caliber than Canada or Australia.

Depends. Northern Scandinavia is also some 3.000 kilometers, and for an American, Canadian or Australian trucker it means halfway through the country. Of course, Kazakhstan is a different caliber than Canada or Australia.
I was actually referring to the vids of the Polish truckers. There's a lot of similarities between Kazakhstan (I think that's where they were.) and the southern interior of British Columbia, Canada . Right down to the crappy (not including the washboard [corrugations] gravel road.

Aktau is a city of 190,000 inhabitants and this is the only road to the rest of Kazakhstan:
http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/13796979.jpg

http://commondatastorage.googleapis.com/static.panoramio.com/photos/original/22566583.jpg

No, they're SOS lots, because Italian shoulders are not wide enough to accomodate trucks, and they're usually not safe for cars too, because Italian motorway usually have guardrails or barriers right next to the small shoulder. But if there's no alternative for those truckers, I can understand they have to use them.

The alternative is to keep on driving and the chances of getting caught for exceeding hours of service is quite big, because of the digital tagographs they have these days. Truckers can be fined up to 4 weeks after the violation 2000 kilometers away.

I've seen exactly the same situation many times in Germany as well.
The point is that countries like Italy depend sooo much to trucking and there is no enough space to fill those means along motorways.

No way! Moreover, a lot of times motorways cannot be widened more than the actual size (usually even building the third lane becomes a nightmare).

Italy is a tiny country, compared to its actual population and its obvious need for transportation required for an industrialized country.
Not to mention that flat lands cover just the 23% of the entire territory (= another big challenge).

The country seriously needs a development in terms of rail transportation (which is a merely political matter).

Then buy a truck and get out drivin'

Hah, but even now Piotr71 is everywhere ;) :cheers:

Here are some pics of my own from British Columbia, Canada.

A typical tractor trailer:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4123/4791354903_7631c51615_b.jpg


A couple dump trucks:

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4098/4884042946_8c104884e0_b.jpg


Sorry I don't have more, as i usually wait for trucks to get out of the way to take a picture, haha!

Cheers

Tallin - Sofia
qjmS9zo37Wg
cX5I7FSWw8M
CewQz1FnQRs

Definitely a candidate for History Channel's show "Ice Road Truckers." They swapped their parkas, for the deadliest roads in Nepal, for the new season.

yea... too bad they don't know about us)

but i know video about trucking there :

s10Hd48ijZ4

Trucking in Missouri:

This is trucking. Not those cattle cabs we call trucks in Europe.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4148/5059691653_c3af42384f_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059691653/)
D5271_CM-24 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059691653/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

The classic American truck.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4113/5060303632_bfd8817eb4_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060303632/)
D5271_CM-16 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060303632/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

Huge exhaust pipes.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4111/5059699517_9ca21a7b88_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059699517/)
D5271_CM-65 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059699517/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

Aerodynamic conventionals
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4083/5060319238_9f1759057a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060319238/)
D5271_CM-93 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060319238/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

A tanker yanker with a cab-over design.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5059700629_3a906ca8da_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059700629/)
D5271_CM-69 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059700629/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

These cabs should be allowed in Europe too! Time to remove the tight total length restrictions.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4126/5059712773_faf015284a_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059712773/)
D5271_CM-130 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059712773/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

Mountain trucking.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4149/5060287770_987945dfe3_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060287770/)
D5271_CM-24 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5060287770/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

An old-school cab-over. These lost popularity in the 1970's. I wonder if their gas mileage is higher.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4145/5059711775_3291603417_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059711775/)
D5271_CM-119 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059711775/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

Gearjammers with Volvos seem common.
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4130/5059670671_558ee8d685_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059670671/)
D5271_CM-3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/modot/5059670671/) by MoDOT Photos (http://www.flickr.com/people/modot/), on Flickr

Awww... No Western Star trucks Chris?

I've noticed that in the last 3 years or so, that there has been an increase of late model cabovers on the highways of BC. Freightliner ran the Argosy model on North America for a while, but are now only available in Russia, Australia/New Zealand and I THINK, South Africa. Day Cab cabovers come into their own in city driving, due to the short length.

An old-school cab-over. These lost popularity in the 1970's. I wonder if their gas mileage is higher.

Well, considering that they have the aerodynamic profile of a flying brick, I think not. Consider the Jeep Wrangler - generally, a smaller vehicle, from which better MPG would be expected than most 4x4s, but my uncle has one and it gets HORRIBLE gas mileage, I don't know the exact numbers but I'd guess it'd be below 15. And it's also shaped like a flying brick. (It's got a manual transmission and he does like to shift at higher RPMs than is advised, this is also probably a major factor)

Apparently, cab-overs are more economic than those square-shaped conventionals because the latter have even more drag. The more aerodynamic conventionals seem to be better than cab-overs. Adding side skirts to the trailer can also improve mileage.

These cabs should be allowed in Europe too! Time to remove the tight total length restrictions.

I hope not! (http://www.nomegatrucks.eu/)

^^ Sad site. People don't know what they're talking about (as usual). I was mainly talking about larger cabs to allow truckers to have more living space.

The anti truck lobby are a bunch or stupid unrealistic whiners. The same type of people who complain the most if things are not in stock at the supermarket.

We need larger trucks. They're more economical and slash truck movements by 30%. Switzerland itself is the least environmentally sensible country in Europe when it comes to trucking. Their tolls are so high that 30% extra mileage is still cheaper than driving through Switzerland.* They think the trucks switch to rail, but in reality they simply drive longer distances, burn more fuel and emit more pollutants to bypass the ridiculous tolls in the country. The Swiss truck toll is two times higher than in Austria, 3.5 times higher than in Germany and 4 times higher than in Italy.

* On the Frankfurt - Milano route (600 km) it is cheaper to drive via München and Verona (950 km). That's 350 more truck kilometers due to the Swiss tolls. The Austrians are very thankful for that.

^^ Sad site. People don't know what they're talking about (as usual). I was mainly talking about larger cabs to allow truckers to have more living space.

I was unsure about the sense of your phrase, also because I can't see pictures from this computer.

But this doesn't change the basic idea that megatrucks are still dangerous: they are not intented for local distribution, for longer trips, it's better to send semitrailers or containers alone by train or by ship (even on inland waterways, like the Netherlands do, with a very good 40% share or so).

For a Frankfurt-Milano trip a truck could use the Freiburg-Novara RoLa, or sending only the semitrailer (that would be better if only there was a higher clearance on swiss and italian railways).

Anyway even the ASTAG (swiss truck lobby) and some italian truck drivers, as I can read, oppose because of both the cost to adapt roads and the loss of working places.

The Swiss truck toll is two times higher than in Austria, 3.5 times higher than in Germany and 4 times higher than in Italy.

But for a comparable lenght (Basel-Chiasso, 300 km) it's still less than the combination A40+T1 Mont Blanc+A5 or A43+T4 Fréjus+A32.

Most anti "mega trucks" people suggest that these mega trucks are a problem. Why are these a problem? They will be limited to major routes, mostly motorways and industrial areas. You really will not find them supplying your local supermarket or driving through your residential street or school zone. Hence, the "problems" are hugely blown out of proportion. It really doesn't matter if you pass an 18.5 m or 25.25 m truck on the motorway.

That's another the problem - they are in competition on long distance routes, and for these trains and ships are better. On these distances the train can be competitive - some services like Hupac proves that.

So, what's wrong with market economy? Let them truckers roll! :D

If rail freight was really that competitive, you wouldn't need weight/length restrictions on trucks.

http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5126/5341717430_7bc4d98b61_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quarterdeck/5341717430/sizes/l/in/pool-849690@N25/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5250/5338137534_43f5ec1d54_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quarterdeck/5338137534/sizes/l/in/pool-849690@N25/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5283/5335559618_b3c5ab6af8_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quarterdeck/5335559618/sizes/l/in/pool-849690@N25/
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5089/5334945616_85f1266a60_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/quarterdeck/5334945616/sizes/l/in/pool-849690@N25/
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4129/5212474500_7f5db78aee_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/49586019@N04/5212474500/sizes/l/in/pool-849690@N25/

So, what's wrong with market economy? Let them truckers roll! :D

If rail freight was really that competitive, you wouldn't need weight/length restrictions on trucks.

Rail freight suffer of lack of capacity on some lines (Germany, parts of the Gotthard and Brenner railway), difference of gauge obliging to tranship goods (Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Finland, ex-URSS), small loading gauge and excessive Eurotunnel tolls (Britain), inefficiency and auto-sabotage by railways themselves (Italy), lack of competition (France, partly Italy)...all problems unknown by road (except saturation).

When these restrictions doesn't apply rail can sometimes be cheaper, even when one would not think so, like a France-Barcellona grain traffic switching from road to rail in Canfranc (near the Somport tunnel), because it is cheaper, even if from Canfranc onwards there are very good roads or motorways, and before the horrible french N134.

It's true that in America the larger trucks are most common on highways and do not directly drive to most supermarkets. For that, smaller trucks similar in size to trucks common in Europe (but still shaped like the larger trucks) are used.

Back on a computer with a decend connection I can post some curiosities I have seen. Photos are of a bad quality but still curious.

A truck rescuing another truck.

http://img442.imageshack.us/img442/7198/dsc09185w.jpg
http://img573.imageshack.us/img573/6195/dsc09186c.jpg

A trailer carrying a "crane" (I don't know the exact word) to hel unloading the truck.

http://img145.imageshack.us/img145/8707/dsc09188s.jpg

A snow vehicle.

http://img13.imageshack.us/img13/415/dsc09216m.jpg

New trucks.

http://img130.imageshack.us/img130/9268/dsc09509e.jpg
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/8384/dsc09510x.jpg

Short trailer, but with three axles. May it be one of the extensible trailers sfor containers?

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/1226/dsc09511v.jpg

Single axle trailer.

http://img826.imageshack.us/img826/7083/dsc09512j.jpg

And finally a trailer with a strange wheel arrangement.

http://img717.imageshack.us/img717/2151/dsc09516z.jpg

A trailer carrying a "crane" (I don't know the exact word) to hel unloading the truck

Forklift is one name

Australia

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/9603/tr01.jpg

http://img824.imageshack.us/img824/2821/tr1yd.jpg

http://img841.imageshack.us/img841/1642/tr02y.jpg

http://img262.imageshack.us/img262/2954/tr2s.jpg

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/1817/tr03u.jpg

http://img39.imageshack.us/img39/2045/tr04.jpg

http://img692.imageshack.us/img692/5282/tr4j.jpg

http://img339.imageshack.us/img339/3849/tr5q.jpg

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/4728/tr6i.jpg

^^ Yes, but these forklifts are especially made to be transported on the back of the trailer. I know the dutch word for it, which is kooiaap (litterally translated: cagemonkey :lol:) I know they're often used here for distribution to hardware stores.

Short trailer, but with three axles. May it be one of the extensible trailers sfor containers?

Looks like a normal 20ft container chassis, but I don't know about the weird thing in the front of the trailer. Looking at the position of the axles, I don't think it will be extensible.

I hope not!

Allowing larger cabs (with same trailer sizes) won't hurt the train and shipping sector. But even with larger trailers, as already said, it's called market economy. But I don't think it's usefull to discuss that with you. ;)

Cabover or torpedotrucks don't make the difference btw: If I could choose between a torpedotruck with small sleeping compartment or a cabover with 2 meters of extra space I'd definitely would choose the last. :)

I think maximum lenght has already been increased from ~17 to 18.75 m. Is this true also for the motor vehicles or only the complex tractor+semitrailer?

18.75 m is only for auto trailers. Regular semi-tractor + trailer is still 16.5 meters.

^^ Any combination of box-truck + small trailer is allowed to be 18.75 long, not just car trailers. Generally this means a increase of 1.60m in loading length (15.20m vs. 13.60m for regular semitrailers).

Yes, you're right. However, this does not really increase the amount of tonnage I believe. First you cannot transport long elements and the small distance between the box truck and the trailer cannot be used for storage, which means the effective loading space doesn't increase very much.

^^ There's also a amount of space between a tractor and a semitrailer, it barely differs. ;)
However, there are other disadvantages compared to a regular semi-trailer:

- total weight is a little higher (so there's a little less loading weight)
- loading/unloading needs uncoupling and 2 free docks (unless there's a through-loading system, which is quite expensive and not always practical)
- coupling and uncoupling demands more precision from the driver
- both box-truck and trailer need to be loaded/unloaded before driving off, while you easily can uncouple a semitrailer and couple an other one

Another advantage of semitrailers :) (http://www.pezzaioli.it/en/content/view/37/107/)

^^ Yes, but these forklifts are especially made to be transported on the back of the trailer. I know the dutch word for it, which is kooiaap (litterally translated: cagemonkey :lol:) I know they're often used here for distribution to hardware stores.

Those are seen occasionally in my area, I don't really know what to call them other than a forklift.

A trailer carrying a "crane" (I don't know the exact word) to hel unloading the truck.


In England they call it "Moffet truck".

It's a forklift that's been specially built to be carried on the back of a truck or trailer in that fashion. The DIY chain Home Hardware and I believe Home Depot has them on some of their trucks.

Another advantage of semitrailers :) (http://www.pezzaioli.it/en/content/view/37/107/)

Not every semitrailer is suitable for the HUPAC-system, they need to be modified for that. Apart from that, transfering regular sea containers is a more efficient way for using intermodal transport.

There are some prototypes of cranes that "hang" the semitrailers using, on one side, the wheels. I don't know how is the other side attached, but they are supposed to be usable with nearly any trailer.

There are other more expensive systems like the Modalohr, or some other similar systems still under test.

Containers and swap bodies are still the best systems but not everyone can, or want, to use them.

An unsuccesful system has been the roadrailer (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RoadRailer), that used strenghtened semitraler capable to mount rail boogies and to resist the bigger forces of a train. In Europe they were known as "kombirail".

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Roadrailer_Detroit107_MI.jpg/800px-Roadrailer_Detroit107_MI.jpg

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/c/c2/Amtrak_Mark_V_RoadRailer_-_tailgate_end.jpg

Megaswing (http://www.kockumsindustrier.se/products/freight/Intermodal/Megaswing.htm) system, loading (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIwXPvGXnho) and unloading (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ix_x1xUiumc).

That is a very nice piece of technique, but I don't think that there's a lot of future for these things. It will be too expensive.

It's probable, the Roadrailer system proves that. A way to charge unmodified semitrailers on Hupac-style wagons would be better. As I said something like this is under study.

I was thinking, maybe it would be nice to show some specialities in trucking, since there's so much difference between the types of work and types of vehicles. I've done many different things in truck driving the last 3 years, so I can give you some background information. :)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/12/Roadrailer_Detroit107_MI.jpg/800px-Roadrailer_Detroit107_MI.jpg
Wonder how long the air line in the pic lasted. That's a lousy way to route it, since it's at high risk of rubbing on the rail bogie's wheel.

Army trucking in the Netherlands:

1.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5211/5384327735_79d7fded50_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327735/)
army truck-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327735/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

2. This picture isn't zoomed and he kind of cut me off here.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5212/5384931978_026cc20e3b_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384931978/)
army truck-2 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384931978/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

3.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5217/5384327861_e88e0da452_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327861/)
army truck-3 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327861/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

4.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5384932124_b4f4ef5987_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384932124/)
army truck-4 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384932124/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

5.
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5220/5384327991_05edc0983f_o.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327991/)
army truck-5 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/chriszwolle/5384327991/) by Chriszwolle (http://www.flickr.com/people/chriszwolle/), on Flickr

Brazilian trucks:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_o-meoFmBhmk/TK_LbNxTWLI/AAAAAAAACuM/GWMW1J3RYec/s1600/642+-+BITREM+BRANCO+PORTA+CONTAINER+VOLVO.jpg

http://www.satlog.com.br/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/blog.jpg

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_o-meoFmBhmk/TKvIAZy9GLI/AAAAAAAACmE/mu7VQ7JIAv8/s1600/243+-+RODOTREM+CINZA+GRANELEIRO+SCANIA.JPG

http://www.rossetti.com.br/produtos/semirreboque-basculante/basculante-rodotrem/rodotrem-basculante1.jpg

http://www.rodotecnica.com.br/fotos/R2.jpg

http://www.transportabrasil.com.br/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/rodotrem.jpg

That's what we call as roadtrain(or "rodotrem", in Portuguese) in Brazil.
:)

^^ European style

^^ Yeah, in Brazil most of the trucks are in European "style". Major brands(heavyweight trucks) are: Volkswagen(now MAN Latin America), Scania, Volvo, Iveco, Mercedes-Benz, and most recently MAN.

Swiss trucks: http://www.specialtrucks.ch/001_olafs-nfz-seite/010_nfz_schweizer_oem/010-01_nfz-naw/011_naw_startseite.html

Single axle semitrailer:

http://img14.imageshack.us/img14/2481/dsc00185ut.jpg (http://img14.imageshack.us/i/dsc00185ut.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Saurer:

http://img687.imageshack.us/img687/3787/dsc09980ak.jpg (http://img687.imageshack.us/i/dsc09980ak.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

Steyr:

http://img703.imageshack.us/img703/4432/dsc09982e.jpg (http://img703.imageshack.us/i/dsc09982e.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)

An old Saurer (I suppose) truck used as snowplow. Note the steering wheel on the right to allow a better view of the side of the road.

http://www.trambus.org/foto/svizzera/2011_01_23_lucomagno_oberalp/DSC09650.JPG

A Rolba snowplow.

http://www.trambus.org/foto/svizzera/2011_01_23_lucomagno_oberalp/DSC09678.JPG

(all photos taken in January-February 2011)

A "lateral" forklift.

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/3230/dsc00194l.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/7620/dsc00198o.jpg

Strange way to park a trailer!

http://img143.imageshack.us/img143/4063/dsc00196j.jpg

(all photos taken in an Alptransit Gotthard worksite in February 2011)