Tuesday, May 29, 2007 at 12:40
Tony,
When following a truck it's not always easy to see what brand or colour the prime mover is, and as Trevor said the prime mover will likely have a different trailer on every trip, excepting some owner drivers who own their own, and a rare few company trucks, so calling the rego or signage on the trailer is no good, unless it's the actual company name, ie
Young & Land, Nolans, K & S etc.
You should see most times what sort of trailer it is, if you can't see anything else call him up by that, ie. tautliner/curtainsider, fridgevan or pantech (fridgevan without the fridge) stock truck (commonly known as stock crates) flat bed (usually with gates and tarps), float/lowloader (low trailers designed to carry heavy machinery.
Wait for a few minutes to see if you're coming up to any sort of recognisable turn offs or structures beside the highway, (not always easy on country roads I know) then call him/her up with something like... "Copy in the southbound blue tautliner in front of the white Nissan patrol, just gone past the Tannum Sands turn off ? " or use any other recognisable feature, "Copy in the northbound float with the
grader on ? "
If he doesn't answer right away, say it again as he may not have caught it the first time.
If you are in a more remote area and you haven't seen any trucks for the last 10 min or so prior to catching the one in front you needn't be as specific, they can usually tell it's someone within the immediate vicinity by the strength and clarity of your transmission, "Copy southbound in front of the white Nissan? " will usually suffice.
Once you have his attention let him know you'd like to come round whenever it's suitable for him or if he could give you a yell when it's clear, also an idea to let him know if you're in a diesel and it "might take a little to wind up" or a larger petrol which shouldn't take too long, this gives him an idea of distance required.
Once you're off and running if by some chance an oncoming vehicle appears in the distance around a corner and you're
well under way just keep the boot into it, don't back off, if the truckie has told you to come on round then he will back off if required, if you decide to panic and brake you will find he's backing off aswell, you won't be able to get back in behind him and s h i t hits the fan.
A lot of times you will hear "Keep up it mate, I'll get off it".
If your playing with a road train out west and you've only just gotten up beside the rear trailer when this happens, if you decide to back off, keep your mic in your hands whilst overtaking, just in case, and straight away let him know, "I'll back off and get in behind mate, you keep into it", that way there is no confusion.
As with most other things, common sense prevails when overtaking and don't be shy of using the two way, just talk on it like you're talking to the person sitting next to you, you just happen to be doing it via a radio is all, this is Australia in 2007, not America in the 70's :-)
Same goes for narrow, one lane bituman roads, if you see a truck coming at you and you decide to get right off the bituman to save any stone damage, (not saying you have to or you should, only if you decide to) no need to call him up as such, just come on with, "Stay on the black top mate I'll get right off" you will usually get a "thanks mate" once they're past or a wave.
Hope all this helps.
Cheers
Pezza
AnswerID:
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