LoggyDriver

Sorry to hear about your troubles mate. Is there not a scrappy near you that you can get the part from?

Still only a dusting here. I had to go to a Naval base in Gosport this morning though and they have about 5 inches down there..

I've not done a test at VOSA where a Tapley meter is needed. All the MOT's I've done are modern artics. They have never gone into the cab when I've been there, not even to check the seat belts etc. Maybe they ask you to drive round the side and slam the brakes on?

My Surf is heavy, probably not as heavy as the Defender 110 though, but it has very wide AT tyres and even in 4x4 mode is pretty dodgy especially being an auto. The Defender has 7.50x16 tyres that are narrower and as they are new XZL's plenty of meat. I haven't tried these on snow yet but if they are anything like the XCL's then they would be pretty good in snow.

We had a tiny amount here this morning, but now there isn't any despite slight snow all day. Looks like we are going to miss out again as usual...

VOSA don't get into the vehicle when it's tested, it's up to the driver to move the vehicle and perform the brake, light and steering controls.

I take it that was in your Surf? We haven't got any snow here, but if we get some and it's deep I'm taking the Land Rover to work. The Surf has too much power and feels light in the snow, wheel spinning everywhere even in 4x4 mode. Hope you haven't done too much damage to your truck!

My point Neil is that at least it shows you got off your ar*e and got some work rather than sponging on the State. In these hard times there are a lot of people that can't get a job that they were doing before they were made unemployed. Back in the early 90's before the last recession I was a VERY well paid Tower Crane Driver. I was earning more then than I am now. Take into account inflation and the fact I was living at home with my parents and I was positively rolling in it. Then the recession happened and the firm went bust. I had to retrain in a totally different job, Landscaping and Forestry. My money was cut by two thirds overnight. But better that than being on the dole. I never did get back on the Cranes as my licence ran out about a month after I joined the Army. Two months later I was offered a job in the Bahamas for two years.... Typical.:-|

Have you got the service schedule for the DROPS? There are dozens of grease nipples on the truck and ideally you need an air operated greasing system. When you are dropping/picking up the flat rack how are you doing it? You are supposed to use the different switch positions for the LHS but it can be done quicker just leaving it in position 1. Paint the top of the A frame where the hook engages white. Lubricate the surface of the rear rollers with oil to stop the rust. Don't drag the flat rack. When it's in the air use the hand brake, then release as soon as it touches down (or apply when it lifts off) Have you noticed the manouvering brake on the cab floor?

All original Snatches are V8's. Yes there are lots of "fake - replica" vehicles on the show scene. The vehicle that this thread was aimed at was this Snatch, not the hundreds of others. The issue was the information board that was misleading, not the vehicle. This has been resolved if you have read the whole thread, so I fail to see why it's being dragged up again???

Yes it does have a dual (split) brake system. That's why then...

Hello John, Thanks for that mate. I will see what they offer. The trouble is they ask all these questions about what "extras" you have like heated grips etc but until I actually buy it I haven't got a clue. I'm going to try Footman James as I have my Military Vehicle insurance through them and they may do me a good deal? The BMW quote isn't bad I suppose considering the bike will be brand new, kept outside and I don't have any no claims (for a bike anyway). I was hoping for around £200.

I'm looking at buying a BMW F800GS for commuting to work. So far I've phoned for quotes from BMW's insurance (who use a normal broker) and Carol Nash. BMW's was £298 fully comp with all the usual extras like breakdown, European cover, helmet and leathers etc. Bike would be parked outside (no garage) brand new (£8,000) an no no claims on a bike. Does this sound good? Going to try go compair etc and see what I can get it down to.

Get used to changing bulbs. You will get through headlight and rear bulbs like you had shares in Lucas. They won't do more than 50 but do that speed fully loaded. The tyres wont last long as they wear unevenly. Have you got the information for correct load restraint of strapping vehicles to the flat rack (yes there is a right and wrong way of doing it). They are a good truck when they work. I was a DROPS specialist in two DROPS Transport Regiments. I lived in one for a week at Longparish training area as it broke down and I had to wait for recovery. Also had one dump all it's gearbox oil at Fleet Services.

So where does that leave Jap 4x4's then? My Hilux has a twist and release parking brake that cannot be released gradually. You twist and it releases, it can't be done gradually. My vehicle passed an IVA and it's MOT every year.

Hello mate, My Surf is insured with Roadsure. They are all same as same as mostly. Thanks for the thought though.

Just had my renewal through for the Bedford and Land Rover. I think it was around £110 last year. The quote for this year has gone up to £153:shocked: I know it's still cheap but considering the total price of years gone by that's a massive increase. I can't be bothered shopping around for that price, but if it goes up like that again next year I will be looking around. I'm with Footman James. Has anyone else seen such a big hike in their premiums???

That's good news mate. It's better to be in work doing anything than out of work doing nothing. At least it will look better when you apply for another job.

Yes you need a full bike licence to ride a bike, with or without sidecar. Trikes and quads can be driven on a car licence. Not sure where you stand regarding driven sidecar units, but I wouldn't have thought it would be classed as a trike as the sidecar would be joined onto the bike where as a trike is an integeral unit. I've got my full bike licence. I'm looking at buying a BMW F800GS in the near future for commuting. Will need to test ride it first though to see if I like it.

Foden Wreckers on Friday with "Driver under training" boards on the front of the trucks, some with empty trailers.

I used to spend many a long night concreting when I was a Tower Crane Driver. It's like Pringles, once you start you just can't stop.

Same as above. You will need to book the vehicle in at a VOSA station. Go to the local DVLA office and get half a dozen D55 (incase you make a mistake) and try and get an operational manual for the RB44 so that you have all the info you need to fill the form out. Make sure the vehicle is fitted with a Weight Data Plate so VOSA can check it and know what the max weights for the axles are. I think it's permanent 4x4 so make sure they DO NOT put it on the rolling road brake tester. When you turn up at VOSA there is an IN LANE. Park up behind the other vehicles waiting for test. You don't have to let them know your there, but I would go into the office and just let them know your there and explain that it's the vehicles first test. Then go back to your vehicle and wait. It's not like a normal MOT. You will need to do all the vehicle controls. They will call you in and check the lights etc. Then you will be put over the pit where they get to work with their little hammer. Make sure the examiner is aware it's Permanent 4x4 and has a Transmission Handbrake. They will test the brakes with a tapley meter and put the vehicle on a large ramp to test the handbrake. When the test is finished the guy will go into the office and come out with a MOT certificate and as it's your first time a Plating Certificate that goes inside the cab.

Why don't you contact the Tank Museum and see if they have any manuals or technical experts that are willing to help you out?

Your licence would have been upgraded to a Class two licence when the changes happened. I notice you are 48. I'm not sure, but I think all you need to do is to apply for a photocard driving licence along with a medical report from a doctor to regain your entitlement. You will also need to apply for a digicard as most new trucks have the new digital tacho. Give the DVLA a call and explain the situation to see where you stand.

I remember when Mark Cook had his VPK Lightweight it was fitted with a belly pan. When it was taken for MOT the tester couldn't test anything behind the belly pan.