[btirthankar]

some more fodder for this thread

These ones on Hide Road Kolkata

[btirthankar]

Sonardodging Trucks

Taken on NH5 during some spirited drive during BLR-CCU Nonstop Drive

Note from Mod : Broken video link removed :(

[paharino1]

For me the biggest fun in highway driving is to read the shayari on the truck's rear

Arz hai :
"Titliyan ras piti hain, bhanwara badnam hote hain...
Galti karta koi aur hai, truck waale badnam hote hain...."

" woh copy hi kya jiska cover na ho...
woh ladki hi kya jiska lover na ho..."

on the fuel tank - " khurakh mantri "

[btirthankar]

Yeterday I Drove a Fully Laden Multi-Axled Truck on NH2 for about a Kilometre for the FIRST time.



The truck had power steering and twin axles and 6 forward gears.

I managed to have a smooth drive without stalling the engine. One has to rotate the steering wheel quite much to steer and its not advisable to turn wheels lock to lock as we do in cars as then the axles have a hard time getting traction during turning maneuvers.

The gears and clutch felt like a Mahindra Armada. The brake pedal is an gas valve kind of thing and very delicate and even a slight pressure rocked the massive behemoth to a strictly arrested halt. The view from Rear view mirrors are extremely essential and useful as well.

I didn't mind having to walk back to the highway stopover I had started from, the distance I drove. But missed making them take a video of me, due to their haste.

I befriended the drivers and won their confidence by showing my Past Trip Slideshows and Videos while they had stopped over for dinner. They were enroute Ludhiana.

[ampere]

Sorry to ask, as I have no idea: Do they have ABS kind of systems? I thinks it should be mandatory.

[MileCruncher]

These trucks have Air Brakes wherein the pressure in the circuit is compressed air unlike brake fluid in cars. Hence even if there is a leak in the circuit, total brake failure doesn't happen.

Power Steering on HCVs have been made compulsory from 2004/2005 IIRC

[btirthankar]

Originally Posted by ampere

Sorry to ask, as I have no idea: Do they have ABS kind of systems? I thinks it should be mandatory.

I guess no.

but the upcoming Navistar kind of truck models may have.

[AyAn!]

Originally Posted by btirthankar

Bingo. That was it. the signage should also say - "use K&N Filters on this route at your risk"

BTW what is the Fatta Box? Is it for lying under the truck?

@btirthankar The first pic looks like Durgapur,near DVC Crossing to be precise.Is it?

[SirAlec]

its a possibility you drove 2213 or 2413. (rigid multaxle). But it has only 5 forward and 1 reverse.

are you sure it has 6 forward.

BTW abs is not needed. as they are hardly meant to be speeded above 60kmph when fully laden.

[btirthankar]

Originally Posted by SirAlec

its a possibility you drove 2213 or 2413. (rigid multaxle). But it has only 5 forward and 1 reverse.

are you sure it has 6 forward.

BTW abs is not needed. as they are hardly meant to be speeded above 60kmph when fully laden.

You are right. Its 5 forward. My incorrection.

Originally Posted by AyAn!

@btirthankar The first pic looks like Durgapur,near DVC Crossing to be precise.Is it?

yes, near DVC Crossing

[phamilyman]

I personally am a little amused when people talk of ABS for trucks.

The biggest problem most Indian trucks face is overloading. In an overloaded truck - ABS would ideally be useless (so I think - never tried driving one) because it can help maneuver instead of skidding. But load shift would ensure horrible driving dynamics anyways - so ampere bhai - you're saying its better to have the truck topple over with ABS?

My thought would be all around disc brakes but in an unstable overloaded truck - the momentum can be crazy. So no real solutions as I see it.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by ampere

Sorry to ask, as I have no idea: Do they have ABS kind of systems? I thinks it should be mandatory.

ABS is mandatory for all Tractor Trailor models and hazardous goods transporting vehicles as directed by ARAI.

Following are more bits in this.
1.The big warning Triangle you see over the windscreen is deleted instead you should have a white / yellow / red reflective tapes in Front / side / rear portion.
2.Proximity mirror on LHS for all vehicles above 16T.
3.An Internal bull bar for frontal crash safety for all vehicles with factory fitted cab.
4.The National Permit vehicles we see in southern India with Golden brown colour is not mandatory but being painted as a tradition that NP vehicles should have Brown.
5.There are noise levels for trucks and there will be a noise sheild covering the engine to maintain the same.
6.FUPD,RUPD fitment.
7.Spray supression device over the rear wheels.

[Amartya]

This is such a fantastic thread, don't know how I missed it.

I have a huge respect for truckers (unlike the hatred for Bus Drivers, specially state bus drivers), they drive these behemoths over bad roads, at crazy times of day, for not so much money. Yet, they remain oneof the nicest people on the road. I can vouch for that, having interacted with many of them over many road-trips.

One driver told me, "Itna bhari gaadi ko hum achanak se mod nahi sakte, ye choti si baat logon ko samajh kyon nahi ati?"
In English, "We cannot turn/maneuver such a heavy vehicle suddenly; why can't people understand that simple fact".

It really should be very obvious, but we (including me) have sometime or the other been impatient while trailing a truck; this tiny conversation made sure it didn't happen with me again.

[traveloholic]

Thirthankar, you always come up with cruel ideas to post your pics. Love this thread. My 5***** for this thread. Keep them coming. Would love to see more of your NH Experiences.

[Ashley2]

These are yet to be registered bunch of Tata - 3118. Myja - Group in hosur has taken 15 vehicles in a single shot. They are mostly used for Cement transportation.