I assume you mean trailer brake?
My only experience is training, no working yet. But that trailer brake came on overnight everytime. Trainer suggested it was air pressure getting low. So I would say that approaching any new unit you would check trailer brake is off as part of walk around checks. Or as normal part of coupling. But not sure why it would come on just parked for an hour? Was that the scenario?
stu675:
4.
I assume you mean trailer brake?
My only experience is training, no working yet. But that trailer brake came on overnight everytime. Trainer suggested it was air pressure getting low. So I would say that approaching any new unit you would check trailer brake is off as part of walk around checks. Or as normal part of coupling. But not sure why it would come on just parked for an hour? Was that the scenario?
Hey, trailer brake sorry. Yes, it was most likely a result of the air pressure being low I think. Maybe the pressure I used to lower the trailer onto the dock caused it. Scenario was… parked on the bay for an hour or so unloading the bottom deck. Lowered the top deck to unload that and the store’s lift stopped working so I went to move the lorry onto the next dock and the parking brake was somehow on.
Another random one I haven’t found the answer for online yet… There was a red LED lighting up and beeping on the centre of the dashboard every so often which I didn’t know what it was trying to tell me. It happened every time I was on or close to the Severn Bridge, so I wondered if it was a wind warning of some sort, but hadn’t come across one in training… I am glad the wind wasn’t as bad as it was on Saturday night with a double decker on that bridge!
rearaxle:
Since the rule change has anyone actually failed this off road 3a test I wonder?.Sent from my SM-N976B using Tapatalk
I’m hearing there are a lot of fails/potential fails for the direct-to-CE people to the point they are giving people extra tuition. Many have failed already.
I understand what you’re suggesting though.
Goff118:
[… There was a red LED lighting up and beeping on the centre of the dashboard !
Did it look like original equipment on the truck or aftermarket by Tesco?
stu675:
Goff118:
[… There was a red LED lighting up and beeping on the centre of the dashboard !Did it look like original equipment on the truck or aftermarket by Tesco?
Original equipment built into the dashboard by the looks of it. It looked like one of the little red alarm LEDs. Maybe the wind was pulling on the locked passenger side door and it was beeping thinking that someone was trying to break in, who knows.
Hi all,
Interesting to read this thread as I am also heading down this road.
Based in Kernow (Cornwall) and will be training with Driveline based near St.Austell - heard good things about them from a friend of mine that gained his Cat C recently. Aiming for C+E myself. Theory booked for the 15th and hopefully, assuming I pass, training and test in March.
Have done a lot of driving all around the UK for work in the past but nothing bigger than a sprinter van. Looking forward to getting going now tbh - its been a long wait to get to this stage.
It’s been really informative reading some of the posts on here. Congrats to all those who have gained their licence and good luck to all those who are hoping to!
Hey eezg
We are neighbours 
What are you thinking work wise once you’ve be passed?
Yep, so much waiting and looking forward. I’m in a post theory slump at the moment 
Stu675
When’s your Tesco interview?
Tuesday.
All the best with that Stu675.
I’ve got my periodic Driver CPC and practical training booked. My test is at 0815 
, so rush hour and school run result!
driveress:
All the best with that Stu675.I’ve got my periodic Driver CPC and practical training booked. My test is at 0815
Hopefully you’ll be stuck in traffic for the whole hour. [emoji23][emoji106]
driveress:
Hey eezg
We are neighbours
Yep, so much waiting and looking forward. I’m in a post theory slump at the moment
Yes just down the road!
Not certain yet about type of work but expect to stay local for a little while - get some experience and cash behind me and then probably move a little further up the line (likely still in the SW mind). Also considering a possible move abroad but that’s a way off yet - interesting research though!
Good you got your dates through - good luck!!
Goff118:
stu675:
Goff118:
[… There was a red LED lighting up and beeping on the centre of the dashboard !Did it look like original equipment on the truck or aftermarket by Tesco?
Original equipment built into the dashboard by the looks of it. It looked like one of the little red alarm LEDs. Maybe the wind was pulling on the locked passenger side door and it was beeping thinking that someone was trying to break in, who knows.
Goff118:
4. Parking brake applied itself - At my 2nd delivery the store’s primary lift stopped working, so I needed to move the truck onto their 2nd bay which thankfully worked, but as I tried moving, nothing was happening. After some horrible smells, I realised the parking brake had applied itself (not sure how). Still not sure what happened there!
Trailer brake buttons will pop out when the air pressure supply from the unit drops. Shunting around on tickover, raising dropping suspension etc will cause that.
If you pull off the tractor airline the brakes come full on. After reconnection or air builds up again the button needs pushing in manually to release trailer brakes.
If you try pulling away but cant, then realise what has happened, and jump out in a hurry to release trailer brakes? . . Do remember to put unit handbrake on!! It is a surprisingly easy mistake when a bit flustered. Not just newbies experienced drivers too. , . Horrible smells? If you were tugging away at a locked up trailer then you will have cooking the clutch! . . Well? What was that red warning light then? I hope you found out what it was? Rang the office? Reported it to workshops? They arent there for decoration!
Would you drive your own car with a red light on? I wouldn`t drive mine like that without a ■■■■ good idea exactly what it was.
Franglais:
[
.
Horrible smells? If you were tugging away at a locked up trailer then you will have cooking the clutch!
…
When I was in the test centre, I saw next to me someone doing their 3a couple tug test and mange to spin the wheels quite a bit. Not sure if they passed.
stu675:
Franglais:
[
.
Horrible smells? If you were tugging away at a locked up trailer then you will have cooking the clutch!
…When I was in the test centre, I saw next to me someone doing their 3a couple tug test and mange to spin the wheels quite a bit. Not sure if they passed.
Might there have been a faint whiff of lightly smoked rubber?
Grilled Girling from a hot clutch or over heated brakes is an aroma that is rather more cloying…
.
.
.
Seriously.
If there are unknown nasty smells or red lights…don`t carry on regardless.
Franglais:
Goff118:
stu675:
Goff118:
[… There was a red LED lighting up and beeping on the centre of the dashboard !Did it look like original equipment on the truck or aftermarket by Tesco?
Original equipment built into the dashboard by the looks of it. It looked like one of the little red alarm LEDs. Maybe the wind was pulling on the locked passenger side door and it was beeping thinking that someone was trying to break in, who knows.
Goff118:
4. Parking brake applied itself - At my 2nd delivery the store’s primary lift stopped working, so I needed to move the truck onto their 2nd bay which thankfully worked, but as I tried moving, nothing was happening. After some horrible smells, I realised the parking brake had applied itself (not sure how). Still not sure what happened there!Trailer brake buttons will pop out when the air pressure supply from the unit drops. Shunting around on tickover, raising dropping suspension etc will cause that.
If you pull off the tractor airline the brakes come full on. After reconnection or air builds up again the button needs pushing in manually to release trailer brakes.
If you try pulling away but cant, then realise what has happened, and jump out in a hurry to release trailer brakes? . . Do remember to put unit handbrake on!! It is a surprisingly easy mistake when a bit flustered. Not just newbies experienced drivers too. , . Horrible smells? If you were tugging away at a locked up trailer then you will have cooking the clutch! . . Well? What was that red warning light then? I hope you found out what it was? Rang the office? Reported it to workshops? They arent there for decoration!
Would you drive your own car with a red light on? I wouldn`t drive mine like that without a ■■■■ good idea exactly what it was.
Thank you for this advice, much appreciated. I did a bit of research afterwards and found that the drop in air due to me raising the suspension to the dock is what must have caused the trailer brake to lock on. I will definitely realise that one a lot quicker next time.
The red light/chirp was the security alarm LED on top of the dashboard, not on the instrument panel. It must have been chirping in the wind because the passenger door was locked. Once I unlocked that it stopped.
Much clearer with that description of the red light.
I know youre new, and Im wary of SHOUTING at you, honest.
Hi all,
Been hiding in the shadows reading about everyone’s experiences and thought it’s time I signed up!
So I passed my first set of theory tests, medical and case studies back in 2019 as I was promised a 2 week training course a company that I currently subcontract for in 3.5 Sprinter multidrop. I was finally called up to head office to start my training just as the country went into lockdown in March 2020. Like everyone else I didn’t have a clue what the future held so I declined the offer due to job security. As it turns out they weren’t able to offer training anyway due to the restrictions.
So as of August last year my Theory Certificates had expired and I was approached again if I was still interested in making a move into linehaul, so I paid out again and completed all the relevant theory’s. Obviously now since January it will be directly to C+E.
As it stands now, this company can not give me a date this year as the whether I’ll be completing the practical training, so I’ve taken the plunge and have managed to book 30 hours of training along with tests through a local training company in April and funding it myself.
Some people think I’m stupid for paying for the training myself when my employer has offered but how long do you wait? It’s been almost 3 years. I know it’s a guaranteed job afterwards to which I’m then tied to a 2 year contract.
On the other hand if I continue to fund it myself I know it will get completed this year.
What would you guys do? Wait it out? Or would 3 years of waiting be enough for you to give up hope?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Fund it yourself, then go back your company and say “I’m qualified, now what?” and see what happens. If they still refuse the job then the problem was the job and not the training.
The up-side is you can now go anywhere else!
Franglais:
Much clearer with that description of the red light.
I know youre new, and Im wary of SHOUTING at you, honest.
Hehe I can take it . Thank you for the advice. I will be back for more after my next shift I’m sure!
Hey ItsChopper
I’m with TruckerGuy, best to be independent. There will always be something else of higher priority for a company to spend their money on so I think you’re right not to wait any longer. You must be glad to have your training in the diary after all this time.
Franglais: nice to see you mingling with us newbies! The grass is greener on this side. To be advised and guided is a big part of what we’re here for