PaddyTheLorryDriver:
If I had of been able to get my HGV license in my 20’s I may have tramped then.
What’s stopping you ? I didn’t start nightouting till I was 40 and my current job is the only 2nd one where I do more than 2 nights out a week
andrew.s:
I’ve not slept in a lorry overnight since I was a youngster going to work with my dad.
I can’t think of anything worse!!
I like doing the normal things like taking the dog for a walk in the evening and sleeping in my own bed.
Luckily I only have to commute four miles, and I get supplied a van for that.my lorry is my lorry , I don’t share it with anyone else.
Can any of you trampers tell me what the attraction is?
Genuine question ,I’m not taking the ■■■■
When I started it was the social life after going off with my mates…much different in those days though.
Tramping is more of a ‘way of life’ than a mundane ‘job’, if it ain’t for you then it ain’t for you.
Imo it’s more relaxed ( if you do it right that is and do not succumb to pressure)
Find somewhere decent to park close to facilities, maybe go out for a meal/drink after meeting a mate, and you are right on the job in the morning, no commute or rushing to get to work.
Home to the Mrs at weekend …absence makes the heart etc etc, and keeps your relationship alive…(on the other hand it can and does the opposite, depends on the strength of your relationship.)
I also in turn could not think of anything worse than days permanent 
…rushing round trying to get finished/home asap to spend minimal time at home, tea shower, not enough sleep, just to commute to the same rat race again next day.
I told them 3 weeks ago when I started this, no long days, no 9s off at home,.and tbf they planned me that way.
I dont gaf about ‘me own bed’ I have always had all home comforts in my cab for years, not a sleeping bag/lay by/pot noodle and max hours min rest man …which is the usual misguided view of a tramper from a day man perspective,.I would have lasted about a week doing it that way.
I have made many friends, in this work, and seen some good places abroad, been weekended and pursued a hobby of visiting historic WW1 & 2 sites,.had a good social side to it, so not all bad.
These days it is only 3 n/o and UK only, with a long weekend which suits me at this stage in my life.
It’s an each to his own situation mate. 
andrew.s:
Can any of you trampers tell me what the attraction is?
Simple really - I get to travel .
As a day man you are pretty much restricted to 4 hours out and 4 hours back. Based on the North coast of Northern Ireland 4 and a half hours driving takes me just south of Dublin to the South and if I have to get a boat Carlisle , Glasgow is about as far as I could get before having to turn for home again.
Tramping has taken me to all those little orange dots and seen some sights I never would have seen as a day man . I love being sent to the North of Scotland Inverness and above and like getting out to the West coast of Scotland . I have to admit a run down to the Fens is another area I enjoy (so being I can work it out to avoid the traffic) . A drive over the M62 when the traffic is co-operating or the A66 and the drive between J36 and J39 on the M6 or the A9 are all up there along with the A1 from Edinburgh to Newcastle .
While I can tramp - I will , but if something better comes along (that dosen’t mean more money , it means a job I’d have more intrest in ) I’d be gone in a heart beat.
Thank you both for the replies-I can sort of see that it becomes a way of life and you get to go all over, and if you do it right it’s not a can of baked beans in a lay-by (but I bet some are doing it like that)
Perhaps it’s different for me as I don’t work for a haulage company (utilities )and it’s quite a small company with only one other full time grab driver) I plan what I’m doing to get back to the yard when I want to-living close by means I’m usually home by 4pm ,start at 7 am unless I need to start early but if I do it’s by choice.get paid ten hours every day
I realise I’m very fortunate in this respect and the trade off is that I work most Saturdays, but it’s always job and finish and still get ten hours despite finishing at lunch time.
andrew.s:
Thank you both for the replies-I can sort of see that it becomes a way of life and you get to go all over, and if you do it right it’s not a can of baked beans in a lay-by (but I bet some are doing it like that)
Perhaps it’s different for me as I don’t work for a haulage company (utilities )and it’s quite a small company with only one other full time grab driver) I plan what I’m doing to get back to the yard when I want to-living close by means I’m usually home by 4pm ,start at 7 am unless I need to start early but if I do it’s by choice.get paid ten hours every day
I realise I’m very fortunate in this respect and the trade off is that I work most Saturdays, but it’s always job and finish and still get ten hours despite finishing at lunch time.
Thing is mate if I could get a job with a non haulage firm from 7 and home at 4, and well paid for it,.even I would jack tramping. 
I like to be home every day,I cant really explain why,but at the same time,I have to admit,there is a price to be paid compared to the tramper.I hear so many drivers say,it will cost me so much in petrol to commute to such a place but what about the wear and tear on your car?
Really,you should be comparing the cost to an uber taxi.Why should his time be more valuable than yours?
But,if I was tramping,ideally,I would want to spend the minimum time in any given place,say 9 hours,and then get moving again.I wouldnt want the situation where you get paid,say 10 hours,then 14 hours off,when they are only giving you the daily night rate.But if you have a job that is 3 nights away,3 nights at home,that isnt too bad but being home every day but,at
I spent 7 years tramping and enjoyed it.
Worked for small firm. In Trafford park didn’t use trackers telematics etc.
Just left us alone get on with it.
Got see all of the country from Aberdeen to Plymouth and anyware in-between.
Yes going around central London was a pain but next job could take you up to the Highlands of Scotland.
Every day. Was different.
Plus as 90%of work we did was building supplies.
And builders don’t like working late.
Every few weeks had a run to plymoith used be parked up near newton aboout in summer about 4. Quick train trip be on beach seafront in Torquay about 5 chilling out…
Had some decent night’s out all over the place.
Found some.nice curry houses. Country pubs etc.
You are your own boss.
If decide to crack on finish late so your near your next day’s delivery then have a lie in.
Or have an early finish then early start next day.
Bed in the man I drove was more comfortable than my bed at home.
No having getting up an hour /hour half before you start your shift then having drive to work then drove back again every night.
Hardly see anyone so your not getting involved in office politics.
Not listening to other drivers in the morning’s moaning about where there going to etc.
That’s my experience anyway
I’m tramping on containers and it’s easy life as it’s either drop and swap MK , or could be a 4 hour tip in Nottingham
On any thing more than a 2 hr tip in the morning I will try to catch some zzz’s
If in the afternoon or near lunch time I will have my main meal
Company pays for parking loaded or unloaded , but I do park in my special places some times when empty .
Office don’t chase you unless you’re running late and not told them , or they may phone about holding up if they’ve got a reload waiting TBC
Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it
Not just me then eh?.
Done this since God’s dog was a pup, but still thankfully never got to the ‘mad cab happy’ stage, doing crap like kipping in the yard on a Sunday to get away early, like some of the clowns.
.I still look forward to coming home to my Mrs and mates (in that order ) and I’ve always spent as much time as I could at home while getting the balance right with doing the job…
Biggest down side by far?
Missed a lot of the growing up of the kids,…but on flip side they all used to come away with me (not all at once) during school hols,.making memories…of which I value greatly.
Staying away has never bothered me, in fact I have always associated being away from home as just part of the job of being a trucker, since my Dad used to do it, and having mates who did it before I started.
Tbh I’ve always thought it went hand in hand, part and parcel of the job…,.and thatdaymen were ‘just playing at it’…sorry . 
Way I look at it is it’s a bit like joining up one of the Forces, and saying ‘No tours for me,.I’m staying in England…I like me own bed’’ 
, but hey! that’s just how my crazy mind works.
Oh the pains of being a tramper ,
Currently sat in Winch north services taking a 30min , parking already booked at a place that will put me 30mins from drop in the morning which I’ll make 45min under a 13 and on just under 8hrs driving for the day .
My drop and swap are on same estate then reload in Corby and then drive back to Southampton
No stress or hassle, ■■■■ sticking lay-bys or Ginsters and tango and only my cab curtains to pull
Hard life
No Ginsters and Fanta
Spuds , carrots and cheesy fish cakes
Steering wheel tray? Being a day man, I did not know such things existed.
blue estate:
PaddyTheLorryDriver:
If I had of been able to get my HGV license in my 20’s I may have tramped then.What’s stopping you ? I didn’t start nightouting till I was 40 and my current job is the only 2nd one where I do more than 2 nights out a week
My own bed next to my wife, a decent paid 4 day week, best 4 day rota I’ve been on, I like cages (started on pallets & I couldn’t stand all the hanging around), seeing my uncles tramping life on his rest days. The 2 days I’ve had so far have been awful but its because it’s just an emergency measure when the day has turned to sh… Sleeping bag with integrated pillow & coat rolled up under that, wet wipe wash etc in an Actros that’s not exactly a tramping unit. We do get our parking paid on the account plus £25 night out plus £15 meal allowance. My last one was at Sutton Scotney the other week and was a disaster as I’d left my wallet in my car so couldn’t get my £15 of free food. Tomorrow is a potential night out as I have the Ipswich run, but I should be doubled up with the spare driver so no problem.
Everyone to their own, example your doing 4 days a week 12 hours a day not including commuting time
Now let’s say your starting times are midnight so your leaving home between 22.45 to 23.00 then leaving the depot at midnight doing 12 hours getting back at midday getting home at 13.30
That leaves you about 8 hours 30min to do whatever you need to do
No matter weather its nights or days or inbetween the hours never change
The 4 days mean nothing because inbetween trying to make a effort at home like showing your face before hitting the sack your not getting proper rest so your 5th day is taking up by catching up on sleep
And some people do that 5 or 6 days a week
The tramping really make a lot of sense a bit of routine a bit extra money and most of all a half decent sleep
As said Everyone to their own
I do every Friday night out,although,it’s actually more like Friday afternoon,out.
I’d be a liar,if I didn’t say,it scratches an itch.
robroy:
I also in turn could not think of anything worse than days permanent
I told them 3 weeks ago when I started this, no long days, no 9s off at home,.and tbf they planned me that way.I dont gaf about ‘me own bed’ I have always had all home comforts in my cab for years, not a sleeping bag/lay by/pot noodle and max hours min rest man …which is the usual misguided view of a tramper from a day man perspective,.I would have lasted about a week doing it that way.
Not all of us “daymen” experience anything like what you describe above Rob. And those drivers that do allow it deserve everything they get. There’s plenty of jobs where you can have a work/home life balance (without tramping). In the same way not all trampers live like hermits working to 14hrs 59 and parking in a layby with a pasty and wet wipes. Horses for courses and all that and what suits the individual.
P.S I’m fully aware your comments are always meant as tongue in cheek and light hearted banter on this subject and I take them as such.
blue estate:
No Ginsters and Fanta
Spuds , carrots and cheesy fish cakes
0
That tray is superb
blue estate:
No Ginsters and Fanta
Spuds , carrots and cheesy fish cakes
0
Yuk , no greens , bloody cheese fish cake & where’s the gravy ?
Roast lamb , roast potatoes , mash potatoes , cauliflower , broccoli, cabbage , Yorkie & lashings of gravy for tea last night , strawberries & pears with Greek yougurtfor afters ,
There’s no comparison between meals on days to tramping ,
Nb cottage pie , swede & carrots & lashings of gravy for tea tonight , apple crumble & Greek yougurt for afters
Love my food
tmcassett:
robroy:
I also in turn could not think of anything worse than days permanent
I told them 3 weeks ago when I started this, no long days, no 9s off at home,.and tbf they planned me that way.I dont gaf about ‘me own bed’ I have always had all home comforts in my cab for years, not a sleeping bag/lay by/pot noodle and max hours min rest man …which is the usual misguided view of a tramper from a day man perspective,.I would have lasted about a week doing it that way.
Not all of us “daymen” experience anything like what you describe above Rob. And those drivers that do allow it deserve everything they get. There’s plenty of jobs where you can have a work/home life balance (without tramping). In the same way not all trampers live like hermits working to 14hrs 59 and parking in a layby with a pasty and wet wipes. Horses for courses and all that and what suits the individual.
P.S I’m fully aware your comments are always meant as tongue in cheek and light hearted banter on this subject and I take them as such.
Yeah I take your point mate, and you’ve right I do like to wind up daymen ,mainly because of how they think tramping is…because they once spent an unplanned night out in a lay by ,.and washed with a wet wipe, so they then think they’ve ‘done it all’ and then judge it by that experience. 
As for my post you highlighted…
Thing is I’m just speaking generally and from what I see of the daymen who I know of,.and a couple who work at my place.
(On the other hand some of the trampers at my place work as you describe above, …■■■■ clowns who I treat with the contempt they deserve.)
Where as I was astute enough to (tactfully and not in a militant arsey way btw ) set my own parameters from day 1, and ignore their attempts to push me into doing the job in the same way…but at the same time I still.get through my work load tbf with no complaints, but in my own way.
On the whole the vast majority of haulage firms are absolute ****s towards their drivers, pushing them to their limits, and getting the last drop of blood out of them,.backed up wiith all the unnecessary b/s,.contempt and aggravation going on in the background. 
such as ott compliance rules, charging drivers for damage, cameras…the list goes on.
They fail to see that if they treated us as grown ups they would still.get similar results, but difference being that drivers would reciprocate willingly rather than doing ‘what they are made to do’ ,.and their is a world of difference.
At my place it ain’t too bad from the local depot, the guy who runs me is spot on…but all the crap is dished out by head office and fed down the line.
The very few good jobs ran by good firms where you are looked upon as an asset rather than a necessary evil, are few and far between these days,.I have had 2 in my working life, but both firms are now sold up otherwise I would still be at one of them today.
So we are left on the whole to deal with the dregs of transport firms, a lot of whom that are under their own illusions that they are top notch companies,.with some further up their own arses than others.
So ignoring the clowns for a minute, it is up to each individual driver how they react to the treatment and conditions these firms dole out…(I wont waste my time and effort going down the ‘If they all stuck together’ route, too many yes men eager to please,.and invertebrates in the job today unfortunately who we all have to work alongside)
So as I’ve said countless times on here to the point of boring myself, you need to look after no 1, but at the same time keep these ****s we work for happy…both daymen and trampers.
The type of day job you presumably are happy with, would maybe even suit me if the chance came up… but it would have to be something like 8 to 5 on a 150 mile radius with decent money…so I ain’t holding my breath nor wasting my time looking for it.