weeto:
zippo:
weeto:
Silver_Surfer:
Well said zippo.Why, what does he know?
What’s you’re problem but wad?
Wow, your a quick witted kinda guy, it’s only taken ya about 6 weeks to think up a reply.
At least you could of answered the original question before trying to insult ■■■■ breath!!
It’s hardly a witticism to be fair!
No, I chose to ignore you’re NEGATIVITY MAN.
AND I does appear that the question was directed at someone else.
Silver_Surfer:
Might have to hang up my keys Kate, can’t work out how to open the locker, there’s a knob looking thing by the door on the inside but doesn’t seem to do anything when I pull it. Is there just one on the nearside or both sides. Been stashing my straps in the footwell…I think even when I turn the zaust brake off from auto it still comes on over speed will have another play. What does the r+ s- button do?
Oh dear 
You may have to screw the little nut under the knob up a bit before you pull said knob up … they’re only on a wire and tend to be a bit rubbish 
Then while pulling knob up, push locker door in a bit…
iirc your motor is new enough to have lockers both sides… if there’s a knob, there’s a locker
As for the exhaust brake… it will come on at overspeed, IF you’ve still got the cruise control on… Auto Exhaust off, Cruise off…let 'er go !!!
R & S… I think is idling speed adjustment, when you switch the on beside it the other way… I’ll play with that tomorrow… and find out
Any truck which looks like it has a set of eyebrows and fancy tash gets my vote.
Kate:
Silver_Surfer:
Might have to hang up my keys Kate, can’t work out how to open the locker, there’s a knob looking thing by the door on the inside but doesn’t seem to do anything when I pull it. Is there just one on the nearside or both sides. Been stashing my straps in the footwell…I think even when I turn the zaust brake off from auto it still comes on over speed will have another play. What does the r+ s- button do?
Oh dear
You may have to screw the little nut under the knob up a bit before you pull said knob up … they’re only on a wire and tend to be a bit rubbish
iirc your motor is new enough to have lockers both sides… if there’s a knob, there’s a lockerAs for the exhaust brake… it will come on at overspeed, IF you’ve still got the cruise control on… Auto Exhaust off, Cruise off…let 'er go !!!
R & S… I think is idling speed adjustment, when you switch the on beside it the other way… I’ll play with that tomorrow… and find out
I find leaving cruise on down windy hill and dabbing the throttle to let it run up to 62 then let the exhaust brake control the speed works well, no faffing with buttons, it holds it well at 40+ tonnes! no need to use service brake, leave them cold for the bottom of the hill if needed!
zippo:
weeto:
zippo:
weeto:
Silver_Surfer:
Well said zippo.Why, what does he know?
What’s you’re problem but wad?
Wow, your a quick witted kinda guy, it’s only taken ya about 6 weeks to think up a reply.
At least you could of answered the original question before trying to insult ■■■■ breath!!It’s hardly a witticism to be fair!
No, I chose to ignore you’re NEGATIVITY MAN.
AND I does appear that the question was directed at someone else.
Was you drunk when you typed that zippo?
weeto:
zippo:
weeto:
zippo:
weeto:
Silver_Surfer:
Well said zippo.Why, what does he know?
What’s you’re problem but wad?
Wow, your a quick witted kinda guy, it’s only taken ya about 6 weeks to think up a reply.
At least you could of answered the original question before trying to insult ■■■■ breath!!It’s hardly a witticism to be fair!
No, I chose to ignore you’re NEGATIVITY MAN.
AND I does appear that the question was directed at someone else.Was you drunk when you typed that zippo?
No,but, you’re question "what does he know or something like that appears to be directed at someone other than me.
But I will answer you’re question anyway.
Nothing!
I was just giving my opinion.
You, it seems did not agree.
Good for you.
weeto:
Kate:
Silver_Surfer:
Might have to hang up my keys Kate, can’t work out how to open the locker, there’s a knob looking thing by the door on the inside but doesn’t seem to do anything when I pull it. Is there just one on the nearside or both sides. Been stashing my straps in the footwell…I think even when I turn the zaust brake off from auto it still comes on over speed will have another play. What does the r+ s- button do?
Oh dear
You may have to screw the little nut under the knob up a bit before you pull said knob up … they’re only on a wire and tend to be a bit rubbish
iirc your motor is new enough to have lockers both sides… if there’s a knob, there’s a lockerAs for the exhaust brake… it will come on at overspeed, IF you’ve still got the cruise control on… Auto Exhaust off, Cruise off…let 'er go !!!
R & S… I think is idling speed adjustment, when you switch the on beside it the other way… I’ll play with that tomorrow… and find outI find leaving cruise on down windy hill and dabbing the throttle to let it run up to 62 then let the exhaust brake control the speed works well, no faffing with buttons, it holds it well at 40+ tonnes! no need to use service brake, leave them cold for the bottom of the hill if needed!
I’ve had a 62 plate Premium for a couple of days, fully loaded and the retarder can’t keep the speed down, maybe this one’s not great but I remember when I did some work for Brakes on the night trunk to Bellshill and remember the retarder’s being ■■■■ then too
waynedl:
I’ve had a 62 plate Premium for a couple of days, fully loaded and the retarder can’t keep the speed down, maybe this one’s not great but I remember when I did some work for Brakes on the night trunk to Bellshill and remember the retarder’s being [zb] then too
Exhaust brakes and retarders aren’t the same thing, my Renault has an exhaust brake and it isn’t very effective although it does save some brake wear. It works by closing a butterfly valve in the exhaust manifold, creating back pressure.
Retarders work in an entirely different way, the last truck I had with a retarder was a Scania, which had an oil motor retarder (there are different types), when engaged this worked by using the drive axle to pump oil around a captive circuit which had a valve which could be progressively closed, and was incredibly effective.
It’s all down to cost balance, it might be worth fitting a true retarder if you run fully-freighted in mountainous terrain, but in the UK it’s generally cheaper just to replace the brake pads more often.
waynedl:
I’ve had a 62 plate Premium for a couple of days, fully loaded and the retarder can’t keep the speed down, maybe this one’s not great but I remember when I did some work for Brakes on the night trunk to Bellshill and remember the retarder’s being [zb] then too
The exhaust brake on the current premiums isn’t worth the effort to be honest…I use it for general driving, like easing off a couple of kms to let somebody past, or until my space to move out appears, but holding a steady speed under weight on the downhill is not gonna happen…
However, the new T Range has a retarder that is absolutely fantastic… now that does hold your speed steady down Sarn bank … In fact, you can bring a 44 tonne outfit from 90kph to a standstill by using the retarder alone, over a reasonable distance, without even touching the service brake.
I must admit to liking the Renaults…I’ve had eight premiums in the last 11 years, but this T Range sure beats them all, and still as easy to drive !!!
Harry Monk:
waynedl:
I’ve had a 62 plate Premium for a couple of days, fully loaded and the retarder can’t keep the speed down, maybe this one’s not great but I remember when I did some work for Brakes on the night trunk to Bellshill and remember the retarder’s being [zb] then tooExhaust brakes and retarders aren’t the same thing, my Renault has an exhaust brake and it isn’t very effective although it does save some brake wear. It works by closing a butterfly valve in the exhaust manifold, creating back pressure.
Retarders work in an entirely different way, the last truck I had with a retarder was a Scania, which had an oil motor retarder (there are different types), when engaged this worked by using the drive axle to pump oil around a captive circuit which had a valve which could be progressively closed, and was incredibly effective.
It’s all down to cost balance, it might be worth fitting a true retarder if you run fully-freighted in mountainous terrain, but in the UK it’s generally cheaper just to replace the brake pads more often.
I know that Harry, it’s just the name most used though 
Also aren’t proper retarders quite heavy (up to about half a tonne iirc) which all has to come out of the Payload.
As above if your doing a lot of hill work either in Europe or even some parts of the Lake District you can reduce the brake wear or help to prevent the brakes cooking or running out of air. They are pretty common in coaches where weight isn’t an issue.
Ok Kate, thanks for your input, ill have a fiddle & might be able to free up some space now. Takes a while to get to know the foibles & eccentricities of a particular wagon.
All exhaust brakes are pretty much useless if you have any weight on. Retarder’s are heaven, the Scania one is sublime & they do make the job a lot easier if you’re pulling weight. I appreciate they’re not really a necessity though.
The funky air suspension yoke is broke on mine, shame they don’t use the keypad style like most others, I don’t change trailers at the mo so it’s on the list.
All in all, I like the premium. The CF I had before it was pretty decent as well. Also had a mooch in a new XF this week, LOADS of room, nice airy space. Wouldn’t fancy writing the cheque for a deposit on a euro 6 though!
All trucks have their good and bad points.
The XF’s main bad point in my opinion is the cup holder, it’s in the door 
, if you’re on multi-drop I can guarantee you’re going to lose 1/2 your brew.
The Premium has a nice engine and box (courtesy of Volvo) but some of the switches, including the indicator stalk, feel a bit crap, and it’s easy to turn the lights off if just flicking the indicator with your fingers.
The CF has a nasty draft up the back of the cab, so when you’re on the bunk you get a chill and can wake up a bit achy if you’ve not wrapped yourself up.
I’ve drove most trucks now and can tell you that none are perfect yet, which is madness considering how long they’ve been making them.
I’ve not drove the new DAF XF or new Volvo FH or the new T-range yet though, but did have the new Merc Actros for over 6mths.
Yeah, too many stalks on the steering wheel in the prem, 2 is enough.
Saw a new Renault in Ferrybridge services last night painted white looked like a stormtrooper’s helmet from star wars
nail on the head!
Silver_Surfer:
Agreed!
Having said that,WTF do I know.
nice.
Not read all the posts on this subject but has anyone else noticed its reminiscent of the old renault major or is it just me!
Just seen a couple ■■■■■■■ up the m6, think they were on the shrooms as well as the Beaujolais at lunch when the design chaps were knocking the drawings out!