How about this as an alternative topic in the current world?
Not the best fleet truck, but all our contributions views on which fleet ( over 5 trucks) had the best reputation (and perhaps the worst reputation)
Can I put forward my suggestion.
Best - the original Hungarocamion
Worst - Waberer
I knew a fellah worked for Bill Bartrum years ago - he reckoned it a good job and the old man took an interest in all the drivers
My Dad worked for lots of the old firms - reckoned George Transport was one of the best - until Ralph Hilton took it over and it became one of the worst
The best was London Carriers at Croydon - was part of Philips but eventually subbed out and died out
Peter Roff always impressed me; those trucks had everything on them except dirt.
EDTRUCK:
How about this as an alternative topic in the current world?Not the best fleet truck, but all our contributions views on which fleet ( over 5 trucks) had the best reputation (and perhaps the worst reputation)
Can I put forward my suggestion.
Best - the original Hungarocamion
Worst - Waberer
+1 for Hungarocamion- a shining example of what can be achieved with state control. IIRC, the drivers were considered to be public servants, with some official responsibilities (better-informed contributors might be able to shed more light on that). The workshops were purpose-built, and capable of carrying out the most complex overhauls. The equipment was top-notch- Scania 140s and Volvo F89s in the early 1970s. 6x4 tractors, just in case there was a bit of snow. Contrast that with the GB model- the Red and Rust, operating the most basic, poverty-spec vehicles, competing with a rag-tag bunch of chancers, fighting over A licences. I generalise, of course.
[zb]
anorak:EDTRUCK:
How about this as an alternative topic in the current world?Not the best fleet truck, but all our contributions views on which fleet ( over 5 trucks) had the best reputation (and perhaps the worst reputation)
Can I put forward my suggestion.
Best - the original Hungarocamion
Worst - Waberer
+1 for Hungarocamion- a shining example of what can be achieved with state control. IIRC, the drivers were considered to be public servants, with some official responsibilities (better-informed contributors might be able to shed more light on that). The workshops were purpose-built, and capable of carrying out the most complex overhauls. The equipment was top-notch- Scania 140s and Volvo F89s in the early 1970s. 6x4 tractors, just in case there was a bit of snow. Contrast that with the GB model- the Red and Rust, operating the most basic, poverty-spec vehicles, competing with a rag-tag bunch of chancers, fighting over A licences. I generalise, of course.
Somewhere in the 80’s they had a lot of Raba’s, which were replaced by fancy looking Renault units if my memory serves me well…?
best = brian harris…
worst = kammac…
+1 for Hungarocamion - I think it was at least a year at their college before you got to drive for them
And an honourable mention for Yiddel Davis for the most vehicles on one number plate 
Brian Harris… a proper fleet… proper drivers… and Brian himself, a true haulage man and character.
Second… our own esteemed Bewick, started as an owner driver and built up a large successful business.
Worst… too many to list because I would have to consider the entire package of fleet, business management and ethics. And that would disqualify Hugarocamion from being anywhere near the best … rate cutters that spoiled the job for many UK hauliers that did Eastern European work.
All transport companies were the best, untill you got something you did not like, and left then went on to another firm from fact, in my driving time 1967 -2002,myself every haulier want their pound of flesh for poor rewards
.most firms started off as a young man driving his own 4 wheeler sponsored by his dad who probably had a business working all the hours’ god sent ,then brought another lorry, employed a mate, then they both did the same work day and night a work pattern occurred and it was exciting then they got bigger and employed other drivers who fell in to there work pattern as if it was normal. untill one man would think hang on whos getting all the rewards here, and it would not be the driver ,so a conversation would be had and words that were the road transport classic [IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THERE IS THE GATE] SO they were and probably are exactly the same ,i am afraid what humble beginnings a transport company evolves ,there are some better than others but never the best,as they do not exist in my time.
gingerfold:
Brian Harris… a proper fleet… proper drivers… and Brian himself, a true haulage man and character.Second… our own esteemed Bewick, started as an owner driver and built up a large successful business.
Worst… too many to list because I would have to consider the entire package of fleet, business management and ethics. And that would disqualify Hugarocamion from being anywhere near the best … rate cutters that spoiled the job for many UK hauliers that did Eastern European work.
peggydeckboy:
All transport companies were the best, untill you got something you did not like, and left then went on to another firm from fact, in my driving time 1967 -2002,myself every haulier want their pound of flesh for poor rewards
.most firms started off as a young man driving his own 4 wheeler sponsored by his dad who probably had a business working all the hours’ god sent ,then brought another lorry, employed a mate, then they both did the same work day and night a work pattern occurred and it was exciting then they got bigger and employed other drivers who fell in to there work pattern as if it was normal. untill one man would think hang on whos getting all the rewards here, and it would not be the driver ,so a conversation would be had and words that were the road transport classic [IF YOU DONT LIKE IT THERE IS THE GATE] SO they were and probably are exactly the same ,i am afraid what humble beginnings a transport company evolves ,there are some better than others but never the best,as they do not exist in my time.
You are a bit harsh there “pdb” so I guess you must have had some bad experiences so it is unfair to tar all Hauliers with the same brush ! Cheers Bewick.
I would name two fleets as contenders being W & J Riding and Sutton & Son St. Helens. Cheers Bewick.
My long gone Pal Curly Cargill of D & M Cargill ran an immaculate well managed fleet for many years.
I seem to remember in Hunter Davies’s biography of Edward Stobart that someone recommended that he visit Suttons at St Helens, to learn how to run a larger transport operation. I guess it worked out for him!
Gingerfold, careful with the nomination of a Westmorland haulier, a certain gentleman, who I understand still owes money for sheeting education, will have trouble getting his head through the door on the observation deck at Bewick Towers when he goes out to survey his hundred acres, including the barn containing a stock of ex Guy Motors 240 Gardner engines!
Anon.
Since a top fleet such as suttons as been mentioned, I would suggest Gibbs of Fraseburgh & Charles Alexander.
John West:
I seem to remember in Hunter Davies’s biography of Edward Stobart that someone recommended that he visit Suttons at St Helens, to learn how to run a larger transport operation. I guess it worked out for him!Gingerfold, careful with the nomination of a Westmorland haulier, a certain gentleman, who I understand still owes money for sheeting education, will have trouble getting his head through the door on the observation deck at Bewick Towers when he goes out to survey his hundred acres, including the barn containing a stock of ex Guy Motors 240 Gardner engines!
Anon.
I wasn’t going to mention any of that, of course.
Honest!
Hi All
Sayer of Newbury at the time.
Now 2 Heavy hauliers Charles Russell, & Wilsons rapidly followed by Leicester HH.
Cheers
Rich
~How about J&H Hincliffe and W&J Riding .
A ONE transport had a well managed fleet when Mr Jack Robinson was in charge
