With the rigid, Alan just asked me if I wanted to get out on the road and start driving – but this week was different. He sat me down in the ‘interview room’ and gave me a brief but serious talk about how big this vehicle really is. It was not intended to frighten or worry me, but to really emphasise the fact that this is not just a really big car – but an enormous machine.

That over and done with we headed out to my designated 05’ Scania R420 to practise uncoupling and coupling the trailer. The scene was already set, as the truck had been out the previous night doing a trunking run and had the wrong trailer on the back (thought the driver had already detached it so we started with just coupling up to the one we were going to use for the day).

Check the trailer brake!!! Probably one of the most important things to remember. If this isn’t on, there could be serious consequences.
After backing up the truck to just before the kingpin, I got out to check that the vehicle was at the right height and that it was lined up correctly. Then I had to reverse in until I could hear a ‘not too healthy sounding – but correct’ clunk. This was the kingpin locking mechanism falling into place. Alan told me to nudge the tractor unit forwards a couple of times to ensure that the lock had jumped into place.
Following this procedure it was time to apply the parking brake and complete the connection. The ‘dog clip’ had to be put I place to stop the kingpin lock from accidentally jumping out of its socket.
The landing gear could be raised after the air and electric lines were connected. Once all these processes were complete it was time for the round vehicle check – tyres, lights, oil, etc. And don’t forget – release the trailer brake before pulling off.

So we hit the road. I would be lying if I said my heartbeat wasn’t significantly higher than normal.
The gearbox felt fine and the first few corners went fine. The key was to do things slowly. Alan talked me through corners and we just kept driving.

It was only when I was getting more confident and wanted to pull away a bit quicker at junctions or roundabouts that I felt there was something wrong with the truck. I flagged this up to Alan and we pulled over.
With the clutch depressed the engine would not rev over 1,000rpm – which is slightly tricky if you’re trying to start off up a hill.
On closer inspection, the Scania was fitted with a clutch protect mechanism, which essentially tries to stop the driver pulling off in the wrong gear. As the trailer was empty I had been pulling off in second.
But after changing to going 1, 3 and then into high-range, things went a lot smoother. I also found the splitter really handy to use once I got the hang of it. On big roundabouts, instead of going into low-range, I would often flick it into 4-low and the artic would pull round nicely.
In terms of getting round corners it went really well. I can confidently say I only hit two curbs all session, which is a lot less compared to my first day in the rigid.
But I don’t wish to sound too cocky and jinx myself – so tomorrow is all about cementing what I have learned today and instead of hitting two curbs – hit none.

Back at the depot, I reversed the trailer into a bay (in three attempts) and uncoupled the trailer. This really is just the exact opposite of coupling up. And don’t forget – apply the trailer brake.