Tyretracks of Eccleshall

Posted on October 22, 2014 by truckbloguk

Tyretracks is a name that most of you would have heard of, Chris Hopton and his merry team supply Alloy wheels to all of us truckers who are lucky enough to be able to afford a bit of shine to our trucks. It’s not just wheels though, these days you can buy allsorts of stainless steel accessories for various trucks. I was lucky enough many years ago to get a tax rebate and I thought I’d treat my little MAN to a set of 17.5inch Speedline alloys. They transformed the truck and also saved a bit of weight, why not do the same for your own truck???…….

Along with the various truck accessories that are available from the Tyretracks website, Chris Hopton has always been a truck fan and there has always been a pro-mo show truck lurking in the Tyretracks shed. The Torpedo at the top is one of Chris’s creations (it then went to Frank Hudson transport and is now owned by JG Riddell) as are the trucks below, all quite well known. Much to my delight the 141 is ex ACH, it was originally a 4×2 but was converted by/for Wharfedale Traction I think. It has since ended up in the sheds of Scotlee Transport in Scotland so perhaps we will see it again. The 143 has also lived a well documented life, starting out with well know Owner Driver Graham Cordiner, then being owned by CDC Truck Accessories and now Paul Binns. The 142 is Chris’s personal favourite and also the one that he wishes he had kept, it is currently residing down in Poole. I have to say I love the way Chris knows where all his ex trucks are now. All the trucks were developed to promote the business and the products that tyretracks sell as well as satisfying Mr Hopton’s love of trucks!

A current favourite with all you customisers are the light up headboards to go on the front of your trucks above your windscreen. These headboards have been about for a long time and one of the original manufacturers are a company from Denmark called SRI. I can vouch how good they are as I had one on my 141 when I restored it, although I had to buy it direct from Denmark which wasn’t easy. I had one of the Classic square boards and once it was sign written it was awesome! If the two other newer versions are any where near as good as the Classic…….Original is best and all that;

“These headboards are manufactured in Denmark by SRI and are one of the very best headboards currently available. They are available in 3 styles in a range of sizes (From 200mm x 1050mm to 400mm x 1600mm) so you are almost certain to find the one that will suit your taste. LED lighting is also available if preferred.”

“There is the AERO Sign® which is the traditional style deep Danish headboard, the AERO Slim® which is a modern take on the traditional Aero Sign, being slimmer and smoother in design and then there is the CLASSIC Sign® which is in the style of the fabulous 1970’s / 1980’s style headboard. You can also be assured that if you do happen to have a mishap then spare parts for these Headboards are also stocked. Prices start from £300.00 + vat and as most sizes are stocked they can be shipped for next day delivery, although collection from Tyretracks Head Office in Eccleshall, Stafford is also no problem.”

That’s almost it for now although we will all be seeing and hearing a little more from Tyretracks during 2015. Good news came a few weeks back that Chris and Tyretracks have signed up to sponsor next years Retro Truckshow at Gaydon in September. On top of that I think I have almost convinced Chris to come to the Gathering of the Griffin show in Ipswich next year, seeing as he is a big Scania fan. This leads nicely to more good news that due to pressure from his son, Chris has given in and bought another project. Above is a very tidy Scania 144 530 V8 with a proper sleeper cab, that will hopefully make it on the show circuit next year. There are plenty of plans for the aging V8 but I won’t spoil it, so you’ll have to wait and see! Tyretracks are a family firm and you’ll be well looked after if you need their services. As well as the website there is also a Tyretracks Facebook Page for those who are that way inclined.

#flattopsareback #retroromanceoftheroad

Mega MAN

Posted on September 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

I found this article on a Dutch website called ponpersportaal.nl but there is no English version so I have translated it. Enjoy the translation and enjoy the article;

Unique MAN TGL volume combination for 120 m3 Sagar transport can now load pallets Leusden three layers, 29 april 2014-Sagar transport in the Drenthe recently put a unique combination Rolled in. It is a MAN TGL 12,250 Euro 6 rigid with reduced base and a Krone-trailer. The combination offers up to 120 m3 loading volume. The internal load height is up to a whopping 3.15 metres – enough for three layers pallets. The combination is mainly used for the transport of packaging material, such as empty drums of steel and plastic.

“There are few if any other distribution trucks – because that is the MAN TGL – that so many loading volume offer”, said Herman Weringa, Director of Sagar transport. “This particular combination is the result of the intensive cooperation between MAN-dealer Sommerauer Trucks in Westerbroek, Compaan bodywork in Assen and Krone Trailers in Germany. For our environmental performance, we wanted a loading space in which we could carry in three layers and pallets that is so successful. CO2 emissions per pound of cargo that goes down. That suit corporate social responsibility (CSR) that we have made in our business operations with a view to the ISO 14001 certification. ”
17.5-inch wheels the chassis of the MAN TGL 12,250 and of the Krone trailer is very low thanks to the Assembly of 17.5-inch wheels. That makes a higher building possible. The combination is equipped with a hydraulically adjustable roof. Weringa: “the driver can choose from three heights. By default, the height in the cargo compartment 3.05 metres, but the roof is in two steps to 3.10 and up to 3.15 meters. That offers just what more latitude. Moreover, the roof to bring up another 40 inches to easy to load without damaging the roof. ”
Twelfth MAN the MAN TGL-combination goes to customers in the Benelux countries and in Germany. He also performed with a sleeper cab. It is the latest addition to the fleet of Sagar transport, which consists of 45 vehicles. Three years ago became the first MAN deployed. The TGL-combination is the twelfth MAN in the fleet. Weringa: “the man’s TGX.
The trucks gave birth to good, in terms of both consumption and reliability. Also very important is the customized service, which has shown once again at the dealer Sommerauer delivery of the new MAN TGL.

Truckstar 2014: Scania Tanker from H. Van Toorn & Zn

Posted on September 7, 2014 by truckbloguk

Not a lot to say about this one really, apart from you won’t see a cleaner tanker on the road any where, fact. Just look at the chassis photo, not a single spec of dirt or dust any where, simply amazing. I always have a soft spot for a shiny mirror finish tanker and for what ever reason I think they only ever enhance what ever truck is on the front end, so shiny tanker plus gorgeous red Scania = Show Stopper.

Truckstar 2014: Trans Rivage

Posted on September 3, 2014 by truckbloguk

A nice line up in the mirrors when we arrived at Assen. 5 trucks and 5 V8 Scania’s with a total of 2,570hp. The front 3 were all in the show spirit on arrival, holding the trucks on the foot brake and all doing doing burn outs on the wet slippy Tarmac. I was so trans-fixed on the awesome sight and sound of the 3 V8’snotice that I didn’t video them, when clearly I should have!

GOTG Closing Time for Entrants

Posted on August 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

The fat lady is nearly here, the curtain is about to fall, the bell is nearly ringing for all entries to this years Gathering of the Griffin show in Ipswich on the last weekend of September. If you haven’t entered your any age, any state of any Scania then you have just over 24 hours to do so. The official closing time for entries is 2359hrs on Sunday 31st August. Contact details are as follows:

Address: Gathering Of The Griffin, 40 Uplands Way, Diss, Norfolk, IP22 4DF
Telephone: 07903155898
Email: gotg37@hotmail.com

There will be over 110 Scania’s all in one place, a must for any truck fan not just the Griffin lovers. The show is held at the Orwell Crossing Truck stop on the 27th and 28th September. There are categories and prizes for all models and also the coverted best in show prize. You don’t have to be a polish crazy Scania owner to win the prize as it’s all done to the character if the truck. There are also some very very VIP entrants from Scania GB coming too, it’ll be worth a trip to see what they are. Truckblog sponsors the Best 3 Series in show and last years winner Is the 143 at the top owned by Craig of Denny who came down from Scotland. So if you own a Scania of any age or state get it entered and get it to Ipswich. The whole weekend is tipped off by all the trucks leaving the show together, an awesome sight and sound for that matter!!

Last minute entries – CALL or EMAIL now!!
Phone: 07903155898
Email: gotg37@hotmail.com

3, 2, 1……………….

Truckstar Festival 2014 by Jack Rigby

Posted on July 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

Truckstar Festival 2014, What an amazing show. It was mine and dads first time for visiting the show. What an atmosphere the show was, all of the people where there to have a good time, not just to show off their trucks, they were there to show off their speaker systems and to see who had the biggest swimming pool!!

In the main arena there was truck racing and motorbike stunts which made you cringe, but amazing how they did it. The trucks were outstanding, the amazing paint jobs and the inviting interiors were so mind blowing that you didn’t know how they came up with the ideas!!

The truck for me at the show was this Scania R520 highline, it just stood out, there was nothing shiny on the truck there was just a brilliant paint job and a new idea that know body else had thought of so it just stood out from the others (Agreed – TB).

Then the show ended 😟. So on Sunday afternoon we left to watch all of the trucks come out of show. We stood in the middle of the duel carriageway with two lanes of traffic coming by us to watch all of these trucks leaving for home. All the world (or so it seemed!) came out to watch with dec chairs and picnics, there was a coffee van and an ice cream van all out to see the leaving of these amazing trucks.

The Truckstar event i think is about having something different to anybody else, it is not about seeing how many light bars you can put on, it is about having something unique to you, something that you have thought of, like a special paint job, because you aren’t buying something off a shelf that somebody else has thought of and what somebody already has. The Hoogendoorn Scania below won the ultimate trophy, The Most Beautiful Truck in the Netherlands.

And now the important bit…….

Posted on July 3, 2014 by truckbloguk

Over to Sophie Baker-Britton to tell you all about it;

Hi There,
We at Walker Movements hope you’re having a great week and have managed to catch some of the summer sun before it all goes downhill and the rain begins to pour yet again!

Below, you’ll see an infographic we’ve been working on all about the life of a lorry driver, broken down by numbers. As we researched, we began to realise that if you’re not a trucker, you can’t really begin to understand how tough life on the road can be, particularly when it comes to looking after our health!

We discovered that a whopping 78% of lorry drivers aren’t getting their 5 a day, and that 28% of lorry drivers are obese or morbidly obese, which isn’t that hard to comprehend given that we spend an average of 1,040 hours a year on the road.

Given our findings, we wanted to share these with you and offer a couple of tips for remaining safe and healthy on the road.

1) Avoid the trucker cafes! Okay, nip in for a coffee when needed – but when it comes to those fry ups and other greasy treats, try to avoid them at all costs. Keep a few healthy non-perishable snacks such as dried fruit and almonds in your wagon to avoid stopping off for a snickers!

2) Use your resting time wisely! You need a good sleep that’s for sure, but try to work in a little exercise too. A walk around the area you’ve stopped at (provided it’s safe to do so) to stretch out those legs will not only give you time out of the cab, it will also help to keep the waistline in check.

It may be tough on the road at times, but let’s face it, would we rather be cooped up in an office all day?!

Have a great week all and enjoy this infographic from the guys at Walker Movements.

Scania Operates Longer Vehicles in Sweden.

Posted on June 30, 2014 by truckbloguk

What isn’t there to like about Sweden?? Does anyone know anything bad about the place?? The trucks are great, the country is full of stunning scenery, the people are beautiful and the government have their heads screwed on!! Read this from Scania’s press department;

By driving with two full-length trailers, Scania reduces fuel consumption by up to 30 percent with an equivalent reduction in harmful carbon dioxide emissions. Following Scania’s request, the Swedish Transport Agency has now granted permission to operate rigs of 31.5 metres in total length between Södertälje and Helsingborg in Sweden.

Scania Transport Laboratory has been conducting research activities on the road for the past six years by transporting the company’s own materials under realistic operating conditions between Scania’s production units in Södertälje, Sweden and Zwolle in the Netherlands. The Transport Laboratory has already been able to demonstrate a halving of CO2emissions per tonne-kilometre from 2008 to 2012, thanks to skilful drivers, optimised vehicles and lower average speed. Another step is now being taken to show how heavy vehicles through new ways of thinking can dramatically reduce climate emissions to 20 grams per tonne-kilometre. The haulage service has been operated to date using rigs of 16.5 metres, which is the maximum permitted length today for the tractor-semitrailer vehicle combination in most European states, with the exception of countries such as Sweden and Finland. For the truck-trailer combination, a maximum length of 18.75 metres applies in most European states, while countries such as Sweden and Finland, permit 25.25 metres.

“There are positive environmental effects of longer vehicle combinations but unfortunately it is difficult to find support for this issue in many European countries,” comments Erik Ljungberg, Senior Vice President, Corporate Relations at Scania. “It is really gratifying that the Swedish authorities are taking action to obtain these benefits. To achieve an equivalent climate effect through vehicle development would take several years.”

The decision of the Swedish Transport Agency was preceded by the Swedish Transport Administration’s stability tests on vehicle combinations of 31.5 metres in order to ensure that these vehicles do not present any risk, for example during sudden evasive manoeuvres.

“Our long haulage services will not cause any disruptions to the pace of traffic and we will quite easily be able to maintain the legal speed limit of 80 km/hour,” assures Anders Gustavsson, Managing Director of Scania Transport Laboratory.

Scania Blue Stream

Posted on May 26, 2014 by truckbloguk

I know it’s old news now but I still want to put it on here as it’s the 2nd special edition Scania released within a matter of weeks of each other. The Blue Stream is available world wide but the UK market also has the Golden Griffin special edition. Any way here’s the Scania press release for the Blue Stream.

Go with the flow – Scania now presents a custom-built, limited edition truck based on the Scania Streamline model and Scania’s unique V8 heritage. Blue Stream has an R-series cab styled and enhanced in collaboration with Svempa Bergendahl, the legendary Swedish custom truck builder. The unique truck will be produced in 200 numbered units in Södertälje as a tribute to the original Scania Streamline introduced back in 1991 – the first, truly aerodynamic cab in the heavy truck industry.

“With the re-introduction of Scania Streamline last year, we got a lot of positive feedback from customers who had been driving the original 3-series Scania Streamline back in the day”, says Kristoffer Nyberg, Product Manager Long-haulage at Scania Trucks. “Many especially recalled the striking appearance of the light blue truck with pink and purple striping. When we decided to honour that icon with a limited edition model of the new Scania Streamline, we of course wanted to involve Svempa since there is no better man for the task. The limited edition Blue Stream is characterised by a unique metallic exterior, striping and interior details and is produced by Scania’s regular production system, which permits great flexibility.“

“We were thrilled to get this assignment,” says Jan Richter, head designer at Svempas. “We were of course tempted to use the original baby blue colour, but, even though iconic, we wanted something that reflects 2014, and ended up with a more vibrant blue metallic colour that changes tone depending on viewing angle and light conditions.”

The heritage from the old Streamline is apparent in the striping, but once again more up-to-date, designed to enhance the class-leading aerodynamics of the truck. The distinct Scania V8 design features are further emphasised in the glossy black front grille. Inside the cab, a wide range of features are included while other options can be specified by the customer. Probably the most visible interior styling feature with Blue Stream are the unique, ventilated leather seats, with their exclusive stitching in contrasting colours.

“Blue Stream will be a unique but yet affordable truck within its segment”, says Nyberg. “The styling is bold and striking, but make no mistake, we are talking about trucks that are extremely well-suited for any tough transportation task that requires the kind of solid power that Scania’s V8 engine provide. Coupled with a full air deflector kit and typical hallmark values such as Scania Opticruise and class-leading fuel efficiency, Blue Stream will be just as productive as any other Scania.”

Blue Stream will be available on all Scania markets together with Scania’s V8 engine range, regardless of emission classification, with power outputs ranging from 500 to 730 hp. It can be ordered as a rigid or a tractor in any standard configuration with Highline or Topline sleeper cabs. Each unit will be numbered with a Blue Stream badge on the dashboard.

To further mark their exclusivity, all Blue Stream trucks come with the following packages, which are normally optional:

– Lighting package
– Driver package
– Prestige package
– Comfort package

The final specification will be set in a dialogue with each customer. Other factory options such as cat-walk, extra storage etcetera, can be ordered factory fitted from Scania, depending on customer preferences.

“Each Blue Stream will be unique,” adds Nyberg. “But they will all have in common that they carry the Scania Streamline heritage further, while delivering both profit and pride to their owners.”

MAZ Model Builders

Posted on May 11, 2014 by truckbloguk

WSI is entering into collaboration with MAZ (Minsk Automobile Plant) in Belarus. MAZ is a government enterprise that was established in 1939 in Minsk. With its 20,000 employees, MAZ is one of the largest transport manufacturers in Eastern Europe. The company produces heavy trucks, buses, trolley buses, tag axels and trailers for trucks and cranes. In addition to being active in the CIS countries, MAZ also has factories in Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Latin America.

This year marks MAZ’s 75th anniversary, which will be celebrated in style on 4 August. Especially for this diamond jubilee, MAZ, in collaboration with WSI Models, will be producing two brand new scale models. The first model that WSI Models will be developing for MAZ in 1:50 scale is the 5440 4×2 in silver. The second model is the MAZ 6430 6×4 in blue. The first new models will be introduced during the MAZ jubilee celebrations. After that, the samples will be on display at the stands of M&N Models and SA Models during the “Avtokomposit” fair in Moscow from 3 to 7 June. The models will be available worldwide at MAZ dealers and the familiar WSI points of sale in the autumn of 2014.

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