Passion in Peterborough for the three-pointed star

Kickstarting the Truckfest season.

Thousands of attendees descended upon Peterborough during the May bank holiday, where the first of eight UK Truckfest shows was held. And what better way to discover why truckers love their profession and their Mercedes-Benz trucks than to speak to the drivers and owners themselves! Five truck drivers give their accounts of their daily lives at one of the most talked-about, action-packed events in the truck calendar.

A comfortable cab.

Andy Jones has been driving Mercedes-Benz Actros trucks for nine months and at his company, Hinks Haulage in Oldbury, staff will haul anything from small pallets to steelworks and machines all over the country.

Jones said: “My employer has 11 rigids and nine arctic trucks on fleet, nine of those arctics are Mercedes-Benz Actros models. I love driving them, because of their comfort, how easy they are to drive and their styling. I spend at least two nights a week in the truck and the bed is spot on – I get a good night’s sleep. In fact, I sleep better in the Actros than in my own bed at home!”

Following in mum’s footsteps.

The comfort of the Actros also appeals to Chloe Riddell, for whom trucking is in the blood. Chloe is a brand-new trucker, having only passed her test in March 2022. She is already an employee of Mr D’s Transport in Hertford, which specialises in transporting scrap bulkers. Her desire for getting into the industry is thanks to her truck-driving mum, and Chloe’s ambition was to do the same.

- Chloe, Mr D’s Transport

Inspiring the future female generation.

Speaking about female truck drivers, Chloe said: “I get the occasional look because I’m a female. Even though there are many women in this profession now, people still doubt I can do the job, but I tell them I am capable.

“To any young girls who want to be a truck driver, I would say go for it and do not let anyone stop you! We should have more female truckers than we do and to kill the negativity completely, we need more females to encourage other females into the profession. It’s not a man’s world anymore!”

Chloe is a fan of the Mercedes-Benz Actros. She said: “The Actros was the boss’ first-ever truck when he started the business, and I am privileged to be driving it today! It drives so nicely it is unbelievable – lots of space with double bunks. I am out during weekdays in the truck, and the Actros makes life easier, with its great fuel economy. The seats are really comfy, and I never have aches or pains. And at the end of the day, once my head hits the pillow, I am out like a light!”

Handy on the corners for Harry.

Harry Watson works for Preston-based, NWES Trailers a company that runs a hire fleet of empty trailers.

Speaking about the Actros’ capabilities in their yard, Harry said: “We use them for shunting around primarily. The good thing for us is the 4x2s, which have a short wheelbase and can get into tighter yards with no problems. Their short wheelbase combined with being easy to drive with nice and light steering means that they have a great turning circle.”

The perfect puller.

Andy Cooper, a general haulage truck driver at Forest Freight in Essex for over 25 years, has almost always driven Mercedes-Benz trucks.

Speaking about the company owner’s love for the brand, Cooper said: “The owner swears by Mercedes-Benz trucks! Inside the Actros, the cabs are lovely and are so roomy for being away all week. Mine has a microwave fitted, some have Satnav, and it is a good living space for being away for the week - you need the room.

“My Actros 510 pulls well – fully freighted all the time. We haul a lot of timber work for garden centres, and we haul chemicals as well.”

1 in 400.

The maneuverability and flexibility of the Actros appeals to Paul Briscoe who works for McCloys, a clay shooting supplier based in Northern Ireland. The company fleet comprises four trucks, including two early EDITION 1 models: number one and number four out of 400 built.

Speaking about why the company chose the EDITION 1 model, Briscoe said: “The company went for them because they had heard good things about Mercedes-Benz trucks and of their capabilities. When we are heavy, we are right on the limit. Even the 630’s fuel economy is good when pulling 44 tonnes. And they look good - after all - ‘image is everything.

Making the switch to MirrorCam.

“The drivers at McCloys keep the trucks as clean as we can! I spend two hours a day cleaning this truck. I’m away Monday to Friday, so when I am parked up there isn’t much else to do besides watching TV or sleeping!

“Each week, I am in the truck for 45 hours and its spot on for comfort. I love the bed and the seats are brilliant – I never get any back pain. MirrorCam takes a bit of getting used to, but I like it so much now that I don’t know if I would go back to conventional mirrors!”

Whether it’s comfort, maneuverability, fuel economy, pulling power or something else, there’s no doubt that the three-pointed star, and particularly the Mercedes-Benz Actros – is a hit with the trucking community.

Share your trucking story with us!

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