Here at Southern Cross Truck Rentals, we are committed to providing top-of-the-line Prime Mover Rentals that are the best in performance and safety. Our truck rental services include the powerful Mercedes-Benz Actros, suited for B-double configurations from our rental truck fleet, these are essential for moving large freight across long distances. SCTR aims to drive safety and compliance in heavy equipment rental, offering flexible truck rentals to new and experienced drivers. That is why, in this blog we outline all the essential practices for truck professionals that will be operating a B-double Actros Truck.
Our customers may be new to driving and looking for Prime Mover rental for short-term hauling needs or affordable Prime Mover hire for small businesses. The important thing is working out how to choose the right Prime Mover rental company and knowing how to prepare for your Prime Mover rental. SCTR have over 20 years experience assisting new and experienced drivers to find affordable and suitable Prime Movers for their specific task. We love helping our customers understand the world of truck driving, safety, and compliance. Our fleet team are always able to assist with providing advice when our customers have technical B-double and Prime Mover questions.
Actros Safety Attributes for B-Doubles
When our customers rent a Prime Mover to lead a b-double set, which comprises of two trailers attached to a prime mover, there’s significant need for attention to proper handling and safety. Our short-term truck rental and long-term prime mover rental for the Mercedes-Benz Actros, offers advanced features in safety that help truck drivers manage some of the challenges posed by a large vehicle combination.
These Prime Mover rental benefits include the following truck support:
Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC): A PPC optimises the fuel consumption and the control of a vehicle by adjusting the gear shifts automatically depending on which terrain or road conditions you experience with your Prime Mover Hire. This is critical for long journeys and helps to maintain smooth handling on difficult roads and uneven routes. It also provides a driver with automated driving support.
Active Brake Assist: This is a lifesaving feature which can detect possible collisions, this includes pedestrians, and road wildlife as it automatically applies the brakes if the truck driver does not respond in time. For drivers, active brake assist gives peace of mind where long haul trips can sometimes lead to unplanned driver distractions.
Blind Spot Assist: Given the size of B-doubles, one of the significant risks are blind spots. That is why, with Blind Spot Assist, the truck detects vehicles that are in adjacent lanes, helping to lessen the dangers of changing lanes on highways and in busy towns. Truck drivers know all too well how unpredictable people and vehicles can be when it comes to blind spot awareness around trucks!
Proximity Control Assist: Driving in busy traffic with a B-double is incredibly challenging. This kind of environment requires trucks to maintain a safe distance from some vehicles, to help prevent rear-end collisions.
This feature is designed to upgrade the overall safety of a truck, but as any driver knows this works best if you combine it with vigilant driving and compliant safety practices while driving.
Safety Tips for Operating B-Doubles
Even with the most advanced technology, safe operations of B-doubles are still dependent on the truck driver’s skill and attention. Here at SCTR we recommend these safe practices for all our truck drivers and rental drivers:
Start of Trip Inspections: Check the tire condition, brakes, lights, and the hitch connections and ensure you’ve completed any checklists of logbook needs. If you are renting you are still required to do your pre-inspection despite our excellent fleet maintenance practices. If you have detected potential issues, resolving these prior to driving lessens the chances of breakdowns or accidents while on the road.
Proper Load Securing: Making sure that cargo is distributed evenly between the trailers is critical in maintaining stability. If you have secured your load poorly or have unbalanced cargo, this can increase your risk of rollover, especially if you come across sudden turns or braking.
Respect Speed Limits: B-doubles are the kind of truck that is heavy and takes longer to stop than smaller trucks. If you speed this may increase accidents, so make sure to follow the legal speed limits. Most importantly, in areas with sharp turns or unpredictable weather, ensure you slow down and consider the variation to environments on a long trip.
Compliance and Regulatory Requirements
Here at SCTR we understand the importance of being up to date with driving and transport regulations. Doing the same will ensure that your truck operations will remain safe. Key areas that are regulated and required include;
Chain of Responsibility (CoR): Every person in the logistic chain from top to bottom has a role and responsibility in maintaining safety while on the road. This is called the ‘Chain of Responsibility’. The driver, schedulers, and loaders have responsibilities and non-compliance has penalties. It is important that all personnel are trained and aware of their responsibilities.
Fatigue Management: The law for this one is strict, drivers are required to take breaks during their long-haul trips. It is important that drivers track their driving hours, ensuring they are still within legal limits and remain alert while on the road.
Load Mass and Dimensions: It is critical for safety and compliance that one does not exceed the maximum mass and size limits for B-doubles. Being overloaded can lead to painful penalties and road accidents.
Overall, operating a B-double Actros truck really requires knowledge, skill, and commitment to your safety. At SCTR, we are proud that we offer excellent and safe heavy transport vehicles at competitive Prime Mover rental rates. The responsibility for safe operations is an obligation of every driver and operator. Being vigilant, using the advanced safety features of the Actros, and following the road rules, we will make sure that with an SCTR B-double rental every trip you have is safe, compliant, and efficient. This kind of commitment makes our roads safer and improves road safety for all road users. We offer Prime Mover rentals for businesses and can work with customers on Prime Mover rental deals for long term rentals.
If you are wondering how to rent a Prime Mover? Reach out now and let us help you find a reliable Prime Mover solution with support for compliance and service from our knowledgeable and friendly team. Contact Southern Cross Truck Rentals on 1800 878 254.
