Q and A with Mulgrew Haulage driver David Henning
Q and A
Mulgrew Haulage driver has been on the road since 1999, and he still loves it! Read our Q and A with him.
David Henning and his truck appeared on the Mercedes-Benz stand at Truckfest Peterborough this year. Find out more about him and his life on the road in our Q and A.
Q: Have you always been into trucks?
A: I have been into trucks since I could see! It’s true!
Q: Who or what first got you interested in trucks?
A: My hero! My dad! We have a very healthy passion for trucks which stemmed from him being a driver when I was a child. He still is today.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: It’s a mixture of a lot of things. The freedom to do your job your way. The travel. The responsibility of such a large machine and cargo, and the sheer joy of listening to that engine when fully freighted and the truck pulling hard. I just love it.
Q: Can you tell us more about your current truck?
A: My truck is a Mercedes-Benz Actros Giga Space 2563 Styleline. 6x2 with a pusher axle. I have a cabin interior refit from Holland, radio antennas on the mirror arms to give it that real old school truck feel. It has Durabrite Alcoa wheels and runs on Michelin tyres all round and across the fleet. She has just turned two years old on the 3 June 2018 and has 246,000kms on the clock. All predominantly on Irish roads!
Q: Have you always been into Mercedes-Benz trucks?
A: I admired them but I never had the chance to drive them as Volvo and Scania are very much predominant in Northern Ireland. However I’ve nearly had five years of driving Mercedes-Benz now and I can honestly say my attitude towards them has changed dramatically. They are a fantastic product and one which, if you drive them in the correct manner, are very enjoyable and easy machines to work with.
Q: What is your favourite feature of your truck?
A: It has to be the flat floor. When I discuss this with other drivers they don’t take it on board. Then when they get into the cab they’re all over it, saying that’s awesome. It makes such a difference when you are away all week, or backing in somewhere on your blind side etc.
Q: What is your must-have item in the cab when you are out on the road?
A: Audiobooks! I have all Roald Dahl's works, Charles Dickens and a ton of BBC Radio 4 afternoon plays. It’s the simple things really.
Q: And finally, have you got any interesting hobbies?
A: My hobbies are simple really. Trucks, nature, the garden, photography and family. I love nothing more than walking in nature about 6:00am with the camera on a beautiful summer's morning going back home washing the truck and having breakfast with my family. That’s heaven.
Q: You took your truck to Truckfest this year - can you tell us more about being on the stand? Did you enjoy the weekend?
A: What can I tell you! Well, simply, it was a dream come true. As a kid growing up reading the various trucking publications, I used to read and look on in glee at the men on the trade stands with their brand new machines. Fast forward 30+ years and here I am on the Mercedes-Benz stand at Peterborough! I was truly in dreamland driving my truck onto that stand. I had THE best weekend ever. The staff on the stand were fantastic, so friendly and attentive and warm, it was very special indeed.
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