what age 7.5 tonner is it? later ones are limited to 56mph, but older ones are not, so can legally do 70.
ok, what sort of tacho has it got? .
if driving with a tacho chart, you must fill in your full name, initials & surname won't do.
you should stick to the 4.5 hrs of driving, (set it on the steering wheel logo)
then 45mins break(little bed logo) then another 4.5hrs driving. then another 45mins break. then you can do another hour. then its 9hrs minimum rest...
the main thing is to get your seating position sorted out before you start. then get all your mirrors set.
motorway is the most dangerous, as you are approaching slow wagons, trying to pass them & also avoid cars.. indicate earlier, and pull out sooner... the most important thing with the big wagons is they will flash you in when you are safely past.. to thank them, you indicate left, pull in, & then indicate right for 2 flashes, then left for 2 flashes... or they will think you are amateur scum
driving down country roads is a doddle. the gears are usually stiff for the 1st couple of miles, then get easy. change gear slowly, it ain't a car. as for braking, they are really sharp.. its probably the biggest culture shock for a car driver. so brake earlier, and start off gently, and push more as you need it. standing on them will cause your mate to hit the screen. driving them like a car will drink the juice, you are limited to 50mph on single carriageway roads (60 on dual carriageway a roads), use momentum, look 400yds down the road all the time, it will come to you. also, you need to turn really late at junctions cos you are in front of the wheels.
now, running at 60mph empty, you should be doing more than 20mpg.
i get 243 miles each way from richmond to newbury. obviously you need to go down the m1. exit at j15a & follow the A43 past silverstone, then follow the m40/a34 to newbury. if the wagon does 70mph then it should be do-able in 10 hrs driving, which you can do in 15hrs from start to finish according to tacho laws
oh, and buy some yorkie bars & wear a check shirt