Autobahn-Fernverkehr – Das logistische Rückgrat (1960er-1990er Jahre)

Long-distance motorway transport – The logistical backbone (1960s-1990s) Long-distance motorway transport on the A2 between the Ruhr region and Hamburg was the logistical backbone of the German economic miracle. This authentic truck documentary follows Werner Diekmann, a long-haul driver with Rhenus Transport, on a critical night drive in April 1972: 430 kilometers in a Mercedes-Benz LP 1924 S, 22 tons of steel coils, and a route plan that didn't yet take into account the new EEC driver tachograph requirement. The A2 in 1972: Mercedes-Benz LP series, MAN F7/F8, Büssing 16000 – classic trucks without power steering, without retarders, with 6-speed dual-clutch transmissions. EEC Regulation No. 543/69 had made tachographs mandatory from 1970 onwards. The requirement for two drivers to operate them was abolished. The dispatchers planned for 80 km/h – the reality in the truck convoy: 68 km/h. 📋 Technical data Mercedes-Benz LP 1924 S (RH-714): Year of manufacture: 1970, Rhenus Transport Engine: OM 346 A (turbocharged), 10.8 liters, 192 hp Transmission: ZF 6-speed dual-clutch Fuel consumption: 36-42 liters/100 km Mileage: 340,000 km (April 1972) April 1972, A2 Dortmund-Hamburg: Departure 8:30 p.m., unloading at Waltershof 6:00 a.m. Mandatory break after 4.5 hours – Diekmann is 23 minutes over. Oelder Land rest area: Checkpoint ahead. Between Hanover and Hamburg: Whistling from the turbocharger starting at 1,400 rpm. Diekmann reduces the engine speed to 1,280 rpm, notes the values ​​for the logbook, and continues driving. No garage available at 2:30 a.m. Arrival in Hamburg at 4:19 a.m. Total driving time: 6 hours 24 minutes. Legally permitted: 9 hours. The trip is complete. RH-714: 412,000 km at the vehicle inspection (HU) in March 1974. Turbocharger replaced at 387,000 km. Sold in April 1974, in operation until 1978. --- #HighwayTrucking #MercedesLPSeries #ClassicTrucks #GermanTruckHistory #TruckDocumentation #A2Highway #TruckDriverHistory #GermanEngineering