Truckers are the captains of the road

“It looks great, the workmanship is outstanding, it has a powerful engine, and then there’s MAN HydroDrive^® – an absolute must-have when off-roading!” When you hear Andreas talk about his MAN TGX, you know exactly how he feels about the brand: Once a lion, always a lion.

When Andreas Joerissen first got behind the wheel of a truck, he was still a full-time digger operator. There was a staffing shortage and this saw him take the wheel of a milk tanker at the age of 21. “That’s when I discovered my love for trucks,” recalls Andreas, who now drives his truck full-time as an independent contractor. Freedom and flexibility are the two things that he likes most about his job as a trucker. He works in the construction industry and delivers excavated earth and construction materials to his customers. The ability to work with the utmost precision and to remain calm are the characteristics required to ensure that everyday professional life goes smoothly. And then you need the right tools. In this respect, the 33-year-old has long since found a truck he can trust and has done a great deal to ensure that the MAN TGX 18.510 leaves a lasting impression. “Truckers are the captains of the road,” says Andreas, which was the inspiration behind the slogan “Port of Herne” that he has emblazoned on his MAN truck. After all, Herne has become his new home town, his home port, in a manner of speaking. The idea for the decal came to him when he was taking a break at a rest area and he saw another truck with a similar slogan. “The lion embodied the pride I feel in my own lion,” he explains.

Vehicle care is priority number one

The chassis of Andreas’ truck has been painted in Ferrari red, but the impressive look does not stop there. Take a peek behind the cab door of the MAN TGX and you will find a snazzy interior with great attention to detail and fancy accessories: A Porsche mat on the floor, Audi Alcantara on the instrument panel and cabinet doors, interior fittings in the style of the MAN PerformanceLine edition, a coffee machine, microwave, TV and hammock – all top-of-the-range. Andreas hasn’t missed a trick when fitting out his MAN truck. But he’s not finished yet: He is planning to mount Michelin men on the roof of the MAN TGX and a stone guard in front of the windscreen. With so much attention to detail, it is essential that the vehicle is also properly cared for. Conveniently, this happens to be one of Andreas’ hobbies: “The working day is not over until the rims have been cleaned.” For Andreas, this principle applies to both the exterior and the interior. And if someone wants to get in? Leave your shoes at the door: The <Take your shoes off!> sign above the step unit provides a clear message to visitors.

One of Andreas’ biggest dreams was set to come true in 2020 before the coronavirus spoiled the party: “This year I was due to get a space at the ADAC Truck Grand Prix through MAN and I would love to have gone. Thank you, coronavirus!” Andreas’ disappointment about the cancellation is palpable. The greatest thing about festivals like that is the togetherness, the things people have in common and the wonderful atmosphere with like-minded, friendly people,” he enthuses. And we hope, of course, that he is able to enjoy all of that next year. In the meantime, however, we wish him all the best for his tours in his MAN truck, thereby expressing one of Andreas’ heartfelt wishes, as it were: “May the lion be my faithful companion for a long time to come.”