Cab-over semi-trucks being replaced?
 

Could be just me but I hardly see any more cab-over trucks on the road. Why don't they make them as much as the regular semi-trucks? I remember a trucker once telling me that the cab-overs are the best trucks. He also said Peterbilts are the best.

Most drivers don't like them. Harder to climb in and out of, can't see out of them as well and you are the very first to arrive at a wreck!:o The way length laws now work it doesn't make the difference in the type of power unit like it used to. Mostly the trailer length is used and not overall length as used to be the case. You do have overall length limits but they are more liberal than the trailer length, at least in the NW.

They are still very popular in Europe, where space is always at a premium. Currently, there's very little market for them outside of in-town delivery trucks, I think only one manufacturer is still building cab-over OTR trucks for commercial use. The are rough, noisy, and daunting to work on with the whole cab propped precariously just above your head! :o

The safety concern is an increasing one as well. While you were above most veichles, your legs were still the crush-zone, so to speak. And really overall, most people just plain prefer a cowl-model truck with a conventional hood to a cab-over. They survived the late 70's and early 80's thanks to "B.J. & the Bear" but after that left mainstream TV, they never recovered. (If you don't understand this, don't worry - you're just young.) Your acquaintance who bragged on cabovers is a rare-one, indeed!

Aerodynamics and fuel economy killed the COE.
And already mentioned, drivers prefer conventionals over COE's. Unless they drive in urban settings only.

MikeyB

Those trucks literally have the aerodynamics of a brick wall. [laugh]

I always thought they looked pretty sweet when I was younger, really don't see them.

Freightliner is the only one in US. making them http://www.highwaystarcareers.com/yo...ture.cfm?ID=52

I drove a White c.o., that was in the 60`s they were good for around town, but no hell on the highway.

I just think conventionals look better. [coffee]

Mack still makes them.

i always see them moving trailer homes. i guess the short front end(or lack there of) makes them ideal in narrow areas! most of the ones ive seen though are usually single screw and looking pretty worn out!

brett

They also ride like......... well, really bad. Think about it, you are sitting ON top of the steering axle of a short wheel base truck. They just bounce like crazy. You almost need a kidney belt. Of course, I'm speaking of old White-Freightliners and Freightliners from the '80's.......

If your talking about things like trash trucks and construction trucks , you're right . International also makes cabover city delivery trucks . I was referring to OTR tractors .

We had one at the farm I used to work at. It's short wheelbase and tight turning circle made it nice for getting trailers up tight paths (can't call it a road) to get to grain bins and stuff.

At night you had to drive by the spotlight, because the headlights didn't work. Couldn't fix the headlights because the cab jack didn't work. It was a bit of a farm beater...

I could see where a cab over pickup could be handy, as room to swing the truck seems to be the limiting factor in where you can get a 5th wheel or trailer. I suppose the ride, safety, aerodynamic, and aesthetic disadvantages outweigh any benefit, though.

I always thought the Pete 379x was a gorgeous truck...

JMO

Any of the new volvo trucks turn just as sharp , or sharper than any cab over truck ever did. We have a couple at work , alone with several kenworths , a freightliner , and an international.

My 2 Cents
 

I have been driving truck for over 24 years and have driven both cabovers and conventionals. Cab overs used to be popular due to length laws, which have now changed, thus they are no longer popular for ALL the reasons already mentioned. Safety, ride, accesss, wind resistance, fuel economy etc. etc. etc. IMHO real big rigs have front fenders.

I like the traditional look:

http://www.dietersaccessories.com/ca...rbilt-2005.jpg

But the cab-overs they used in the Terminator movies look mean.

http://www.javelinamx.com/carstars/t2truck.jpg

Just because I'm QUITE strange, I've wanted a single axle COE w/sleeper just to have one. There is an International I pass by often but I NEVER have the stones to actually buy one!

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/trucks.htm

Is a NEAT place to see trucks old and new as well as models.

There was on old freightliner COE and an old ford 9000 COE Grain truck on the ranch i grew up on, I always enjoyed getting to go for a ride in them. I will always remember the screaming jimmy under the cab of that ford, couldn't carry on a conversation while riding in that one :). But you just can't beat the looks of a 359 or a needle nose pete. (remember the one in duel)

Hunt made the cab-over popular because they were on on the first fleet vehicles with AC.

i am with you on that one. i love the look of the black with the chrome and brushed stainless trim.

It deserves a pic post..

http://www.peterbilt.com/images/news/379x.jpg

The cabover really came into it's own when trailer length went to 40 feet. It could pull a 40 foot trailer in a state that limited maximum vehicle length to 55 feet. In decades past a long wheelbase conventional was considered a western truck while short wheel base cabovers were considered eastern trucks because the more restrictive length laws were most common in eastern states.

As stated several times, as the laws regarding vehicle length have changed the tractor is no longer a primary factor in determiming vehicle length. Under the CVSA the states were forced to adopt the same regulations. That standardization has removed the primary advantage of operating cabovers.

Conventionals are much safer. In a severe impact cabovers had a tendency to shear the front hinge mounts. The cab sometimes quite literally separated from the chassis.

My former mechanic many years ago actually had the hydraulics fail on a partially tilted cabover while he was working on it. Fortunately, he was a small guy. Although he was trapped for several minutes he survived. I also heard about a guy who had an old Mack COE fall on him. No one knew how to operate the old style tilt mechanism. By the time they found someone he was dead.

I've often wondered when the USA will finally allow road-trains, as my son drives one in AU http://outbacktowing.tripod.com/

Cab overs? Meh. I personally prefer the New Optimus Prime look.
http://www.ultimatetoys.com.my/new/T...0Prime%202.jpg

http://www.epicheroes.com/images/tra...HT81058Blg.jpg

Wow - those road trains are something else! :o

Man give me a fire engine red, 362 pete, with a loooooong 240'' wheel base, a couple of 8'' chrome stacks behind the cab, now thats a beautiful truck, cabovers forever!!

Jed

I caught the end of "Trick my Truck" on CMT yesterday and they were "tricking" a cab-over. They uglied it up pretty good, but I remember those trucks when I was a kid, still think they look cool. Funny thing is I haven't thought about cab-overs in decades, then I see one on TV and thread here in the same 24 hour period.

I always like the cabover F series Mack. Didn't have that 'crackerbox on wheels' look.

MikeyB

Did anyone see the one they did on trick my truck? After they got it done,anyone would have been proud to drive it.:cool:

I certainly hope they Don't allow them. The roads here in the midwest are bad enough without that much weight crusing over them. [duhhh]

There would have to be a massive re-work of some American highways if this ever happened here. Perhaps in the remote areas of Canada, it might make sense?

Too late! Under the laws that standardized many of the trucking regulations, Turnpike Doubles and Triples were legalized years ago across the USA. Some states still will not allow them. However, to maintain their Federal Highway funds they were required to provide signage for designated breakdown areas. Look for a small rectangular sign. It is blue with a center circle of white. In the center of that circle is a capital "T". That designates the next exit as a point at which Turnpike Doubles or Triples are allowed to exit the highway or freeway and uncouple one of their trailers (Which returns the vehicle to standard length) for delivery locally.

A Turnpike Double would be two 40' trailers pulled by a 3 axle tractor as opposed to standard doubles which are two 28' trailers usually pulled by a 2 axle tractor.

Triples are just that. Usually a 3 axle tractor pulling 3 -28' trailers. They are currently being operated in several western states. I know Nevada allows Triples and Turpike Doubles. I believe UPS has run Triples since they became legal.

These larger units have an excellent safety record which in one way has been proven by the fact you guys were unaware they have been in operation for years. Only the best senior drivers are assigned to these units. The last thing the companies need is a bad accident with these oversized units.

As for weight: Heavy trucks are nothing like light duty pickups. With a light duty truck you can haul anything that fits. Rarely will a cop even bother with you. Heavy tractor trailer combination are heavily regulated. On a pounds per square inch basis (Tire contact patch) they will frequently exert less than the average loaded pickup. The weight distribution formula remains the same. Axle loading does not increase with Triples or Turpike Doubles. The unit is held to exactly the same standard.

The gain comes with efficiency. Turpike Doubles convert two tractor/trailer units into one. Triples turn three sets of doubles with three tractors into two. In each case one entire tractor is eliminated. This lowers the companies bottom line and the shipping costs they will charge you. This decreases the demand for diesel fuel by 1/2 and 1/3 respectively. Highway congestion is decreased. There is also an impact on Global Warming since fewer vehicles are built and in operation. It's a good thing!

Maybe some of you trucker can answer my question. Every time I've been to Detroit I see trucks with 7-8 axels under the trailer. The have wheels from one end to the other. Usally dump style trailers with tarps covering them. What are they carring that is so heavy it requires so many axels.

Sounds like you may be talking about a Michigan Train. I know they will also pull a trailer. As I stated above the additional axles and tires allow the unit to carry a greater amount of weight without an increase in the force or pounds per square inch it exerts on the highway. I am not in Michigan so I do not know specifically which commodities are hauled. Dump trucks usually haul the various types of crushed rock, sand, rock dust, dirt, coal, sulfur, asphalt, grindings etc.. Where I am, I have hauled everything but coal.

I do like cabovers like the Renault Magnum. Air suspended cabin :)

http://www.lkw-infos.net/images/them...saa-260605.jpg

Naturally the aerodynamics aren't too great but for our length regs the cabover is still the only viable possibility.

Lots of pics of TP doubles and Triples at that site link I posted.

Here it is again: http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/trucks.htm

Most I ever see on Texas highways is 28' doubles. MANY of the freight companies do it!

I see doubles in this state. Only time I have seen a triple was in Nevada I believe. Never seen or even heard of pulling FOUR trailers until now! I agree with the gained benefits from running triples or more. Let's just hope the drivers keep them running safe.

This right here is just crazy! How does he turn with that thing?

http://outbacktowing.tripod.com/site...es/tanker2.jpg

wow
 

that must be an incredible sight to see and or drive. I couldnt even imagine.

Mike

Isn't it amazing what they can do with such little HP?