Cabs are also crated (taller crates) when the come from overseas. They can get more in container that way. Again, they (often) sit outside before being crated, they get unloaded where ever they get assembled/tires and probably sit outside there, then the sit outside waiting on a truck. I am sure there are exceptions to this (always are), but this is pretty standard for all the industry. Long and short - it has been this way for years, if it caused any real problems, the manufactures would find another way. Tractors with come out of the crate with issues do not sell, tractors that do not sell cost the manufacture money on so many levels (increased inventory cost, repair cost, floorplan cost, lost sales, etc.).
