Question on semi trucks

[yellowsocks93]

Hi everybody,

I just wondered why we in the USA don't have more cab over model trucks like in the UK such as Scania and DAF? The Scania trucks look pretty nice. Can they pull as much as a normal hood? The hosepower is quite high like 480. Also since some of you like 5030 for example have said you are truckers what would you recommend a young kid like myself go through to get my CDL for farm use or what did you do to get yours? There are a few schools here in Mn that look good. Thanks for any insights you may have on this topic.

 

[Bob_Skurka]

I think it is a space issue. We see conventional cabs in rural areas and areas where turning radius is less of an issue. We see cab overs in congested areas. When we buy trucks, and granted we don't buy the really big ones, our experience is that the cab overs are more expensive than the conventional cabs. We run cab overs up into Chicago where we deliver in the downtown area, but conventional cabs in rural areas where we have parking lots, wide open spaces and larger dock areas.

 

[Bird]

<font color="blue"> cab overs are more expensive than the conventional cabs</font>

I'm not a trucker, but both my brothers have been, and aren't some other reasons for more conventional cabs:

1) a little easier to get in and out of
2) smoother, more comfortable ride
3) a little safer in the event of a collision
4) you can open the hood to access the engine without tilting the whole cab and sleeper?

 

[powerstroke2000]

Bird hit the nail on the head with his post.
Most trucker I hear complain about getting in and out of a cab over all day.
What we need to do isuse the RR more

 

[Taylortractornut]

Im 24 just got my class B's, weve owned a few trucks, mostly i didnt have time to get CDL's when I was younger usually we hauled offroad. I despise a cab over for climbing in and out especially with a dump trailer evenwith an air tailgate you still have to rake you gate off and get out alot. THe part mentioned above about safety is true to my brother always said a cabover driver is always to firt one at the wreck. Also Ive never seen a conventional kick the cab forward in a tiz. Dad had a friend that used to have a company and he had a D8 on an International cabover and the mechanic didnt relatch the cab He had to brake and he got a suprise when he was a few feet from the yellow lan and all his stuff on the window. In that position the steering ujoints are locked.
On thing that i Really hate about the cab overs is the ride sittin over the front axle also triy getting out of one after freezing rain has loaded your steps. also cleaning the windows is a challenge on some models. Ive heard folks arug about their shorter turning radius but alot of companis now carry set back axles the give a better ride and nearly the same turning radius. There's more room under a cab to put certain engines but its hard to wok on the tops of some motors under a cab and heat buildup under them can cause a problem. Im very onsided for a conventional, I do like some of the smaller cabovers of the 50's and 60's like White Compacts and the Chevy and GMC cabovers. The main reason Cabovers went away is restrictions on tractor cab and trailer combinations length restrictions were withdrawn from most states. My favorite truck of alll times is the B model Macks even though the cabs were tiny and blazing hot. I drive an old beat up DM600 Sidewinder cab Rolloff truck for a company. With a Mack 2 stick six speed. It has the Mack standard defects the drivers door wont open from the inside without trouble and the passenger door is almost impossible to open lol.

 

[yellowsocks93]

I heard on a trucking website that in the next few years we will need 80,000 more truckers. That's a lot considering everything we buy comes by truck. Cars and tractors come to mind first as well as food. I thought that being a trucker part time during college next year would be a good job to help pay for it. Except trucking school is 6 grand so I'll have to pay that off with my normal tuition with is going to be high. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[gotrocks]

<font color="red">What we need to do isuse the RR more </font>

Amen to that, Too bad our polititians did not have enough foresite to help keep the Railroads running.

Freight would be less expensive and the death rate on the highways would be lower. And auto travel would be more enjoyable.

There are still many "Kings of the Road", but there are too many
"Jacks and Aces." behind the wheel.

 

[fivestring]

"Except trucking school is 6 grand so I'll have to pay that off with my normal tuition with is going to be high."

There are options....
Schneider, and I'm sure others, train you and pick up most of the tab. In return, you have to agree to drive for them for a specified period. You might want to check into those types of options.

 

[MRHURT]

I was able to get my CDL by driving for a local trucking company on property owned by a paper mill, which meant i needed no license to drive. You maybe able to find a deal like that in your area and drive like that till you get used to the truck and can pass the CDL test.

 

[slowzuki]

About the safety of cab over or normal, I think it is a draw. Truck cabs are built like match stick houses! I spend a lot of time in scrap yards and it isn't pretty. Trucks and imovable objects or roll overs are not a good mix.