roger c

Thanks for the reply, If I have it right, example, on a run from Florida up to the northwest, I can expect to have to move the trailers axles to be within the laws of the state Im about to enter regarding weight distribution? If this is the case why oh why has the transport industry country wide demanded uniformity across all states? Surely time,money and convenience to all would be beneficial to all including vehicle/trailer makers. Standardization, everyone then knows the rules.

F10, I got the first one on the road in the city Im from, came out of a Seddon,220cummins, it took along time to come to terms with the F10 that model jumped 20yrs into the future. At the time there were no demos for weeks drivers were knocking the door, it was so bad I would not stop on services! I had it all over again with a Scania Tcab. the first 3 Tcabs into the UK, one was a day cab I believe, it went to Scotland, the other two (sleepers) came to Atchison Topeka, these three Tcabs were for two years the only ones on the road in the Uk, the office complained about calls to see em, sit in em, even use em for "Weddings" there were as many women interested in them as men. They were LHD. the problems you could have getting on ferries, if the crew wanted you up along side in the wings and it was 3/4 full you could not get the trl. straight, trying to explain to french crews, well they understood after you have reversed off to go on last and the sailing was now delayed! you needed much more lenth to travel in order to get it straight. Happy days. Trucknet. my names on the MAT forum pages, I drove for them on the international side for 19yrs. A fantastic employer! Another memory I had a Bedford V8 detroit full width cab, cab rubbish, but the power it was better than the 290s plus the sound was music...I was young then. Are you a owner/driver for hire and reward or your trucks a hobby? Im not fixated with American trucks just interested as to how the americans work and operate within the road transport industry in the US/Canada. I worked with a guy who had relations just inside Canada, he spent years driving there splitting the year between the UK and Canada, he used to give us the low down if you ask. Im very aware about making waves, but in a lot of ways they seemed behind, unlimited driving hours, a lot of "Hand Ball" unit only to pick trailers up travelling miles, if the wheels dont turn you dont earn. Hence the interest now Im retired, as any driver will tell you, when doing it you dont have time for anything else, too busy trying to earn enough to put "Butter on the Bread" Not to you but to any American drivers reading this I am not "Extracting the Urine" its simply a genuine interest. If you prefer drop me you email add. Regards,Roger

Again another great looking truck. As your from the UK as I am, 40yrs on the road. My last truck before retirement was a Scania Topliner 480. The cabs now have flat floors as the last 3 Topliner models they had 4 inches of engine hump, the first topliners had the top bunk at the front of the cab set above your head it gave you a lot wider bed, the only problem was if you were a big guy , no, not fat, just big you had trouble turning over. Then they re-designed the layout putting it above the bottom bunk and everything was "Tickety Boo" Talking about the "88s" I had 2 but at the time the 11o-111 s were far better for space in my opinion, Your right about the Alum. pop rivets remember what we in the UK would call em....Heinz beans tins! lol. Ive often thought why the chassis lenth is so long with the fifth wheel so far back too, maybe you can tell the answer.

you ever thought about a career change, on stage! if you go first class you could get a "Fly By" or "Fly Over" One time I was parked for overnight stop, its dark and Im about to go to bed when a car reverses , parks in front of my truck , one guy in the car, then a big merc. car arrives, lady driver. the guy slips into the ladies car, not long before they start to get close. I did not perv. but flash my lights, lit the pair of em up, ha he shot out her car,she drove off, he Thanked me and left. You dont get to see these incidents in a hooded truck The pics Ive posted of my trucks are taken throughout Europe with various trailers. The products carried are all food in solids or liquids mainly chocolate and fruit juices. The tanks are all fitted with independent heat systems, some on the juice had fridge units as well as heat. For those of you that may ask, the fridge trailers turn fine without hitting the cab, the two points or three you must be aware of when reversing the rear axle swings out a way, when turning tight there is a overhang of the front corners with the trailer, when coupling up to the fridges you have to take the weight of the trailer and stop, climb on the back, connect the electric and air lines then carry on coupling up till the jaws hold the pin. As you can see there is only about 6/8 inches when fully coupled space between cab and fridge unit. This is to improve aerodynamics, cut down air turbulence, drag, this is all part of better fuel consumption . The axle configuration of the entire truck and trailer is to obtain maximum weight distribution for axle weights, wear and tare of tyres plus turning circle again reducing tyre scrub, notice the super single tyres on the trailer, all trucks throughout Europe operate with these, again improves fuel returns, wear and tare they also do less damage to road surfaces, price wise there cheaper than two tandem tyres. Any questions I will be pleased to answer. I also had two hooded Scanias but have lost the pics, they were called Scania T cabs if you look on the net you will get pics. They are not produced/built now. Rogerc

Now whats not to like about this truck, its a very attractive truck. This talk of cabovers being less safe, you guys that favour this idea, fine, you ever think that you have a great lump of engine block in front of you to come crashing back into your lower body? bonnet, mudguards crumpling up to alter, re design your facial looks? Its pot luck how anyone fares in any vehicle accident regardless of your style of truck.

HI To All, I found this site by accident while looking for truck info and Im really surprised by the amount of drivers who prefer bonneted trucks, and also many seem to think they are safer in accidents. Please allow me to give you my opinion, no insults or malicious intent Ive driven trucks for many years throughout Europe and Scandinavia. Cabovers verses bonnet trucks. Because in the US you have much,much more space than Europe its easier for you. In Europe its just not practical to use trucks with a bonnet/hood. I have driven both I found in the area of comfort , ride, there was a better ride in the cabovers, Let me try to explain why. In European trucks we have for many years been on air suspension throughout the rig, springs are jurassic. Air Sus. gives a better ride and less damage to the road surfaces, it also comes in very handy when on "Dock levellers". The second important item is length of chassis and where the coupling/pin , we call "Fifth wheel" is positioned.Your trucks seem to have very long wheel base with a space between the rear of the cab and front of the trailer, enough space to hold a dance. Its bad for two reasons, fuel consumption and ride. The more space, the greater the "Air Oscillation" plus your pressing down at the rear, putting more weight on the rear axles and lifting the front axle, all this gives you a bad ride. We in Europe have more restrictions in area available this is why our trucks have a tighter turning circle than US trucks, our mirrors are convex hence we have better rear and side vision, plus now we have nearside mirrors that the glass came swing in or out at the touch of a switch, its handy. Our windows are larger too I think. European safety control is very high, "Health and Safety" we call it, in the work place is High and Stringent. If you look at European trucks you will see on the tractors we have three axles, the rear axle is your drive, the other two both steer plus the middle one lifts up clear of the road when running empty or in snow to give more traction. Im sure many ex US Forces drivers station in Germany will be aware of the big differences in the trucks. The American trucks are very "Photogenic" hence the worldwde interest, I was in Italy many years ago taking a break, upon my return to my truck I found parked next to me a White Freightliner, it was a big surprise to me in reality they were much smaller, at this time the tyres were smaller size as were the wheel studs. Any questions you may have well I will be pleased to answer. Last, to the guys that think your safer in a bonnet truck, hahaha You should not be thinking about accidents and how you will fare, "Have more confidence in your ability to drive safely , with responsibility towards other road users at all times. If you think this way would you refuse to fly on a jet with only two engines? if so and your flying to Europe or Japan you best get the Bus" Have a great day. Roger