Stretching frames on Trucks? What is the purpose?

A bit of stretch looks nice but the one in the first post is overboard IMO. But if it makes the driver happy and proud to drive it then its all good.

Just my opinion, its worth what you paid for it.

 

You kinda beat me to it, but there is a practical application like you posted.

A Stretched frame tractor with a 53' spread axle flat can accommodate a 63'+ steel beam (or overhead crane bar like your picture), without ever pulling a permit,( in most states ), thus being competitive to people like myself with heavier stretch trailers. More weight capacity.

The only time I have an advantage is when the load is not self supporting.

Trust me, when I see a stretch frame truck pulling a long beam, he gets the stink eye from me, but it's with respect, because he figured out a better mousetrap.

Now if it's pulling a reefer - I just look over and say "That's cool", and go on with my day.

Little else bores me more than seeing regular fleet specced trucks rolling down the road, drab and subdued. Stretch frame tractors scream "WOWW BABY!" to me, but I might be a bit biased.

 

I know - the shorter time you spend studying problems and overcoming them.

That's an old one.

 

@skallagrime

 

Agreed there - turn radius is terrible. Obviously mine is 320" wheelbase to accommodate the 120" sleeper, my fuel mileage is pretty similar to other hood trucks - longer trucks with set back axles are a lot more easier to get around in, and if they're an aero design, fuel mileage suffers little - from others I know with big bunks but aero cabs.

The picture you posted, that's just cool - and if that driver is happy, then that's all that matters. Yes, it's impractical, with a van or reefer, but, I'm sure you put playing cards in the spokes of your bicycle wheels at some stage of your youth?

 

its a custom look.. do you go to car shows and say man these cars are so impractical. my 2018 corolla gets way better gas mileage then a 50's merc? why would anybody own one of these?

its about loving what you do and taking pride in building what you want... guys customizing their trucks do not give 2 ####s about fuel mileage or wind resitance or anything else mentioned.. they leave that for the haters to worry about...

 

You know there's thousands of trucks running around with frame splices that will never fail. Sure some are hack jobs and may fall apart but most will be forgotten about and never be a problem. It's not an inevitable

 

I didn’t know this was a new phenomenon.