Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

the link is just a fleet spec r440

everything is an option on euro trucks, generally you can't buy a new truck 'off the lot' they are built to order including the shocks. Magnetorheological shocks are for sensitive loads, you can adjust the dampening for rough surfaces, it doesn't make much difference to the driver as cabs are fully suspended from the chassis on usually 4 airbags and shock absorbers making a very smooth ride

 

A48" mid roof sleeper has less room than an actros for instance, sure it's a foot longer but not nearly as high or wide, a Volvo fh XXL has the same length cab and you get the height and width, I'd still choose the euro cab for the ride, creature comforts and safety

 

disc brakes become really widely used more and more construction trucks have them , you can find lot of 10-11year old mercedes actros mp2 tippers with all round disc brakes , they also come with protection





mercedes is even forcing them in heavyhaulage , now you can no longer get truck even with drum brakes without ebs,



related to retirement and age, this have lot to do with womans, it is hard to find women these days who like that you are never home, even most of long distance drivers come home at weekend and many of them 2times per week

it was like that before but trucking was far better payed and when you bring home big amount of money they had to keep quiet

btw grandfather of my friend have 82years still drive truck , brother of my father still drive have 72years , he have good financial situation i think he drive to avoid his mother in law

my brother got engaged a few days ago , he already plans to stop driving ,also she is mechanical engineer in military/airfrorce she would have to be absent(for example now she is on training for afghanistan/or similar conditons from november till june) so somebody would have to be with children

my father stop doing longer distances in april 2003 and start with tippers, as he was never home

it is not small , european trucks got huge number of air vent holes already 20years from now , this makes there is no cold areas, sealings and insulation is good , but even if you take older trucks it was not bad this was problem 40years ago

you can get everything you want , but only is matter of reason why do you need this and do you really need this, in some applications this overpressure cab is good thing for example to avoid dust inside like in construction

 

Yup not to mention full climate control, properly insulated cabs and even double glazed windows, heat and fogged up windows aren't an issue. Also bad fitting doors isn't an issue in Europe , us doors rarely fit right, there's always a breeze, wind noise and one truck I regularly drive let's water in

youre right, def no woman will put up with you being away like that and the money isn't in it anymore to make it worth it!

 

"...it is not small , european trucks got huge number of air vent holes already 20years from now , this makes there is no cold areas, sealings and insulation is good..." Okay, this is a technical problem. It has to do with the outside temp and wind speed. When the temps get cold and wind speed picks up..is when your window viewing area decreases.

 

why would European truck be different to us trucks here? If anything larger euro windscreens make it easier to see plus they won't fog up

 

"...Trucking in Europe is a bleak affair, personally I don't intend to stay driving until I retire, the reasons are the constant and persistent interference by laws and law enforcement , constantly falling rates and pay and conditions that opening the market up to Eastern Europe has created, in Europe driving is just a job, not like NA where it's a way of life and it shows, drivers in America take genuine pride in their work. European trucks are constantly being made more refined and comfortable to keep drivers interested, comfort sells trucks in Europe , by comparison euro trucks are more comfortable..."

Scania Man, there are real long term health issues involved in trucking. I've been reading the research. Do not over identify with a marketers enthusiasm. Suspension & Exhaust are focal point one. Exhaust gases are improving. Suspension systems still have a lot of growth. The magnetorheological damper or magnetorheological shock absorber for Semi-Trucks are solely in the realm of experimental. Experiments to add to the Cab suspension show seals leakage. Weight issues are the problem based from the research..

 

The trucks are not different. Driving thru specific regions of the U.S., with very focused, high wind, winter storms. Sample: driving thru eastern colorado, along I-70, during one of their high wind ice storms. Your windows will fog and ice over. (due to wind speed).

 

exhaust leakage is less of a problem in Coe designs as the fumes are blown through, European suspension is generally better than in the us, longer front springs with longer travel air suspension in the rear combined with full cab suspension give a ride comparable to most luxury cars, there's no side to side jarring that you get with a 2point cab suspension , the cabs float completely independent of the chassis and are on euro trucks for over 25 years. I had magnetic shock absorbers on an aircraft engine trailer 12 years ago and the weren't new back then.

I'm well aware of health issues concerning truck drivers, I've seen many friends and colleagues die of issues arising from poor health due mostly to poor diet and lack of regular exercise, I try keep myself fit, I do a little boxing , cycling and race motorcycles but it's hard when you're working full time and as you well know finding motivation for exercise after a long day is tough. Don't get me wrong I know a good working environment is important for health but you gotta live right too, so hopefully I won't be driving for too long more, it's a job for a young man! Sure I wouldn't mind doing an odd week I still like driving but I long for a normal 9-5 job and be home and not have the hassle of dealing with the law on a daily basis, pity the business is gone like it is

 

They won't if they're double glazed and heated, I've driven in Norway and Sweden in the middle of winter in blizzard conditions without any problems, then again I've driven in canada in normal US conventionals in the middle of winter and had no problems either