Cabovers

Mostly ego problems
The cabovers with the set back steer axle and air ride suspension ride very nice

but if you can drive a long hood , and
A huge stand up sleeper , why not ?

 

Yup. We had a Pete that we used for a short logger. It hauled lumber in the winter with two short turkey racks that we cobbled together. The guy that drove it got it brand new and wouldn't drive anything else but as soon as he retired we got rid of it 'cause nobody else wanted it.

 

Realistically if the carriers were to go back to cabovers 90%+ of the drivers would just comply and drive them. Sad, but true.

 

I learned to drive in an 80s cabover and share the hatred for them. Thing is, modern cabovers are nothing like those old trucks. No longer need to climb a ladder and stretch over to driver's door or crawl on hands and knees to reach the bunk.

This looks fine to me, wouldn't have a problem living in one of these 6-7 weeks at a time.




Flat floor, stand up headroom and built in fridge etc.

 

The problem with this discussion is you have a bunch of guys that have absolutely no clue what they are talking about. I would venture to guess that 99% have never even seen a euro spec cabover, let alone driven one. A 30 year old American truck isn't the same as a new euro spec truck. That is like a guy asking about buying a new pete 579 and everybody responds with how much the 1963 pete 351 they drove sucked. Wtf does one have to do with the other? I for one would love the option of a modern cabover. Have a shorter truck, better turning radius, same size sleeper as conventional truck and ability to haul longer loads with hangover. So every benefit of a 300" wb truck in a truck that is literally 6ft shorter...what's not to like. You guys might want to educate yourselves a little bit before spewing a bunch of crap.

Edit: I would also venture to guess that since we aren't Europe, they will adapt them even more to the US market. I would guess longer wb and a bigger sleeper. Just a guess though.

 

There's no reason for the majority of drivers here to have one. Now if they allowed longer trailers nationwide I'd see the point, still wouldn't want one. Now a 351 Pete, I could be talked into having one of those.

 

I have actually seen one a while back. I admit I never have driven one. Yes, you are correct it is a mistake to link these trucks to the old style cab overs of the past. To each their own I guess. I'm retired now and have no dog in this debate!

 

VW owns a good chunk of international truck now at least what I read awhile back.
They said in a trade publication that they were researching the feasibility of bringing
Scania to America. I have seen a couple in the states from Canada.
I really like the Scania longline sleeper set up

 

I disagree. The trucks and trailers have gotten bigger, but everywhere you go has stayed the same. Besides, it's all about choice. I would love a truck with the exact same capabilities as the one I have that is literally 6ft shorter and better turning radius.....what's wrong with that? The new ones are much easier to get in/out of aswell compared to the old ones. Having a 6 ft shorter truck with better turning would be alot easier to get around in when it comes to delivering. I don't deliver off the side of the interstate. Much easier to navigate traffic in. Again, I would love to have the option to buy a modern cabover.

Edit: they are alot easier to see your surroundings in aswell. Also a plus in town, heavy traffic or crap docks.

 

I drove a 1992 freight liner with a setback axle W/Burlington motor carriers- 3 weeks out 2 days in