Mercedes Trucks

I was cruising through Portland, Ore. today on the way to work and I saw a Mercedes Cab-Over ala European style pulling what looked like a trailer for Yellow on I-5 headed southbound. Granted Portland is Daimler Trucks North American Headquarters (for the time being at least), but I don't recall seeing very many, if any, European style cab-overs here in the US.

Can anyone tell me if a Mercedes cab-over is part of any major trucking company's fleet? Are they common, and I'm just not paying attention? Anyone with experience driving one, how does it compare to American trucks?

Just curious.

 

That's it!!! I saw that very one, except the trailer it was pulling was for Yellow. Thanks.

Judging from that thread, some are guessing that it is part of some kind of demonstration unit related to Daimler here in Portland.

Does anyone around here know what is going to become of this test? More Euro cabovers in the US?

I can imagine the discussion that will become of this from drivers if any fleets ever actually adopt one of these "lorries".

Thanks.

 

Wow. So it is quite possible to run European model trucks here in the US (and maybe even vice-versa). From the picture however, it does not appear that unit had a sleeper on it (besides, Yellow is an LTL carrier that I think only runs daycabs anyway).

Seems like the weight would put it at a disadvantage however. Fuel economy will be an important consideration as well.

What I think may be most controversial among American drivers is the COE design, which is almost extinct nowadays in the US. Maybe there have been advances in the suspension and ride on these. Still, a COE may have an advantage in tight spots.

 

Wow, you must be a pretty small person to sleep in it.

Interesting to know about the whole tariff scheme. I guess I'm right in saying that these Euro "lorries" are pretty rare animals here in the US.

Still, I wonder what the Daimler folks have in mind with this test truck.