Big Rigs of the Future

Yup developed by mercedes in Germany in the mid 80's where. There could be one driver and any number of other trucks would follow, now more advanced systems are in use in dock vehicles, mining vehicles aswell as agricultural vehicles that now can literally drive themselves using gps they have never been legislated for road use.

 

Could it just be just your 'idea' of what a truck should be that you like so much? 3.78 mpg's? Holy s***t, technology means that a 700+Hp truck straight off the factory floor will do between 10-12 mpg's running at 97,000lbs, it means I've 4 point cab suspension so it rides smoother than top quality luxury cars, it means I can't hear the engine while cruising on the motorway, it means disc brakes with ebs so I can almost out brake most cars even when loaded, and it also means crash protection and safety, I've driven a freightliner and got a ride in a 379, honestly don't know how you drive them everyday, your new aero type trucks look impressive, serious room inside, a proper cab! Why on earth wouldn't you want to change for one of those ?

 

thats a mighty small boat to retire on. go big or go home lol. they make center consol fishing boats that have cuddy cabins below deck. Remeber when your that old you gonna need a bathroom every hour or so...




American Trucker

 

because they're ugly....





American Trucker

 

I respect your opinion, but around here we call people who put form over function posers.

 

lol ok buddy my truck moves freight just like yours, seems to me like they function the same way huh? To me my truck/car whatever represents me, just like your house. If you live in a nice house/drive a nice car/truck your going to feel better about yourself, your going to be more selfconfident, and your going to draw more attention (or look better for customers in this case) VS. if you live in a nasty run down trailer, drive a 1982 Honda Civic, your going to feel like crap. When i drove a POS FL Columbia i hated it, it looked like crap, ran just fine but you wouldnt have known that by looking at it, it didnt represent the skilled professional driver behind the wheel. When i moved into my 379EXHD Pete i felt at home, when your driving into a truck stop or pulling into a customer and they see a big sexy truck they look at you like ####! vs. when you pull in, in a POS they're like look at that dumbarse liveing in the POS.

If you OWN the truck ya a aero truck will be better for makeing money fuel wise in most cases but to me i'd take a little less money to be happy and feel good about myself.


When i drove that POS FL and shippers/receivers would see me get out they'd say "...you drive a truck!" since i dont look like your stereo typical "trucker", but when they saw me get out the 379 they'd say "#### you drive that big badarse truck!"

Have some pride in your ride drivah!





American Trucker

 

Surely function, cost per mile and comfort would be more important than image?? Personally looks is the last thing I look for in a truck, a truck is a tool, a tool to earn money while being comfortable and safe, Image means nothing to me! The idea of driving around in a rattle box that guzzles all the profits in fuel just so you can look good is just
crazy to me

 

You have to understand the trucker mentality. It's a ego more than anything. If it doesn't have a old school hood or if it isn't a cabover then it's not real trucking.

it's pretty pathetic to be honest.

 

I do understand, thing is it's really holding development back in the US, also the level of backup I read about on this forum is nuts, if a local truck dealer here in little pathetic Ireland doesn't have your truck back on the road in 24hours they will provide you with a replacement! All mechanics are trained
For the most modern systems and even run competitions for the best! Yet I hear that keeping your truck for 3 or 4 days is the norm there !

The reason our trucks are so fuel efficient isnt cos drivers wanted it, it's because the price of fuel( currently over $10 a gallon) in the next few years that will dictate the future development of truck designs there too, when classic designs stop making money they will disappear and that's just a sad reality!

 

Bathroom?
Hell...5 gallon bucket for the solids....Toss it over the side..."The Flying Rats" aka seagulls, take care of the rest.....Otherwise...."Hang it over the rails".......


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