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Driving older tractors with the mirrors not designed for the 102 inch widths

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by Sok, May 21, 2008.

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  1. May 21, 2008 #1
    Sok

    Sok Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
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    Should I even be driving with mirrors that aren't designed for today's trailers? Every so often I drive with these outdated mirrors; and it leaves me to wonder why I should put up with it. Is this something I should accept? Or is this a major safety hazard? I probably looked like an idiot on a few occasions when driving through narrow spaces.
     
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    #1
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  3. May 21, 2008 #2
    379 Peterbilt

    379 Peterbilt Medium Load Member

    523
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    Nov 12, 2005
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    Geezuz, what are you driving, a 1954 Diamond Reo!?!?
     
    379 Peterbilt, May 21, 2008
    379 Peterbilt, May 21, 2008
    #2
  4. May 21, 2008 #3
    Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Feb 13, 2008
    Denver, CO
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    nope

    Yep

    no comment

    Note - these are my opinions... but if your mirrors are inadequate to the task, I'd be really leery of driving that truck. If something untoward happens, you can just guess who's sitdownupon is gonna be in a sling.

    Replacement mirrors are not all that expensive - and there are extension mirrors that will probably just clamp right on to the extant mounting. Much as I'd like to blame the company, I'll bet nobody has mentioned the problem to them.
     
    Lurchgs, May 21, 2008
    Lurchgs, May 21, 2008
    #3
  5. May 21, 2008 #4
    Sok

    Sok Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
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    I've told Penske a few times that the mirrors don't cover the 102 width trailers; and they were all passive-aggressive about it. People have been driving that particular tractor for almost a year now; and it's amazing no one has clipped anything.
     
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    #4
  7. May 21, 2008 #5
    heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    near Kalamazoo Speedway
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    I don't believe Penske has anything that old. 102" trailers came out in the early 1980s, didn't they? Take a few wrenches to work, and adjust the mirrors.
     
    heyns57, May 21, 2008
    heyns57, May 21, 2008
    #5
  8. May 21, 2008 #6
    Sok

    Sok Bobtail Member

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    Jan 7, 2007
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    It's a GMC/Volvo 9 speed, if it makes any difference. Is that when the 102" trailers came in, the early 1980s? That's odd because there are still some of those 'skinny' trailers in the yard for storage purposes on sale items. I didn't think a company would hold on to things that old.
     
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    Sok, May 21, 2008
    #6
  9. May 21, 2008 #7
    heyns57

    heyns57 Road Train Member

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    Storage trailers last forever. You may be able to see the year of manufacture on the ID plate. Some 48' trailers are still in regional use after 20 years on the road. In my opinion, your tractor was designed for 102" trailers. Penske would not lease anything older than that. I bought a new IH 4070A in 1973. When the 102" trailers came out, I noticed the difference in the mirrors. Of course, the fleet of trailers was mixed for a while. However, there was no need to change the mirrors when switching trailers. The wider trailers are only 3" wider on each side.

    1988 - Volvo GM Heavy Truck Corp. was formed as a joint venture between Volvo and General Motors Corp. Volvo GM's nameplates were WHITEGMC and Autocar. The WHITEGMC nameplate was discontinued in 1995 and Volvo GM's trucks were sold under the Volvo and Autocar nameplates.

    http://www.volvo.com/trucks/na/en-us/about_us/history/
     
    heyns57, May 21, 2008
    heyns57, May 21, 2008
    #7
  10. May 21, 2008 #8
    MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Most, if not all, or those mirrors have adjustment slots in the brackets where you can slide them in or out. Just loosen the bolts and move them out.
     
    MACK E-6, May 21, 2008
    MACK E-6, May 21, 2008
    #8
  11. May 22, 2008 #9
    Lurchgs

    Lurchgs Road Train Member

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    Denver, CO
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    Yeeee-haw! I larned sumfin t'day!
     
    Lurchgs, May 22, 2008
    Lurchgs, May 22, 2008
    #9
  12. May 22, 2008 #10
    AfterShock

    AfterShock Road Train Member

    6,645
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    Inland Empire, California
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    IF those mirrors are NOT adjustable to handle a 102" trailer, a "surprise" DOT inspection would convince them to make 'em right.
    And, as an added bonus YOU can ask to be "surprised" at any DOT platform scale.
    NObody has to know YOU asked for it.

    Just be ready to be put Out Of Service until the proper repairs/adjustments are made -- usually requiring those things be done AT the weigh station.
    Service call, I think it's called. :yes2557: :biggrin_25525:
     
    AfterShock, May 22, 2008
    AfterShock, May 22, 2008
    #10
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