Firearm

Of course, but my point is everyone makes a big deal out of carrying firearms and the reality is that the situation is very simple. You follow state law and that is that. Put a couple lock boxes in the truck, one for the firearm and one for the ammo, and it is quick and easy to go from holster to unloaded, locked up and then back depending on where you are at at the time so you always remain legal.

 

We've heard all the pro's and con's on a firearm in the truck. Just about every company has a policy that will not allow you to carry a deadly weapon. Beside that how many really know the law on deadly force. I've been out there for many years and never had the reason to use a gun. Just how many drivers have been put into a situation where a gun would be used. Sure we've heard the "better to carry one than six" and all that. Better to have it than to need it and not have it. I'd like to see how many real situations have been the real world. And to top it off if I were to carry and discharge a weapons while unloading the flash would ignite the surrounding vapors and blow the station ski high to where no one would be around to tell the story. After 20 years I see no need.

 

I've delivered gas in gangland central in Vegas day and night, never been bothered

 

With their slant. No thanks.

 

You talking about Lake Mead and Washington or the North Las Vegas area? Or how about Charleston and Pecos rd. area where a guy walked in and shot the two workers dead. I too have been all over that town and there's only a couple of day-light delivery only stations and not had a problem. I guess some are not all that lucky, but I have never heard any driver there in town having a problem where a gun was needed.

 

I hit em all but that was back in 07 or so. Really sucked getting in and out of some with a train

 

Terrible Herbst #3 on main. The first time I went there with a trainer I said no way. Back then we had the larger trucks that held 12,450 gallons. Then the company sold or transferred those trucks and we were given the California types. But the long trucks, which I thought were safer and much better, could get into a lot of places because of the way they were set-up. I don't know what you pulled if it was a semi with a pup or one like ours but some of those stations you had to be Houdini to get into and out of. Like the station right downtown under the Spaghetti Bowl on Las Vegas Blvd. I knew at least 70+ drops and loved them all.

 

I think some manufacturers are missing a trick by not offering cabover tractors. Sure they are not as roomy and comfy for OTR but for local "daycab" work and squeezing into gas stations, they would be ideal.

The advantage just in reduced wheelbase would be immense and of course, driver positioning right over the front bumper would be a huge increase in visibility.

All the mainstream US companies have European parent/partner companies that offering nothing but cabovers, so it shouldn't be that difficult to "re" introduce them in the US.

 

I have only fallen out of a truck two times in my career. Both times the trucks were cabovers. I agree with all the pro cabover things you said. However give me a truck that's not a pain in the rear to enter and exit. I drove a cabover straight truck for almost two years. I hated that dang truck. Because the cab had to be lifted forward to have much of any mechanical work done the shifter always felt funny. No i'm happy the truck manufacturers in the US got away from those things.

 

Ironically some cabovers are still made in the US, but for export only, Right hand drive models.

They used to be popular because of length restrictions on trucks, and fell out of favor when those went away. They are still an issue in Europe though.

The shorter the wheel base, generally the rougher the ride, and sitting directly on top of an axle is not my idea of a good day. I love seeing them still running down the road, bit would not want to drive one again.