Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

Discussion in 'Trucks [ Eighteen Wheelers ]' started by snowbird_89, Jun 10, 2011.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. Caesar

    Caesar Road Train Member

    4,343
    591
    Jul 29, 2014
    Netherlands
    0
    I've seen this video before. Apparently you don't quite understand what the result of the collision is.

    The bumper of the black tractor (and thus the chassis) is below the bumper of the trailer, so it slides under the trailer.
    The hood of the tractor takes the first impact. It's not designed to take an impact and to be a crumple zone, so it breaks off its hinges. The top of the hood is pushed trough the front window of the tractor in the direction of the drivers head.
    Then the engine is hit. The mounting points of the engine block are not designed for that either, the engine breaks off the mounting points and is pushed inside the cab as a battering ram. This tractor is such a wonderful classic design, with about one foot between the seats, so the engine block hits the seats and the driver.

    What would happen with a European cabover?
    First of all those cabs are incredibly strong, and made of high quality steel, not flimsy aluminium. That's why European tractors are so heavy, heavier than US tractors.
    The cab hits the backside of the trailer over its full width. The cab is pushed backwards, and its mounting points take a lot of the energy of the impact before they break off. They are designed to do that. The cab itself will also function as a crumple zone and deform as designed, taking up more energy.
    The engine block is also hit, but because its is situated below the seats, it will not become a battering ram.

    So your assumption that the cab of a EU cabover is flimsy thing that is squashed on impact is very much wrong.
     
    medioker, daf105paccar and 98989 Thank this.
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. 98989

    98989 Road Train Member

    5,990
    6,740
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    No way, we need at least free 87inch from king pin to cab
     
    daf105paccar Thanks this.
  4. 98989

    98989 Road Train Member

    5,990
    6,740
    Sep 14, 2008
    0
    Well it loooks like it has no suspension at all.
    Guy could shift it more gentle.

    Here is something rare. It iz zf gearbox type K, without syncros
    They can be shifted with single clutch upshift they have membrane in cluzch to slow down input shaft. You can shift them with double clutch and without, split gears always with clutch. I know this guy


    Heavy logging in indonesia/malasia,
    They are strongest chassis version, 18.3L v10, gearing 39mph at 2300rpm, 6x6, water cooled brakes, 16 gears with 2 crawler gear and reduction box on transfer case....he is starting in first low gear and see how much does he have to downshift


     
    MACK E-6, spsauerland and Cat sdp Thank this.
  5. Kris J

    Kris J Light Load Member

    133
    56
    Feb 6, 2018
    0
    Now it is reasonable!
     
  6. Kris J

    Kris J Light Load Member

    133
    56
    Feb 6, 2018
    0
    No probably not............ But maybe you don't have any reasons??
     
  7. Caesar

    Caesar Road Train Member

    4,343
    591
    Jul 29, 2014
    Netherlands
    0
    Judge for yourself, a DAF 3600 introduced in 1985:

     
  8. Kris J

    Kris J Light Load Member

    133
    56
    Feb 6, 2018
    0
    But isn't that the point? American old fashioned design in all aspects, including harsh suspension?
     
  9. Caesar

    Caesar Road Train Member

    4,343
    591
    Jul 29, 2014
    Netherlands
    0
    Yes, that's why many American truckers still think that a cabover will break your spine. They can't understand that it is possible to build a very comfortable cabover with a softer ride then most passenger cars.
     
  10. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

    19,808
    63,680
    Apr 8, 2012
    Orion's Belt
    0
    1.....rides better
    2....handles better
    3....looks cool
     
  11. Caesar

    Caesar Road Train Member

    4,343
    591
    Jul 29, 2014
    Netherlands
    0
    Remember we had a discussion on the metric system vs. the 'standard' system?

    Enjoy this:

     
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  • Thread Status:
    Not open for further replies.