Am I too short to drive a 18-wheeler?

If you get a truck where the seat won't adjust properly, a few 2x4's on the pedal's will help you out

 

Well, I'm only 5'12" myself,but I don't have a problem.

 

5'9" tops & 140lbs, and i rode many years on the floor of my mack......lots of adjustments for the verticallly challenged lol.....confidence and determination are the keys.....

 

It completely depends how you drive. I like to be able to see over my hood, and im a short dude at 5'8, so my seat is usually all the way forward and as high up as i can make it while still being able to use the pedals fine. Some trucks feel better for me than others, specifically freightliners. However, ive worked with people shorter than me that sit all the way to the ground and stretched far back and still do just fine.

If anything there are unique ways to make the pedals easier to reach for small drivers (wood blocks comes to mind).

 

I drive a flatbed and we have a Lady that is MAYBE 5'4 She secures her own loads just like the big boys. She has given me a few pointers on driving and securing.... Tou will be fine.

 

Im 5'4 and i do fine

 

You can stand in a small truck peewee flattop pete 379 and maybe comfortable

 

Hmmm... well, a fit and muscular 140lb person would do better then an out of shape gasping for breath with every step 220lbs person...

Now before you all jump me... I know not ever 220lbs person or large person is out of shape...

I really enjoy flatbedding. .. no not everyone does... but, if it is something you think you would.. then go for it...

I was told over and over that I wouldnt be able to handle flatbed.. being a small woman... but I didnt listen to the nay sayers and gave it a try... and found I could do it and I loved it... for me there is more satisfaction when I have strapped and tarped my load then simply shutting the doors...

 

One thing I have noticed. .. especially now that I am a trainer. .. is that most new drivers, especially the shorter ones pull the to seat to far forward and have it too high...

A pretty typical dialog I have with new trainees.. they get in the drivers seat, pull it forward so they can push the cutch all the way to the floor, raise the seat so they can see the top of the hood...

Me: why are you so far forward?
Them: so I can press the clutch to the floor.?
Me. You only need to do that to start it...
Them. but this is where I like it
Me.. okay, but you know how you are having trouble shifting, losing RPMs and that horrible grinding noise.. is because your too far into the clutch... moving the seat back helps..
Them.. but then I cant see the hood...
Me.. why are you looking at the hood, you need to be looking ahead at the road

Seriously, that is a dialog I have with pretty much every new driver...

I have my seat back and can only take the clutch to the floor by sliding my whole hip forward in the seat... but, i only need to touch the clutch to the floor when I start the truck.. and maybe occasionally when I come to a stop and didnt downshift into the gear I will take off in... by having my seat back shifting is easier and I dont have to try and not go to far into the clutch.. also, the gear stick in slightly infront of me and not right beside me... making it easier to shift...

I can not see the hood of my truck when I am driving... but, that is okay, it doesnt change shape, size or color so I am not missing anything.. I know where the front of my truck is.. and I can see the hood mirrors.. that is all I need..

 

Something that is good at your height, is that when you hit some bumps in the road, you won't get ejected into the roof of the cab, and end up with a massive headache, like some of us do. And another benefit, you won't crush your baseball cap which is required apparel for all truckers. I personally wear a hard hat under my ball cap.