Conventional vs Cabover

In Europe, cabovers are necessary to comply with the length laws. Conventionals are allowed if they are an antique show truck or part of the attraction such as a circus truck.

In North America, trailer length is regulated while overall length is not, generally speaking. Conventionals ride better and give the driver more "camping" space. With set-back steer axles, longer front springs allow tighter turning radius comparable to short wheelbase cabovers.

I remember my first conventional in 1993. It was such a pleasure to sit on the edge of the bunk while tying my shoes.

 

Years ago some of states had a 55 foot limit on truck length. So you'd see alot of cabovers so the companies could make that requirement and still pull 45 foot trailers. Now that's gone away so just about all the companies have gone to conventionals. From a drivers view, the conventionals ride much better than the old cabovers. Personally for the work I did I'd rather have a cabover. But I drove what is called a truck and trailer so I had alot of weight on the truck so it rode very smooth. It allowed me to see more when I was pulling the 85 foot long truck and trailer into gasoline stations and I had more room in the day cab. I'm retired now but if I went back to driving and drove a semi I'd want a conventional because of the ride and safety you get over the road.

 

A Cab Over On Steroids...



A Conventional On Female Hormones