Long hood trucks

I have a Peterbilt 379. 270 wheelbase. I pulled 53'vans. You need to take a really good look at every turn you approach to make sure you position yourself the best possible. It's more work to drive.
Plus, the narrow cab makes backing awkward.
When backing, I would jack the tractor around at a 90 degree angle so I could see what I was doing. Then, once the trailer was aimed at the dock, I would pull forward and get the tractor straight. Then I could look in the mirrors. When the tractor is at a 45 degree angle, I have to open the door and hang out at far as possible. Actually , opening the door is standard procedure. Not so nice on a really cold day.
Truckstop parking is a challenge.
But the 379 looks cool going down the road. Not just another fleet truck. The ride is good and you have a big hood to look out over.. Also, mechanics like it . Plenty of room to get to stuff under the hood.
I like the looks and maybe it adds a challenge to driving.
Resale is good, too.
I always got into places I had to.
I started with a setback axle international. So easy to maneuver.
The longer I drove, the longer the wheelbase got.
I'm sure a setback axle would make my life easier.

 

Never been in a Coronado but comparing my dad's T800 to my standard hood W900 there is quite a difference in how close you can see the ground in front of the truck.

 

It's easier to drive forward. Notice how the hoods will have an emblem in the middle? You use the emblem and the curvature of the hood like the sights on a rifle.
Looking down the Hood:
If the driver's side edge of the hood is on the zipper, the wheel is exactly on the zipper. If the passenger side of the emblem is on the fog line, you are perfectly centered in the lane. If the driver's side of the emblem is on the fog line, the right wheels are on the zipper. It actually comes in handy when driving through tight construction zones and pulling oversized loads between 10'6 and 13 wide and you have to thread the needle. You look far down the horizon, hut can still see the hood and the lines out of your peripheral vision.

 

Hmmm.... My next million, truck with a telescopic frame . Be nice if it was that easy.
driving is not the problem, maneuvering is the problem. Lot of the newer trucks you see with the corner tore off, is at times caused by drivers who are lacking at judging their distance, and or are in a big hurry do to traffic etc, and some are careless 4 wheelers. Add lack of power steering to all that today and you have a parts truck at the end of the day .

 

Couple years ago I drove a slope nosed Freightliner with a big bunk on it, I hated it! Far as I'm concerned a true hood is easier to drive, but I started out in cabovers . Drive a hood then jump in a Cabover, can get interesting. Best of luck to you.

 

This is exactly how I drive my W900L. I've never driven a truck that sits higher than this one. I don't pull oversize, but sometimes we scale on some pretty narrow scales. I use that hood ornament to get me thru the skinny places. Works every time.

 

There is a narrow scale at a paper mill in Zachary, Louisiana. Never scraped the truck, but always concerned me.
Had to scale going in and coming out.

 

The longer your hood the further you can stick your nose in the air when passing a shorter hood!