Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

In my country we have a huge variety of trucks, unlike in US and probably Canada. We've got all the Americans like KW, Freightliner, International, Mack, Western Star etc. We've also got the euros like Volvo, Scania, Iveco, DAF. Also the Japs like Hino, Mitsubishi etc. So we are in a unique situation where we can compare them all as brand new trucks, unlike in Canada, US and Europe.
KW is #1 seller by a country mile, Volvo is 2nd, and the rest of the euros like Scania are way down at the bottom even though they've got dealerships in every state.

 

No, it looks like a steam engine. I'm sure there's nothing wrong with the technology, but it has all the aerodynamic properties of a gothic cathedral.

 

I'm sure you can compare them, but I would like to make a few remarks. Scania for instance produces heavy and very heavy trucks. On of the reasons VW bought Scania to have heavier trucks then MAN can offer. So why don't you see Scanias in Australia?

And another question is if trucks are bought with the heart or with the mind. The T600/T904 discussion is a prime example. There won't be any difference in technological quality, and the T600 will save fuel, but never the less truckers buy the old-fashioned looking T904.

There was a demolition company here, and the owner just loved Mack trucks. So he bought a couple of big Mack dumpers, like this one but a bit older:


Looks great, but an absolute disaster to use in old cities. You can't get that thing around the corners, it will go straight ahead on a wet surface.

Compare it with this 50 ton 10x8 Ginaf 5450S:


It has three steering front axles, and one steering rear axle. These kind of trucks are quite normal over here. They may look less impressive, but are far more sensible.

 

I compared two photos above. Mack looks better. you feel it's American Men's truck. Ginaf(btw which country makes them?) looks like gay's truck (sorry) and I am sure that junk has bunch of ECU's in there .

 

I've said this before, maybe not on this thread but you buy and use the truck that suits the job and work environment. If European trucks could handle hauling a 380 ton reactor up Super Test Hill at -40C, Mammoet, Premay, Trans-Tech and Entrec would be using them instead of heavy spec C500's. This also plays the same way in Europe. If a C500 could haul a mega load through narrow streets in Europe, they'd be over there doing it too. I also understand that it has to do with support for the trucks and the fact that there aren't many dealers or support for Euro brands in NA and vice versa.

I will say it is nice to have an intelligent conversation about this subject. Try that on YouTube lol.

 

Thanks for making my point. You judge trucks on their looks, not on their usability. I've seen those Macks in action, after something like three attempts they made it around the corner. No European truck will ever use such an axle configuration, unless one or two of the rear axle are steerable. The Ginaf can almost turn on a stamp. If the Ginaf tilts a bit to the left or the right, it can level itself before unloading, that way it will not become unstable. Sure it's loaded with ECU's, it has a specially programmed 16 speed automatic ZF transmission etc. , no unsychronized 13 speed.

Ginaf is a Dutch company. They produce hand made trucks from standard components. Chassis etc. is designed and made by themselves. Their mining trucks are use all over the world, like this new 95 ton truck that can haul 70 metric tons:



Two steerable front axles, one steerable rear axle., specially built for a South American mine. If you don't like the cab, blame Ford Brazil. This year they will build an even heavier version of this truck.

 

European trucks can handle such loads with ease, make no mistake. Any major European trucks manufacturer can build a truck for this purpose, and they do. MAN, Mercedes, Iveco, Daf, Volvo, Scania, they all have build trucks for this purpose. If necessary MAN and Mercedes can even use V12 diesels. So I'm not quite sure which advantage a C500 would have in your opinion. The advantage of European trucks would be that they are far more maneuverable, quite often four axles, two of them steerable, and they are much shorter.

If a 'normal' truck would not be sufficient, you could for instance use a Titan Z 64 609 F 8x8:



If that's not sufficient, you can use a French Nicolas Tractomat:





We really do know how to build very big trucks in Europe !!
Oh yeah, and by the way, Mammoet (mammoth) is a Dutch company.

 

These are two typical 'standard' mammoet MAN trucks used in the German town of Weener (not to far from here). Look pretty impressive to me!

 

I used to work on K500 trucks

Cab is XF95 including all DAF electronics, like VIC, DIP and other stuff.

Cab to chassis connectors are the same, and there are two diagnostic connectors - Deutch 9 and European.

Cab has modified suspention for taller setup (for bigger engines).

DAF electronics is 24V, thats why truck has all 24v electrical system with alternator and 24v starter. It is unusual for US market and that;s why they use 24 H7 head lamps bulbs/

K500 is FAT TRUCK, like GINAF, Titan and other.

Ginaf is very unusual vehicle - with electronically controlled hydrolic suspention.

More exotic is Tatra

 

I wanna remind you other Paccar product - Foden trucks

They use DAF cabins too.

we used to convert UK salvage trucks to LHD and I know a lot about UK truck industry