Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

Ouh no, it is hystory. It is evolution.

It seems to me Europe goes to conventional truck too, later, to save fuel and increase speed.

 

Yes Cat,you are wrong.
High $ means that a loaded EU tractor would be 20 000$ cheaper.


Something that should be taken into account is that the USA and EU have 2 differences.
1°in EU a lot off countries charge roadtax on a emissions basis.(old trucks get expensive fast)
2°the taxsystem in the EU favours to not keep running older trucks.So they are sold before engines/gearboxes wear out.

 

What nobody has really mentioned is that a COE is a conventional without the hood or visa versa.

I foresee in the future that trucks will have the same platform.
Hood or no hood or short hood(which is on the way in the EU),they will be the same trucks,just with regional differences.
But in essence the same.

 

They got rid of cabovers. Nobody runs them anymore. They are unnecessary here.

 

I'll be honest, I like classic style trucks. Our ugly aerodynamic trucks are no better than your trucks in my eyes, except they are more appropriate to our roads.

Here are two of the most popular trucks with the fleets.

 

I think my truck with it's unsophisticated unsynchronized transmission is smooth as silk to drive. Even women can be trained to drive one smoothly. Little girls might be another matter entirely. There is something to be said for simplicity. Everything does not necessarily need to be over-engineered and over-built. Build it simple to reliably complete a task. There's nothing really so technologically impressive about Euro trucks with electronic brakes and synchronized transmissions. Nothing inherently earth shattering, special, or even superior about those technologies.

 

About transmissions.

Really EU and US trucks share Auromanic transmissions.

ZF, Eaton and Allison are available on both markets.

Mercedes-Detroit EPS (also called Telligent and other names) is available only on Daimler trucks with daimler Engine (Detroit ore MB).

Volvo I-shift is used on Volvos, Mack and Renault trucks.

Manual transmissions go rare and that's why development of manual tranny is dicontinued.

Eaton manual transmissions are used on EU trucks too, and in synchronized version. ZF manual may be fit in US truck (with Meritor logo) and may be unsynchronized too,

What tranny is better for driver? Not sure. I drive both and feel no difference. Floatig gears is easier than clutching every time u change gear, but requres some skills.

But all EU trucks got clutch servo. In USA this is option.

 

Scania did this years ago with the T series conventional truck. Just put a Bonnet(Hood) in front of their COE cab.










IVECO also do It here in Australia. With their Powerstar model. they have grafted a Bonnet(hood) onto a Stralis Cab & give you the choice either European or North American driveline..

 

Yes I have seen those and IMO they are really ugly.
I would use them if it made sense but I don't really get the point with my limited knowledge surrounding them.
I don't think I agree that a conventional is a COE with a bonnet.
Engine placement, floor height , floor shape ,steering rod connection, Gear leaver position and even the construction vary quite a bit.
Sure they may share some commonalities now days but a cab over cabin needs more integrity and complexity in order to last.

 

They're 2 completely different animals..
The Powerstar is the Old international S line Chassis with your choice of running gear fitted with the European Stralis Cabin & the Aussie Bonnet.

Whereas the Stralis is Exactly that a Stralis..