Why do so many Americans hate European trucks?

Ours don't. You should see these trucks backing up when they have to supply a supermarket. A NA tractor without a trailer would have difficulty backing up by many of these inner-city supermarkets.

 

And there's the difference in the markets in a nutshell.

 

Was that the 6x6 version?

 

As far as I'm aware there is someone at the back of the trailer steering it......

This an interesting article on the differences between US and EU fire engines:

Fire Apparatus - United States vs. Europe

 

Maybe but....

Some time ago I wrote that I like to watch videos from Austin Trains. Austin is a teenage kid, I guess about 15 or 15 years old, and he likes to shoot videos in his home town of Bangor Pennsylvania. Videos of trucks mostly these days. He sets the camera up at the road side, and videos all the trucks that come by. The truckers know him, and hunk their horns.

Now when I look how an semi has to manoeuvre through this town, I'm quite sure the drivers would appreciate a more European way of being able to round the corners.

 

And you know this how?

 

It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer but one constant is they officially start at the imaginary line where the wall of the daycab version would be. This is also the rear line of the measurements on traditional trucks. So if you see someone say a 127" BBC 379 pete.. its 127 inches from bumper to back of the cab.

 

Cat,who came up with the idea to make the first axle steered?(should have been the last axle)

What is forgotten in this debate is that 1 self steering axle on a tridem vs 3 fixed axles doubles the life off all tires.
So whether you are from the EU or the USA that means over the life off a trailer a lot off $$$$or €€€€,
.

 

^^^^^^^^^^^

I'll second this Lot...

There's a few in use down here, But the extra Maintenance Combined with the reversing hassles outweigh the Extra upfront investment..

 

The maintenance depends on which system is used.
Get the right tool for the job.
In my line off work a forced steer axle has to many drawbacks (weight being one off them)
A self steer only adds 380lbs .
4 zerks to grease (extended with tubes to the outside off the trailer so no need to get under )
As soon as you put the truck in reverse it is blocked so no problem reversing.

I calculated it when i bought that trailer and for me it was worth the investment.
It depends on your line off work so everyone must decide for themselves if it is worth it.