US vs UK/EU trucks

Author
Discussion

wisbech

Original Poster:

3,107 posts

128 months

Monday 4th November 2019
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In US for holiday. Any reason why US trucks aren’t can over engine/ flat nosed like EU/ Japanese truck design?

Regulations driven? Or fashion?

bigwheel

1,625 posts

221 months

Monday 4th November 2019
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Overall length regulations are far more generous in US and drivers prefer the engine/bonnet between them and any potential collisions.

SonicShadow

2,452 posts

161 months

Monday 4th November 2019
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Size of trucks in the EU are regulated: https://epthinktank.eu/2014/04/10/weights-and-dime...

Its also usage. Imagine trying to navigate one of the large American style trucks through your average town centre to deliver to Tesco Express for example...

shovelheadrob

1,564 posts

178 months

Monday 4th November 2019
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Space, the USA has it in abundance.

wisbech

Original Poster:

3,107 posts

128 months

Monday 4th November 2019
quotequote all
bigwheel said:
Overall length regulations are far more generous in US and drivers prefer the engine/bonnet between them and any potential collisions.
Got it - thanks!

smifffymoto

4,771 posts

212 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
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Australia is the only market where the 2 styles work happily side by side.

Nickyboy

6,704 posts

241 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
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We do have them, limited almost exclusively to Scania but mainly used on Heavy Haulage where length isn't an issue or containers where trailers are 40ft, leaving enough length to bring them within regulations.

lawrencec

199 posts

199 months

Tuesday 5th November 2019
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Also over in the states they run 4m in height as opposed to up to 5m here

grumpy52

5,717 posts

173 months

Wednesday 6th November 2019
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Watching one of those heavy recovery programmes from over the pond and when the boss of one of the companies bought a flat front truck some of his drivers refused to drive it . They said it gave them nil crash protection .
As others have said we have restrictions on size in the UK and Europe. Some of the bonnetted EU trucks can only be used with certain shorter trailers on regular UK work .
Scania also do a flat front with an extended accommodation to the rear of the cab , commonly known as a Longline . These also can cause restrictions on trailer size.

irocfan

42,391 posts

197 months

Wednesday 6th November 2019
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that said there are quite a few flat noses out there - do like the look at US trucks though

TCX

1,976 posts

62 months

Friday 8th November 2019
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Better ride,on a 'hood,driver sitting closer to centre rather than over front wheels',plus amongst owner drivers and small fleets,stuff like w900 Kenworth are premium trucks,

Digby

8,284 posts

253 months

Friday 8th November 2019
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Watch Convoy. Loads of them in that!

aka_kerrly

12,490 posts

217 months

Friday 8th November 2019
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Very much due to the length restrictions, no point wasting precious meters with a big bonnet.

fttm

3,865 posts

142 months

Friday 8th November 2019
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Very few cabovers nowadays , they're mainly used by the moving companies maxing out every cubic inch . 99.5 % are conventionals/long nose , far better ride , easier access , and a larger flat or sunken floor bunk area .
Space isn't an issue in North America , generally, however getting around city streets can be problematic at times , not forgetting the turning circle similar to a cruise ship with the front axle set so far forward, plus a 53' trailer in tow . The larger companies have city trucks, which are shorter day cabbed versions for pick ups and drops . Being an owner operator with a "classic" style truck will certainly give you a challenge in the older city streets , imagine tackling central London in one of these , very similar to downtown San Francisco .
Had long nose Volvos for years then swapped to KW W900 in 2013 , trying to manoeuvre the thing in tight spaces was a bloody nightmare as the front end took soo long to react and used more room than was often available , now gladly back in another Volvo which turns on a sixpence/dime . The Volvo has its faults , but at least it goes where you want it to , in comfort .

exelero

1,919 posts

96 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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Stussy

2,067 posts

71 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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Digby said:
Watch Convoy. Loads of them in that!
Cab-over Pete with a reefer on biggrin

chilistrucker

4,541 posts

158 months

Saturday 9th November 2019
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Stussy said:
Digby said:
Watch Convoy. Loads of them in that!
Cab-over Pete with a reefer on biggrin
Even had a bear in the air.

Some Guy

2,240 posts

98 months

Wednesday 20th November 2019
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Saw a long nose Scania parked up on the A34 today. Judging by the heavy haulage trailer being about 60' long, I dont think overall length was an issue.



The load looked pretty similar to this.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/115199517@N06/452458...

Some Guy

2,240 posts

98 months

Tuesday 26th November 2019
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Well talk about coincidence. I saw the blue Mar Train Scania on hoofing up the M6 Monday.

Definitely impressive looking rigs.

Not my picture.

JxJ Jr.

652 posts

77 months

Wednesday 27th November 2019
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Some Guy said:
I saw the blue Mar Train Scania....
That one's an aftermarket conversion by a Dutch company, I think.