Trucks...

[Holbeckian]

Watched a TV programme yesterday on the development of the truck from Steam Engines to modern 'Supertrucks'.

Can anyone explain why European cabs developed as 'flat-faced' whilst the US seem to have kept the bonnet/hood??

[billryans]

in the early days Foden and etc developed steam lorries which had a 'nose'. however with the advent of diesel powered vehicles and the uk being a relativly small island the goverment introduced maximum lenghts for commercial vehicles.therefore to increase payloads and therefore productivity the engine was mounted either under or behind the cab so that a longer body/trailer could be fitted.

[astondog]

As an ex lorry driver, couldn't answered that better bill but we always used to say it was so you could get more of us in the traffic jam called the M25

[sddsddean]

As a follow on th bills answer, the US are far more concerned about weight than length (although the boys in blue over here will pull you if overloaded). In the state of Michigan, they have the strictist axle weight laws, but (apparently) no gross weight law. This has resulted in 'Michigan monsters' which have as many axles as the manufacturer can cram on. 3axle units with 5 axle trailers are common, and as you can have more than one trailer in most US states, you can end up with a unit + 2 trailer rig + dolly totalling 15 axles!

[Holbeckian]

Many thanks, Gents.

Just strange that it wasn't mentioned on what was otherwise a very informative programme.

[bigdaddycain]

Well answered all! Legal restrictions aside,euro style (cabovers) make for better handling vehicles( steering axle below you as opposed to in front of you) than bonneted trucks(conventional). plus, the obvious benefit of better forward visibility.I know it used to be common and legal practice for american and australian trucks not to have brakes on the front axle! The argument was that this made the rig less likely to jacknife?? Bet they cant get away with that nowadays!