European Trucks vs American Trucks.. why the difference?

[sp_wh]

European style trucks are far more popular around the world, so called "european length regulations" are not imposed to other countries.

[vwlarry]

I'm so thankful that I found a way to liberate my intellect from the chains and locks of Euro-centric chauvinism some years back, after several decades of self-imposed mental imprisonment in a make-believe world where only Europeans knew how to do anything right, especially cars. Stepping out into the bright sunshine of free-thinking, especially about cars, has been a wonderful, expansive, and ongoing experience for me. Some of you should try it sometime, and you probably will, too, if you live long enough!

[evertoconquer]

Satan prefers long-nose trucks...

Favorite auto related movie!

[Big Dac With Fries]

What, no PowerLiners?

[vwlarry]

God bless our friends Down Under. They out-truck even us!

[Der Roboter]

Getting smaller for less rolling resistence and saves money in the long run, even though I don't really get how being as the 19'' variety tire is harder to find on the road for the eventual blow out, plus being lower makes the whole rig safer and easier to get under bridges and overpasses like in major cities. NYC is a bitch to manuver a truck in, 99% of bridge signs are wrong anyway, they are generally 3'' to 6'' taller than what is posted.

The bridge signs are posted low to make up for potential suspension travel if the truck happens to hit a bump. The static height could be equal to the sign or lower and the top of the truck/trailer could still hit the low hanging obstacle if it were bouncing.

[TurboMinivan]

I've always liked the racing semi's.

Me, too.

[absoluteczech]

God bless our friends Down Under. They out-truck even us!

would not want to pass that on a 2 lane highway

[TurboMinivan]

would not want to pass that on a 2 lane highway

No kidding--you could dead for sure.

[WhistlerYOW]

Bumper height regulations! Something that DOT does not get.

I'm pretty sure the bumper height wont save you if you get nailed by either transport...

[WhistlerYOW]

No kidding--you could dead for sure.

Ya especially if you were in a FT 86!

[JOHNS92JETTA]

would not want to pass that on a 2 lane highway

Meh, thats nothing.




http://www.macktrucks.com/default.aspx?pageid=1439

[WhistlerYOW]

European style trucks are far more popular around the world, so called "european length regulations" are not imposed to other countries.

Where?

Asia has their own regulations and designs...

Australia/NZ has tons of US style trucks (they mix both types).

Anywhere else seems to use ancient looking rust buckets from who knows where.

[blue70beetle]

We make a vocational truck only, no over the road semi's at this time. Its a joint venture with International - You have your choice of International or Cat engines and Eaton or Cat auto transmissions

What Cat engine is it? I've only heard rumors and sketchy information, but it's my understanding that neither engine is a complete drop-in Cat engine - we supply a short block and they add the externals and ECM, or some such thing?

[hardcore4life]

[JOHNS92JETTA]

Some stuff on the CT660

http://www.trucknews.com/videos/play/?plid=1000612642#

Saw this truck @ the Fergus Truck Show.

http://www.trucknews.com/news/canada...at/1000531307/

[TurboWraith]

What Cat engine is it? I've only heard rumors and sketchy information, but it's my understanding that neither engine is a complete drop-in Cat engine - we supply a short block and they add the externals and ECM, or some such thing?

It may not be available yet, but the C15 is supposed to be an option as far as I know.

[finklejag]

[wasim12]

Cabovers are less fuel efficient. Maybe that's why we don't have em here anymore

[Remedy]

Me, too.

[stuvy]

It may not be available yet, but the C15 is supposed to be an option as far as I know.

The ct660 comes with an international engine. Which is essentially a c15 block with a international derived Heui fuel system aka a maxforce pos. it's a rebranded thirteen letter **** spreader.

[RabbitsKin]

Thread wouldn't be complete without some of this:

[stuvy]

Cabovers are less fuel efficient. Maybe that's why we don't have em here anymore

Coes died simply because they didn't have to run them anymore. Anyone whose driven one knows just how uncomfortable they are to drive. They are loud, hot, poor riding and uncomfortable and were worse on fuel. Conventionals ride better are quiter and generally more comfortable to drive. Chassis lengths are allowed to be longer so the can build and run them without penalties to the freight companies. It was a win win for the drivers.

[JOHNS92JETTA]

Which is essentially a c15 block with a international derived Heui fuel system aka a maxforce pos

I thought the HEUI system was a joint venture between CAT and Navistar?

Anyway, 'mo foto from the Fergus truck show this past summer.

[RATHERSMART]

Coes died simply because they didn't have to run them anymore. Anyone whose driven one knows just how uncomfortable they are to drive. They are loud, hot, poor riding and uncomfortable and were worse on fuel. Conventionals ride better are quiter and generally more comfortable to drive. Chassis lengths are allowed to be longer so the can build and run them without penalties to the freight companies. It was a win win for the drivers.

Have you driven a modern cabover? Just maybe they've improved since the 60's?

[devianb]

our trucks are much better for running over Lo Pan.

Ahahah that is quite the obscure reference. Not many people have seen Big Trouble In Little China, let alone even heard of it.

[JOHNS92JETTA]

Ahahah that is quite the obscure reference. Not many people have seen Big Trouble In Little China, let alone even heard of it.

[TwoLitreVW]

Ahahah that is quite the obscure reference. Not many people have seen Big Trouble In Little China, let alone even heard of it.

you're wrong.

TONS of people have seen it.

it's these whipper snappers that don't know.

[Wrong Beach]

i remember this from childhood. I wish there was a better pic.

[under the radar]

Satan prefers long-nose trucks...

i like the way you think.

[Vettes, Volvos and VWs]

would not want to pass that on a 2 lane highway

I'll just leave this here

[HenryMuller]

[protzler]

I'm so thankful that I found a way to liberate my intellect from the chains and locks of Euro-centric chauvinism some years back, after several decades of self-imposed mental imprisonment in a make-believe world where only Europeans knew how to do anything right, especially cars. Stepping out into the bright sunshine of free-thinking, especially about cars, has been a wonderful, expansive, and ongoing experience for me. Some of you should try it sometime, and you probably will, too, if you live long enough!

[K.Lagan]

I do however see every once in a while a Peterbild or a Kenworth over here.

I like much more the styling of US truck that the Euro cab-overs.

We did however have some nice "engine in front" based trucks a few years ago.

[windi]

To my knowledge the shorter nose makes it easier to move through tighter roads and not have to worry about hitting things. The trucks also take up less space and are thus easier to park which is a huge concern in many urban european cities in Germany, Italy, France, etc, where parking is limited

Urm, semis don't usually enter downtown urban areas, and the industrial areas on the outskirts that house most warehouses and distribution centers are usually build in a way that even a regular US truck would be able to maneuver without much trouble.

Which would be more consistant with a cross country trip in the USA and Canada due to the larger spans between destinations, which is not typically a problem in much smaller European countries. American trucks often have bigger sleepers as well.

Because there is no international trucking all over the continent...

such as the roads being very tight, more like highways instead of interstates like here in the US. the shorter rig lenght of the european model makes it much easier to move around, while in the US the nose is actually much more efficient at high speeds, like on interstates.

Yes, we have no divided highways in Europe.