Cab-over semi's - why are they gone?
#46
11-16-2010, 03:13 PM
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#47
11-16-2010, 03:41 PM
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#48
11-16-2010, 04:03 PM
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I know this was a 5 year old thread, but....
Having driven both COE and conventional cab tractors I can say this, the few spots where the COE had an advantage over the CC, was nowhere near worth the disadvantages that have been mentioned many times in this thread. Putting on pants, while laying down, is just plain annoying. That reason alone was enough to make me vow to never drive one again. The lousy ride, the uncomfortable entry/exit, and even the lack of storage inside the sleeper were minor, in comparason. Of course, add them all up, I say good riddance to them, as far as long haul use goes. Yes, they still a few advantages as city trucks, but I don't care much for cities either.......
Having driven both COE and conventional cab tractors I can say this, the few spots where the COE had an advantage over the CC, was nowhere near worth the disadvantages that have been mentioned many times in this thread. Putting on pants, while laying down, is just plain annoying. That reason alone was enough to make me vow to never drive one again. The lousy ride, the uncomfortable entry/exit, and even the lack of storage inside the sleeper were minor, in comparason. Of course, add them all up, I say good riddance to them, as far as long haul use goes. Yes, they still a few advantages as city trucks, but I don't care much for cities either.......
#49
11-16-2010, 10:45 PM
I see what you mean in your post. I do see a lot in the LA area, trash trucks, the previously mention roll-offs mostly. Anyone in tight quarters. I think I saw one on the freeway a short time back--thought it unusual as you just don't see them doing OTR work.
#54
10-28-2013, 06:21 PM
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#55
11-28-2013, 11:01 PM
Don't take this as gospel but I have heard most of these old trucks went to Mexico. I spoke to a outside of Olathe Kansas that has an impressive collection of old trucks. They sell some parts and trucks but the prices are high. He told me several years ago that his business could cut the frames in half on a truck. They send it to Mexico as scrap and it brings top dollar. After it crosses the border they just weld the frames back together and keep on trucking. But I don't know the validity of this claim. I once took a cruise to Mexico and spotted a super sexy W900 conventional. The cheating wh*re of a wife I had at the time was upset because I had traveled that far and was mostly interested in the trucks.
this is actually true, idk about all of the trucks but a good number of them have. that and pick ups too. my dad has been hauling frieght for 30 years and has told me the stories of just that going on down in mexico.
he says they load the cabs up with anything and everything and send em south.
#56
11-29-2013, 08:09 AM
I'm in the big truck windshield biz---has been a lot of changes since 1988 for sure. When first starting out I did sooooooooo many IH 9670's, 9700's, GMC Astro's, Pete 372's KW K100C & E, Freightliner FLC---they were everywhere!
Later 80's brought back conventional cabs from White/GMC/Volvo, Freightliner FLD's, both of which pretty much dominated my local area. Newer ride comfort features, nicer interior appointments etc seemed to make the high-turnover rate of drivers lessen up a bit. (At one time I was buying 40 FLD windshields, would take no more than 2 months to go through that many.) Pete 372's seemed to almost make a foothold here but never really caught on for whatever reason.
Had one shady customer with the most ragged fleet of IH 9670's, a few wrecked and repaired so poorly stock windshields just wouldn't properly fit. Before going bankrupt I was called to replace several, arrived on-site to find these junkers loaded on a flat bed---was told they were heading to South America. WTH?
Even though mechanically able to pass DOT inspections they were better suited to the scrap yard---here in the USA anyway.
Seems so much of what we discard here is still quite usable and valuable elsewhere. I'm sure the cutting apart and reassembling some of this stuff goes on---makes me sad for the drivers though. If there's an upside its when a Mexican truck crosses the border its subject to DOT road side inspections----glad I live further north of all that!
Later 80's brought back conventional cabs from White/GMC/Volvo, Freightliner FLD's, both of which pretty much dominated my local area. Newer ride comfort features, nicer interior appointments etc seemed to make the high-turnover rate of drivers lessen up a bit. (At one time I was buying 40 FLD windshields, would take no more than 2 months to go through that many.) Pete 372's seemed to almost make a foothold here but never really caught on for whatever reason.
Had one shady customer with the most ragged fleet of IH 9670's, a few wrecked and repaired so poorly stock windshields just wouldn't properly fit. Before going bankrupt I was called to replace several, arrived on-site to find these junkers loaded on a flat bed---was told they were heading to South America. WTH?
Even though mechanically able to pass DOT inspections they were better suited to the scrap yard---here in the USA anyway.Seems so much of what we discard here is still quite usable and valuable elsewhere. I'm sure the cutting apart and reassembling some of this stuff goes on---makes me sad for the drivers though. If there's an upside its when a Mexican truck crosses the border its subject to DOT road side inspections----glad I live further north of all that!
#57
12-09-2013, 11:07 PM
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time to bring em back
Canada is finally starting to test Cab overs and longer lengths. I want the Volvo cabover. Electronic engine Cabovers get better fuel mileage that most "classic" designs like Fliner and 379s. I know, we use em for crude hauling. Nothing gets on an olde lease pad made for a Transporter like a Cabover. I sure hope they come back soon. Mines at 3m miles and 4th drivetrain. I swear it rides better and I KNOW it looks better than any conventional. I get tone of attention and thumbs up all day long . LONG LIVE CAB OVERS!!!!!
#58
12-10-2013, 10:39 AM
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12-10-2013, 11:57 AM
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#60
12-10-2013, 04:49 PM
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