Uncomfortable day cab tractors.

[coolbreeze]

Ok. Today, I went to a local truck driving company and decided just to check out how their trucks felt sitting in them. They had tractors, straight trucks, L9000's, Internationals, Macks, etc.
Well, is it me or are all day cab tractors just totally uncomfortable?
The seat was too close to the wheel, the steering wheel too big(naturally of course), and the clutch was out so far that in order to use it one would have to keep their leg up almost constantly just to drive it. The gas pedal was different than others as well (I guess their all the same on these tractors).
Then I went to one of their straight trucks and wow what a difference. The clutch, seat and steering wheel where definately something I figured I could get USED TO. I also didnt realize just how free and easy the shifting is on these trucks.
My question is, are ALL the recent day cab tractors out there like this one I described? Are all their clutches out so far like this? All the steering wheels big and the seats seemingly too close where it feels extremely uncomfortable?
I understand driving a day cab isnt like driving a nice new sleeper truck, but this was rediculous.

[Uturn2001]

It all depends on how the company specs the truck and the model. Some cabs are larger than others, some have tilt, etc.

[Ian Williams]

The old Ford L9000s are uncomfortable as hell. Wait until you get to take them on a rough road like over Donner.

They are reliable though, they don't have 1/4 of the mechanical and electrical gremlins as the new Sterlings at my terminal. Heck its even money if the AC works on the Sterlings. As CWX spec'ed them with a 7 speed and a larger CAT they have plenty of power.

Our newer Sterlings are comfortable, in the past 2-3 years as the market has shifted in favor of drivers the interior specs have improved too. We even get a 9V outlet and a cup holder!

[One]

Doode, my co. stuck me in an old volvo ( whitegmc) cabover with spring suspension. going over a bump sounds like someone just shot your windows out. I wont mention how it hops when im light...hard to stay in my lane. my map on my dash bounces 5-6 inches constantly on rough roads. No worries, ill be rid of it soon, mines fixed and ill give them this spare back gladly.

Enough with the horror stories...Daycabs tend to ride a little rougher than long wheelbase sleeper trucks. International and Macks ar not exactly comfortable and quiet when theyre new, and I bet the ones you sat in were a few years old No worries, LTL is a good option, good money!

[FlyByWire]

Im 6'8", I fit fine in my day cab... ('07 columbia).. but for 22 an hour, I wouldnt complain even if I WAS uncomfortable...

[One]

Are you topped out in pay 'Flybywire'? I dont make quite that but pretty close 8)
As a general rule: the better the equipment, the lower the pay!
But, the worse the ride/comfort, the higher the chiropractor bill!
My old lady works for a chiropractor, so I get free adjustments and such.
As you gain seniority within the company, you will get a newer truck.

[jeremyh]

The company I'm going to work for has pretty new KW's that are pretty nice. They all have AC and CB's in them. I do local so it's pretty neat to see them have such neat features in them. The last company I worked for only had two tractors that had AC in them. I did drive an '05 sterling and it was nice and comfy.

[Ian Williams]

While waiting in a parking lot today I was checking out a new volvo daycab parked nearby. I think it was a 200 or 300 series but I'm not sure.

The Air tanks and battery box are directly in front of the drivers side fuel tank!

I recall reading somewhere that the best place for the battery box is between the frame rails. This seems like a design flaw that is likely to start a fire if the batteries and fuel tank are damaged in an accident.

[One]

no difference, diesel doesnt ignite that easy, and a spark is easy to come by around a truck...

[Douglas]

I'm new to this truckdriving, so forgive me for asking this question. But is a daycab truck like a single-cab truck (no bed or backseat in the back) whereas a sleeper truck is one of those longer cabs that has a bed in the back? Thanks.

[One]

I'm new to this truckdriving, so forgive me for asking this question. But is a daycab truck like a single-cab truck (no bed or backseat in the back) whereas a sleeper truck is one of those longer cabs that has a bed in the back? Thanks.

Exactly

[Douglas]

I'm new to this truckdriving, so forgive me for asking this question. But is a daycab truck like a single-cab truck (no bed or backseat in the back) whereas a sleeper truck is one of those longer cabs that has a bed in the back? Thanks.

Exactly

Okay, thanks.

[Templedawg]

we used volvo and int'l 9200 daycabs. They went with int'l lately, probably a better deal. The volvo's are great, the int'l suck, rough as hell and no legroom. Wish they would go back to volvo.

[bikerboy]

I used to drive a ford '95 L9000 daycab, those cabs are tiny!!! My knees get so sore driving it, i couldn't stand it.
Now i'm driving a '02 international Paystar 5600, tonnes of leg room in it.
and the cab is alot more comfortable and quiter too!

Both these trucks are dump trucks.
Both have air ride cab.
The ford had air ride suspension.
The international has chalmers rubber block suspension.
Both ride fairly rough, but not that bad for a gravel truck!

[Ian Williams]

I'm new to this truckdriving, so forgive me for asking this question. But is a daycab truck like a single-cab truck (no bed or backseat in the back) whereas a sleeper truck is one of those longer cabs that has a bed in the back? Thanks.

Sleepers also come in different sizes. The smaller ones are intended for being out 1-2 days or just to comply with the Regs. The ones you see on OTR tractors are for living in weeks at a time.

Then there are the Bedbuggers who graft a Winnebago on the back of their tractors.

[Blacksheep]

The old Ford L9000s are uncomfortable as hell. Wait until you get to take them on a rough road like over Donner.

They are reliable though, they don't have 1/4 of the mechanical and electrical gremlins as the new Sterling's at my terminal. Heck its even money if the AC works on the Sterling's. As CWX specked them with a 7 speed and a larger CAT they have plenty of power.

Our newer Sterling's are comfortable, in the past 2-3 years as the market has shifted in favor of drivers the interior specs have improved too. We even get a 9V outlet and a cup holder!

Dude you're are spoiled, a cup holder ? what next ? a radio.

[NascarFan]

All trucks are uncomfortable to someone who is only used to driving a car just thank God that you aren't riding around in a old Mack DM the CH's are like going from a Toyota to a Lincoln they are so much nicer.

[Skullitor]

All trucks are uncomfortable to someone who is only used to driving a car just thank God that you aren't riding around in a old Mack DM the CH's are like going from a Toyota to a Lincoln they are so much nicer.

Them old Mack "B" Models were fun to drive,Huh??? :shock:

[driverboy]

I'll vouch for International Day Cabs as riding rough and not comfortable to this driver at least. I now run new Freightliners and love them, nice running truck and finally have jakes for 07, sweet! The radios are not near as quality sounding as the earlier models however, must have cheapened up the specs to the speaker supplier.

Volvo experience here for long haul and without a doubt the most comfortable ride I have ever felt in a commercial vehicle, bar none.

[Fozzy]

Daycab Internationals have always been a little short on places to put your feet other than sitting in one place. There really is no "wiggle room" especially for we big folks. I would drive them happily over driving an old "R" model Mack! :x