User Tag List

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 02-14-2007, 04:32 AM
bollo55's Avatar
Rookie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 1
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default Trucks for short drivers

Anybody with advice as to which trucks are more comfortable for short drivers? Or are there any aftermarket items designed for short drivers you've had experience with? I've been wanting to drive OTR for some time now. I'm 5'4" and have heard that some trucks aren't designed well for those with short legs.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-14-2007, 10:53 AM
GMAN's Avatar
Administrator
Site Admin
Board Icon
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 17,097
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Seats are adjustable in class 8 trucks. There are a lot of women driving. I would say most are around 5'5". I haven't heard any of them mention having any special problems due to their height.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-16-2007, 02:05 AM
LilBit's Avatar
Board Regular
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Arkansas, USA
Posts: 319
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

my favorite was an old CRST truck our former employer had bought, International Eagle.........I remember telling him "Hey I 'fit' in this truck" before that one we had other Internationals just that last one had more adjustments I could make (versus the previous Freightliner with broken seats lol)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-16-2007, 03:19 AM
homer's Avatar
Board Regular
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: wa
Posts: 362
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

i hear there is a shortage of drivers :roll:
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-16-2007, 05:00 AM
4roses's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,213
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

bollo55 ... as far as the question about height ? .... I'm 5ft and don't have any trouble doing my job. I just move the seat up close to the stirring wheel and lower the seat to were I can reach the peddles comfortable.

Sure - maybe all the other driver is going to see of me is my head ~ just above the window, I have heard drivers on the cb holler out to other trucks and say " Hey man - did you see that truck going east ? All you can see is her head !! " ... LOL I can still see the road safely and I've never had any problems doing my job safely. Don't let height stand in your way of doing something you want. ..... What's fun to watch is the look on drivers faces when I get out of my tractor or walk up to the drivers door to get in .... :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: ....... A nice thing about being short .... is the fact that when I want to check something under my trailer - all I have to do is lean my head over and walk under .. :lol:

Isn't life grand .... there is a Bonus in being short. :!:
__________________
Live the way you love .... and Love the way you live. .. Trace Adkins .........

Watch your 'Thoughts,' they become words. Watch your 'Words,' they become
actions. Watch your 'Actions,' they become habits. Watch your 'Habits,' they
become character. Watch your 'Character,' for it becomes your Destiny.'
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-16-2007, 05:26 AM
Rookie McRookerson's Avatar
Member
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Tacoma
Posts: 166
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

The most important consideration regarding being short is that you are tall enough that your feet reach the floor! LOL
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-16-2007, 01:26 PM
Fozzy's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Redneckistan
Posts: 2,831
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

I'd say that trucks are more adjustable for the shorter people than we big monsters... Once we are in a truck, thats usually the only space left. These Day cab Internationals are and always have been killers!!!
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-16-2007, 04:56 PM
dieselgrl's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Western Arkansas
Posts: 606
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

I had problems with the Swift Freightliner FLD models because my steering column did not tilt and my seat was still a little too far back for me to properly activate my clutch brake. That said, the current fleet of Freightliner Columbias and Volvo 660s are more than adjustable enough. I've driven International Eagles with no problems, Peterbilts, Kenworths... no issues.

I myself prefer a Freightliner Columbia, but I also think that's mostly because it's the truck I "grew up" in the industry with.

For reference, I'm about 5' 6", but my legs are a little on the short side even for my height :wink:
__________________
"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but straps and chains excite me!" :lol: ~ Flatbedder's Credo
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-16-2007, 09:44 PM
uglymutt's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Planet Earth, Milky Way Galaxy
Posts: 937
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

most of the short drivers I see at truck stops are climbing out of kenworth and pete,s , these trucks are meant for those short ended people.. I am 6 foot tall and a kenworth t600 was just too small inside for me...
__________________
The only good thing about winning is ..... your first next to losing!
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-16-2007, 09:54 PM
Blind Driver's Avatar
Senior Board Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: New Albany, IN
Posts: 534
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Default

Freightliner century and columbia class trucks. Most companies have these, too bad I have such long legs. I don't fit in these truck very well at all :roll:

I'd love to have a kw or a pete as my next truck.
__________________
"Professional stake killer with ability to operate heavy equipment"
Reply With Quote
Reply






Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On



All times are GMT. The time now is 10:08 AM.


User Alert System provided by Advanced User Tagging v3.3.0 (Lite) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.