cab over tractors???

[cwk266]

Hi
I have been driving for under a year and would like some input on conventional cab versus cab over.I live in BC Canada and cab over tractors are almost non existent and are almost free to buy.I own a 89 pete 376 and a 80 yard tridem end dump and I need a huge amount of space for turning around as well as any backing that is not straight in.Is a cab over tractor any easier in tight spaces(sure looks like it would be)and why are they so unpopular?I really hope there is more too it than appearance.Thanks

[Uturn2001]

COE's (cabovers) can be a lot easier to back in tight spaces, but one of the reason for their unpopularity is due to a rougher ride when compared to a coventional. Then add to that getting in and out of them is more difficult you have the demise.

COE's, from what I understand, are still widely used and produced in European countries due to a lot more narrow roads than found in this part of the world.

[Orangetxguy]

The thing to remember with a COE....find the foot hold before taking the second step, when exiting the cab...and you will always be the first one, to the scene of the accident.



In 1991, ARCO had a trailer rear-ended by a guy driving a COE. Glass from the windshield was embedded into the Company "LOGO" sticker on the rear bulkhead of the trailer. That was on I-82, climbing Manastash Ridge. :shock: Is there really "GAS" in that thing, say's the driver!!!

[PackRatTDI]

COE's (cabovers) can be a lot easier to back in tight spaces, but one of the reason for their unpopularity is due to a rougher ride when compared to a coventional. Then add to that getting in and out of them is more difficult you have the demise.

COE's, from what I understand, are still widely used and produced in European countries due to a lot more narrow roads than found in this part of the world.

They're pretty much the only game in town in Europe due to length laws.

Though some European truckers have imported US conventionals, mostly for show purposes, which they use to haul short trailers like containers in order to comply with length laws.

Russia and other former Soviet republics are a common destination for used US equipment in Europe nowadays since a US market truck can be bought cheaper even with shipping than a true Euromarket truck.

Scania did produce the "T" series conventional that saw some used in some specialized hauls, but they discontinued that due to slow sales. The exact opposite of the fate of the cabovers on this side of the pond.

[cwk266]

Thanks for the input.A rougher ride seeing as my runs are really short is a pretty easy payoff to get the maneuverability and I guess if I am to stupid to find the step I should not be allowed to operate a wheel barrow much less a truck.The difference in prices on used cab over and conventional is huge.Does any one have recommendations on cab overs in used?Thanks

Look for a International 9800 or 9670 prosleeper model has a flat floor also were the last models that they made. Freightliners Argosy was the last new COE model introduced into the US market in the late 90's. Either one would be a decent choice for your usage. If you need a sleeper look for a old Wal-mart truck would be a flattop COE International but would have been well maintained be them. The ones to stay away from would be ANYTHING from Scheinder or J.B Hunt. I was a Mechanic at the dealership that had the J.B Hunt schoold contract needless to say we had in stock 3 trannies 3 rear ends and power dividers plus 6 clutches and flywheels. We could put a clutch in a truck in around 2 hours.

[cwk266]

Thanks for your input

[ColtsFan]

They're pretty much the only game in town in Europe due to length laws.

I spent 3 months in Germany during the fall of 05. 99.5% were COEs. Usually Scania, Mercedez, and MAN. I believe the MAN's (cant remember what it stood for) are made near Munich. From what I gather, they are considered of the best and offers more luxury than some others there.

[PackRatTDI]

They're pretty much the only game in town in Europe due to length laws.

I spent 3 months in Germany during the fall of 05. 99.5% were COEs. Usually Scania, Mercedez, and MAN. I believe the MAN's (cant remember what it stood for) are made near Munich. From what I gather, they are considered of the best and offers more luxury than some others there.

From Wikipedia:

In 1898 the Maschinenbau-AG Nürnberg (founded in 1841) and the Maschinenfabrik Augsburg AG (founded in 1840 ) merged to become the Vereinigte Maschinenfabrik Augsburg und Maschinenbaugesellschaft Nürnberg A.G., Augsburg. The company was renamed in 1908 to Maschinenfabrik Augsburg-Nürnberg AG, Augsburg (M.A.N.). Today it is one of Europe's leading manufacturers of engineering equipment and vehicles.

You occasionally find older VanHool coaches with MAN engines in the US, usually grey market imports of the extremely short wheel base "T" series coach.

MAN also sells the MAN Lion's coach in Mexico, geared towards the high end luxury bus market.

[malbojah]

Maschinenbaugesellschaft Nürnberg

Someone please try to say this three times fast and report back!

why are they so unpopular?

You ain't a trucker til you've gone coast-to-coast in a doghouse COE roach motel!

[Stuart]

They're pretty much the only game in town in Europe due to length laws.

I spent 3 months in Germany during the fall of 05. 99.5% were COEs. Usually Scania, Mercedez, and MAN. I believe the MAN's (cant remember what it stood for) are made near Munich. From what I gather, they are considered of the best and offers more luxury than some others there.

I'm sorry if i sound rude, but MAN is not really considered a luxury truck in Europe, If were talking top end tucks then Scania is probably the best when your talking in terms of luxury, There 630hp V8 topliners are serious bits of kit, Volvo is another good brand there pushing 660hp now , MAN i would say IMO is a good truck but can be classed as a more basic truck.
Just my opinion for whats it worth.

[marylandkw]

Maschinenbaugesellschaft Nürnberg

Someone please try to say this three times fast and report back!

Ahh German, A true language of love

[proffit]

ive riden shot gun in a few cab overs before...... aside from being a flat nosed wall going down the road, guzzeling fuel ( actually i think the fuel line is 2X the diameter of a normal line), and once u can put aside the fact thiers no air ride, hmm, while thats a lie too, the trucks have leaf springs so every bump u hit.... u get air.. for confort make shure you dont wear your seat belt, since you basically bounce off the seats, and your butt will hurt more if your attacked to the seat..... another pro about these things is you have a upfront and clos view of anything u might hit....
LOL we hit a deer, i was expecting the thing to pop its head thru the floor at my feet, totally diffrrent feeling seeing the thing bouce off the truck at your feet instead of ahead of u... now we talk about the cons....

the cons to cab overs, watch the 1st step that there puppy is a long friggin fall. the steps are 4 inches wide in kW 100's and 4 inches tall, actually its not really a step, its more of a hole made by some pissed off truck driver carrying a shot gun who landed on his butt too often. thiers no air conditioning in those things... and make shure u take your coffee off the dash if u have to lift the cab and look at the engine. oh another good point is thiers alot fo old spare parts lying around, but the trucks are soooo old that parts are disapearing at unbelieveable speeds.

the trucks are cheap for 1 reason.... companies who own them want to make more money then what the scrap metal dealers are willing to pay.

[Jumbo]

Be wise and stay away from the cabover petes. You can't see anything on the right side of you. I know of one company that all new drivers got to drive the old cabover pete. I believe that truck was 15-0 in sideswipes.

[ColtsFan]

Maschinenbaugesellschaft Nürnberg

Someone please try to say this three times fast and report back!

Machine something Nurnberg, Machine something Nurnberg, Machine something Nurnberg! LOL

[DieselDog]

My first truck I drove was the cabover White Freightline in 1978. I would stop for coffee and still feel vibration through my body as I sat in the truckstop. I contribute the rough rides patially to the fact everything was spring loaded those days. Hell, even long noses were rough rides with springs in everything. I do miss the ease of getting into tight spots (of course you only dealt with a 40ft trailer...sigh). We also saw a rise in rear enders when guys weren't sitting at the very edge of the truck. If a good cabover comes out again that is aerodynamic and smooth, I will consider it.

[ColtsFan]

If a good cabover comes out again that is aerodynamic and smooth, I will consider it.

I take it you dont like the Argosy? http://www.freightlinertrucks.com/tr...-model/argosy/

I dont think I could handle riding in any CO.

[DieselDog]

Ahh, the only time I will be caught behind the wheel of a freightliner is as a company driver . Just not a fan.

[ColtsFan]

Yeah. I havent started driving yet. But, I have checked out a lot of trucks online and talked to many drivers. I would have to say my choices of a truck would be the KW T600, Pete 387, or Volvo 770/780. But, that is from not knowing much. Just listening to others.