Designing a new big rig!

#1

11-27-2006 10:37 AM by super7

Hello I am an automotive design student from Coventry, England.

I am in the process of designing a long distance truck for the U.S or Australian market.

I need to try and get some information from current drivers and thought this would be a good place to start. pLease feel fee to elaborate on any of the questions.

1. Gender

2. Age

3. What truck do you drive?

4. Do you own the truck?

5. What would you change?

6. Which truck would you like to drive?

7. How many miles per year do you do?

8. Where do you travel to?

9. How much time per day do you spend in your truck?

10. Do you sleep in your cab?

11. Have you customised your truck?

12. What additional feature would you like to see on your truck?

Many thanks :wink:

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#2

11-27-2006 04:11 PM by Teal 95 KW

Re: Designing a new big rig!
Normally I don't bite on this type of stuff, but I'm waiting on clothes to dry and will humor you a bit.

Quote:
Originally Posted by super7

1. Gender---Male

2. Age---25

3. What truck do you drive?---Kenworth W-900L

4. Do you own the truck?---Yep

5. What would you change?---Longer wheelbase (from 265 to 310) 120" sleeper as opposed to the current 72"

6. Which truck would you like to drive?---My own

7. How many miles per year do you do?---60k-65k

8. Where do you travel to?---Was coast to coast, but now just between Texas and Colorado

9. How much time per day do you spend in your truck?---as little as possible LOL

10. Do you sleep in your cab?---If I'm not at home

11. Have you customised your truck?---Dunno about "customized", but I've shaved it of all badges/emblems, bostrom seats, stereo, exhaust...

12. What additional feature would you like to see on your truck?---Shower/Bathroom would be nice in my stock sleeper, there are several companies who do factory sleeper remodels.

Many thanks :wink:

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#3

11-27-2006 04:32 PM by AmEagleDrvr

I will second number 12. A shower/toilet would be great. C'mon designers...get 'r'done!!!

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#4

11-27-2006 05:54 PM by NascarFan

1. Male.

2. None of your business.

3. International 9900 day cab.

4. No.

5. Nothing.

6. Kenworth W900.

7. 45,000-55,000.

8. South Western North Carolina and North Western South Carolina.

9. Most of the time allot except from November through February.

10. No.

11. No not really

12. Bigger Cab.

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#5

11-27-2006 07:12 PM by terrylamar

Re: Designing a new big rig!
Quote:
Originally Posted by super7
Hello I am an automotive design student from Coventry, England.

I am in the process of designing a long distance truck for the U.S or Australian market.

I need to try and get some information from current drivers and thought this would be a good place to start. pLease feel fee to elaborate on any of the questions.

1. Gender

2. Age

3. What truck do you drive?

4. Do you own the truck?

5. What would you change?

6. Which truck would you like to drive?

7. How many miles per year do you do?

8. Where do you travel to?

9. How much time per day do you spend in your truck?

10. Do you sleep in your cab?

11. Have you customised your truck?

12. What additional feature would you like to see on your truck?

Many thanks :wink:
Coming from England, you do know the steering wheel goes on the lefthand side, correct?

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#6

11-30-2006 01:16 AM by mrpersons

Make it a "multinational" truck and put the wheel in the middle!

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#7

12-03-2006 03:01 AM by Justruckin

Re: Designing a new big rig!
I'll throw my 2 pence in. Hope it helps!

Quote:
Originally Posted by super7

1. Gender

Male

2. Age

42

3. What truck do you drive?

2007 Volvo 780

4. Do you own the truck?

Yep, me and the bank!

5. What would you change?

Lighten the truck. I don't know if that is possible in a cost effective manner, and I don't want the weight savings to come out of the interior insulation and sound deadening materials or otherwise great interior design. That is a tuff nut to crack.

6. Which truck would you like to drive?

I am sitting in it right now, Volvo 780.

7. How many miles per year do you do?

90,000

8. Where do you travel to?

From the Detroit Michigan area (home) due south to Florida, and out west to Utah and California.

9. How much time per day do you spend in your truck?

Other then bathroom breaks, meals and showers, almost 24 hours a day. I usually stay out 10 days and take a week off.

10. Do you sleep in your cab?

Yes

11. Have you customised your truck?

Yes. I had an Thermo King APU installed for heat, a/c and electric.

Two sets of Super Singles, one set on the tractor and a set for the trailer, all with aluminum wheels.

Right Weigh load scales. I mounted one on the dash, in a carbon fiber go fast pod with a dash mount, to read the weight on my drive tires. I also have one on the trailer. These should come as standard equipment on all trucks and trailers.

I installed a 20 inch Dell monitor and a TV tuner hooked to an on board PC (old laptop hidden in the closet), to watch movies and play on the internet and run GPS software. All of the sound output is run through the factory 10 speaker + sub sound system. It is just like sitting at home.

I also installed an 8 inch wide screen lcd/tft monitor on the dash, which is hooked to the computer in the closet, to view the GPS software. I also installed a USB hub to run a wireless mouse and picked up a PS2 keyboard to use with the monitor on the dash. I also installed a CD/DVD RW on the dash.

I also have on board wireless internet, via a Sprint air card and Kyocera KR1 wireless router. I can send and receive faxes right in my truck via the internet using efax. This is a huge time and money saver, well worth the $10 a month fee for the efax service.

An HP all in one copier and printer.

A Sharp 1000 watt microwave, Mr. Coffee coffee maker and a factory fridge/freezer.

12. What additional feature would you like to see on your truck?

My Volvo 780 is pretty well loaded, driver and passenger heated massaging seats, key less entry, and all the bells and whistles that I think you can get.

But, seeing as you are asking...

A built in factory ALARM system that also locks out the ignition and brakes/air compressor. I had a truck and trailer stolen in Vegas a few years ago. And no, I did not leave the keys in it. We found the trailer in Blythe CA, never got the truck back.

Built in factory adjustable weight scales, in actual pounds, not psi. I would like to see these for the steer, drive and trailer axles via a quick connect for the trailer.

I would also like to be able to program the factory in dash computer to see what I want, when I want, instead of clicking through various menus.

I would also like an option to actually sit in the seats that I want. Let the dealer install them without charging extra. In other words, send the truck seat-less, and let the dealer install the seat of my liking. I know, that is a little to much to ask for, but I think it would be a big hit with us drivers.

And I think that all trucks should come standard with power windows on both doors and dual adjustable heated mirrors, including the spot mirror. You would not believe how hard these options are to get on a fleet type truck.

And put the most often used controls on stalks mounted on the steering wheel. Volvo got this right, the 6 stage Jake brake, windshield wipers, cruise control, computer control, flasher for headlights and parking lights along with the turn signals, are all mounted on stalks or the steering wheel. You never have to take your hands off the wheel or eyes off the road to work any of these commonly used controls. This is a big safety issue with me, and just makes sense.

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