Decline of Cab-Overs
 

Why have cab overs become less popular?

Is it the safety/rollover issue?

Inferior aerodynamics?

Just don't look cool?

It's just a bit difficult to really appreciate that left front tire kicking you in the butt all the way down the road. Put a hood on it and the ride gets much smoother.

even the new cabover's the argosy are loud and rough!

I thik a lot of it is driver retention and comfort like others said. Me I liked a COE. Easy to turn and maneuver, excellent viz. If my winshield aint scratched I didn't hit it :lol: !!

First COE I rode in was an old Ford - no air ride. Learned in an 88 International. Cab overs make me nostalgic -- that said I would not buy one these days -- I like the hood and ride too much.

Digging out some memories here....I drove a White Freightliner COE the summer of '79....no power steering and more than the left tire kicking my butt, I remember it took some getting used to the "back slapping" that occured.

I started driving a single axle COE international OTR hauling 4,000 lb loads from MI to NJ and deadhead back when I-80 was voted 10 yrs in a row worst interstate in the US,I know it took 10 yrs off my driving career!

I think that once JB and SNI started going to conventionals that pretty much doomed them.

Re: Decline of Cab-Overs
 

Thats why i would never buy one
i love my hoods 379 W900 and the good old 9900ix

I believe the birth of the Cabover was to gain maximum usable body length in the days when overall allowed length was shorter. As the restrictions have now been liberalized most drivers prefer the ride of the conventional cab.

I check the freightliner website and it still seems they are cont to build the argosy

When you go into the back of the sleeper in a cabover do you step down into it?

NO, you simply slide your legs up and over the doghouse and you are now in the sleeper.

Those were the days...

there is no dog house in the flat floor cab overs. get out of your seat like any other truck turn around hello sleeper

I read somewhere that 2006 was going to be the last year for North American Argosy production though in Australia will continue on.

I've noticed that trucking firms in Russia have been buying up hundreds of ex JB Hunt International 9800 and Freightliner Argosy's. I guess they can be picked up and shipped from the US far cheaper than it costs to buy a Volvo, Scania or Renault tractor unit from Western Europe. Plus the sleeper in the 9800 is a lot roomier than many European truck sleepers. Russian import regulations are apparently less restrictive than the rest of Europe since they also import quite a few US market used autos as well. Lots of Moscow cops ride around in Crown Victorias.

Here's an old JB 9800 in Russia connected to a European market 3 axle trailer.
http://www.sibtranscom.ru/gfx/cars/image064.jpg

If I was a City driver just running local that's all I'd want.
Did my time in them OTR back in the day and that was enough.
Oops-We had COE's in Iraq-How quickly I forget. :P

I started in a pete 362 coe. Sure had a lot of room and you get around with it. Problem was you couldn't see anything along side of you on the right. It could have been real easy to sideswipe someone if you weren't really careful.

I noticed that some Peterbilt 362's sported that mini-west coast mirror in that lower view window in the passenger door.

Like on this one:
http://www.truckpaper.com/images/Tru...e/73112455.jpg

I always wondered if those did much good.

Thanks all for the information and perspective.

I know some of the larger Carriers keep a few around for tight and windy roads.

A COE with a tiny sleeper was just about the only way you could legally get a 53' into Humboldt County CA where I used to live. I would often see Win-Co foods and Swift 53s with COEs.

Correct.No more new class 8 cabovers for North America from any mfg: Pete, KW, Freightliner.They do make them for Austraila & New Zealand .Some cool ones herehttp://www.xtrucking.com/index.html
http://www.xtrucking.com/images/k104-big.jpg


Here's one done buy CSM, for the Castrol BigRig Makeover last yr.

http://www.chromeshopmafia.com/image...m/IMG_5294.JPG
http://www.chromeshopmafia.com/image...m/IMG_5255.JPG

One from MATS 06
http://www.supershowrigs.com/2006Sho...S/STA70627.JPG

That cab is STAINLESS!!!!

I love the cabovers.Just something you dont see everyday.

Check this out. Totally restored 1974 Pete 352 cabover with a 318 detroit and 13 speed.

http://www.truckpaper.com/images/Tru...e/73740903.jpg

http://www.truckpaper.com/listings/d...A527A46E4DE6B3

That stainless truck is one of the coolest looking trucks I have ever seen. But why wouldn't they put stainless fenders on it as well?

Sure am glad I don't have to keep it clean, could you imagine running thru Texas during "bug" season?

i just looked at that Pete on truck paper anybody have a good guess how much it is worth

They are easy to get around the city or tight spots.
Great backing in
But if you have to move trailers around there is an awful lot of climbing
You have to jack up the cab for just about everything ( I had a Pete that had to be jacked up to check the power steering fl)
Hydraulic lines leak after a while. cylanders go bad and are a pain to replace
Lot of surface exposed to winter weather. I used to have a
cold leg and a hot leg.
In very cold weather you may be able to jack it up but it may not go down.

completely rebuilt for 25000 doesn't seem bad but they shudda put at least a 350 in it, with a 4 an a quarter cat........hmmm I might have bought the old girl. Nothing better than sleeping across the dog house!
and look, real old peer lux fog lights.

that would be a 3406B :P

NOOOO!!! 1493 after all its a 74 lets do her up right! :D

that pic of the Black Pete looks like the truck I used to drive.
What a kick it would be to put in a 550 Cat with an 18 in it :P

or do I mean 1693, jeeze I don't know must be getting old, naw just sleepy 1493/ 1693 shoulda just said yes to 3406 and saved myself the stress

that's right :P

yeah I drove one with the 3406 and a 13 only it was silver and a double bunk, but it was the later model with the one piece windshield, great truck!
I liked the way the cabovers looked, but being an easterner that was all I was gonna get so I might as well like them. :cry:

First truck I ever drove was a International Transtar with the Pumpkin Patch. I think they had around a 98" wb.
Bouncing along I-80 in PA. bout beat you to death.