Quote:
Originally Posted by Windwalker
I agree with Gman. Your survey comes up a bit short.
On question 7, one improvement that would have a major impact on safety (especially at night) would be... Nearly every truck I've driven has steps up to the catwalk. At the back of these steps, there should be a "reverse light", hooked in with the transmission, that can illuminate the area of the driver's view, not just alongside the trailer, but also 20 to 30 feet behind the trailer. Current "reverse" lights are only useful when backing under a trailer or bobtailing. (And, of course, if you're bobtailing, you're not making any money, so most times, you're backing up WITH a trailer behind you that blocks the light from current reverse lights.) They need to light up the area 70 to 80 feet behind the truck, and they need to be "outside" of the drive tires. They could also have a switch on the dash to disable them when you do not need them. I think the impact on safety would offset the extra cost.
Ideally, these lights would be located on the back of the trailer, but I have not seen manufacturers putting them on, and I only know of a couple of companies that add them on. With the offset on safety, I do not understand why they are not required. And, if they were located on the back of the trailer, the ones on the tractor would still be effective, but would not need to be as bright. These lights could also make use of technology (currently available) that would keep them in a normal "OFF" state. The driver would have a button on the dash that would turn them on for a pre-set time of 3, 4 or 5 minutes, and the circuit would turn them off automatically. If the driver is not done backing in, he/she can push the button again and turn them back on.
Sorry, the survey is set more towards the 'human factor' of the truck, sorry for any confusion.
Also, thank you, this is very insightful
My original plan was to design a trailer to go along with the truck, but I haven't gotten to that part yet. If I do design the trailer, I would line it with powerful LED light strips, and maybe add an option for a retractable LED telescopic floodlight. I'm still in the development stage, so anything is possible
Quote:
Originally Posted by Windwalker
And, with regard to "cupholders", I've seen far better cupholders in 4-wheelers, which does not make much sense to me because a truck driver spends far more time behind the wheel, and does not have the ability to stop and get a fresh cup or thermos, just about anywhere.
An idea I had was a set of interchangeable appliances, that can be purchased separately and docked into a specific area of the truck, probably the back. Maybe some people want there own fresh coffee?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Windwalker
If you're sitting behind a desk for 4 hours, how many times to you move your legs and stretch them under the desk? I've been able to, effectively, stretch my left leg out between the clutch peddle and the edge of the firewall in a number of trucks, but the right leg is another matter. Not sure just how to design it, but try sitting in a 4-wheeler and swing your right leg over to the right and up on the dash... Then see how long it takes to bring it back down to the floor if you have a sudden highway emergency that requires the brake NOW!!!!! You'll see that "that" is not a viable option. But, the ability to straighten out the knees would add greatly to the driver's comfort. Stopping alongside the road just to stretch your legs, without a breakdown, can get you a ticket in some areas. Or worse, I've seen trucks, after a long, heavy rain, laid on their sides because the edge of the shoulder gave way.
IT should be noted that while I am currently retired, I filled out your survey according to the last truck I drove before I retired.
I was thinking of that part, especially giving space towards extra legroom, and maybe a totally different type of seat, more towards a lounge chair hybrid. Still developing...
Finally thank you very much for doing the survey