Tag: Truck Driver

Cabover Trucks

The Main Reasons Why Cabover Trucks Are Less Common Than Long Hood Rigs

If you’re not familiar with the term cabover trucks, perhaps you will recognize these trucks by their full name, cabin over engine trucks. Or perhaps you don’t know much about them at all. No wonder, seeing how they’ve become far less common after 1976 after some regulatory changes made longer trucks an option.We reached to a reliable truck manufacturer that was around to see these trucks come and go, to tell us more about this truck type, its advantages and disadvantages, and why it is no longer as popular. Why They Were PopularIn the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s, the length regulations for the trucks dictated the maximum length of 65 feet (both truck and trailer). In 1976, as 75 feet became the norm, these trucks were gradually phased out by long hood trucks.Keep in mind that this trend is only present in North America, as Europe largely still uses cabover trucks for several reasons, with maneuverability being one of the most important ones. Elegant car seat pillow to keep you cool even on hot summer days. Maneuverability Due to the shorter axis distance, these trucks are a lot simpler and easier to maneuver. Backing up in narrow loading docks and changing lanes in heavy traffic is a lot simpler. The position of the driver at the very front of the vehicle also facilitates maneuverability as it gives the driver better visibility.As both roads and streets in Europe tend to be smaller and narrower, trucking companies there still prefer this type of truck. In fact, in some European countries which are more flat and open, like the Netherlands, long hood trucks can also be found. Fuel Efficiency Even though most people think that the more aerodynamic shape of the long hood trucks makes them more efficient, the simple truth is that European trucks are smaller and more efficient.In addition, more stringent emissions regulations in the European Union has forced manufacturers to make trucks more fuel-efficient compared to the US and Canada. In this case, it is not the shape of the truck, but the region where they are prevalent that led to the increased fuel efficiency. Lacking Safety Even though there are some clear advantages of having the driver in the very front of the vehicle, there are also some disadvantages.One of the clearest faults of a cabover is that the driver is far more vulnerable in case of an accident – there’s less truck between the driver and the impact. Despite the fact that modern cabovers have numerous protection advancements compared to the older models, they still fall flat compared to the long hood trucks. Lack of Comfort during Long RidesAnother big disadvantage of a cabover, especially for the long haul is the less comfortable ride compared to the competitors. The shorter wheelbase is typically cited as the main reason why the ride is not as cushy as in a long hood.However, there is another important reason – in a cabover, your driver’s seat is directly on top of a wheel, making all the bumps much more visceral. There was an attempt by the manufacturers to resolve this problem, but it resulted in more expensive vehicles – just one more reason why they were gradually replaced by the long hoods. Which Are Better, Then? It is really difficult to pick one over the other – different businesses may prefer different trucks, preferring the fuel economy and maneuverability of a cabover or the safety and comfort of a long hood truck.It is always best to choose the truck based on your needs and your business model, which is why both types of trucks still exist and are available for purchase.Read Also:What to Consider When Buying Heavy Duty Truck Alignment Equipment How Crane Trucks Can Drastically Improve Project Efficiency 7 Ways Truck Accidents Differ from the Regular Car Crashes

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Truck Accidents

The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents

Big rigs, delivery, trucks or any kind of commercial trucks can present some serious threats to other vehicles and passengers present on the road. As per statistics, around five hundred thousand accidents from the total accidents are caused either directly or indirectly by commercial trucks. Out of these five hundred thousand, around five thousand have reported leading to deaths due to truck accidents.In order to take efficient measures for the prevention of truck accidents, we first need to understand the main causes as well. In this article, we have listed some of the most common causes of truck accidents. The Most Common Causes of Truck Accidents: 1.Cars Driving in the No-Zones areas The area behind and beside a truck is known as the ‘No-Zone’ area. A passenger vehicle or car driving in this area automatically puts itself in a dangerous position because the area is not visible by the driver. An accident can occur due to zero visibility. 2. Not Training the Truck Drivers Properly Driving a truck is entirely different from driving a car and requires an enhanced level of training. Drivers who are not properly trained may not be aware of the safety concerns and important techniques for driving trucks. These drivers, in turn, are more prone to cause accidents later on as well. 3. Speeding and Over Taking by the Truck Driver Speeding by any kind of vehicle whether it is a truck or a passenger car or even a motorcycle can ultimately lead to an accident. Overtaking while driving especially at high speeds also contributes to a majority of accidents.Most of the truck drivers tend to over-speed as a result of the unrealistic deadlines given by their companies to deliver goods in a lot of cases. Over-speeding, especially in poor weather conditions, poses a heightened level of danger for all the vehicles present on the road. 4. Poorly Maintained Trucks or Trucks with Faulty Systems A truck or any kind of vehicle needs to be properly maintained so that it can function well on the road. If a commercial truck is poorly maintained or consists of faulty systems, then it can lead to critical accidents. Faulty brakes, for example, can lead to an accident if a truck driver is not able to stop the truck at point hence leading to a collision. 5. Distracted Driving and Fatigue Drivers tend to become exhausted and even bored when they have been driving trucks from a long consistent period of time. As a result, they might be prone to falling asleep on the wheel or may look for distractions to keep them entertained. These distractions can include playing games on their cell phone or speaking on the cell phone while not focusing on the road. Speak to a Truck Accident Lawyer Today! These were some of the common causes in brief. In order to learn more in detail for filing a truck accident claim, you can choose to contact the Truck Accident Attorney Chicago for better understanding.Read Also:Why Texting Is Not A Good Idea When You Drive Why Times Are Tough For Truckers and Why It Concerns You

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Truck Driver

5 Clever Tips Every Truck Driver Should Bear In Mind

Some people are committed to truck driving only for the monetary benefits associated with it. Obviously, truck driving can be an exciting job especially when you're lucky to drive afar, see new places and get to interact with new people during your trips. Truck Driver can make the selection of time when to drive and how to drive?  However, truck driving does come with lots of mishaps that can mar your experience while on the job.Besides normal safety rules for driving trucks, there are a handful of tips you should always bear in mind to avoid discomfort and any other unpleasant experience. Luckily, this very article will show you the 5 clever tips every truck driver should bear in mind. Whether you've been driving for long or just beginning to try your hands on truck driving, you'll likely benefit from following these tips. Clever Tips To Keep In Mind From A Truck Driver Point Of View  Keep Your Diet Balanced and Healthy : In reality, your diet can impact significantly on your truck driving experience. To stay alert and keep your eyes focused, it's vital that you cut back on the intake of caffeinated substances. Also, try to stay away from most of the junk foods you find along the road. By doing this, you're likely to improve in health and perform your driving job excellently.As a truck driver, you're expected to get items delivered within deadlines but again, you have to incorporate the need to stay healthy into your objectives. Get Thrilled : If you're a truck driver who often travels across busy areas for prolonged hours, you're damn likely to get bored. Of course, this is one of the things which make truck driving a seemingly tedious job.For safety on the road and to keep you in a lively mood, you may have to listen to some of your favorite podcasts during driving sessions. Stay Oriented with a GPS : As a truck driver, you're expected to have a clear sense of direction while driving but at times, you could get disorientated by some things. To avoid getting stuck in an instance like this, having some digital assistance will help you out.Basically, a GPS system will provide you with the important needs for navigating routes but you shouldn't be too dependent on the system. Do Safety Check before Setting Out : Whether you are an experienced truck driver or not, you should easily agree that doing a pre-trip safety check can go a long way to prevent you from most of the accidents that occur on the part of drivers. Before embarking on any trip, be sure your truck is in perfect working condition.In addition to doing a pre-trip safety check, endeavor to equip your truck with essential repair tools in case you will have to do slight repairs during your trips. If this seems like too much to handle, you can utilize DOT compliance services to help manage pre-trip checks.Other than that, having a comfortable 18 inch steering wheel can help you have better control of the truck. The use of truck fenders plastics too can avoid you many accidents. It is also good to make sure that your truck has stable dump truck bodies if you want to keep it on the road for longer. Get Prepared for the Snowy Days : The snowy days often surface during winter and of course, winter months can have a frustrating effect on your driving experience. In preparing for the snowy days of winter, ensure you're practicing the safety precautions that will keep you and other drivers safe amidst unwelcome winter circumstances.Read Also :Why Times Are Tough For Truckers And Why It Concerns You 5 Ways Camera Monitoring System Will Enhance Vehicle Safety How To Get A Loan On A Day With Bad Credit?

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