Don't Make Me Drive That Cabover!

[@jimbrown1127]

Back in the 70's and 80"s when I was a youngster I would ride in a cabover kenworth with my dad every chance I got. Man I loved every minute of it sure it was a rough ride but being a kid I didn't mind it at all. I remember one time my dad was driving and chatting on the old cb he told the other driver that he needed to stop to buy some cigarettes. Long story short my dad didn't stop to buy cigarettes because he pulled next to another cabover and the driver handed me a few cigs for my dad while driving approximately 70 mph down the highway. I'll never forget that. Lol try doing that in a conventional truck.

[@mannyzx1]

Man, in the 80’s, my dad had a 1978 Pete cab over and whenever I was out on summer break from school I’d go on trips with him. I used to sleep just fine... when the truck was loaded down. Bob tail? Forget it. It was like a 7.8 on the Richter scale. He then got a Freight with air ride, and air cab, power windows, AC... That was nice. But that Pete, gave me and my family a good life. It was fast too. Gulped down diesel, but would fly up the grapevine.

[@53Peterbilt]

Started trucking in the early 80's, and just about everything I drove was an over-cab...and I drove 'em all too. Petes, Freight-shakers, Intersmashable Crash-overs, KWs, Macks, GMCs (that had those huge aquarium windshields). I now own and operate a '61 Pete 351, with a big mil and full air-ride, and I ain't going back. Keep up with these great videos Dave!! Lotsa wonderful wisdom!

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir! Dave

[@garethifan1034]

European cabovers are a totally different thing from US cabovers. The ride is super comfortable and the cabs are extremely well designed to make the most out of a limited amount of space. But the mention of a 'rubberblock suspension' sent shivers down my spine..all our cabs in Europe are air-suspended. Nice to hear about your experiences though.

[@olaikrystian9265]

Yeah but he's talking about US cabovers in the 70's. In the seventies you guys were still moving stuff with horses :p

[@splatterbrain3788]

I've never driven a cab over, however, I can relate to my first couple nights riding in the bunk. The only real sleep I got was when my team mate stopped for red lights.

[@mrc1539]

When I went from a cabover Ford with manual steering and spring suspension to a slant back Pete cabover with air-ride I thought I was in hog heaven. Those old trucks can’t even compare to the Pete I’m driving now, it’s like driving my pick-up. To bad some of these younger drivers didn’t get a chance to “ enjoy “ the older trucks it would damn sure make them appreciate what they are driving now ! 😉

[@SmartTrucking]

Ain't that the truth! Dave

[@michaelbressette2599]

I think people embarking on Truck driving as a career should be trained in the older 40-50-60 transport trucks so they understand the nature of them plus to gain the experience of what they have to drive today. They should make them specifically for truck driving training. Start with the old manuals then upgrade to the newer technology.

[@marywagner3644]

Two story Ford?

[@marywagner3644]

But the roads were a lot better

[@ZSLegacyMediaProductions]

79 freightliner coe. My dad had a few. I would go on the road with him. Sleeping in the back is exactly how you explain it. It’s far easier just to sleep in the passenger seat.

[@coe98001]

I drove for Schneider in the nineties, my first truck was an 87 international coe with a 300hp Cummins . No air ride, no Jake. The first time I went through the cross bronx expressway everything in the cab went flying my cooler went from the bunk to the passenger side footwell. It was brutal. My last truck with them was a new 99 International COE with a flat floor and rear air suspension, Jake, cruise and a great series 60 Detroit. I loved that truck. I never see them anymore, I guess everybody hated them so much they retired every one of them. The next company I worked for had brand new Volvo’s I never knew truck could ride that nice they were like a Lexus compared to the coe’s.

[@EfrainQuezada]

My dad drove a kw cabover, my favorite seat was right on the hump over the engine, best view of the road when I was about 5 years old.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yes sir! Riding the doghouse! Dave

[@brianyork2346]

My first truck was a 1991 freightliner cabover for Burlington motor. I still love cabovers to this day.

[@MidnightMechanic]

The truck can make or break any long haul, especially if sleeping in a hotel is inconvenient to the trip or you prefer sleeping during the run. This is why truckers are in high demand for some companies, because they don't realize having a new truck with the best comforts and air rides saves a heck of a lot on energy and fatigue, which also in turn saves lives. I'd rather have a well rested, alert truck driver behind the wheel than one fed up with the truck or even the dispatchers, suffering from complete lack of sleep while being forced to run a load hundreds of miles. Listen to your drivers, they know what they're talking about when it comes to road comfort, keep the cabovers to local or inner city runs since the nose won't be tough to navigate around tight spaces.

[@steverzepecki500]

I loved my 1977 K100 cabover, drive it for 4 years. 350 Cummins, airride, 10 speed.

[@stevemccoy8138]

I drove Freightliner, KW, Pete, Marmon, White, and Ford Cabovers, most of them were spring suspension, no power steering, Ran double for 2 years in a Frieghtliner.Missouri to California and back every week. 41years Truckun, reefer, grain, Bull's, Hay, explosives, Equipment. Loved it! Thanks

[@clydeacor1911]

Love your stories! When I was a teenager on our farm we had a couple of cab overs one was a 74 Kenworth that had a 272 inch wheel base and it had a 5 and a 4 transmission with a 400 small cam Cummins engine and would do triple digits, her name was Scoots. It was the only truck that I've ever seen that had a torsion bar suspension set up! The ride was super smooth but when you went around a corner it always felt like you were going to lay it over! Our other cab over was a 76 White Freightliner and it had a 262 inch wheel base with 4 spring suspension and it rode pretty decent because of the longer wheel base. I'd say that it rode as good as our two 83 Kenworth W900's that were sister truck's that were air ride with 262 inch wheel base.

[@joeaho2577]

I learned to drive in a 69 4070A Transtar. It was a total old school truck. 144" wb, solid seats, camel back suspension, armstrong steering and a 238 Detroit.I learned real fast to use seatbelts. My first 5 miles on the first day I had 3 knots on the top of my head from getting thrown up to the roof before I buckled up. It was an old back and head killer but I loved it. I was driving a truck. The things we did as rookies back then just to learn to drive.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, but loved every minute of it! Dave

[@sisutrucks]

dad had a Volvo F12 78 mod cabover. think it was serial number 253 for the F12 series so very early. he got it in 81 after it was rebuilt after it had burned to ground. all new front section. i grew up riding along in that truck. he loved the ride in it so kept it for 20 years as his only truck. and it was a comfy truck. no problem seeping while on the move in those old F12s. greatest trucks volvo have made. ever. now my newest truck is a 14 mod Volvo FM. and even so it have the 9 tonne front axle and 23 tonne tandem it rides like a boss. air ride all around tho. coins and stuff on the dash dont even rattle hehe. the Volvo dynamic steering also makes the work much easier.

[@deanhueter2866]

My first coe was in the late 50's, an IH. DCO 405, with a 185 hp Cummins, single axle pulling doubles. Then I custom ordered a 68 KW coe brand new. I've owned several more coe's and conventionals over a 43 year career. PS: I've just come upon your postings for the first time this past week. Keep up the good work, I enjoy your stories.

[@scottmueller5995]

I drove a 85 Freightliner COE spring ride . You really had to think twice about the the way you crossed RR tracks if you didn't want to smash your head on the roof. More than once I slid down the iced over hand rails . I looked like I was coming down a fire pole ! Glad those days are over .

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, I wiped a few times getting out of them. I think my arms might still be a bit longer now from that! Dave

[@Ken-fh8iv]

Hey Dave, I've a different cabover memory for you. I tried running team for about a year, in the mid-80s. I fondly remember the three-wiper Pete w/the un-neutered 425Cat. Man, I loved that truck! It'd pull almost any mountain without having to downshift. Road super high up, w/cars seemingly passing under my left foot. Of course, it did have air ride, w/an air ride cab. Still, I never did get the nack for sleeping w/the truck in motion. We used an air mattress, inflated halfway. Used to swap every 4hrs. Between getting the bare minimum of sleep, also mostly through exhaustion, & also some bad partners, I swore off running team. I still fondly remember that Pete, though. Glad I missed the slightly older cabovers. I also vividly recall one VERY huge driver who was climbing out of his KW cabover. I watched in amazement as he clung to the handle, high up, until getting a foot on the ground. When he let go of the handle, the truck about flipped over the other way ;-P

[@SmartTrucking]

Those 362 cabover Petes were a nice truck [ 3 wipers ] and the cabover Ford CL9000 were the ones that leaned way the hell over when the big guys climbed inside! Dave

[@lawrencehenry1326]

Those 1693TA Caterpillars were too reliable, but they were heavy motors. Hundreds more than any Cummins or Detroit. If you just let them lug down to 13 or 1400 rpms they would just pull and pull.

[@Saved_The_Day]

I started in a 1985 International Double Eagle cabover. High class interior. 110 inch cab. White in color and chicken lights all down the side. 4 bag air ride. Dual air ride seats. 400 big cam 4 Cummins with the 13 speed short shifter on the dog house. Dual exhaust with the 3 stage Jake Brake. Aluminum rims all the way around. Chrome visor, chrome grill, polished fuel tanks, chrome dual air horns, and best of all, air conditioning. Man I loved that truck. Great memories. Wish I could drive it again. Take care.

[@SmartTrucking]

They were a nice truck! Dave

[@semiretired6033]

Dave you are so right about how great those old C/Os looked. When you want to talk about the old days of trucking, The first trucks that come to mind are those C/Os. They really bring back all the nostalgia of that era in trucking... I drove a few of them like the old GMC Astro, and i remember it well cause it was in the winter time and my feet all the way up to my knees froze in that thing for two weeks, I was an agency driver then and they would send me to work at different carriers , and after two weeks i had had enough and i refused to go back there. The ones we still see today are the trucks that guys have restored to their original glory and show them off with pride as they work them everday..

[@neilkinney6600]

I drove several different cabovers and you are 100 per cent correct. A cabover was rough riding and in my opinion impossible to sleep in when moving. No joke I always had back problems.

[@colinmckendrick9803]

Always liked cabovers which brought me to this video. Not a trucker but I have done that drive before in a dodge 2500 hauling a loaded 20ft trailer. Left Woodstock at 2pm for Elliot lake and made it home by 11 am next day. Only stopped for diesel and food. It was late November and man those snow squalls were something else once I got north of parry sound. I’ll never forget that run. Especially from parry sound to Sudbury, that is one heck a a hilly, windy , and almost no sign of civilization for 250km. Cheers

[@wperry1970]

My Dad ran team in a single bunk cabover pete back in the 70's. He transported swinging meat. Even though he was running team in them little trucks, he used to take me at times. All of his partners treated me like gold! We would get back from a trip, and I couldn't wait to go again! The truck were very simple. No insulation, no AC, no power steering and loud as hell! And I loved every minute of it 😁

[@leehuff2330]

Never drove a COE commercially, but I started driving truck as a volunteer firefighter. Low-profile cabovers with spring ride, and the front seat is out ahead of the front axle. Only seat in the cab with air suspension is the driver's seat, all the rest are directly bolted to the floor. That experience gave me the advantage of a working knowledge of air brakes when I started training for my CDL.

[@markbrown1751]

I drove cabovers for Schneider in 1998. The “bus type”, (International) truck, was more comfortable. The dangers of these trucks, was the shorter wheel base. Although, I loved them in “tight” situations!

[@SemperFido9915]

I drove a 1996 Freightliner cabover for Werner, back before I got my first Pete. This thing was air ride and I never had to sleep while another driver was at the wheel, but it still crunched my back pretty good. Going from that into a 379 was a pure delight.

[@davidwitcher5443]

I remember my first experience lifting the cab without checking the sleeper and the owners TV decided it wanted out through the drivers side windshield! Oops! Lessons learned. Stay safe!

[@TheDrummer51]

My first highway job was teaming with another kid in a new '76 White Freightliner. It was one of the first with an 8/92 in it. Truck and trailer combination/ spring ride, so it wasn't too bad loaded but a boneshaker empty. Drove several over the years, teamed a few times but like you said, I'm glad to see them for the sake of nostalgia, but I don't want to think about living in one again.

[@SmartTrucking]

I hear ya! Dave

[@johndoe-xy4py]

I used to drive a short wheelbase single axle 362 Pete. I've also spent time in IH 9700's and 9670's. I'm reminded of my days in cabovers ever time I go to the chiropractor...

[@sgterb]

OH Driver, thank you SO much, I have not laughed so much in a long time. Brought back a lot of Memories. I drove cab overs in the early 90's, not quite so bad but still no caddie. Be safe and have a good week.

[@SmartTrucking]

You too Jerry! Take care! Dave

[@ctscantechnologist]

I drove a 95 International cabover. I hared it. It was too rough despite the full airride. I eventually got into KW T600 and loved that KW.

[@SuperHigear]

I drove a bunch of cabovers, Binders, Mack/Brockway, Petes, all built in the late 60s to early 70s with the low-back Bostrom ratchet adjustment drivers seat - they all about beat me to death. But in the early 80s I drove for a guy who put me in an almost new White Road Commander (Road-Commode) with a high-back floating air seat. If you adjusted it just right it was like riding in a floating rocking chair. It floated up & down and forward & backward, and you could adjust the tension. Some drivers couldn't get used to it, but I loved it! No back-slap at all if you didn't mind that every time you hit the brakes the seat would float forward and backwards when you pulled away from a stop sign. Best truck I ever drove, cabovers or conventionals!

[@SmartTrucking]

That's how mine's set up! Comfortable as your lazy boy at home, maybe better!

[@draconusspiritus1037]

I started driving trucks in 1990 for a small company called Pacific Inland. We drove International Cabovers (flat tops) and pulled double 28 foot dry boxes. The newest truck they had was a 1985. That 1985 was the only truck they had that had a cruise control. The only air ride any of their trucks had was on the drivers seat.

[@larryfazen6468]

When I first started driving in 1976, I work for a small family operation hauling produce between Florida and New York, for about 2 years I ran a 1970 International Transtar eagle with spring suspension, in 1978 they bought their first brand new truck and it was a 1978 Ford cl9000 with air suspension and an air ride cab, although it took a little while getting used to the swaying and leaning of the cab on its air suspension it didn't take long to feel like I died and went to heaven. Maybe ten years after that we went to conventionals and I thought it can't get any better than this

[@SmartTrucking]

I remember those days well. Never did drive a cl9000 but I climbed up into one a friend back then had bought and I thought the thing was going to fall over on top of me it leaned so much! Dave

[@joepoppenhagen5694]

Drove over 2 million miles in my 78 co. 96 inch bunk. long wheel base, spring ride. It's still going strong. Hauling grain and sugar beets! Center point steering too!

[@tal0ndarktalon637]

My first trucking experience was working for a carnival. Had to drive a GMC Astro. Short runs, so it really wasn’t bad, and being a driver mean I got the bunk to sleep in. No more sleeping on a shelf in a box truck. The Astro broke down, and they get a rental. Two story Edsel, what a ride LOL. That air ride cab was a wild hoss. When I went OTR for the first time, international tractor, with a 48” bunk, though I’d died and gone to heaven.

[@SmartTrucking]

The good old days!

[@hank64589]

I used to go for rides with my father back in the early to mid 90's when he was trucking and I'll always remember my favorite truck to go in was an International 9800 Cabover with a sleeper. I don't remember the ride being harsh, but then again, I was young and just loved going along for the rides!

[@SmartTrucking]

By the nineties air ride cabs were becoming common and that helped huge! Dave

[@oldtrucker672]

Dave; You said to share my memories, so here goes. I can sure relate to the back breaking ride of the old 2-axle cabover freightshakers (Freightliner cabovers from the 1960's) I ran up and down Hwy 99 and I-5 (CA), in the 70's and 80's. Does anyone remember the concrete slab construction of some of the highways? The slabs were 15 or 20 feet in length; they would work themselves loose after years of use and would raise up and then slam back down as you drove over them. With the short wheelbase of the 2-axle cabovers the length of the slabs were perfect to cause every up and down rocking action of the slabs to act like a jackhammer on your spine and neck. (No air ride seats, or air ride anything!) And if it was raining you could look in your mirrors and watch the water squirt up about two feet in the air from the corners of the seams every time you drove over the next slab. There was a patch of those slabs coming northbound on Hwy 99 into Livingston, CA for a mile or two before you got to the Livingston light. That section of slabs were really old when I ran that road with a set of joints, they would bounce you extra hard. I used to drive that section with tears coming out of my eyes (involuntary), it hurt my neck and back so much. Sometimes I would just stick my head out the window and just scream as loud as I could. Somehow I thought that made the pain more bearable. It made no difference how fast or slow you drove, and was only slightly better if you were running empty. Thirty years later I paid for all that abuse to my body with two different back surgeries. Is there anyone out there that remembers those slabs coming northbound into Livingston, CA? Or any old road with that slab construction that made it so painful to drive a set of doubles on? If you drove over those same slabs with a 3-axle cabover tractor and trailer the pounding motion of the slabs was not nearly as pronounced; not the hard slamming action you experienced with a 2-axle rig! Those were the "God Old Days" (haa haa)

[@cliffordbradley333]

I ran cross country for Lee Way if you remember them. In those days cab overs was all there were. Lee Way had what we called "swing bunks". The mattress was suspended on springs from the ceiling. They were wonderful. You could really get a good night sleep. I teamed up with a really good driver that loved to run at night. I got a good night sleep every night. It was great. Best driving job I ever had. PS: Lee Way never screwed me on mileage or anything else !!

[@SmartTrucking]

You had it made with those guys! What finally happened to them? Dave

[@mrj-charles6383]

I started out in a 76 GMC C/O only ran light on the intestate so was not to bad. Then I did NE Regional in a flat top single bunk freightliner when I was at BMC in the early 90's. Before that I trained with a A-hole in a double bunk sleeper. He used to tell me I had to sleep on the top bunk when he was driving. Craziness. Main thing was if you drove a place like NYC you just put everything on the floor.

[@morg52]

The roads were AWFULL out there! I ran between Boston and Baltimore in a transtar, back in 76.

[@brianyork2346]

I was with Burlington from 93 to 94. My first company I drove for.

[@clevelandmaker386]

Mr Charles first of all thank you for your work.....personally I love cabovers!

[@duramax78]

Mr Charles those things were loud.

[@DarthVader1977]

not too* bad.

[@grumpyguzman3918]

My dad had a 90s international 9800, i have to tell you i remember nothing but but awesome things the huge doghouse in the center, and the little shifter up by the dash. Love your videos my friend keep it up.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks Omar! Dave

[@tierone4761]

Good commentary, I owned a ‘66 Transtar CO4000 and did the greasy t-shirt steel hauling with it. The old 671 & 10 speed was always wound tight but it never let me down. Then I got on with a small company hauling private owned vehicles on a portable parking lot. The tractor was a ‘84 Pete 359 with a 3406-13spd. Talk about a difference! We ran out of Barberton, Ohio to L.A. & the gay bay & back. That was the first & only time I was ever able to run 80+ mph in a truck! Running I-40 between Okie City & Barstow with the chicken haulers & bull haulers was great!

[@drew9150]

I drove a White Compact back in the early 70's. It was a bare bones machine with NO Creature comforts at all, Two-Fifty air conditioning in the summer. It sure makes one appreciate what we have today.

[@hoosierdad8061]

ive been at it since the early 90's. ive never driven a cabover, but i remember riding with my dad in his old frieghtliner very well. and i also i remember how uncomfortable it was even as a child. i also remember his complaints. cabovers are cool, but i wouldnt wanna drive an old one .... thanks for sharing your experience. it brings back alot of memories

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you sir! Dave

[@Numer1Polak]

My dad had buddies with magnums back in poland and ran kamaz trucks himself. Europe has some sophisticated cab setups that ride super smooth. We got a International 9300 drop forward cab now and with air ride and long leafs under the front it rides awesome.

[@masmith1960]

Had a 82 freighter that had been a tanker. Same ride. Didn't work team. But it rode so hard and bounced so much I stood up to keep from getting throne into the roof. Loved that truck. Low geared and pulled up hills like they were flat. I still like cabovers.

[@danthomps7618]

I also liked the upright seating position and the almost horizontal steering wheel of the COE, more comfortable for me.

[@ScoutPL]

I drove Cabovers in the mid 80's for Virginia Carolina Freightlines. During training I ran doubles with a guy with an air ride cab Mack, which rode really nice, and another guy with an International. When I started driving solo, I bid for a KW. I loved that truck. Ride was fine. Handled like a dream. I wish I had her now.

[@christophershores8886]

I just started trucking and I’ve never drove a cabover. But my pops had one back in the early 90’s I remember riding with him, it was rough as hell but I thought we looked cool as hell! I wouldn’t mind driving one now a days!

[@SmartTrucking]

I liked them, especially the double bunks that came with air ride in the later years. Dave

[@jamessmith-tn2el]

in the mid 70s I drove a 1968 white freightliner cabover with leaf spring suspension, I didn't have the issues you described, I crawled back in the sleeper and was soon sound asleep. also drove a 1965 ford cabover with leaf spring suspension, only soloed in it so it was sitting still when I was in the sleeper, which was basically a metal shelf with a thick pad for a mattress

[@kraigcochran9995]

My first truck job was running team in a 84 coe freightliner from Oregon to southern California mostly but sometimes the western states. And it had air ride suspension and eventually we put in an aftermarket air ride on the rear of the cab which helped but it was definitely a kidney buster on the California highway. Your right about the only way to get any sleep was when I was totally exhausted.

[@rogersawyer9265]

In1985 got into a cabover freightliner.had been driving a 250"wheelbase conventional but changed jobs.yea it was a back killer but I ran solo so wasn't trying to sleep while going down road.i was glad when I finally got into a conventional after about 9 months.

[@SmartTrucking]

Yeah, the Freightliners were always rough, even with their air ride system. Nuway air ride was a little better.

[@galenbowman6247]

'76 International Transtar with a 350 Cummins pulling a 28' coal bucket...had to keep my seat belt tight just to stay in the seat. Ahh, the good ole days. :-)

[@thatoneguy9660]

In the mid 80's I drove a mid 70's (I'm not sure what year) KW cabover with torsion bar rear suspension. The 1st month me & the owner of the truck were going to run team. We were both young & friends at the time & he wanted to made sure I could handle it without just throwing me to the wolfs so to speak. Long story made not so long. We decided after a week of no sleep for either of us I was ready to run by myself. He started driving another truck he had bought used. I drove the KW for about a year & a half. It was a fine one person truck. The reason I stopped driving had nothing to do with the truck & everything to do with never going to work for a friend. Needless to say that was the end of me driving a truck & a friendship.

[@jamescarbajal878]

I started out running LTL doubles in 1988 driving a 1964 Mack F700 Cabover with a 280hp Detroit Diesel 2 Stroke and boy could she fly. No driver comforts of any kind in fact I kept a spray bottle with me and the windows wide open for those hot Sacramento Summer Days. She may have been a Dinosaur compared to the trucks of today but God do I miss that little beauty

[@jamesmorrison5632]

OHH Hell ya, I was driving a 1972 Frightliner ,290 Cummings pulled 41,000 lbs like a fright train ,loved that orange pumpkin

[@jeffli8193]

Hi there. You have great videos. This one is funny/true. I drove double teams for Midwestern Trucking out of Ft Scott Ks with cabovers-just like you said, and i was young. Started otr with 71-73 coe freightliners, fun to recollect, wouldn't want to do it again, keep up the good work.

[@johnschunk97]

Drove a 78 Freightliner C/O for a few years. Long wheelbase with airbags on drivers. No power steering but rode nice going down the highway. Nice truck, no A/C but I was young then, lol !

[@danthomps7618]

air ride suspension makes all the difference in the world. i started in a COE Freightshaker with the round headlights and the steering box that pushed the license plate holder up when you turned, and the shifter that went up and down, not forward and back next one I bought was a international COE 9670, still with leaf springs in the back next one was a international COE 9700 with the set back steer axle and air ride on the drives, wow, what a difference, the set back steer and air ride made it ride better than some conventionals and it would turn around on a dime, and I was making 20-30 stops a week with 48 and 53 foot trailers, so the maneuverability was important, and I didnt have to open the door and hang halfway out the door when I was backing up to see where the trailer was going. next one I bought was a Ford LTL 9000 conventional , and while I liked the big Ford, I kinda missed the 9700 I bought COEs and Fords because they were cheap, in the late 80s and early 90s cabovers were almost free, and the Fords were dirt cheap, same drivetrain as a Pete or KW, but less than half price, never liked the Freightliners, too much plastic and seemed too cheaply made.

[@michaelcaplan3532]

I trained on a CabOver as well as a conventional back in 1999. Never liked them in school and I sure don't like them after hearing your story. Really enjoy all of your stories about trucking through the years. Keep,them coming.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thank you , I will. Dave

[@rogerlewis1361]

My most favorite truck was a 95 Freightliner condo cabover with the setback axel 9 spd trans and 12.7 Detroit....I was sad the day my boss got rid of it for a conventional sleeper.

[@nickharrah4804]

I first learned in a 56 white mustang day cab 6 cl gas 2 axle 4 &3. This little 2 axle conventional beat the driver to death, thus when I upgraded to my first cab-over I was in heaven. My 75 Pete CO 12-71 Detroit w/ 13 speed, 165 wb was a dream truck. It was an early air ride truck and with the big horse a pure joy to drive

[@SmartTrucking]

Ah, the good old days! Dave

[@edwardsessley4809]

I had 1978 freightliner coe from 79 to 82. I hauled swinging meat. It made me come off the road and drive local. I loved that truck it was fast.

[@robertm3079]

Air ride was around long before 1983. I had a 72 Astro that was on air ride from the factory. Nephew currently;y has an 82 Freightliner, and an 80 K100 both on factory air ride. That K100 rides almost as good as my dual pickup.

[@FriedShrimpPoBoy]

I love trucker stories from old codgers. My first truck was an orange international cabover in the mid 1990s. I bet you can guess what company it was.

[@brianjohnson8254]

My first OTR job was in 78 Pete cabover with spring suspension...my next job was hauling gravel in a freightliner cabover with Hendrickson pad suspension I fully understand your pain LOL

[@SmartTrucking]

You've got to experience it to understand! Dave

[@paulweston2267]

My first truck was a '76 White Freightliner COE. That 152"wheelbase and 44,000# spring ride was absolutely brutal pulling an 8,000 gallon asphalt tank (NO BAFFLES). It had a 430 detroit, 13 speed and 4.11 rears, so it did not have any idea what a grade was. 3.5 mpg would be a killer now however.

[@MrTheHillfolk]

Hahah a teacher back in tech school told me about those unbaffled tankers, he said he would (try to) stop at a stop sign at the bottom of a big hill and the slosh would push ya forward every few seconds 😂

[@happydays8171]

'82 cabover Western Star, made by White before they sold to Volvo. Being an O/O never drove team so no one slept in the bunk. But I put a 1" piece of rubber between where the frame and the back of the cab rode, it absorbed a lot of the shock from the road, cuz I couldn't afford a CabMate, this was the next best thing. Loved that truck.

[@barryjohnson990]

We had a bunch of single axle GMC Astros with extremely short wheelbases that we pulled doubles with. They were the roughest riding rigs that I ever drove when they were empty. I used to get bruises on my thighs from hitting the bottom of the steering wheel.

[@richardmiseljr2413]

I ruptured a disc in my back in 1992 running a 1979 Freghtliner COE with spring rears and a bad seat air bag valve. My back still isnt right.

[@maverickdallas1004]

When I was just a young buck, the first tractor-trailer rig I drove was a cabover White Freightliner with a 40' flatbed. I roasted to death in the summer and froze my ass off in the winter while getting pounded to a pulp in the process! It had one redeeming quality, however. It wasn't afraid of work! That 350 Cummins and 10-speed Roadranger took it all in stride without breaking a sweat! It also was equipped with power steering, which was not so common in these stripped-down units. It was a fantastic truck for a rookie to cut his teeth on and develop technique as long as your body stayed together in the meantime! Now that I'm older with all 206 bones in my body aching, it's hard to imagine how I did it back then!

[@MikeBrown-ii3pt]

One of the first trucks I ever drove was a 74 GMC Astro 95. It was one of dads old tractors that got pressed into service as our farm truck when he bought a new one. He retired the Jimmy in the early 80's and traded the old Mack that we'd been using on the farm for a new Pete...I believe it was a 359? For the next 5 years or so, I used it to pull our grain trailer to the co-op about 30 miles away and that was plenty! I never tried to sleep in the Jimmy while it was on the road, but, I can believe how hard that would be. I recently tracked this truck down and bought it at an auction. I'm currently working on restoring it, but, I have no intention of putting it back in service. Give me my big ol Freightshaker Classic over a cab over any day! The Jimmy will be a show truck.

[@raynagel7462]

I was in trucking from 1969 until about 1993 and I had only driven a conventional on one trip the ride in that thing was amazing compared to what I was used to, I remember thse cab overs would beat you to death, heaters were terrible cold air would leak out of the floorboards into the cab, air conditioning? forget it! No power steering at all when I started they tried developing an air assist and another hydraulic one but they were more dangerous than anything, things started changing in abt the early 80s for the better though, I could go on and on but I wasted enough of your time already. Although I am an old man now I really enjoy your channel!

[@guyazbell8169]

Ray Nagel God Bless You Sir! glad to here your still kickin

[@MichaelRCarlson]

Don't forget air powered windshield wipers! This channel is great isn't it? It always makes me feel nostalgic for the good ole days. Somewhere along in the late 90's I'd say, trucking stopped being trucking.

[@SmartTrucking]

Hey, you're not wasting my time, I love talking about trucks and trucking, especially from days gone by. Thanks for writing in Ray! Dave

[@theronash7269]

Smart-Trucking.com Great idea for a video Dave. A lot of fun stories for the boys!

[@phillipjames2775]

Two things about a cabover that i love, sitting high above everyone and being able to put elbows while resting on the steering wheel! But the ride is brutal in older models!

[@bennyrobinson3500]

In 1972 my first driving job was pulling double tanks hauling fuel, the cab was a Peterbilt. I always enjoyed driving a cab over due to the visibility and I felt more in control of the truck.

[@Dave-ty2qp]

My truck driving days were back in the Mid sixties. Learned how to drive in an old B-61 Mack with a dead tandem hauling steel out of Birmingham and Gadsden Ala. The owner bought a cabover CMC that none of the seasoned drivers wanted to take on. I was only sixteen, and illegal as all get out, but I didn't have to unlearn much in order to drive the contraption. Five speed with a road ranger elec rear end. Piece of cake, a good ride and made enough money to buy a cat. Good memories of that ole truck.LOL

[@MrCountrycuz]

Started out in 1996 with Deboer driving their international nr #361 cabover. You hit a rr track and all your stuff on the dash ends up on the floor.

[@jameshannigan3088]

I remember when I used to go with my dad when I was younger that old cab over was built in the mid 70s soild mount passenger seat would beat you to death and sleeping in the bunk was a ride of my life it was rough as a kid but they are cool to look at now and missing a step was a experience to trying to get out of one.

[@SupDoggyTV]

I love your old days stories. I picture everything. My respects to you Sir.

[@SmartTrucking]

Thanks! Dave

[@lakesnake2005]

Started out in a 1978 Road Commode (White) with air assist steering and a shiny 290 hauling a car rack. When you turned into the wind you were lucky to stay in top gear. No......I DON'T miss it. It would beat you to death just driving it. And Texas to Montana is a looooong trip in one of those old rigs.

[@leroymorris6036]

I Owned a set back International cabover, its was great but I was glad to get my first long nose truck.

[@djbolandTrucking]

1980 International cabover you are 100% right there was no comfort they were rough riding and you'd never get an ounce of sleep in that thing while it was rolling down the road

[@brake4beaver]

When I was a kid my dad drove an early 70s White-Freightliner cabover, a stubby little single screw with an 8V-92 in it. Felt sort of like riding a paint shaker down the road, except with that Detroit scream coming through the doghouse and the smokestack a few feet behind my head. Good times.

[@SmartTrucking]

Good description! Thanks! Dave

[@Tommy.McLean]

Great story. I love the turning radius of cabovers. Incredible

[@theronash7269]

For city transfers, can't beat em.

[@billchapel5248]

Back in 86 i ran teem in a Freightliner cab over, mostly I40 between Northcarloina, and LA . i think i made about three trips, and that truck beat the daylights out of me, sleeping, or driving, with a light load, it would through you up out of the drivers seat, and the back of the seat would beat me in the back on the way down, bye the end of my shift, i was wore out, and like you said you couldn't get to sleep while we were moving, But they did look cool!

[@carryclass6807]

comfort is NOT a luxury, it is a necessity . nothing is more practical than comfort.

[@v3ctormax]

Drove a GMC Astro 95 in Okinawa back in '80. Wheelbase was so short, the front axle had "No" brakes, just spindles! Loved getting beat up by the roads. Then again, loved being 20 years old. Don't think I could survive these days!

[@SmartTrucking]

10-4 on the loved being 20 years old! Dave

[@robbyblack2699]

My first cab over experience was a 1975 K100 Kenworth riding over a 315 Cummins. Roughest ride ever. But I loved it. My next one was a cabover international. Much better but still rough.

[@kenamaro]

First job I bobtailed a GMC Astro from Philadelphia to Hartford. Felt every bump on 95. It was rough.... but I stuck it out... and they gave me a better truck later. That was in 1982..... I’m retiring from trucking next year..... I learned a lot about trucking, and life, in 40 years.

[@SmartTrucking]

You sure do, don't you! Dave

[@chrisherman7531]

Dave, I started in an International 9670 with springs. My "trainer" advised me to wear tight jeans, I asked why and he said ,"after your first bump,you'll understand why"...oh brother, was he right. I also learned how to control my ride with a technique of holding the wheel under the rim, not on top or the side and lessening the bounce with each bump....yep, back breakers, head bashers, and ummm torture on the "twins" lol

[@damiandomshy8749]

Early 2000s Peterbilt cabover, body job rigged for pumping cement in the oil patch. This unit was a tandem steer tandem rear. Driving from Wabasca, AB to Whitecourt, AB about 7 to 8 hours. Could only handle 80km an hour, as every little bump felt killer. And it had air-ride seats. Don't miss driving it at all.

[@iancoupe20v43]

the modern cab over volvo scania merc and daf are an awesome looking truck and a good ride

[@wetlettuce4768]

Renault/Mack Magnum is my favourite looking modern cab over :D

[@ΑΡΗΣΚΟΡΝΑΡΑΚΗΣ]

Wet Lettuce noooooo... This is like the Multipla of the heavy trucks...

[@theblackhundreds7124]

You dont have relativity though. The ones in America are far superior. The most comfortable cab over can’t beat a more than average curb sniffer in America a

[@1VaDude]

On I-81 in Virginia, I often pass a beautiful 1980s vintage International cabover. Never drove one myself, but that guy must really like it to still be running it 30+ years later.

[@GDCTT]

The truck I started in was a cab over 1979 International Transtar II. The steering wheel on that thing was so huge, if you had a flat tire you replace it with that steering wheel and make it to the truck stop. If you wanted to make a sharp turn, you would have turn the wheel 15 times. But I loved those cabovers. It’s what first learned to drive. I started with McClendon Trucking out of Lafayette Al. Trained under the expert tutorage of various old school hard nosed drivers at the company. I wish I could find an old cabover museum. My favorite, the cabover Pete from the 70’s. I don’t know the model number but it had a gigantic sleeper.

[@raymondward1009]

Back in the mid 1980's I road for a week (I didn't drive back then) with a buddy of mine who drove for National Freight out of Greensboro NC. I remember the tractor was a fairly new Rollen's (rental) cab-over. The drivers seat was ok but the passenger seat was small and didn't have a air-shock, I was only about 20 years old. Man that seat beat the hell out of me, my guts where literally soar for a month after I got home.

[@canvids1]

I worked for the CNR Toronto and drove White Freightliners cabovers hauling overseas containers. With all around spring suspension. never went on the long hauls like you but I didn't find them ruff riding. They as well didn't have a bunk because we didn't do long hauls. Out and back the same day.

[@janalldaffer2913]

I Stared Driving At 15.My First TruckJob Was A 22 White Mustang.They Had What Was Called A Cab Forward 3000 You Set A Little For word Of The Steer Axle, GMC Astro, International With Little Windows By The Floor Board Etc.I Retierd In 2001.1947 To 2001

[@alcyr5655]

Growing up in Saskatchewan my uncle had a logging camp. Being early teens my brother and I loved spending the summer holidays in the bush camps. One hauler had a cab over. Only one in the fleet. Ruff ride, but that old CO was fricking cold in winter.

[@daveblack3491]

Same thing in the early 70s. One 69 F model and a 71 F model Mack cabovers with triplexs. Not a smooth ride but I was young and strong and was used to running around the farm on rough fields in those old 50s and 60s steel seated farm tractors. We did doubles sometimes...slept fine except the time I woke up; pushed the curtain open and he was hung up in neutral and we were on a freewheeling roller coaster ride down a steep hill LOL

[@kobewade8709]

You, know I just returned from Hamburger , NY. I encountered an 1981 International 4300, a 1990s Freightliner, & another International transtar. & did not get one darn picture. I still love cabovers.