Where did the Cabovers Go? - Big Questions About Big Rigs

[@dalewysinger3077]

I always thought that cabovers would be ideal for transporting loads within city limits; while conventional tractors could handle interstate transport.

[@tomgrimes5071]

Climbing in and out 20 times a day is not fun.

[@gillespriod5509]

In Europe we have only them because Road are small and max lenght regulated by law

[@barnacles62]

I watched a documentary that said the original reason they were built for just that reason, I never heard this theory. I also heard that they were harder on fuel, because the wind was flat into the nose and created a lot of drag. My father was certified diesel mechanic, he always liked cab overs. He claimed the GMC Astro was one of the best trucks ever made. Tecnology of today has made anything of this era prehistoric, but I remember them and playing in the old cabs of ones in the graveyard where dad worked. It was everything from a truck, to a space ship to me,lol....

[@indridcold8433]

@@gillespriod5509 Most European city roads were laid down with the intent to accomodate horse and buggy. European nations are incredibly ancient. Cities much older than Canada, United States of America, and Mexico, were never designed for enormous, heavy, lorries and trailers. Thus, the cab-over lorries must be used. More skilled drivers are a must as well. Almost all North American roads were laid with consideration for automobiles, lorries, and motorcoaches. North American nations have articulated motorcoaches as well. That would never be seen in European nations because of their length. You must admit. It is extremely impressive for European truckies to navigate roads plans laid down 500 to 1000 years ago. If that does not require skill and a stead hand, I do not know what does?

[@williamlyttle5523]

@@tomgrimes5071 yeah but the extra 2 meters of load space is money

[@JD-bf1bu]

Cabovers were great for driving off overpasses into concrete-lined rivers while chasing preteen kids on mopeds.

[@atheistconservative6211]

Haha not a moped. If I recall correctly, an XR80

[@chumbawaumbacumpa]

@Glenn Thomason Terminator 2, Judgement Day.

[@georgebordi8986]

Xr 80 with two stroke sound and a 20spd transmission

[@michaelhargis7036]

Ahhh, the good ole' days. We sure had it good back then.

[@atheistconservative6211]

@@georgebordi8986 lmaooooo 😂 yep you nailed it

[@sheyanderson4371]

Cabover Optimus Prime will always be the true, one and only leader of the Autobots.

[@HeavyTanker-vx4oq]

I don't know, some of the other primes have been good, Transformers Prime Optimus was good

[@cyborgbill5053]

And Starscream was a better leader than Galvatron (not Magatron thou). Galvatron was just a reformed Megatron with a broken brain, so to speak, Starscream was one crazy decepticon. My favorite decepticon...

[@optiTHOMAS]

AMEN! While I like the other designs too, the flat cab over design will always be my favorite and the original OPTIMUS PRIME!

[@stephenbongard9419]

77777777777777uuu77777u7

[@warrenkec374]

@@stephenbongard9419 r/ihadastroke

[@bramharms72]

Very interesting. As someone from the Netherlands, a very small country with many narrow and winding roads in and outside the cities, it now makes total sense why you only see cabovers here. In 40 years I've only seen maybe a handful of longnose trucks outside of car shows. We don't even have separate words for them, Cabovers are "Trucks" and longnoses are "American Trucks". :-)

[@charlesmaroon8819]

Also, Dutch truck drivers decorate their cabs with lace curtains. Nice touch not seen in America. Hup Holland!

[@MRSketch09]

I thought you called every big truck over there a "lori" or is that just a British thing?

[@bramharms72]

@@MRSketch09 Very British. I had to look up what those damn lorries were they always went on about, I thought they were some kind of wheelbarrow. Here in the Netherlands we call them "vrachtwagen" (vracht=freight, wagen=car/wagon) but we're just as likely to call them Trucks.

[@Mizz.Person]

My dad had one for a few years . I loved it because the engine cover was perfect for a large pizza! Thank goodness for truck drivers! ❣❣❣

[@MRSketch09]

Wait.. what?

[@free-birdrocker8809]

I learned from a Mechanic that it was hard to lift the whole cab to work on the engine. He said you pretty much needed a whole crew to open it up. Long nose trucks is easy, 1 man can lift the cowling no probs. But cabovers are pretty cool lookin, BJ and the bear come to my mind. Keep em on the road!

[@bigdaddy7119]

Cabovers are a pain to work on all around. Most of them have a hydraulic jack setup installed so one man can lift the cab by jacking it open.

[@free-birdrocker8809]

@@bigdaddy7119 Thanks Big Daddy 71, im learnid now.

[@jeffdude6088]

The Navastars had a jack like a car bottle jack that would raise it up.

[@natcalverley4344]

All modern cab overs had hydraulic lift of their cabs.

[@joerobo682]

it was also not advisable to leave an open soda or cup of coffee when the mechanic is checking it out. very messy.

[@missourirebel9669]

I see cabovers being reconditioned and put back into service every day here in Kansas City

[@supporterofeverythingyouli6255]

Lot of drugs in Kansas City too.

[@kevinrichards3288]

@Missouri Rebel oh wow because I very seldom see any on the roads here in the USA nowadays besides garbage trucks, fire trucks, & yard trucks which are also cabovers.

[@lilcourtny08]

@@supporterofeverythingyouli6255 drugs are everywhere not just Kansas city.

[@supporterofeverythingyouli6255]

@@lilcourtny08 I don't think you understood the "spirit" of the comment.

[@ArtVanAuggie]

If the frame and motor are good, you will beat all the newer emission standards and most importantly, inefficiencies.

[@23ofSeptember]

In Japan, they only have cabovers. In fact, I've never seen a traditional cab (non-cabover) in my life here. Of course the reason is obvious; a shorter turning radius. Japan's roads are narrow and fuel costs are also higher. Also, no need for huge sleepers as Japanese truckers don't sleep! lol

[@GriderTornado]

in Europe mainly cab-overs are used. It started when ze germans introcduced a law limiting the length of the trailer+truck. This law also prevents the use off very long trailer setups (truck trains - like in Australia) some companies are argueing that for long distance deliveries it would be better to allow such truck trains as it results in fewer trucks and less fuel consopmption, and leave the local delivery to small trucks. But there are also some conventional cab trucks here, they often need special permissions for delivery, as a result they are generally show stuff over here.

[@MelGibsonFan]

Seems like a smart decision but here in NY we don’t really use them either. I don’t know why?

[@melindaortiz9741]

No sleep 🤣

[@tresfingeros]

Was station in Yokosuka in the Navy and know what your talking about 👍

[@23ofSeptember]

@@GriderTornado Ze Germans lol

[@patamats]

When I was a kid my great grandmother lived next to I-84 inBrewster NY. When my mother used to visit I’d sit in the yard and watch the trucks, mostly cabovers go by and wonder where they were headed. This is what kids did before iPads!

[@cm1133]

You and I had very similar childhoods.

[@AtliJarlMartin]

It is remarkable that we European truckers are still alive after driving our cabovers for all these years. Amazing even.

[@JohnSmith-wx9wj]

Try driving it from coast to coast over garbage American roads. I drove cabovers in the army, and while they are much more maneuverable, I don't like bouncing against my seatbelt every day.

[@thoubias]

@@JohnSmith-wx9wj I believe that old american and new european cabovers are built massively differently, so direct comparison is not too easy. That being said, also the road infrastructure and traffic cultures differ a lot from one country to another. Also, an american long haul trip is often much longer trip than what european truckers do. I gotta say that I definitely get why american truckers seem to love the insane long wheelbases for the long haul trips, but oh barn those also seem to have an awful maneuvrability. I think most of the people do forget that american driving across one state is pretty much equivalent of an european driving across their entire country. And I also think it really is remarkable how well truckers stay alive in flat nose trucks, even in accidents. Have safe journeys on the road out there, people! Remember to sleep well and wear seatbealt!

[@nemo227]

You made me laugh. I figure if drivers of cabovers drive into something and die . . . maybe they should not be truck drivers.

[@nemo227]

@@JohnSmith-wx9wj Probably a valid point but my motorhome has me sitting over the front wheel and it's comfortable. But I've only driven it on California and Oregon roads. There are always pros & cons to every vehicle, aircraft, tool, machine, etc.

[@brownh2orat211]

@@thoubias I average about 650 miles (1046 km ) per day, my average trip, (load) is about 1400 miles (2253 km) I go out on the road on average about 6 weeks. Like I mentioned before I drove a cabover for a lot of years back in the 90's and it's a world of difference than driving a conventional when it comes to comfort both in ride and living conditions! I really don't think there's any difference in maneuverability I can park my conventional in all the same places I ever parked a cabover.

[@goyeabuddy]

i'm a retired diesel mechanic & the cab overs were the best to work on. engines & trans were easier to pull, replacing a clutch was usually a 4 hr job & that was cruising!

[@79tazman]

I would think maintenance is better on a COV then a COE

[@bill_clinton697]

@@79tazman Larger jobs like pulling an engine / transmission or deep engine service would be easier on a cab-over due to the cab tilting, giving you more access to the drivetrain.

[@brianb-p6586]

@@79tazman I suspect that for the small maintenance items that a driver handles a tilt-hood conventional would be easier, but for major work that justifies the time and hassle to tilt the whole cab, the cabover is easier as Bill_Clinton69 explained. Different situations, different preferences.

[@peterhessedal8539]

Saw a cabover on my trip yesterday. Thought to myself "I've not seen one of those in a long time!" and "dang thats in pretty goog shape"

[@eannamcnamara9338]

Really?! I've lived in Europe my whole life and have never seen a non cabover truck in my life.

[@my3dviews]

Same here in Canada. Haven't seen one of those type trucks in years.

[@scrappy93]

@@eannamcnamara9338 in the states I haven't seen one in a very very long time driving on the street.

[@kevinrichards3288]

Safety & increased length limit are what got rid of most of the cabovers in the USA since they didn't have good enough protection between the driver & whatever was coming at him in front. Those semis rode rough since the driver was right directly above the front axle which caused hurt back problems on the drivers & they were noisy inside the cab too since the motor was closer to the driver & the noise could hurt the driver's hearing after many years driving them making long hauls.

[@Cypher791]

I drive cabovers in the UK and as a result I am killed every couple of weeks.

[@cedricgaston4722]

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@alba9507]

Brilliant 🤗

[@drh3b]

You must have a funeral subscription.

[@alba9507]

I too drive cabovers in the UK but I've only died twice 🤗

[@TigerMiller1]

There's nothing more to say after that!😂

[@2ndarmoredhellonwheels106]

Back in the 90s when I drove a cab over we had a saying. If you had a wreck the driver got there before the truck

[@banjopickerinadoublewide7613]

James McCutchan here here! I drove them pumpkin trucks for that company in Green Bay in the first six months of my truck driving career in 1993. Got the hell away from there and got hired by a company out of West Liberty, IA (at the time) called Florilli that had Peterbuilt 377s. Never went back to a cabover and watched as they disappeared from the roads.

[@danjo1967]

@@banjopickerinadoublewide7613 so what you're saying is you'd rather a massive killing box infront of you to crush anything in front - rather that the irresponsible truck driver getting killed and 1 less fuckwit off the road

[@sheldonhchambliss1385]

That's very true

[@maximumhardcore4362]

Danny Boyd you definitely haven’t a clue

[@judefernandez827]

James McCutchan I was going to say the same cos I feel the bonneted chassis are mo safer and look more rugged and tough.

[@northumbriabushcraft1208]

I didn't even know the term cabover until now, it's just a truck to me and the other kind is an 'American truck' 'Big rig' or '18 Wheeler' if you see a American truck here in England it turns heads, it's like a rolls royce or a tank going down the street, everyone turns and looks Edit: nice to know the actual terminology though, interesting.

[@eannamcnamara9338]

Ik right. I haven't seen a non cabover for the 16 years I've been alive. I really want to see one.

[@my3dviews]

@@eannamcnamara9338 It's the opposite here in Canada. I haven't seen a cabover in several years.

[@brendan7094]

@@eannamcnamara9338 past four times i’ve driven on i95 i’ve seen a cab over, all beautiful trucks

[@michelleisle9005]

You are too young to understand and different generation

[@kennethscofield4565]

They are known as conventionals, there are good reasons cabovers have been phased out since deregulation took the length limits back.

[@bodieb.1239]

They have a timeless look.

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

Yeah they look like timeless shit to me

[@dieselcowboy777]

About as timeless as a graveyard.....booo

[@militaryveteran6185]

So does a TURD !

[@keithknott8307]

​@@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209 They looked a heck of a lot better than these MODERN DAY COMPUTERIZED ANT EATER PIECES OF CRAP 💩 OF TODAY DO.

[@rodneywelch3556]

The discomfort factor and long hours away from family was likely the reason my dad wanted very badly to make sure I never got in the seat. Yet after several career changes, Covid and losing my massage business to the big scare, I now sit driving a class B with no regrets about my path in life. I look forward to longer days and longer hauls but I do remember the cramped cab over style. You are practically sitting next to the engine, the old school ones were like riding a red wagon with no shocks, no air ride seat and your spine took a beating! Dad would be amazed to see how much they have improved the industry overall. Love your channel, newly subbed, keep em coming! Thanks!!

[@SAVOTYB]

That class B was kind of a waste. You don’t really need a CDL to drive a box truck.

[@areguapiri]

Stop the covid lunacy!

[@RichieSmylz]

Beautiful trucks in this video. Brought back childhood memories of my dads 78’ K100 with the sleeper.

[@379Pete]

It’s a special feeling you get when you climb that ladder.

[@bho-lj1jk]

Hdrk And another special feeling when you grab it to get out and find it covered in ice. Ah, the good ol’ days. CO4070A with Malcomb McClean double diamonds.

[@bho-lj1jk]

And glad for the International, ‘cause it wasn’t a cracker box jimmy.

[@Eagles0690]

I started in a cab over

[@mikegillaspy1721]

Feeling in your hips, back, legs

[@indridcold8433]

Climb the ladder into a cab with a 23 channel Robyn AM CB radio, AM/FM Sparkomatic quadraphonic radio with 8-track deck, 600 watt Galaxy 600 liner amplifier, Radio Shack 300 watt Power inverter, 12 volt Black and white 10 inch Emerson television, camp stove, TV dinners, apartment refrigerator, no air conditioning so two fans blowing, a chain dragging from the back axle, a sleeper as comfortable as a jail cell, 12 license plates from different states on the front, four more license plates from different states on the back, CB callsign painted in the side of the door, "KBX1339," with the handle, "The Grinder," painted under it, two huge mirrors sticking out of the sides with two six foot Francis antennas, two spotlights on the mirrors, two huge flood lights on the bumper, bull bars in the front, 12 speed manual gearbox with three reverse gears, Road Noise echo mic for the CB radio, John Denver playing on the radio, and the truck crawling up the side of the mountain at 12 miles per hour. Those were the days!

[@JohnSmith-cf4gn]

As a retired truck driver who started out driving cabovers, my opinion is that conventionals and automatic transmissions is just a way to deball the trucking industry.

[@shadygraves]

My old man bought a '63 Emeryville cabover once. He rebuilt it completely, from the ground up, and put a hoss of an engine in it. When he'd go across West Texas, through the desert Southwest, and into California, impressed drivers would come on the radio and ask what kind of power plant he had in that little thing. He called it his little 'Coup D'eville'!

[@ChaseTheOttah]

Company has a couple of modern cabovers with fairly long wheelbases and I have to say they're excellent to drive. The only real safety concern is that if there's ice on the steps, you have a long way to fall, having done so a couple of times. The lack of a long hood to absorb impact is a factor, but not that big of one. One of our cabovers t-boned a trailer that jumped the median ditch and the frame rail for the trailer is below the feet of the driver. Still had injuries ofc but the driver seat and cab was more or less intact

[@Robert8455]

Well explained. I think the cabover would be great for local, short hauls in metro areas where sleeper cabs aren't needed and manuverability is better ... but despite that you just don't see them.

[@gilbertvehicleservices]

I agree with you. I think this is why I see many old cabovers being owned and used farmers in Michigan-Ohio-Indiana : they are occasional use trucks with good maneuverability and low price.

[@giovanni6643]

In the u.s. new cabovers are intended for and almost exclusively in city's and suburbs where the long haul trucks either can't go or will have a hard time getting around, there are a few imported european trucks that have been brought into compliance and are in use but i haven't seen any in person.

[@joshbobst1629]

I used to drive a Mack day cab cabover. It had previously been a UPS truck. I loved it. It had a pneumatic clutch, it was the smoothest operating clutch I've ever encountered.

[@johngarcia574]

My first rig was a frieghtliner cabover had a million miles I paid $6,000 cash it paid for itself at least 10 times over I miss that old truck

[@TheCloakedTiger]

I did OTR for a couple years. Whenever I got to see a cabover I got so freakin excited. Even got to sit in a few of them and take pics. These trucks need to be saved and restored. That’s truckin history!

[@KMN-bg3yu]

So pleased to see this video pop up, not too long ago it dawned on me that we don't see cabovers anymore and was curious to know why

[@chib9427]

With a cabover you sit over the front wheels. Every time you hit a bump or dip in the road you feel it twice as much as in a conventional cab. With a conventional cab you sit between the front and rear wheels therefor the bump is felt less. I drove 10 and 18 wheel trucks for over 35yrs (now retired).. cabovers can beat the hell out you on a less than perfect road surface.

[@aloysiusbelisarius9992]

Very informative video, this; it answered a lot of the questions I myself had asked over the years, having remembered cabovers being the majority rule where rigs were concerned, only to suddenly see that they vanished. A few of the answers confirmed my own guesses, while others gave me information I didn't know. I know of another disadvantage of cabovers not mentioned in the video, which had to have been a contributor to their near-disappearance from the States. A trucker is always going to be carrying personal goods with him or her in the truck, especially on long hauls. Should the truck suffer a breakdown, which happens more often than most would admit, what is the first thing one would do? Open the hood, see what is up with the engine. Well, with a cabover, the entire cab, to include the sleeper portion, IS the hood. That means that, before the driver can think of opening the hood, they'd have to remove or otherwise secure their personal goods (which would very probably also include foodstuffs) first and foremost. That I am sure would prove very drudgerous, but necessary lest all their goods, food, etc. end up all over the dash and windshield. Obviously, a regular nosy truck will not have that issue. Advantage, conventionals. There is something also about the vision aspect of cabovers. Yes, in theory, they should provide better view and thus better ability for the driver to respond to sudden emergencies...IN THEORY. In the real world, a driver would have to be extremely disciplined by his or her training to actually take advantage of the vision. Although I'm sure that big-rig training must concentrate on the safety aspect, there are some who will doze off through that block of instruction. The natural plane of sight is eye-level, meaning that one will normally look straight ahead, left, or right at the natural level of the eyes; without disciplinary habits ingrained into their minds, nobody will think about adjusting their eye levels downward to see what may be BELOW them. This is the biggest problem with the SUV craze, and why so many are involved in crashes and collisions: Your average SUV driver is simply not trained properly to see BELOW their vehicle which is twice as high as a car. When one factors in a truck that is at least three, sometimes more, times as high as a car, that risk will multiply. Of course, such a problem extends to conventional trucks as well, it's not a problem exclusive to cabovers...but it is a problem that is very prevalent and thus nullifies any publicly-proclaimed advantages in field of vision with the cabover configuration. In the end, it's more the driver than the vehicle that is responsible for a safe trip. So, why are they so popular in Europe? I would surmise that, first, they don't have nearly so long to travel unless they're traveling internationally. No European country is as large as the United States, and most commercial activity would be kept in-country, so there should be little need for drivers in a European country, say Germany for instance, to carry a lot of personal goods with them. Second, European countries have much more restrictive vehicle rules than the States do, many of which are reminiscent of the old days referred to in the video. Third, because the countries are smaller, that means the non-autobahn roads are also smaller, and city streets practically require extreme maneuverability, never mind the vehicle regulations in place. Having been in Germany for three years, this is what I have deduced. I have also noticed and can therefore confirm that conventional-nose trucks are virtually nonexistent in Europe, unless they happen to be U.S.-military rigs. All that said, I occasionally take notice of cabovers on American roads, especially in the Kansas area. Virtually all of them are clearly older, back from "The Day," but they are still out there and still in use by those who still love them, either from past experience or just for the novelty aspect. They are just so rare that seeing even one is a novelty, like seeing a 1960s Lincoln on the roads today.

[@joepass1883]

Thanks for being concise

[@jimjam1719]

do you know if russia has cabovers? that country is wee bit larger than all of europe. i don't know about you, but i love the cabovers, i could see very well, hardly any blind spots, it didn't seem a rough ride to me, i actually preferred them over the long nose submarine of the conventionals, i could drive better in the cabovers. i guess it's just personal preference. thanks for the insight and thanks for your front line hard work. peace brother.

[@CCscott]

@@joepass1883 I had to read that book in phases.

[@wesleycallison2079]

I drove cab overs in the 70s, 80s, and 90s. Don't miss them a bit!

[@garydaltonolecountrymusic2711]

Worst truck ever made. .Hot noisy and bumpy.. Nightmare driving long haul.

[@rabbakahn]

The only cabover I drove was a freakin rattle-trap. Damn thing was in really terrible shape. Even had the brakes go out on me once. Glad I didn't have to drive that for very long.

[@kevinrichards3288]

Also cabovers didn't have good enough protection between the driver & whatever was coming at him.

[@jfv65]

Modern Euro cabovers have suspended cabs + suspended seats. We hardly ever see US style longnose (torpedo front) trucks on European roads. 99,9% are cabovers.

[@tactical_snails2198]

@@garydaltonolecountrymusic2711 not anymore the fh40 is smooth comfortable and well cool

[@wishusknight3009]

I still have my 1990 e7 powered mack cabover even though I have not driven full time for 15 years. Only truck I have ever owned. Now it is used for the occasional job for an entertainment company that uses a repurposed 45 foot refer to haul their sound and lighting equipment for a festival every year. And I pull a modified 5th wheel travel trailer with it the rest of the time.

[@stevec9580]

I drove cabover for years, and flat floor cabovers came into place in the 90s. So much easier to maneuver, and the ride wasn't nearly as bad as it's made out.

[@doghouse416]

Still hauling in my cabover, every state except that one on the west coast.

[@ronfullerton3162]

I wonder what state that is? Ha ha ha ha!

[@leonardbreau8928]

Are they illegal there? Since its one of the biggest markets in the country, doesn't this limit the amount of jobs & income you make?

[@lenjames]

Soon that state will be it's on Banana Republic

[@RedLP5000S]

Alaska?

[@ThunderClawShocktrix]

@@lenjames you mean its not already?

[@markcollins2666]

My father drove a 1952 Ford COE wrecker, and would take me along on runs sometimes. At 5 years old, talk about tall in the saddle! And what a view!

[@Sandman253]

Here in Australia COE are used for hauling long configerations like :- Road trains , Double and triple trailers , B doubles and triples. ALso in New Zealand COE's are used due to running in hilly and twisty areas.

[@BenKrisfield]

Love the twin steer K200. See lots of them in NZ.

[@aaronsanborn4291]

We run two 48 foot log trailers on a conventional tractor unit here in Maine up in the woods. Where I'm from we don't only have to worry about Farmer John's cows getting loose but Whitetail Deer, Black Bear and Moose. If you hit a full grown moose you'd be grateful to have that long nose out in front of you. A full grown bull moose will be between 1000 to 1500 pounds (roughly 450 to 680kg) easy.

[@samisilander9305]

We have only COEs here in Europe.

[@waynewright2886]

Truckers Can't do the Triple Trailers here in the States, Ohio I Think? Is at Least One State that Can Use Triple Trailers, or Not? Here in California Triple Trailers are Banned, & if a Trucker Entering California with a Triple Trailer, you'll get a Quick Response by the CHP (California Highway Patrol) & you Wouldn't Like the Response from the CHP.

[@brianb-p6586]

Even in North America COE tractors are common for moving vans, which need to fit maximum volume in a length compatible with non-commercial urban destinations. Some even carry a "dromedary box" of cargo on the tractor.

[@Ed-xt5rr]

A cabover Pete with a reefer on an a Jimmy haulin hogs.

[@richardoakley8800]

Martin penWALD

[@alvarsdzenis4739]

@Robbert James C. W. McCall

[@gregoryscott7088]

Mercy sakes alive.

[@jjstak98h]

Put the microbus in behind that suicide jockey. Yeah, he's haulin' dynamite; he needs all the help he can get.

[@waynewright2886]

Same Here!

[@Wilson632]

I had a 94 Freightliner 3-axle cabover. Detroit 11-1 power nine speed Eaton transmission from 1998 to 2009. Hauling Intermodal Freight. Although I drive a 2022 day cab Cascadia Freightliner automatic these days. That old cabover will never be forgotten. What a Workhorse wish I still had it

[@spacecat7247]

Seeing them return to the road in and around the oil fields. South and west texas.

[@kevinwheatcroft]

BJ McKay and his best friend Bear.... That's what I think about when I see these old cabovers.

[@texasbeast239]

I remember that red and white paint job and them Dallas Cowgirls Cheerleaders. My focus was equally divided between the truck, the chimp, and the girls. But I'm an OG Optimus Prime Transformer fan, deep down. The Japanese actually called him Convoy.

[@joeday4293]

Or Carroll Jo Hummer in the Blue Mule, in "White Line Fever."

[@mosman93]

@@joeday4293 Same here!

[@EatAPeach72]

@@joeday4293 AWESOME MOVIE JAN MICHEAL VINCENT

[@junicohen7918]

I think of profit

[@mightymikeamps9317]

I drove one in 95, and the company I worked for paid an extra 2 cents a mile for driving a cab over because nobody wanted to. I liked the extra money, and they had to drag me out of that cab over into a nice long nose Pete when they phased them out of the fleet.

[@rockinrowdy13]

Back in the day I owned a '82 Cornbinder 9670 with a 300 big cam with a ten speed pulling flat beds...did the job just fine!

[@EricFortuneJr.]

I saw a new Scania cabover 2 years ago. It was a really good looking rig and the first I’d ever seen one in person. Didn’t know they sold them in the US. I’d most certainly like to see cabovers return to the US market. I’m sure with modern engineering and safety the ride quality would be ok.

[@Halibrand]

Scania has been testing their trucks in the US for a while now, Scania is a part of the VW group which also owns abit of Navistar international, and together they are pushing to enter the US market in the future. Funny thing is that in Europe 99% of the trucks are flatnoses becouse of the length limits and narrow city streets but the European union are now looking to change the laws around maximum length to enable US style tractor to make a comeback.

[@mrnordyk1125]

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[@mrnordyk1125]

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[@mrnordyk1125]

Maybe is possible to buy and import Scania in one of Latin America country's? kzbin.info/www/bejne/rYeaqaygnNCCZqs

[@richierich396]

Grew up back in the day riding with my dad in International Emeryville's and Transtar's. Always loved looking out the windshield of a cabover vs a conventional cab. Thanks for sharing!

[@rkow8508]

The cab over gave a whole new meaning to being the first one on scene.

[@wesbarcus3761]

You mean first on scene of the accident. Bird's eye view as you fly out of the windshield.

[@sepg5084]

@@wesbarcus3761 only if you are not wearing a seatbelt

[@wesbarcus3761]

@@sepg5084 ever drive one? Even at 45 mph there is nothing, no motor, no frame rails between you and impact is a thin vertical sheet of fiberglass and part of a radiator. If you are driving, steering wheel, and windshield. Not saying they don't have a place in the industry, they do. Just that I almost lost my life when co driver drove off the road. Ended my driving career and left me permanently disabled

[@scrappy93]

@@wesbarcus3761 😯

[@wesbarcus3761]

@@scrappy93 cabovers are great tools for city work where conditions get tight. But over the road, not very comfy. When it comes to being first to the wreck, that's true. I almost died because a co driver drove off the road into a ditch. Ended my driving career.

[@billb2009]

Drove a lot of years, both conventional and cab over. I loved the cab overs! They were great for a lot of reasons and they have a great sleeper. Well, they all have wonderful sleepers. They're almost nice rooms now days. Keep on truckers! Not sure I'm ready to see driverless trucks on the road!

[@lockedon8953]

Some of the old truck drivers I spoke to said they always hated those things. Maintenance was a major pain, uncomfortable rides, and safety was a major issue to many of them.

[@aaronzeiger216]

Its like climbing a grain bin getting in and out of them. Especially in the winter when the steps get covered in ice. Plus the high driver seating position makes them especially dangerous in a rollover. God forbid you have anything loose in the cab if you have to tilt the cab for maintenance. That alone makes them useless for OTR. You'd have to empty the fridge and secure everything not fastened down just do anything other than check the oil

[@hankvinson5967]

Idk where you'd put a fridge in a cab over.

[@aaronzeiger216]

I thought the Aerodyne had one but I could be wrong. Ive never had a truck without a fridge. They didn't always work though. Lol

[@hajikilla91]

I grew up in the 70’s and 80’s and Loved the Cab Over Design and they were everywhere!!!

[@jerrysingleton6513]

You're partially correct on some of the reasons they have dissapeared. I've owned and driven 2 of them. They're easier to work on, get in and out of some impossibly tight places. Driver workman comp cases, lawsuits, and disability cases led to their demise. Driving through snow, sleet, and freezing rain will put you on the ground when you stop.

[@justacinnamonbun8658]

I don't know man.... Everytime my dad would take me on the road in a cabover I remember it felt like being a marble tossed around inside a box when you shake it. Whenever he drove a long nose it was a 100% more comfortable ride regardless of the make. It makes sense from an engineering standpoint if you look at how a cabover absorbs road shock vs. a long nose.

[@russmontgomery5211]

I love cabovers, That's pretty much all i drove for 25 years and wouldn't hesitate to jump in one now.

[@tonym8765]

They are brand new most of the world , especially Europe

[@halftrackmind5838]

Not me I'm also a experienced driver But it's the drivers decisions . You drive your truck I will drive mine L.O.L how many times you heard that?

[@aclark4144]

No truck mechanic misses cabovers!

[@joecummings1260]

As an almost 60 year old truck mechanic I totally agree. The only thing that was easy was clutch/transmission work, everything forward of that was a nightmare. And as a local truck they wore the drivers out. Lots of stops, lots of climbing.

[@cargotoolshop5319]

@@joecummings1260 I get wore out climbing in and out of my Kenworth T600, I have a mechanical RGN, it puts you to work, over the road isn't bad, but local kills yah, move two or three pieces of equipment in one day and it's a lot of work

[@genericwhitemale1114]

@@cargotoolshop5319 I love the look of the T600. What's it like to drive?

[@eliaslundstedt5607]

allow all of sweden to dissagree

[@kevinrichards3288]

@A Clark lol I bet having to tilt the whole cab forward just to get access to the motor unlike conventional cabs where you just open the hood.

[@samueltractorton2088]

Kickass, great information! Used to love those cab overs, My dad had a few of them in the mid 70's, A White and a couple Kenworth's. You could see everything, had to remember to empty that cab though when you wanted to work on them, change cups all kinds of shit would go all over the place. Never really realized why they disappeared, thanks.

[@kevinrichards3288]

I bet back in the day when cabovers were common, I lot of the drivers would forget to take their loose stuff outta the cabs before having their semis worked on by the mechanics at the shops. Lol

[@cameronmacnab2042]

In Australia we still use cabover Kenworth K200 it's the best selling truck in Australia. King of the Highway

[@calebd759]

Would love to move there and get to drive them.

[@audoinxr6372]

K200 aint the biggest seller here. Maybe KWs biggest seller. Volvo FH out sells them.

[@cameronmacnab2042]

@@audoinxr6372 oh ok

[@masterq2.033]

@@audoinxr6372 Because it's a more comfortable, safer , more reliable option.

[@waynewright2886]

Have you made Hauls from Sidney, Or Melbourne, or Other Western Sissie Cities to Perth, or the Other Way Around?

[@malcorub]

In the late 80's, my dad drove a cab over. As a kid I remember my favorite spot to sit down on a cold drive was in the center in front of the sleeper over the engine. No seat belt of course because it was the 80s'

[@wendellcallihan5341]

I have a lot of fond memories of driving the "Buster Brown" cabovers in the late '80's, early '90's. No sleeper, no power steering, 5 speed wet clutch pulling empty doubles out there on the super slab covered in black ice at night. Maximum pucker factor.

[@markfreckmann2366]

I have a very fond memory of a cab over. When I was a kid my neighbor who was a very good family friend. Let me go for a haul from Milwaukee area to St Louis in his Freightliner cab over. I still remember alot of that trip. RIP Joe miss ya my friend.

[@7viewerlogic670]

They were fun to ride in when you were a kid, felt like being on top of the world!

[@markfreckmann2366]

It was around 1980. I don't know what Route we took. I doubt it was Rt 66 though.

[@markfreckmann2366]

@catmodelt Joe the neighbor was only one of a few independents that drove for Quad Graphics, at that time. I remember we stayed at a truck stop in Illinois looking at the arch. During the night got a knock on the door. Joe answered the door to hear a woman say " I'm bored". Joe said " I can't help you with that. Closed the door and said something about a lot lizard. Lol. Unloaded not far after crossing the bridge into St Louis.

[@BerraPettersson]

In Sweden 99% of all heavy trucks are COEs - made in Sweden by VOLVO and SCANIA, of course.

[@Love2Cruise]

About that... What's up with Swedes' obsession of 750+ HP trucks? Volvo has a 750 and Scania has a 770. What do you guys haul? Volvo in US tops out at 500 with its D13. D16 isn't offered here. For more power Cummins is the other option.

[@WhiteMouse77]

@@Love2Cruise In fact whatever heavier than average. Timber, Tankers, Construction machines….The point is that Europe is very hilly and highway usually have only two lines /It is traffic rule that trucks may not overtake in two line highways/ therefore truck must keep tempo about 56 MPH with passenger cars in right line no matter the trailered load has over 40 tons. In the left fast lane you must go at least 87 MPH to be safe or some fuel feet bombs your trunk….so the slower go in right line with trucks about 56 MPH. That’s why giant engine torque in lowest revs is needed in the heaviest trucks.

[@shelbynamels973]

@@Love2Cruise 750 bhp? Better to have it and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

[@grmasdfII]

@@Love2Cruise Look at a topographic map of Scandinavia and it will become apparent. "Kristo Boginski" here on KZbin has some nice footage to look at.

[@bengtsoderlund7455]

@@Love2Cruise Up to 76 or 104 tons of maximum total weight. Cab over because total length of truck and trailer is regulated. One example from northern Finland kzbin.info/www/bejne/hKOkhHiblrSgeqs

[@deancarr4507]

My late great-Uncle Bill Underwood drove a white Peterbilt cab-over from Florida to New York and back, taking oranges up, and clam chowder back. Passed away in the late 80's from cancer and I never got to meet him, but seen plenty of pictures of him and his rig.

[@raysmetaltracks6782]

As a kid, nothing better in the world than climbing up those steps, grabbing that big steering wheel and pulling myself into that seat. Doesnt matter how hold, or what condition they are in - I think cabovers are just awesome.

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

You are correct, I wasn't a kid but it's a feeling i will never forget. And the feeling was GOD HATES me!

[@robertforester5220]

@@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209 ö

[@kennethfielder2371]

The cab overs can still be beneficial here in the states. Since there are still limited space places that we truckers deliver to.

[@LUNITICWILL]

In-City driving is one of them.

[@EatAPeach72]

@@LUNITICWILL Yes ,they use them at the labatt beer factory downtown here in london ontario canada to get the trailers in quick off the main road and around the yard tight spaces 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

[@sindyk1000]

Back in the 80s and 90s as a diesel mechanic I love working on the cabovers easy to work on you had that air system risers and the hand pumps to get the cabover easy to get to all the engine components I mostly worked on the mack Ultra liners for Ryder truck system

[@grantdanze5215]

While I love me a Pete needle nose, Cab-overs are badass and have a presence that demands respect.

[@graysinclair6572]

Grant Danze I was a kid in the 70s and a cousin of mine who loved trucks(so did I) used the term needle nose! I realized in the trucking industry, that term probably got thrown around a lot, but not so much in mainstream conversation. Thanks for taking me back and confirming the nickname for those long front end Peterbilts.

[@grantdanze5215]

@@graysinclair6572 Glad to hear! Keep on trucking my friend.

[@379Pete]

Gotta love the look of a badass Needle Nose.

[@adriantomlin2902]

I think so too!? They are unique.

[@kaasmeester5903]

Funny, I always thought the "conventionals" were more badass, looking like they mean Business. Maybe that's just me being European and used to see nothing but cabovers.

[@jsboening]

Remember the show “BJ and the Bear”? Loved that truck.

[@henerymag]

Those old enouugh to remember the 1958 TV series Cannonball will see the GMC 950 COE. Would not want to take that for a long ride.

[@fourierrocket]

And best of all I don't pay property tax!

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

Not realistic, the idea of driving irregular route OTR truck with a shitting ape in the truck with me, was one of the stupidest things I could imagine. I used to watch the show so I could laugh at it.

[@samueltractorton2088]

Used to love that show.

[@johnsegertsons2143]

One of the trucks pictured is a BJ and the bear look alike

[@kevinjohnson7693]

I see cabovers occasionally and love to see them as a trucker myself.

[@richardsmith1331]

At Schneider we had a female driver that was the best I have ever seen. Another driver couldn't get a set of doubles in a building. The female driver dropped her trailer and backed the doubles in like nobody's business.

[@brownh2orat211]

Wherever they went it isn't far enough away. I started out driving those things, obviously no one who is raving about them ever lived in one.

[@brownh2orat211]

@Neil Van Zyl Ya, I've seen a lot of Cabovers when I worked in Africa. After starting out in a cabover and driving them for many years and then getting in a conventional tractor it's night and day when it comes to ride comfort and living quarters. Not to mention ease of working on the engine without jacking the entire cab up and all your belongings ending up on the windshield or trying to climb into one when everything is ice covered!

[@ratman87100]

No doubt I put a million miles in them I'm paying the price for it now .......

[@CCFONESOL]

I lived in one, and still miss them.

[@joescheller6680]

with power steering and air conditioning air ride suspension there is no difference

[@joescheller6680]

@@siamsamblue30041 listen to my staement i have millions of miles in the old cabovers the old conventionals werent any better no air ride no air conditioning no power steering

[@michaelopere5424]

Cabovers trucks are the majority in most parts of the world.

[@datadavis]

Where people measure in metric.. better not tell them theres actually a world outside the u.s. they might get scared and bomb it

[@youdamanyoudaman]

@@datadavis where?

[@hesseldijkstra5327]

@@youdamanyoudaman the rest of the world.

[@ironhornforge]

True but not in Australia, they overheat in our climate on long hauls

[@jamessloanofficial]

@@youdamanyoudaman All of Europe and Asia. Africa and South America are a mix, but more COE than conventional. Australia has a lot of conventional tractors.

[@ikmarchini]

As a last mile man I was in and out of Manhattan with 40 and 45 foot trailers. With a cabover you could keep an eye on those pesky pedestrians and not flatten too many. Unfortunately, they are very cold in winter over 35mph as the wind goes right thru. And you don't want to rear end anything big because you're the first to know.

[@donmccord]

I’ve got 2 of the 96 k100e and a 1981 Pete 362 both Cummins powered I wouldn’t trade them for six new areo trucks my k100 gets around 7 mpg with a smile on my face and everyone who see’s me rolling down the road

[@portnuefflyer]

I like the way they look, bad ass...., but aero dynamically they are a dead end, huge amounts of drag. Sitting directly over that front axle, has to give a rougher ride too.

[@thomasbeck9075]

I have 2 and looking for more

[@johnberry5275]

I worked on Tractor Trailers for [4.5] years, as the main means for putting myself through college. As a very tiny boy, I remember watching the highway crews put the final finishing touches on completing the highway that went past the front of my house (Route 17, New York State; projected to eventually be entirely renamed to Interstate 86). Shortly thereafter, a Truck Stop was built right across the road from my house, and, every day, as a little boy, staring from the front window of my living room, I watched the construction crews build the Truck Stop. At the start of my senior year of high school, I got my first _paycheck_ job (after farming; farming was my _first_ job) working on Tractor Trailers, over at the Truck Stop. Tractor Trailers, and all the situations surrounding them, were a very big part of my "coming of age" years. Late at night, almost 2 decades before cellphones and internet, when Cabovers were _very_ common and mainstream, *EVERYBODY LOVED* to "hangout" at the Truck Stop. All of the best bands, when touring late at night, would come through my Truck Stop, usually around 1am in the morning. During very early mornings at the Truck Stop, I met _Fleetwood Mac_ (the whole band; when they were promoting their _TUSK_ album; under the lights of the Gas Pumps, Christine McVie once played her banjo for me), _Jerry Garcia_ (twice!), _Bruce Springsteen_ (I gassed-up his limousine; he tipped me, while he was tipsy drunk; after eating inside the restaurant, he came back out to see me; Bruce brought out two cans of beer, and made me drink a BEER TOAST while pledging to _Never Surrender!_ ), _Joan Jett_ (like upwards of ten times, across an entire year; at the time, Joan was trying to get her former band members of _The Runaways_ back together; on one summer evening, _The Runaways_ performed their song _Cherrybomb_ for me, right there in the parking lot; Lita Ford, that night, was both sexy Hot and Gorgeous), _Carole King_ (who, when I was about 5, once showed-up at my house, as my babysitter; while I wore flannel pajamas with "footies" on the ends of the "pants", babysitter Carole made us little kids stand in a circle, in the living room, and, all together, sing _Locomotion!_ ), and _Stevie Ray Vaughn_ (Stevie and I had a nice discussion about the song, _Superstition_ ). And this is just a short list of the _bands_ that I met, while working at the Truck Stop. Across the years, while working at the Truck Stop, I also met a lot of actors and actresses. I met _Chevy Chase_ , _Alan Alda_ , _Rosanna Arquette_ , _Dan Ackroyd_ , _John Belushi_ , _Dolly Parton_ (she was promoting the Grand Opening of her new amusement theme park, _Dollywood_ ; Dolly was traveling all over the east coast, with a special tractor trailer; on both sides of the trailer, there was a long photo of Dolly seated upon a merry-go-round horse; in big letters, on the sides of the trailer, it said _Follow me! to Tennessee!_ ), _Arnold Schwarzenegger_ , _Linda Hamilton_ , _Danny DeVito_ , and _Jack Lemmon_ (on a hot sunny day, Jack had a "boiled over" radiator; I fixed it for him, right there in the parking lot.) My years at the Truck Stop were very precious, and, as I see now, irreplaceable. It will always stand out as a time, and an American frame of mind, that will never happen again.

[@garymiedema642]

I recently returned from two years in South Africa, where I traveled much of the country, and never saw a conventional tractor. All cabovers.

[@robhargis6980]

I love the old Dodge big rigs, so rare. I do remember as a kid back in the 60's & 70's seeing the Dodges, GMC's, Chevy's, & Ford big rigs in operation.. Fairly common back then, and most of them COE's.

[@jodygotyourgirlngone]

and Macks,,,they were everywhere too

[@TheBeingReal]

Go to Europe. All cab overs. Nice rides and powerful.

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

LMFAO ok.

[@UltraCasualPenguin]

@@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209 Do this with your Kennowort: kzbin.info/www/bejne/g528ZayQmqtgp7s

[@hardrockminer-50]

Exactly. Europe has much more rigid length rules. I saw a video clip of a Russian trucker colliding with some one and the driver came flying out of the truck right behind the winshield. He landed on his feet and ran down the road.

[@patrikpolda]

@@hardrockminer-50 That's Russia not Europe :D ;-)

[@gruponisaacagrorealtyestat9197]

But not safety

[@spyone4828]

My grandfather drove trucks from 1929 into the 1980s, and all my life he drove cabovers. I asked him why trucks came in two kinds, and he said that the shorter cab let you haul a longer trailer. Then I asked him why they weren't all cabovers, and he said "Some people don't like having to tip the whole cab to work on their engine".

[@samueltractorton2088]

That's what I would say was the biggest pain in the ass, tipping the cab to work on them.

[@funnycity6671]

were did they go?? Mexico,, all over the border of Texas you will see them especially Laredo,,, they use them in Mexico's mountains and farms,, they love the GMC Astro, the international,, Freightliner,, and Kenworth!! in Laredo I saw some Chevy bisons,, they were not cab overs ,, but looked nice!!

[@jeepguy220]

Chevy titan/90 possibly the rarest class 8 truck ever!!

[@mortensen1961]

@@jeepguy220: And the GMC Astro with the six-ton clutch. . . . .

[@charlesgreer7641]

I remember first time I took a load to Laredo back in about 2003. I dropped and reloaded there and as I was leaving town I took a wrong exit and all the sudden I looked around and my 280 inch wheelbase flat top pete was surrounded by cab overs. Behind me in front of me beside me. I said to my self where the hell did all these cab overs come from. A min later I looked up and just as I thought I was on wrong road. The boarder was ahead of me. When I got to the Mexican guard I said hey man I took a wrong exit I need to turn around. He said you dont want to go to mehico I said no I dont I want to go to Birmingham Alabama. He laughed and said ok. With that he shut the whole road down so I could do a flip and head back. That's a wrong turn I will never forget both due to the interaction with the cool boarder guard and being surrounded by cab overs.

[@FatGuyInaTruck]

There's also an absolute shit-ton of them bouncing around the Middle East...

[@darnellsmith363]

I was just in Laredo last summer when I use to work for CR England

[@jaquaviontaviousbonquequex9066]

Dont worry, they're just resting in any old abandoned barn yard in the midwest, it's just a matter of finding them!

[@Viraqua]

And alot of truckers are going for them to avoid the nightmare that is the emissions systems on new trucks.

[@chickenleg820]

@@Viraqua Yeah. DEF is wack. An expensive and annoying pain in the butt.

[@Viraqua]

@@chickenleg820 You also have the EGR system, taking all that sooty exhaust and throwing it back into your engine. If you watch the Wrench Every Day channel, you can see what that system did to his Nissan Titan.

[@markevans8558]

We have a lot of antique farm tractors collected and shown in my little town in the Pacific Northwest. The other thing we have, is a fellow that collects vintage trucks... mostly cab-over tractors. Not an old abandoned barn though... it was just built several years ago, and it is huge. The inside and outside overhangs are filled with rows and rows of old cab-overs. He loves 'em! It's like a kid collecting metal toy trucks... but they're not toys ~ they're the real thing. There must be 40 or more of them, mostly in good condition. Every time I go past his place, there's another one I haven't seen. Seems like he adds about 4 or 5 a year. Don't know where he finds them all, or what he once did to afford them. Quite a hobby though!

[@bpd231martinko9]

Back in the late seventies and through out the eighties I was a Paramedic/Rescue chief in and around Bethlehem Pa. I spent many hours at numerous cab over tractor trailer accidents where these trucks , usually loaded with 70 or 80 thousand pounds of steel hit immovable objects, (big trees', bridge abutments etc...) One of the common issues we faced at these type of truck accidents were the drivers legs would get trapped between the fire wall and the floor pan which required a lengthy extrication process ( and horrendous injuries suffered by the drivers). Most of these accidents that I was involved in were on city streets leading out of the steel plant and were not at highway speeds. I suspect that the answer to the question about why you don't see them anymore is because of it was mostly a driver safety issue, although after watching this video I can understand why they started to use them. Having said that the funny thing is that most modern fire and rescue trucks are of the cab over design however, if you look at these fire trucks , you will notice that there is always an extended area in front of the cab where the frame rails extend at least a foot or two past the front of the cab with a very heavy steel bumper on the end of the frame rails. Unlike commercial trucks fire departments are not concerned about weight or lower fuel mileage issues.

[@robhicks2117]

BJ and the Bear! @ 4:30 gave me a flashback to what I watched on TV when I was a kid in the 1970's.

[@thesillypig785]

Let's start a fire: a American 'conventional truck' is a struggle to drive in Europe due to it's size and many blindspots, while a Euro truck in the US would do just fine. Anyway: that Freightliner at 6:55 is a pretty goodlooking truck.

[@mwhitelaw8569]

There's no fire to start man After being over there a few times I wouldn't even attempt driving a conventional there. And yeah the blind spots are there, but you get used to them. I do miss the turning radius of cabovers , but that's about all I miss. See Only a flesh wound Cheers!!!

[@jspringer1978]

A cabover from the EU would die a lonely death trying to haul a trailer over the Great Plains at 140kph and then up and over the Rocky Mountains.

[@ptonpc]

I had an American friend come over a couple of years ago. She was amazed to see Cab overs here in the UK. It took her a while to grasp the concept. (She drove trucks in the USA)

[@brainwashingdetergent4322]

As a Yankee I had the pleasure of driving a cabover for a few years! 2007-2010

[@buddybell9711]

driving a cab over is like no other feeling on the planet !!!! bring them back

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

Yeah the feeling of ever damn bone in your body jarred for 600 miles a day. You young pups don't even know where your fuel filter is, so how about worrying about doing your job in the automatic super single car, that poses as a truck first, before trying to convince everyone that shitty cabovers need to come back!

[@Jehty_]

@@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209 ah yeah, comparing a 40 year old cab over to your modern peace of sh!t. Maybe try a modern cab over first before you talk bullshit.

[@k.b.tidwell]

Isuzu NPR says beep beep.

[@davidhaun7767]

Born in Gary, raised in Lake Station, got tears going on here!

[@jspriver]

I’m a nurse. I once took care of a guy who was part of the team which developed the cab over design

[@PelvisCashley]

I hope you stuck him with more needles than a porcupine and woke him up every hour to give him another pill!

[@jspriver]

catmodelt The guy I took care of was pretty old and this was at least 20 or 25 years ago. The reason it came up… My dad used to work for white trucks back in the day and I always try to get to know my patients and what kind of stuff they used to do… Makes them feel a little bit more at ease. I found a common thing to talk about

[@spokanetomcat1]

More and more they are being used for short haul, city and known hard to drive restricted areas in the suburbs. Many companies are buying and saving the cab overs.

[@eagleviewhd]

My first tractor trailer I drove was a USAF GMC cabover. It had fifteen speeds, un-synchronized transmission. That was back in the mid Eighties. First trip was from Norton AFB, Ca to McClellan AFB, CA.

[@Lafly84]

Used to deliver to a few places in Philly that were built long before the 53' trailer came into existence. Used to make decent money on the side backing trailers in for conventional drivers in my old 9670.

[@jhnstn1]

Very interesting. We spent a week touring Ireland in 2016 and I noticed one conventional long nose Kenworth and everything else was cab overs. A few had sleepers but they looked more like dog boxes than a full-size sleeper. The most out of place thing we saw that week was a yellow diesel Dodge power wagon on a sheep farm.

[@jacksonmarshallkramer5087]

I suspect that when they're loaded down they ride fine, it's when the trailer is empty or bob tailing that it gets bouncy.

[@andrewterleckey9834]

Still around, they’re ideal hay haulers we got two and can go basically anywhere with them

[@williamehringer8537]

I have a friend who hauls logs and hay with his. He loves that truck.

[@olvinyldude]

What they use for here also..Ranch operations & such..beautiful machines still! I enjoyed the old Internationals, as well..have a 1935 IH

[@jamesmilos9909]

I couldn’t agree more! I could get our IHC 9800 with a spread axle drop deck in and out of hay lots a conventional never could. Much shorter functional wheelbase.

[@olvinyldude]

@@jamesmilos9909 Yes, and so much easier backing 53'

[@JTA1961]

Back in their "hay day" 📉 😎 📈

[@robertcraig156]

I loved my long wheelbase C.O.. all air ride suspension, cab and seat. Plus my dog had a good view also..

[@Durahan82]

Cabovers are So Practical for Big City Driving and New England Runs

[@jamesinman1198]

Cabover trucks were so cool back in the day. I miss seeing cabover trucks. No wonder I haven't really been seeing them too much anymore.

[@normanbrunt2053]

In the UK, I believe that their cab-overs have suspension on the cab and seats. Seems like the answer to an uncomfortable drive.

[@sepg5084]

Yup, modern cabovers are light-years more advanced than the ones depicted in this video.

[@brianb-p6586]

Ford added air suspension for the cab with their cab-over-engine LC9000 of 1976 - it's now common, and wasn't in traditional COEs, but it's not new.

[@timrussell1559]

My dad back in the mid 70's had a 65 international transtar CO4O cabover. One morning he severely overslept and had one hour to drive 80 miles to pick up a very time sensitive load that would have cost him his contract with this company if he missed the deadline. He jumped in the old transtar and dropped the hammer, he was flying down the interstate just as fast as that truck would possibly go. Until a statie pulled him over and wrote him up for doing 92 mph. He was so proud of that old truck that he framed the speeding ticket and hung it on our living room wall where it remained for many years. Just because those rigs were old didn't mean they wouldn't roll!

[@shanenorton664]

Too bad they had no torque and torque is what you need to actually pull a load.

[@martinschulz9381]

Right on. From what I've heard from old truckers...they don't miss those rough riding cabovers. Conventionals are just much nicer to drive. Canada has mostly all conventional s as well.

[@brandtbecker1810]

Very interesting explanation. I remember when I was a kid how common the cabovers were. One hardly ever saw a "conventional" cab in those days. Now, you only see cabovers in my neck of the woods (Kansas) on farm trucks. Now, if there could be more flexibility with regard to those damned Hours of Service laws, maybe we could all start making money again. I'm not sure that the phrase "catastrophic improvements" is really appropriate LOL.

[@Kloppin4H0rses]

Yes because not getting ran over by a drowsy trucker is just too damn much to ask damn right yeeeee haaaawwww ya'lllllllllllllll

[@FunkyMonk4Life]

It's the absolute worst riding truck I've ever been in. You feel every single bump in the road and, God forbid, you hit a pothole. You will find your head in the ceiling. I appreciate the turn radius, they're very maneuverable, but ride quality kills it for me. Sitting on top of the axle is brutal. Feel free to disagree, that's just my take.

[@mortensen1961]

Twenty-nine years after my last day in a cabover, my bladder still reminds me of just how bad their rides were. . . .

[@zeke7142003]

My dad is paying the price of 30 years in cabovers. His back is shot.

[@kleimbach77]

I agree

[@matthewholwell8206]

European cab overs are way better in just about every respect which makes driving a conventional even a short nose like mack trident a bitch

[@mrelmachete68]

@Stevie Blue specially in the olders coe's, at least the last ones had a flat floors

[@timhofstetter5654]

The cabovers went exactly the same place as the hand cranks for windows in cars. The manufacturers saw that they could sell more "stuff" for a higher price (read a higher profit) when they sold conventionals (and electrically operated windows), so they slowly pushed the lower-profit cabovers (and manually cranked car windows) off the market, producing fewer and fewer every year, knowing that the complacent and impatient John Q Public would just buckle and buy whatever they wanted to sell.

[@michaelashcraft8569]

I will NEVER, NEVER, NEVER give up my C/O truck, never!!!

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

Hell i was glad to see them disappear F cabinovers, they suck!

[@brucelansing6890]

I HAVE OVER A MILLION MILES IN A CABOVER. I LOVE THEM .I WISH I HAD ONE NOW TO RESTORE.

[@oldschoollgearjammerlongmi5209]

I wish I had one to set on fire dammit, and roast marshmallows and enjoy the sight of the miserable thing vanishing before my eyes

[@ianmackinnon9916]

lots here.. look for one in nova scotia..

[@donaldhausenfluck2200]

Beautiful cabovers I lovvem. South western ltl out of San antoon still had them when I drove there in 05. Run small and big sleepers internationals up and down to Memphis. Loved it to d max 😁🇳🇱🤘