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Home Heavy Equipment Why semi-trucks in US and Europe are so
different?
* Heavy Equipment
Why semi-trucks in US and Europe are so different?
By
NODUM
-
2018-01-29
123327
6
American and European semi-trucks are very different. You don't have
to be a truck enthusiast or have brilliant understanding of the
mechanical part of these machines to see that semi-trucks used in USA
and Europe look very different. But why? Why different ideas about
what the truck should look like prevailed in different places in the
world?
Before answering these questions we would like to ask you to like our
Facebook page. A lot more content is coming very soon!
Also, did you ever wonder why "semi-trucks" are called like that?
What is so semi about them? Read here.
The main difference you see between American and European semi-trucks
is the overall design of the tractor unit. In Europe we usually see
cab-over trucks. This means that the cabin is situated above the
engine. This allows creating flat front surface and the entire truck
with its trailer has a cuboid shape.
Meanwhile trucks used in US, Australia and in many other places in
the world feature something called "conventional cab" design. This
means that the cabin is behind the engine. Drivers are sitting
further away from the actual front of the truck and look over the
long engine cover when driving. So why in different places in the
world different designs prevailed?
One of the differences between European and American trucking is that
owners-operators are very common in US and not so much in Europe.
These people own their own trucks and pretty much live in them for
months at a time. Semi-trucks with conventional cabs feature longer
wheel base, which makes them a little more comfortable. Also, they
tend to have a lot of room inside. Owners modify their trucks to
include huge living compartments - something not common in Europe.
Without the engine under the cabin, getting in and out of the truck
is actually easier, because the cabin is a little lower.
[placeholder-640x427][lra]This is what conventional cab trucks look
like - these are much more common in US, Australia and elsewhere
outside Europe. (First Response Team of America, Wikimedia(CC BY-SA
3.0)
Another advantage of a conventional cab design is that the truck can
be more economical. Surely they usually pull heavier loads, but if
there were two trucks, one a cab-over and another one a conventional
cab design, and they had the same powertrain and the same cargo, the
conventional cab truck would most likely use less fuel. Of course,
that is just in theory - in reality there are too many factors to
consider.
Finally, engine in conventional cab trucks is easier to maintain and
fix because it is very easy to reach. However, cab-over trucks do
have their own advantages.
[placeholder-640x431][lraa]Cab-over trucks are simply more compact
and easier to navigate through tight city traffic. (Volvo Trucks)
Square shape of the cab-over truck means that it is easier to place
the truck close to other vehicles or objects. European semi-trucks
are also lighter and have a shorter wheel bases, which makes them
significantly easier to manoeuvre. Essentially, they are more compact
and easier to work with in traffic and urban environments. But what
are other reasons why different truck designs prevailed in US and
Europe?
This is what the interior of a modern semi-truck looks like:
Why European and American trucks are so different?
Maximum length of a truck with a semi-trailer in Europe is 18.75
meters. Some countries have some exceptions, but generally that is
the rule. In order to use the maximum of this length for the cargo
the tractor unit has to be as short as possible. The best way to
achieve that is to mount the cabin over the engine.
Similar requirements in US have been revoked back in 1986 and trucks
now can be much longer. Actually, back in the day cab-over trucks
were quite popular in US, but without strict limitations roomier and
more convenient to live with conventional design trucks prevailed.
The number of cab-over trucks in US is constantly declining.
[placeholder-640x426][lra1]Trucks of owners-operators typically have
big living compartments. Meanwhile in Europe space is at a premium. (
Pierre Andre, Wikimedia)
Another reason is speed. In Europe Semi-trucks are limited to 90 km/
h, but in some places in US trucks reach 129 and even 137 km/h. That
is where better aerodynamics and longer wheel base help a lot.
Finally, roads in US and Europe are very different as well. Cities in
US have wide streets and interstate highways are very straight and
wide. In Europe trucks have to deal with narrow streets, winding
country roads and cramped parking spaces. Lack of space limitations
allowed Australia to use conventional cab trucks too. That is also
why Australian highways feature well-known road trains - extremely
long distances and straight roads allow semi-trucks to pull up to
four trailers.
Interested in trucks?
Volvo thinks electric trucks will help fighting traffic jams;
Electric trucks from a 100 years ago;
Gas-powered trucks are already available and in theory can be CO2
neutral;
Scammel Scarab - it is not your ordinary semi-truck - it is the
mechanical horse;
General Motors Bison - a vision of trucks of the future from 1964.
Why didn't it stick?
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6 COMMENTS
1. [placeh][94fb8b] Lorenzo Vigano 2020-01-01 at 17:04
In Europe the maximum length for a tractor + semi trailer il
16.50 metres,
the 18.75 is for rigid trucks with a trailer
Reply
2. [placeh][aa0a89] Oscar 2020-01-06 at 16:07
I prefer European styles, cab over trucks, they just appear to my
eyes and I feel they look more cooler than American's
conventional trucks. I still respect USA for their choice but I
don't like the long engine front. MAN, Mercedes, Scania and Volvo
make some damn, mean looking trucks.
Reply
3. [placeh][9841a9] US trucks are better - from a dutch person
2020-01-16 at 16:32
Oscar, you're a styleless person
Reply
4. [placeh][104c29] US trucks are definitely better - from a Greek
person 2020-03-30 at 20:49
Seriously how can voldemort trucks appeal more to you than
american trucks, haha. Look at optimus prime's peterbilt.
Reply
5. [placeh][b5f76e] Peter 2020-09-22 at 12:41
This article tended to prefer conventional truck, but one
significant advantage of COE vehicles is to provide better
visibility, if a COE truck approaches intersection, driver can
stay most forwardly to see crossing traffic flow without
restricted view by buildings along both side of the street
whereas bonnet truck unable to provide because there should
preserve space for engine room before the driver cab.
Reply
6. [placeh][4978b1] potato 2021-03-03 at 10:24
Nothing about engines and gearboxes?
European trucks have modern semi-automatic gearboxes while
American ones use prehistoric manual shifting.
Reply
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