Why aren't there trucks like these outside U.S, Canada & Mexico?

[FM 2258]

I've noticed while seeing other pictures of highways outside the U.S, Canada and Mexico a lack of big 18 wheelers that make highways look good. Instead I see these small weak looking trucks carrying small trailers.

Why don't other places around the world have trucks like these on their highways?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/KW_Noir_Discret.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/Semi-Truck-Storage.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/i295njexit2c.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/KW_BigRig.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/i40arwexit278.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/i40arexit280.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/i40arexit278.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/DSCN0786.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/DSCN0795.jpg

Instead you see ugly looking trucks like these.....

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/renault_cortizo.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/scania_hilton.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v281/Texas90/seddon_philson_2.jpg

[KIWIKAAS]

There are.
Try Australia. Its full of them.
New Zealand has less but none the less they have them in numbers

Australia

http://www.brown-hurley.com.au/2e9d2ee40.jpg http://www.brown-hurley.com.au/35241a650.jpg http://www.brown-hurley.com.au/2f1f1ed60.jpg http://www.jandd.org/photogallery/53.jpg

New Zealand

http://www.jbfx.co.nz/truck-kenworth.jpg http://www.jbfx.co.nz/truck-squeegy007elvis.jpg

[WANCH]

We don't have those US trucks because North American roads are wider compared to Asia or Europe.

We don't need these kind of trucks in HK!

Some trucks in Japan, do you have these in US?

http://www.mirandasmoon.com/blog/trucks.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/5makoto000.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/5makoto006.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/5makoto013.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/5makoto017.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/5makoto021.jpg

http://homepage2.nifty.com/ztath/starthp/img/iwate019.jpg

[demanjo]

Australia is full of them. It is such a shame. I hate trucks, so inefficient and scary to drive next to on the highway. The drivers are aggressive bastards too.

I wish most freight was rail based.

[NewAmsterdam]

It has to do with length-restrictions for trucks in Europe. That's why companies prefer the "flat nose" (Cabin Over Engine) because this means they can have a longer trailer. If they would use the american style truck they would already use a few meters of the maximum allowed lenght just for the nose of the truck, resulting in a shorter cargo-compartment and less transport-capacity. In the US the regulations for length are less strict, so you can have both a big truck and a big trailer at the same time.

[Cee_em_bee]

People around the world aren't as fat as Americans and don't need to take up so much cabinspace.

:P

[thunder head]

Australia has loads of American trucks: those Kenworths, Macks, Freigtliners, peterbilts are everywhere and for long hauls in remote areas these things can have up to 5 trailers!

[HighSpeedTrain]

In Mexico...


http://www.tractocamionesyremolques.com/imagenes/tractocamiones/1_gde.jpg http://www.kenworthchihuahua.com.mx/Camiones%20Nuevos/T2000.jpg

http://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/111139_114192_381_271_COLUMBIA_GROUP.jpghttp://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/111850_115382_381_154_century_truck.jpg

http://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/112194_115982_381_302_coronado.jpg http://www.portalautomotriz.com/camiones/tractocamiones/kenworth/imagenes/w900.jpg

The most popular in North America
http://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/111146_114211_381_290_FLD120.jpg

http://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/111175_114272_358_354_M2_Silver_Tractor_55LBS_PBC.jpg


http://www.cardatabase.net/photos/small/00012782.jpghttp://www.lsi.upc.es/~lcmolina/media/T600.jpghttp://www.cardatabase.net/photos/small/00012796.jpg
http://www.freightliner.com.mx/atanio/channel100256/images/111862_115415_338_168_show_all_truck_lrg.jpg

http://www.portalautomotriz.com/camiones/tractocamiones/kenworth/imagenes/t600.jpg http://www.portalautomotriz.com/camiones/tractocamiones/kenworth/imagenes/t604.jpg

http://www.portalautomotriz.com/camiones/tractocamiones/kenworth/imagenes/centenario.jpg http://www.portalautomotriz.com/camiones/tractocamiones/kenworth/imagenes/t2000.jpg

[HighSpeedTrain]

one reason is that the commerce inside NAFTA is the biggest in the world.

[edolen1]

Eh, these don't look so bad to me..

http://www.trucker.de/sixcms/media.php/1339/Scania%20R500_800.91295.jpg

Flat-nosed trucks would probably do better on narrower roads with sharper turns than long-nosed trucks aswell..

[aatbloke]

one reason is that the commerce inside NAFTA is the biggest in the world.

And what exactly does that have to do with cab-over-engine designs being less popular in North America?

[aatbloke]

I've noticed while seeing other pictures of highways outside the U.S, Canada and Mexico a lack of big 18 wheelers that make highways look good. Instead I see these small weak looking trucks carrying small trailers.

Why don't other places around the world have trucks like these on their highways?

Instead you see ugly looking trucks like these.....



Firstly, Australasia uses the snout-nosed trucks to great extent and also in Europe there are some from Volvo and Scania, but they're a rare sight. In Europe, trucks have length restrictions which affect axle weight limits and these also differ between the UK and continental Europe. Combined with the fact that large trucks also have negotiate more crowded urban environments in Europe tell you the reasons for the difference in preferred design. Trucks are built purely for commercial purposes, with styling being a secondary issue....but the kids on here probably wouldn't understand the importance.

[eddyk]

Ive seen a few of these trucks in the UK....but im talking less than 10 in my whole life.

There is a cement company in my town and all their cement trucks are bright pink.
http://www.shabbir.com/pictures/mbpictures/1999cementtruck.jpg

Also know some guy that drives a cab around...you see it parked outside his house at night on the narrow street he lives on.

and a few on the road.

[KIWIKAAS]

Australia has loads of American trucks: those Kenworths, Macks, Freigtliners, peterbilts are everywhere and for long hauls in remote areas these things can have up to 5 trailers!

Ah yes, Road Trains. The longest combinations in the world. The longest is 6 trailers.

http://www.aig.asn.au/images/road_train.jpg

[KIWIKAAS]

Eh, these don't look so bad to me..

Flat-nosed trucks would probably do better on narrower roads with sharper turns than long-nosed trucks aswell..

Theyre just not as sexy as the big rigs.

But youre right. Theyre more practicle for Europe.

[sequoias]

We got those in the US, those are rare...it has a RV compartment built in for people who travel a lot, and not home much.

http://tinypic.com/apb9sx.jpg

[HighSpeedTrain]

And what exactly does that have to do with cab-over-engine designs being less popular in North America?


related to the main question: means that you probably will see larger and longer trucks in North America.

[KIWIKAAS]

^
It has alot to do with geography, infrastructure and urban layout.

Like Canada and the US, Australia has road enviroments suited to big rigs. Mexico has many wide open highways and due to its possition its logical that US brands make up the bulk of vehicles. Outside the US and Canada, Australia is the most similar and suitable country for the larger US trucks. Its not by mistake that they manifacture the big American brands with right hand steerring for that market. Like Mexico, New Zealand gets these trucks aswell but more as a result of its possition ie: Australian manifactured Kenworths, Macks etc.

[aatbloke]

related to the main question: means that you probably will see larger and longer trucks in North America.

Longer because of the snout on the cab - which was the original poster's main concern.

Judging by the wording in that initial question, do you think the poster himself sounds any older than age 10?

[aatbloke]

Australia has loads of American trucks: those Kenworths, Macks, Freigtliners, peterbilts are everywhere and for long hauls in remote areas these things can have up to 5 trailers!

Interesting isn't it that both Mack and Freightliner are both wholly-owned subsidiaries of European companies!

[HighSpeedTrain]

Longer because of the snout on the cab - which was the original poster's main concern.

Judging by the wording in that initial question, do you think the poster himself sounds any older than age 10?


oh well :D

maybe the answer is as simple as we are in NA and they arent so we have North American stuff, thats it. lol

[Zaqattaq]

I'll take a lorry over a redneck American big rig anyday

http://www.megazorb.co.uk/images/Lorry.jpg

[nothingman]

I'll take a lorry over a redneck American big rig anyday

....or a 1986 white Ford Transit van.

[Zaqattaq]

Heck yes

http://www.lledodirect.co.uk/public/pictures/main/VA06618.jpg

[JayT]

Ah yes, Road Trains. The longest combinations in the world. The longest is 6 trailers.

http://www.aig.asn.au/images/road_train.jpg

Yes - AUSTRALIA would be King in the truck department. Or as they are called "Road Trains". They are pretty scary driving near them or trying to overtake them. Thankfully they are not allowed in the major cities or in areas where they will encounter lots of traffic. Some major towns and cities have big handling areas just outside city limits where freight can be moved and sorted into smaller lots before entering the city.

[Accura4Matalan]

I prefer the Euro flat nose style. Look more modern and less thirsty.

[Ringil]

american trucks :) I'd rather say swedish trucks ;)
]
http://www.volvo.com/NR/rdonlyres/CFBD452C-EE1A-413F-8ED9-A685F1806765/0/vt880_US_800x600.jpg

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/len_rogers/2005/jan01/scania-truck.jpg
http://www.scania.no/Images/STRAX_tcm24-6466.jpg

[HighSpeedTrain]

i would like to see more aussie trucks ;)

[KIWIKAAS]

http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/krystal_g/tb_aussie_white_road_boss.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/krystal_g/tb_iveco_6500.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/krystal_g/ford_aeromax_booth_transport.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/krystal_g/032.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/krystal_g/kenworth_t_model_interior.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/malcolm/dcp01480.jpg
http://www.hankstruckpictures.com/pix/trucks/malcolm/kenworth_hunters_vic.jpg

[Mike]

Autralian road trains rock. But back to the question why you rarely see Freightliners or Macks in Europe: As far as I know US trucks don't have Diesel engines, that probably gives them a competetive disadvantage since fuel prices are higher in Europe and Diesel engines have lower consumption plus Diesel fuel is often cheaper.

[Cloudship]

No, most of the really large trucks (the 18 wheelers) are diesel. There was a time when cab-overs where a lot more popular, but still they were different.

I don't know if anyone even sells cabovers still for large trucks in the US. There are two huge disadvatages - 1) they are harder to work on, and every time you access the engine you have to lift the whole cab. Which means engine inspections are difficult, too. 2) Long nose trucks put a lot more between you and the object you run into. So it's a safety issue. The US is much more concerned about head on and rear-end collisions than Europe is.

Also, as was pointed out before, there is not a whole lot of advantage in the Us to a shorter cab. They don't really apeal to American aesthetics, and are easier and cheaper to build.

[Mike]

They don't really apeal to American aesthetics, and are easier and cheaper to build.

I think you can safely rule out aesthetics, logistics companies don't care for aesthetics but for what is efficient. Also, historically trucks in Europe had the same long nose like those in the US still have. There must be some market pressure like i.e. the length restriction in Europe that some forumers already mentioned which led to the abolishment of the long nose and to the introduction fo the cab-over design in Europe.

[Mike]

An important advantage of the cabover design seems to be the turn radius which certainly is much more an issue in Europe with its small historic streets in many city centers.

[el tico]

Nice aussie trucks might (=mate)

[el tico]

Central American trucks (Costa Rica):


http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/1031/granada0011sm0sp.jpg


http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/8027/acrjodietrucksjpg6kv.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/5356/camion6jk.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/1030/2t1qr.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/3769/30nb.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/2339/3t2ml.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/5425/20058fi.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/854/a1201ej.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/9254/aug89sg.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/8458/may67dl.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/4278/may93nt.jpg

http://img398.imageshack.us/img398/7008/may101mc.jpg

:)

[andysimo123]

A couple of the latest European Trucks.
Volvo FH16
Its not really a small engine like most people will think. Its got a big 16 liter 610bhp or 550bhp engine.
http://www.fh16.volvotrucks.com/images/misc/wallpapers/quary1024_768.jpg
Mercedes Actros
V8 Turbo 537bhp
http://www.bures4x4.cz/pictures/mercedes_actros_1024_1.jpg
ERF
480bhp engine
http://www.chrishodgephotos.co.uk/funpics/pixww/2004/04nec15.jpg
Renault Megnum
480 bhp engine
http://www.tnn.co.uk/Manufacturers/plonearticle.2005-02-03.8283785294/Image00018836

[HighSpeedTrain]

is funny how aussie trucks look american but have the controls at right like in the UK :D

[demanjo]

Because we drive on the left hand side of the road, like the UK :)

[edolen1]

Eh, I wouldn't say flat-nose trucks are that much weaker than long-nose trucks (relative to the weight of the cargo), they may just look that way to some people..

[aatbloke]

is funny how aussie trucks look american but have the controls at right like in the UK :D

It's funny? Australia is just a RHD market, that's all. What's funny about it?

[aatbloke]

Eh, I wouldn't say flat-nose trucks are that much weaker than long-nose trucks (relative to the weight of the cargo), they may just look that way to some people..

Some comments on here literally defy belief...

[invincible]

World's longest road train - 79 trailers, 1018m long - 1072 tonnes hauled 8km.

http://www.gouldtransport.com.au/images/gallery/wr2.jpg

:D

[carfentanyl]

I drive the Dutch A16 pretty often which is the freeway between Rotterdam(Europe's largest port) and Antwerpen (Europe's 2nd largest port). These ports are only about a 100 km (60 miles) apart and it's imo by far the busiest freeway in Europe (and maybe even the world) when it comes to amount of trucks driving it. The most right lane is pretty much a continuous parade of trucks.

So I'm glad we don't have too many "big nose "trucks. They would not haul more cargo, only bring more traffic jams. They're just too inefficient in this crowded country.

[Architorture]

alot has to do with transcontinental journeys...something that isn't as common or long when driving through europe...

[FM 2258]

Ah yes, Road Trains. The longest combinations in the world. The longest is 6 trailers.

http://www.aig.asn.au/images/road_train.jpg


I have to give credit to Australia, those road trains are awesome. I wish we could see those in the U.S. :)

[HighSpeedTrain]

yes im amazed by Australia's system.

[demanjo]

Well theres hardly any traffic on these long haul trips, especially when the route is inland. On some inland roads aswell, there are no speed limits, so that contributes aswell to their realisation.

[sequoias]

Well theres hardly any traffic on these long haul trips, especially when the route is inland. On some inland roads aswell, there are no speed limits, so that contributes aswell to their realisation.

no speed limit? Hmmm, do those road trains go pretty fast? I wonder :)

[mic of Orion]

OK I love this Trucks, they are US military trucks, they are way massive and powerful, one can easily transport 70tone tank or even 2, as you can ce on following picture, they are also very tall, about 3.75m at the top of the cab and ground clearance is 75cm or 30 inches, the bumper height is cool 85 centimetres, which means in crash accidents this truck is as safe as it gets...

http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/5760/het15ew.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/4020/het2wx.jpg

http://www.oshkoshtruckcorporation.com/

Croatian Army truck - this one with MLRS system at the back, 12x256mm system - range 55km, just in case you wonder, lol...
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/9638/orkan54mc.jpg

All these are road trucks with 6x6 wheal base or 8x8... :cheers:

[Cloudship]

I think you can safely rule out aesthetics, logistics companies don't care for aesthetics but for what is efficient. [\quote]

Actually, the logistics companies primarily are purchasers of the smaller 18 wheelers. Independant operators tend to be the ones buying the newer large rigs. And that tends to be a rougher, more conservative chrome loving crowd.

[quote]Eh, I wouldn't say flat-nose trucks are that much weaker than long-nose trucks (relative to the weight of the cargo), they may just look that way to some people..

It's not the strength per say, but the fact that if you were to run into something, the driver is going to be one of the first things to hit in a cab over, whereas in a conventional truck, there's the whole engine to go through first.

One other thing was pointed out to me - believe it or not, conventional trucks are more aerodynamic than cab-overs. Cabovers present a large flat face to the wind, whereas conventional cabs are lower and give the air more chance to divert. This really makes a big difference when driving without a trailer, apparently.

[aatbloke]

[quote]I think you can safely rule out aesthetics, logistics companies don't care for aesthetics but for what is efficient. [\quote]

Actually, the logistics companies primarily are purchasers of the smaller 18 wheelers. Independant operators tend to be the ones buying the newer large rigs. And that tends to be a rougher, more conservative chrome loving crowd.



It's not the strength per say, but the fact that if you were to run into something, the driver is going to be one of the first things to hit in a cab over, whereas in a conventional truck, there's the whole engine to go through first.

One other thing was pointed out to me - believe it or not, conventional trucks are more aerodynamic than cab-overs. Cabovers present a large flat face to the wind, whereas conventional cabs are lower and give the air more chance to divert. This really makes a big difference when driving without a trailer, apparently.

Conventional to whom? Oh, and by the way, it's "per se", not "per say"...

[invincible]

no speed limit? Hmmm, do those road trains go pretty fast? I wonder :)

Heavy vehicles are meant to be limited to 100km/h and I don't think that these would be capable of much faster than that.

[edolen1]

It's not the strength per say, but the fact that if you were to run into something, the driver is going to be one of the first things to hit in a cab over, whereas in a conventional truck, there's the whole engine to go through first.
Yeah, but it's still the car driver that's gonna get the worst of it.. :D

[ryanr]

I like European trucks over American ones. Scania, MAN, Volvo, Mercedes and Renault trucks are better than International, Mack, etc trucks imo.

[Ted Ward]

Well theres hardly any traffic on these long haul trips, especially when the route is inland. On some inland roads aswell, there are no speed limits, so that contributes aswell to their realisation.

re aussie road trains - another reason for them is the lack of a rail network accross australia.

The cabs with the big snout are really a really impressive sight - it can be quite intimidating to have one of those in your rear view.

[zonie]

I think you can safely rule out aesthetics, logistics companies don't care for aesthetics but for what is efficient.
No, you can't discount aesthetics. Every business is marketing in some way, including logistics companies. Of course, this is a more important factor for manufacturers and other companies that ship their own goods.

[zergcerebrates]

Well I live in America and I don't like those big rigs at all. Infact I like the European trucks more to me they look better. I don't know about other parts of the world but European and Asian roads are narrower and with these big rigs in those places its very hard for them to maneuver or park. Most Asian countries like, Japan, and China utilize train more.

[zergcerebrates]

Sweet Machines:

http://www.lkw-stefan.de/grund/scania%201024x768.jpg
http://www.lkw-stefan.de/grund/R470_800x600.jpg
http://www.wenv.nl/site/jlm/Scania%208x4%20(2).JPG
http://www.steinhagen-modelltechnik.de/trucks/images/euro_original/Scania-4Achser-Boeckenholt_Scan2028.jpg