When Did They Stop Making Cabover Trucks?
In the world of commercial trucking, the shift from cabover designs to conventional configurations has been a topic of both curiosity and debate. Many believe that cabover trucks, also known as COE (Cab Over Engine) trucks, stopped being produced in the United States decades ago. However, a closer look reveals a more complex story, with Europe leading the shift in the opposite direction.
Continued Production and Usage of Cabover Trucks
Contrary to popular belief, cabover trucks are still being manufactured and utilized in various parts of the world. They are particularly common in Europe and regions outside the United States. The classic reason for their continued use is safety. Traditional forward control cabs or the original Econoline-style vans were phased out largely due to relatively lower safety standards in high-speed accidents. Design characteristics of cabovers, like those of the GMC Crackerbox, were ideal for short-day cab use, maximizing legal combination length for freight hauls. Yet, they often faced safety concerns in later high-speed scenarios.
Moreover, cabover trucks are still in use by refuse collectors and terminal contractors. Major manufacturers such as Kenworth, Mercedes, Scania, Volvo, MAN, and DAF continue to produce and sell high-quality cabover trucks for the European market. These trucks, with their enhanced design features, offer significant advantages in terms of safety and load capacity within the European length regulations.
The Declining Years of Cabover Trucks in the U.S.
In the United States, the heyday of cabover trucks was from the 1940s through the 1970s. Strict length regulations of 65 feet for combination commercial vehicles played a crucial role in the decline of cabovers. The lifting of these regulations in 1977 to 75 feet further accelerated their decrease. The advent of larger carriers opting for conventional truck designs heavily contributed to the decline of cabovers in the U.S. market.
Specific manufacturers ceased production of cabovers in the late 2000s. Peterbuilt discontinued their cabover designs in 2005, and Freightliner followed suit in 2006. Despite these developments, the concept of cabover trucks is still relevant and embraced in certain contexts, especially where smaller, more flexible designs are preferred.
Current Trends in Europe
In Europe, the opposite trend is more prominently observed. Conventional trucks are becoming a rare sight, even in areas where they were once prevalent. This shift can be attributed to the overall length restrictions on international journeys, which favor trucks with shorter cabs to maximize load capacity.
When I was a child, a cab-over-engine truck was a rare and peculiar sight, almost like seeing some alien spacecraft. However, since the year 2000, conventional trucks have become increasingly uncommon in Europe. The European Union introduced length regulations that favor designs with shorter cabs, which offer more cargo space. This has led to a resurgence in the popularity of cabover trucks in the region, making them a preferred choice in many industries that value efficiency and safety.
As commercial transportation continues to evolve, the use and design of cabover trucks will likely remain a topic of interest for both industry professionals and enthusiasts. Whether you're a trucker, a fleet manager, or a casual observer, the story of these iconic vehicles is a valuable lesson in the dynamic nature of the commercial transportation industry.