European Trucking Vs. US Trucking

[Talisman22]

Compare to the two different continents and the variations in trucking between them.

[River17]

Originally Posted by Talisman22

Compare to the two different continents and the variations in trucking between them.

Talisman22

I think it is very hard to make comparisons if most driver here in the US are not familiar with the European rules and regulations.
You folks in Europe are not very familiar with the US rules and regulations either.
I have not been to Europe in over 25 years and from the truck pictures I see the trucks in Europe have not changed much. Except for the technology inside the trucks when it comes to electronics and engines there does not seem to be much change.
Here in the US our trucks have evolved since we have had truck deregulation in 1980.
Before 1980 we had lower weight and length limits. Today our trailers are longer and even our trucks are longer and more comfortable.
In Europe to the untrained eye the trucks there seem to be still in the stone age. With short tractor and trailer lengths due to smaller roads and lower speeds. Most European trucks I have seen are single drive axle with a 3 axle trailer.
Here in the US we have truck load carriers that use 53 foot trailers and less than truck load carriers that use two or three 28' 6" long pups for hauling freight.
If you like to see some old pictures of American trucks you can go here:

Hank's Transportation Page

[Dirtball]

Good post River17,
That might explain why Europiean truckers tend to stand together on issues that concern their industry where as American truckers won't agree on anything concerning our industry. Example:Two American truckers driving down the highway on a bright clear sunny day and when you ask each driver about the weather you will get two different versions and probably an argument over the CB..

[River17]

Originally Posted by Dirtball

Good post River17,
That might explain why Europiean truckers tend to stand together on issues that concern their industry where as American truckers won't agree on anything concerning our industry. Example:Two American truckers driving down the highway on a bright clear sunny day and when you ask each driver about the weather you will get two different versions and probably an argument over the CB..

Dirtball

I think you are probably referring to the French drivers that are all union and can shut down the whole country whenever they want. They have a different mind set. They pretend to work (just 35 hours a week) and the carriers just pretend to pay them a living wage. Productivity for them is a foreign language.
Here in the US most drivers log (actually work even more) 70 hours a week. Basically being twice as efficient as your typical French driver.
In the news the French were even giving their new President a hard time for jogging. I guess that is unbecoming to the French to be seen breaking a sweat.

[heyns57]

I thought the reduction in French drivers' hours was the government's way of dealing with the unemployment problem. The drivers themselves would like to work longer hours.

[heyns57]

On Hank's, a driver from United Kingdom gave the following information on European weights and lengths.

"Sweden and Finland allow 60-metric tonnes within a 25.25-metre length limit. These countries generally opt for a three axle truck pulling a four-axle full trailer or dolly and 13.6-metre semitrailer. Next highest weight in Europe is Holland with 50-tonnes on six-axles although some five-axle specials from Dutch builders Ginaf and Terberg can also gross 50-tonnes. Some countries such as Italy and Britain allow 44-tonnes on six axles but generally throughout Europe the limit is 40-tonnes on five axles. Spain allows 38-tonnes on four axles."

A metric ton equals 2,205 lbs. A meter equals 3.28 ft.

In my opinion, Europe is not behind North America in equipment or productivity. Europe regulates overall length whereas the U.S. generally controls only trailer length. Therefore, the U.S. and Canada have Large Cars and Condos. European tractors have more room in the driver's compartment and less in the sleeper.

European manufacturers have been leaders in auto-shift transmissions, on-board recorders and emissions control.