Cab-under truck

Krzy18whlr · #1 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 02:15 PM

A friend told me they were experimenting with this concept in the 70s/80s to get around length laws. Anyone ever seen one of these? Anyone have a picture? I've been an avid truck nut since I was a kid and I missed this one!

RickyRicardo · #2 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 03:49 PM

Go to Barnes & Noble or other book store and look for those big hardcover books about trucks. Usually The History of Trucking or something like that. You should find it. It was a 70s concept with the driver in a box under the nose of what was basicly a motorized trailer. Totally hilarious. They also show a conventional Ford tractor with this Star Trek looking fairing that actually looks remarkably similar to todays trucks.

Krzy18whlr · #3 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 03:59 PM

Thanks RickeyRicardo. Could you imagine what this concept would do to "drop and hook" operations? You'd be constantly slip seating and Lord knows what you'd end up with!

pcuthbert · #4 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 04:28 PM

I think that there was a TV show that showed this particular tractor.

Not sure if it was Kitt or not?

Apostolic · #5 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 05:01 PM

This very topic was posted on the truckingboards sometime last year.

It was a very limited production design,if I can remember I think there was only 2 or three of these cab under trailer units ever built.

Although I am old enough to remember when this idea was sprotting its ugly head in the trucking idustry.
I remember the Teamster leaders felt it was unsafe,and said no Teamster driver would ever have to drive one.

I did see one of the ones built one time,it was under a flat bed trailer.

I know I would of never wanted to drive one of those limited addition cab unders myself.

pro1driver · #6 (**permalink**) 10-10-2008, 06:01 PM

as of right now i cannot find those concepts trucks of years ago, but i am still trying.

i did find a "sort of" new cabover truck that is still in the concept mode.

here is one concept:

Renault Radiance concept truck shown at Hannover IAA

and here is at least one other:

Volvo BeeVan Concept Design is Ahead of the Curve | Design News

i too remember those cab under trucks. i am glad they never came to be.

we have an advantage right now, and that is our height in the cab. we can see clearly for about 1 mile ahead. if we were to be "under" the trailer, we would be at the same view point of the 4 wheelers, and that ain't no advantage at all......we wouldn't be able to see trouble up ahead like we can now.