What trucks are the most comfortable to drive?

Discussion in 'Experienced Truckers' Advice' started by b303, Oct 3, 2015.

  1. b303

    b303 Bobtail Member

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    I'm curious about everyone's opinions about the most comfortable trucks. I'm not looking for sleeper accommodations, or technical specs or gadgets that make life easier. I'm interested in the pure ergonomics of driving a truck that don't make your back/legs/arm hurt after 11 hours.
    I'm currently driving (for the most part) a newish (155k miles) Kenworth T680 sleeper, and I LOVE LOVE LOVE it. The clutch is super soft, it shifts super smooth and easy (normal 10 speed) and the ergonomics of the seat/clutch/accelerator along with the easy to access dash controls make life so much easier. Also, the visibility is as good as I could hope for, with a huge windshield, and well placed, easy to adjust mirrors. Not the most powerful truck (climbing the mountains of Colorado with a full load can be a slow ride sometimes) but that's not a big concern for me as a company (and very cautious) driver. The Jake Brake, however, is plenty powerful enough to make the descents a relatively uneventful affair.
    I'm also occasionally put in in an International Prostar sleeper (around 350k miles). Its a nice enough truck, with plenty of storage on the dash for my wallet/phone/smokes, etc... My biggest complaints are a very stiff clutch that travels well below the level of the brake/accelerator, and very little leg room to stretch out (even a little bit) on longer stretches of highway. The visibility is ok, not great. The mirrors could be a bit farther forward for my taste, but that might just be me. It's just not terribly comfortable to sit in for very long.
    I occasionally drive a Hino automatic straight truck (No idea the model) which is fairly comfortable and super easy to drive. The automatic transmission is predictable and works really well.
    I also occasionally drive Kenworth straight trucks (T270 or T370 maybe, I'm not sure which, if either). These trucks are generally awful. They seem well built, but the cabs are extremely small. I have the seat all the way back, and have only a few inches of headroom at normal sitting position, and I am only about 5'8" or 5'9" and 195 lbs. Hardly a large man. Your legs are straddling the steering column, so there is no way to stretch or move your legs at all while driving, and there is a large center console/arm rest about midchest height (for me) making shifting less than comfortable. One of my biggest complaints, though, may seem minor. There is no useful cupholder. The only one in the cab is in the center console (again, about midchest height, and even with your body) which would, at best, hold a can of soda without spilling it. What about local delivery drivers, who are generally unloading freight by pallet jack or dolly? We tend to work hard, and need to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Where are you supposed to put it, outside of the dash? (I personally hate things on the dash. They block air vents, reflect off the windshield, and generally look sloppy.) I can't imagine how they got one cab so absolutely right (the T680) while getting their tiny straight trucks so wrong, outside of pure cost saving. I LOVE my T680 and ABSOLUTELY HATE our Kenworth straight trucks.
    I guess my real question is, which trucks does everybody find the most comfortable to drive? I have no issue busting ### for 14 hours a day, but if I'm going to do it, I at least want a truck that won't screw up my back, shoulder, legs, etc...
     
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  3. G.Anthony

    G.Anthony Road Train Member

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    to me, i have found that pretty much when i drive a day cab, and with the short wheel base, they are all pretty much the same as far as ride quality goes. i have driven, Mack, IH, Freightshaker, Ford.

    as far as sleepers, i have driven Freightshakers, Volvo's, Petes, K/W, Western Star.

    i think i can say, the Volvo was best, and that was long before the trucks of nowadays.

    then the Pete, then the Freightshaker.

    the Western Star, was a body killer to me. very rough riding. how they are now, i cannot say.

    as far as shifter locations, or design, i think the IH stinks, all others are better. as far as seats, i can only say i drove what was installed, many times, National Seating i think. dash locations of switches, i liked the wrap around of the Freighshakers, as i didn't have to lean too far over (as in the case of the others) to flip a switch, or read a gauge.
     
    Last edited: Oct 3, 2015
  4. Canned Spam

    Canned Spam Road Train Member

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    Drove a 2015 Mack day cab the other day and really liked it.
     
  5. supersnackbar

    supersnackbar Road Train Member

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    The last Volvo I drove (the old 770, so it's been a while) was one of the smoothest and quietest trucks I had ever been in. So quiet you almost couldn't float gears by sound. Rode like a 70's Caddy. Room to roam, front and back. I am currently in a '13 Prostar. I don't have the stiff clutch issue you experienced. In fact, it more closely resembles a passenger vehicle clutch since Prostar's are hydraulic. Although I have to agree, the shifter is stupid, if you have anything tall in the cup holder, it knocks it over, and what ever idiot decided to put the 4-way flasher switch on top of the steering wheel should be demoted to toilet brush designer. Plus the gauge location is awkward. If you set the wheel where you are comfortable, it obsures 1/2 the gauges and the LCD screen

    I had driven mostly Freightliners (up to the point when the Cascadia was introduced) so I couldn't voice an opinion on modern Freightliners, but a lot of people love Cascadia's.
     
  6. Straight Stacks

    Straight Stacks Paper Cha$er

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    The one with your name on the title
     
  7. dedrouteCO

    dedrouteCO Medium Load Member

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    Volvo is what everyone says. I've only driven Freightliners and Peterbilt. Peterbilt is more comfortable but also newer.
     
  8. heavyhaulerss

    heavyhaulerss Road Train Member

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    I drive a 95 intl coe. it is the only truck I ever drove, so I have nothing to compare it too. it is not a comfortable ride, but hey... I''ll never fall asleep at the wheel either.:)
     
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  9. okiedokie

    okiedokie Road Train Member

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    Depends on what the truck is designed to haul and its age,ect. I drove a newer Volvo freight truck that was nice. It was cheap compared to a HH Canadian built Western star. Can only imagine what a Volvo would be like in a wreck.
     
  10. scythe08

    scythe08 Road Train Member

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    Volvo was my favorite ride. The sleeper was a tad smaller than the century/cascadia, but I loved all the little Volvo features.
    But physically fl and vovlo, I can do 600 miles and not want to shoot myself. The truck I hated most was a kw day cab that I drove for 6 years. My back never ever bothers except when I drove that truck
     
  11. thelushlarry

    thelushlarry Road Train Member

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    With no lien attached!!
     
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