I’m a firm believer there is no such thing as a coincidence. Mortals use that definition to explain something they can’t explain, there IS a reason why something happened
YouTuber Bruce Wilson, from the Scania COE trucks in Florida, visited Sweden and Finland and saw the convertible Scania built by Svempas (from the above post). So he decided to remove the top from his Scania COE when he returned to Florida: Check out his video:
This grumpy old man hates rolling coal. We have to breathe that stuff. IMHO that Scania driver is an inconsiderate jerk.
Yup, but for a different reason: A burnout doesn't prove anything, as doesn't rolling coal, and it's a waste of good tires. I have mentioned this before, but the longest strip of rubber that I have ever seen laid down was by a '49 or '50 Ford six.
Im not trying to prove anything to anyone. I do long smokie burnouts cause Im happy. And I do double stripes!
In Europe truck overall length is regulated. In the USA there are no federal overall length regulations - only trailer length regulations. Cabovers as a practical matter, are pretty much the only way to meet the overall length requirements in Europe. I have travelled around Europe a bit, and I have found that models of American conventional cab trucks are very popular.
It's not the truck length, we also use longer trucks (25.25 metres / 82.8 feet), but the roads and roundabouts are not designed for conventional trucks. It's better to sit on top of the steering axle when there's less space to swing wide. Here's a Scania LZV (Lang Zwaar Voertuig = Long Heavy Vehicle) in the Netherlands with a total length of 25.25 metres Sorry but that's not true John, if I come across 2 conventional (= long hood) American (working) trucks in 1 single year, it's a lot.
There are overall truck and trailer length regulations on US federal roads. IIRC, truck tractors cannot exceed a 344 inch wheelbase. Trailer length is regulated to 53 feet. Some states allow two 53 foot trailers, aka Turnpike Doubles, and/or three 27 foot trailers (wiggle wagons), to be pulled by a single truck on certain limited access routes. These require special permits, additional driver training and a CDL endorsement. They're usually speed limited as well. Each state, and some cities, also have their own length regulations for both trailers and combination units when operating off federal routes. NYC for example, still has a 55 foot overall length law, but it's seldom seriously enforced AFAIK. It can be mind boggling trying to keep up with various rules. I won't get into permitted oversized loads, as my knowledge about them isn't as great. I do know each state requires its own permit and may direct which routes can be used, as well as restrict driving to specific times of day (or night).
Volvo is back on top of Scania in their ongoing most powerful truck race. Scania was the king for the last 3 years with the 2021 Scania R770 HP with a 770 HP 16.4 litre V8, the torque number is 3300 Nm/2,433 foot-pounds. This summer Volvo is introducing the 2024 Volvo FH16 AERO with a 17 litre 6-cylinder inline 780 HP engine, the torque number is 3,800 Nm/2,802 foot-pounds:
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I pull a 57 footer pretty much every day at the new job and I know we send the 57' to and from Oklahoma City. They have the turnpike doubles up there but I don't think they are legal in Texas.
I remember reading years ago that Texas would begin allowing 57 footers in certain areas of the state. What's the maximum axle spacing when pulling those? Is it still 41 feet, 43.5 feet, or more?
I don't know there is a limit. Some guys pull em up and others like em way back. I usually take note of where it is when i pretrip and adjust my driving accordingly. Too much hassle to move em to me. I pulled five different trailers yesterday and it would have been six but I pulled one of them twice. Though these slide way easier than any but the newest Yellow trailers I pulled there. Most of them were rusted into place and will probably never slide again.
What exactly is the purpose of sliding the trailer axles? Is it dependent on the load/weight of the trailer? Dependent on the desired weight wanted on the drive axles? Turning ability on city streets? I’m gonna guess tongue weight, #2 reason?
The number 1 reason is to ensure you don't exceed the 34,000 lb drive and trailer axle group weight limit on US Interstates and most US numbered highways. Canada permits 17,500 kgs or about 37,450 lbs per axle group. Maneuverability in cities, especially older northeastern ones can be a factor. Many customers require drivers to move trailer tandems to the rearmost position when at their loading docks. Doing this reduces the suspension bounce from forklifts going in and out, plus allows trailer securing devices to keep them from moving away from the loading dock. And then we have California...... Their rules require no more than 40 feet from trailer kingpin to the center of rearmost axle while also complying with the above 34,000 axle group rule. Some drivers prefer to have more weight on the drive axles. I preferred to even the weights out as much as possible.
