Trucks rely heavily on roads as their base of operations to transport goods throughout Europe – 77% of it by road freight transport alone!
New offerings challenge the definition of what constitutes a truck, questioning whether utility is the sole hallmark of truckiness.
The History of Trucks
Trucks have long been an integral part of American history and culture. Since their introduction into industrialized transport systems, trucks have been serving to transport goods across many distances.
As soon as World War I ended, trucking companies started emerging to transport goods over longer distances. New roads allowed this trend, leading to the development of semi-trucks able to carry heavier loads. This marked the dawn of trucking as we know it today.
By the 1920s and 1930s, trucking had reached its zenith in America. Thanks to automobiles, increased goods demand, improved roads, and trucking regulations such as Interstate Commerce Commission oversight of freight transport, this industry saw unprecedented growth.
The American Truck Historical Society (ATHS) was founded in 1971 to perpetuate the legacy of trucking industry. We are the world’s premier repository of trucking history, housing technical manuals, books, contemporary journals, photographs and folk art from this industry. Additionally, we host educational and entertaining webinars for our members about manufacturing history or troubleshooting air systems – something for everyone!
The Development of Pickup Trucks
The Pickup Truck Market is expanding due to an increasing need for multi-purpose vehicles with cargo space. Last-mile delivery services have also caused demand for utility trucks in both developed and developing countries to surge. Furthermore, advancements in technology combined with online shopping has catapulted pickup truck sales exponentially.
Therefore, manufacturers are placing more importance than ever on exterior design and technology for pickup trucks, responding to consumer’s growing desire for stylish modern vehicles that meet lifestyle needs. Furthermore, more powerful engines have contributed to an increase in pickup sales.
Today’s supersized pickups can do almost everything a car can do, only better due to their power, precision and style. Unfortunately, their growing popularity raises serious safety concerns among pedestrians and other drivers on the road; their large size may obscure pedestrians from view in blind spots while their weight could cause devastating injuries should one be hit by one.
Although there are various methods for dealing with these issues, it’s essential that automotive engineers acknowledge the forces responsible for driving pickup truck mania. If automotive engineers want to keep their customers satisfied, they will have to address societal factors which push pickup trucks into dangerous territory.
The Development of Forward-Control Trucks
Volvo decided to expand forward-control truck production after experiencing success with their light-duty L42/L43 F trucks, yet one major obstacle stood in their way: they needed something capable of withstanding the demands associated with heavy-duty chassis vehicles.
Over time, however, they would finally achieve success: in 1962 saw the introduction of their first cab-over engine (COE) truck; its cab was mounted above the front axle unlike traditional trucks where engine was located directly in front of driver seat. It quickly proved popular.
The COE trucks were equipped with a unique cab-over design which enabled them to carry significantly greater loads than regular pickups, as well as wider tracks and four-wheel traction for improved maneuverability and four-wheel traction maneuverability. Marketed as work vehicles for fire departments, public works agencies and forestry operations. An FC variant known as the 101 Gun Tractor attempted to appeal to military buyers but didn’t work out.
The Jeep Forward Control was an unusual vehicle designed by Willys, featuring power outlets, perimeter lighting and an overhead third brake light which doubled as a third brake light. Additionally, its bed could be equipped with a bed divider to secure and separate cargo in the back of the truck. While production ended in 1965 due to licensing agreements with manufacturers in India and Spain; today the Forward Control lives on through long-term licensing arrangements between manufacturers of India and Spain.
The Development of Flat-Nosed Trucks
Flat-fronted trucks were once widely popular across America, yet today you rarely see one due to legislation concerning overall vehicle length restrictions.
European trucks often find themselves restricted by these regulations, having to abide by shorter distance and size requirements on roads and highways, thus prioritizing maneuverability over comfort.
European cities often favour COE (cab over engine) trucks for city driving; these models provide comfort-minded long hauling truckers a more relaxing cabin.
Conventional nose trucks feature longer wheelbases that make them better suited to high-speed highway driving, with their larger spacing between axles absorbing bumps more effectively and improving straight-line stability. Furthermore, their driver cab is further from their engine which reduces noise pollution and vibration levels significantly.
Conventional nose trucks provide another great advantage over COE designs in that they can easily be converted into living spaces with beds, kitchens and fridges – something not possible with COE designs as the cab sits directly over the engine.
The main disadvantage is the cab over engine design of these trucks requires you to tilt forward in order to access their engines – something which may take up to 30 minutes and means all items within the cab need to be secured or removed before beginning work.