Day Cab Trucks: Everything You Need to Know

It is no secret that the economy heavily relies on the trucking industry. Communities count on trucks to ensure the smooth delivery of goods and services. Trucking companies and operators must navigate the complex task of selecting the right kind of truck for their specific needs. Factors such as fuel efficiency, load capacity, maintenance, mileage, and driver safety all come into play. 

What are Day Cab Trucks?

Day cab trucks are simply trucks without sleeper cabins. They only have a single compartment over the part of the truck engine. It’s easy to identify them because they are not like conventional trucks with engines mounted in front of the driver. Day cab trucks either have a flat-face or semi-hood, while conventional trucks have regular hoods. The truck’s cab sits above its engine and the front axle. In the North American region, day cab trucks are marked as old school semi-trucks. Other names for day cab trucks are cab-forward, cab-overs, flat nose, forward control (UK), or without sleeper trucks.

Specifications of Day Cab Trucks

Day cab trucks in Canada fall under the Class 8 tractor category, similar to their counterparts in the United States. These heavy-duty vehicles have a gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) that typically exceeds 14,969 kilograms or 33,000 pounds, and it can go up to a hefty 36,288 kilograms or 80,000 pounds. Day cab trucks in Canada are commonly equipped with 5 axles and 18 wheels, and their typical dimensions measure approximately 72 feet in length, 13.5 feet in height, and 8.5 feet in width.

One distinguishing feature of day cab trucks in Canada is their cab-over design, which allows for a shorter wheelbase compared to other truck types. The average wheelbase for these trucks ranges from approximately 245 to 265 inches, providing ample space for longer trailers. Their robust engines can hold more than 15 gallons of fuel and are capable of continuous operation. Drivers often shut them down due to factors like anti-idle regulations, routine engine servicing, or oil changes. Remarkably, day cab trucks in Canada can cover up to 1,000,000 miles before requiring a major overhaul.

Drivers should better gear up when driving a day cab truck. These cab-overs have an average of 12 gears and as many as 18 gears. It’s because they have a small power band of fewer than 750 revolutions per minute (RPM). These trucks are also half-supported by the wheels supporting the rear trailer part. So, they need more gears for optimal performance while carrying heavy loads.

Advantages of Day Cab Trucks

There are several benefits of day cab trucks over sleepers and other types of hauling trucks. Among the advantages of day cab trucks are:

• Better Maneuverability. Day cab trucks have a 30% to 40% tighter turning radius than conventional trucks. This gives them the advantage to smoothly maneuver on narrow driveways and no curb parking. The tighter turning radius can be attributed to the chassis length. 
• Fuel Efficiency. Among all hauling trucks, day cab trucks have the lightest chassis. They also weigh less. With a day cab truck, you can haul a heavier load with a lower cost of fuel.
• Greater Visibility. As the driver sits closer to a large windshield, they have excellent visibility and less obstruction, especially when maneuvering in dense areas. Day cab trucks also have windows at the back completely bonded with the truck’s rear frame. This helps drivers get a better view when backing up or hooking the rigs to the trailers

Disadvantages of Day Cab Trucks

• Harder Access to Engine. The engines of day cab trucks are situated below the driver’s seat. So, whenever there’s a fix needed, it would be harder to access the engine. The limited space only allows limited movement. Tilting the cab can also result in unsecured items to fall on the windshield.
• More Susceptible to Debris. Day cab trucks have no hoods. This makes them more prone to being hit by debris or rocks while traveling. It’s because they don’t have any front cover or protection. Having a large windshield size also contributes to the risk.
• Rougher Ride. Critiques of day cab trucks noted that day cab trucks give rougher rides. It’s because the engine is directly below the driver’s seat. 

Best Uses for Day Cab Trucks

Day cab trucks are commonly manufactured to efficiently transfer retail cargo. Their compact sizes are very popular for carrying heavy loads within urban mobility. It’s because they are a better option than sleepers besides having better maneuverability. They are not designed for long journeys. Thus, they can only be efficient to transport cargo if the travel covers less than 3 days.

Day cab trucks are widely used for the collection of rubbish and waste, moving semi-trailers from one point to another location, and transferring retail cargo.

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