The Trucks of Old
Vehicles were eccentric, and the driver's lives eventful. Trucks caught fire while going down the long western
grades, or shuddered to a steaming halt while going uphill, leaving the drivers to leap out and quickly block the
wheels.
In the winter, drivers were likely to freeze, while the summer would have them roasting in their cabs. Attempts
were often made to warm up winter driving by diverting engine heat through holes cut in the wooden floors. One
common result of this was that the oil-soaked boards wold catch fire after coming into contact with red hot
manifolds.
However, the thought of driver comfort was there, and the manufacturers began to include items such as padded
seats and electric light. Later, operators were able to specify such things as speedometers, bulb horns and
rear-view mirrors. By the 1930's, most trucks were built with proper cabs with opening doors and windows, and
drivers were soon building their own sleepers.
Vehicles were eccentric, and the driver's lives eventful. Trucks caught fire while going down the long western
grades, or shuddered to a steaming halt while going uphill, leaving the drivers to leap out and quickly block the
wheels.
In the winter, drivers were likely to freeze, while the summer would have them roasting in their cabs. Attempts
were often made to warm up winter driving by diverting engine heat through holes cut in the wooden floors. One
common result of this was that the oil-soaked boards wold catch fire after coming into contact with red hot
manifolds.
However, the thought of driver comfort was there, and the manufacturers began to include items such as padded
seats and electric light. Later, operators were able to specify such things as speedometers, bulb horns and
rear-view mirrors. By the 1930's, most trucks were built with proper cabs with opening doors and windows, and
drivers were soon building their own sleepers.
The Missouri Motor Carriers Association is dedicated to driver safety and trailer security, be sure
to visit this group at http://www.motrucking.org
to visit this group at http://www.motrucking.org
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