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Trucks come in all shapes, sizes, styles and types. Most have manual transmissions with as many as
eighteen speeds including split gears which are high and low settings on those gears. Some manufacturers
are producing trucks with automatic transmissions, which are easier to drive but are considered to be less of
a truck by the long time drivers, many of whom started out driving trucks with manual breaks, steering and no
airconditioning.
A “one stack Mack with a window in the back”, describes a Mack “day-cab” truck. Generally intended for day-
time driving, day-cabs are generally “Cab-Overs” which means the cab of the truck actually sits over the
engine and they don’t have sleeping compartments. That’s a tight squeeze for some of the larger
drivers.
The next step up is a truck with a crawl-in sleeper. There is no room to stand up in a crawl-in and the driver
usually has to climb over the engine to get into the sleeper, which is little larger than a coffin and has little
storage space. These trucks are generally used to transport freight within a three of four state area that
keeps the driver out for only two or three days.
In walk-in sleepers and studio sleepers, you can stand up and even walk a step or two. Many walk-ins and
studios are equipped with closet space, storage compartments and small refrigerators. A specially modified
truck with a stretched wheel base may have a large living quarters with a sink, shower and toilet much like a
self contained motor home.
There are many different models of semi-trucks on the road. Most truck manufacturers have a large line of
styles ranging from day-cabs to top of the line studio sleepers and for the right price, the manufacturer will
build a truck to the owners’ specifications including a kitchen area, shower, toilet and much
more.
We saw one in Texas that had Parkey flooring, plush carpeting on the walls and ceiling and a beautiful mural
painted on the outside. Of course drivers have come up with CB slang names for the different model trucks.
Frieghtliners are referred to as “Frieghtshakers”. While Peterbilt trucks are called “Petercars” and Kenworth
trucks are called “K Whoppers” or “Kitty Whoppers”.
Most semi-truck engines are built to pull heavy loads up to 81,000 pounds and can travel at speeds of 75 to
120 miles per hour. “Driver, I’m proceeding at a ridiculous rate of fuel consumption!” The fuel tanks on many
truck can hold 200 hundred gallons or more and get between 4 ½ to 6 miles per gallon. Many trucks today
are equipped with pollution control devices and there is a move by manufacturers to produce cleaner
burning, more efficient engines.
eighteen speeds including split gears which are high and low settings on those gears. Some manufacturers
are producing trucks with automatic transmissions, which are easier to drive but are considered to be less of
a truck by the long time drivers, many of whom started out driving trucks with manual breaks, steering and no
airconditioning.
A “one stack Mack with a window in the back”, describes a Mack “day-cab” truck. Generally intended for day-
time driving, day-cabs are generally “Cab-Overs” which means the cab of the truck actually sits over the
engine and they don’t have sleeping compartments. That’s a tight squeeze for some of the larger
drivers.
The next step up is a truck with a crawl-in sleeper. There is no room to stand up in a crawl-in and the driver
usually has to climb over the engine to get into the sleeper, which is little larger than a coffin and has little
storage space. These trucks are generally used to transport freight within a three of four state area that
keeps the driver out for only two or three days.
In walk-in sleepers and studio sleepers, you can stand up and even walk a step or two. Many walk-ins and
studios are equipped with closet space, storage compartments and small refrigerators. A specially modified
truck with a stretched wheel base may have a large living quarters with a sink, shower and toilet much like a
self contained motor home.
There are many different models of semi-trucks on the road. Most truck manufacturers have a large line of
styles ranging from day-cabs to top of the line studio sleepers and for the right price, the manufacturer will
build a truck to the owners’ specifications including a kitchen area, shower, toilet and much
more.
We saw one in Texas that had Parkey flooring, plush carpeting on the walls and ceiling and a beautiful mural
painted on the outside. Of course drivers have come up with CB slang names for the different model trucks.
Frieghtliners are referred to as “Frieghtshakers”. While Peterbilt trucks are called “Petercars” and Kenworth
trucks are called “K Whoppers” or “Kitty Whoppers”.
Most semi-truck engines are built to pull heavy loads up to 81,000 pounds and can travel at speeds of 75 to
120 miles per hour. “Driver, I’m proceeding at a ridiculous rate of fuel consumption!” The fuel tanks on many
truck can hold 200 hundred gallons or more and get between 4 ½ to 6 miles per gallon. Many trucks today
are equipped with pollution control devices and there is a move by manufacturers to produce cleaner
burning, more efficient engines.
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