Long Wheelbase Trucks Interesting SECRETS That Might SAVE You!

Trucks with long wheelbases have some interesting features you would probably want to know.
Without trucks the world would be in a totally different place and our modern comforts wouldn’t exist the way we know it. In the United States there are already 14 million trucks on the road. A large portion of these trucks are the long wheelbase trucks.
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Let's delve into the concept of wheelbase - what exactly is it, how to measure it accurately, and why it holds significance. Wheelbase is essentially the distance between the center point of the front axle and the midpoint between the drive axles at the rear. In the earlier days, particularly up until the mid-1960s, tractor-trailer lengths in the U.S. were capped at 55 feet overall. This meant that there was a strict maximum length limit for tractor-trailer configurations.
However, as we transitioned into the late 1960s and early 1970s, there was a shift in perspective. Shippers began lobbying the federal government for longer trailers, initially increasing from 35 to 40 feet. Consequently, trailer lengths started to grow in order to meet the demands of shippers. Yet, there was a dilemma - as trailers extended, tractors had to be shortened to maintain the overall length restriction of 55 feet. This posed challenges for truck drivers and companies alike, as smaller trucks weren't conducive to longer journeys, despite the push for increased efficiency.
Recognizing these issues, around 1970, the federal authorities intervened. They realized that the imposed restrictions were burdensome on truck drivers and hindered operational efficiency. Thus, they made a pivotal decision to eliminate the overall length restriction, allowing each state to determine its own regulations regarding trailer lengths. Consequently, the focus shifted solely to trailer length measurements, granting more flexibility for truck designs. This strategic move not only accommodated the evolving needs of the industry but also addressed practical concerns such as road conditions, ensuring that trucks could adapt to varying terrains more effectively.
Even in those days, the federal authorities faced financial constraints in addressing infrastructure issues like potholes. To alleviate some of the challenges faced by truckers, they opted for a slightly longer wheelbase. This adjustment not only improved the ride quality for drivers but also allowed for larger sleeping quarters, contributing to driver satisfaction. Moreover, it tackled the issue of swing depth clearance, which refers to the distance between the truck and the trailer during sharp turns, thus preventing collisions. By extending the wheelbase, instances of damaged bunk extenders, a common sight in the past, became less frequent.
Additionally, extending the wheelbase offered various other benefits. For example, it provided more airflow to refrigerated units when pulling a reefer trailer compared to a setup where the tractor was tightly positioned against the reefer unit, enhancing efficiency. Importantly, regardless of the trailer length's legal requirements at the time, extending the tractor length was permissible. It's crucial to note that this occurred in the era before air ride suspension systems were widespread, meaning that longer wheelbases were particularly beneficial for maintaining stability and comfort on the road.
Disadvantages: While there were a few drawbacks, they weren't particularly significant at the time. One drawback was the slightly increased fuel consumption. However, considering that fuel prices were only around 50 cents per gallon back then, the extra cost wasn't a major concern for most. Relaxing the overall length regulation allowed trailers to grow larger while ensuring trucks became more comfortable, accommodating larger sleeping quarters based on drivers' preferences for extended stays on the road. Dropping the overall length regulation was advantageous for drivers, offering more comfort and flexibility.
Advantages: Every action has its consequences, and allowing longer wheelbases had its own set of advantages and drawbacks. One noticeable advantage was the increased stability that came with a longer wheelbase. However, this also meant heavier trucks, which required additional reinforcement, adding weight and potentially compromising maneuverability. To address this, improvements were made in steering mechanisms, particularly in larger, conventional trucks.
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