I’ve just been reading in another thread, the slaggings off of the much beloved Merc Actros Fatgit cab and it got me doing the dangerous thing of thinking.
I work as a relief driver* for a company running containers out of Britain’s (alleged) Premier Port. Yeah - right oh 
This means that I drive (tramping) a different truck more or less week by turn.
By and large the fleet/contract is Volvo, Merc, MAN, with a few of these new DAF 105(?) - oh, and I noticed a couple of Scania the other week, but haven’t yet had one.
I can’t tell you about the techy/deiselsmoke stuff. They’re all high roof tramping cabs. Other than that - “I only drive the ■■■■■■ thing” is my view. (to a point 
)
Sooooooooo
I was thinking . . . .
I’d start with the Actros as base, but I’d want to nick and borrow bits from the others. I quite like Granny’s 30s sideboard as the dash. It’s perfect with the pockets and cubbyholes for two of my most important bits of kit - Kitchen timer and my mobli. They sit in the two cup holders next the wheel, so are visible and reachable.
I actually quite like the gearbox - once I’d learned the new Actros mantra that is “Gimme a ■■■■■■ gear, you [zb]” as I negotiated complicated donuts trying to avoid those that don’t actually “drive” their vehicles 
But I would want to add. . . . . . . .
the comfort shift button from the MAN so as to not need the clutch
the mirror control from MAN, so I could adjust all 4 main mirrors. (In fact, when I had a smaller MAN, I could even adjust 5 
but that’s just the cynic in me )
But I’d have the actual mirrors from the Volvo. I’m aware of the feeling regarding blind spots, but I’m happy to incorporate a bit of bobbing and weaving of the head into my incab fizzical excercise regime 
I’d keep the Merc cruise control so I didn’t have to reset/resume after gear change AND it remembers overnight where it was set the previous day. (Bonus for a lazy git like me)
(I’d remove the new “driver blame” mirror from all marques)
Top bunks would also be removed from all marques. Gives me more room to run around when I’m “entertaining” visitors.
I’d change the bottom draw under the bunk for a fridge - DAF 10 stylee.
The “computer/into system” in the dash, I’m undecided about. I like the Actros, but I’ve found the Volvo both entertaining and informative. (A bit like the BBC ■■? 
)
And of course, the exhaust/engine break system of choice would be Volvo. You can really put the wind up tailgaters with that one. Better when not loaded/light loaded 
Night time comfort panel would be a ■■■■■■■■■■■■■■ from MAN and Merc, complete with dimmer switches for the internal lights - it sets a much more romantic atmosphere when entertaining. But it would be up on the bulkhead, rather than below the bunk as in the MAN.
Bunk width would be either Merc or MAN. I find the Volvos far too skinny if I’m visited by a lady of larger proportion (apparently you can’t say fatbird in this day and age)
That’s about as much as I can remember sat here at home. More might come to mind next week
Wadya reckon ■■?
How would you build your perfect cab ?
*relief driver - Employed fulltime on enhanched (almost laughable) wage and benefits, covering holidays, sick periods and odd days off. I think they have something against Agencies
