I was working for Tesco when the 114 P Cab arrived. The seat problem became evident and a thorough investigation was launched by one of the driver trainers.
This is what we were told at the time by Tesco.
It turned out that this particular vehicle was originally designed as a left hand drive vehicle only but as Tesco were keen to get things done for a price, they persuaded Scania to make a right hand drive version of it. All Scania did was move all the steering column , dashboard pedals etc to the right hand foot well. No consideration was given to redesigning the layout of the engine underneath the hump in the middle which caused the drivers to sit in a twisted fashion. The trainer suggested that we sat in the passenger side to see how much room was on that side.
Once it had been produced for one company at a price, all the other large fleet users such as Wincanton, DHL etc bought or leased them as they were cheap. Now all these similar companies seem to run Mercedes Actros or Axor, again fleet spec trucks built to a price.
Some of the drivers were asked to put claims in for back issues as the action group was being formed in about 2001 but I never found out if it had any success.
einstein:
I was working for Tesco when the 114 P Cab arrived. The seat problem became evident and a thorough investigation was launched by one of the driver trainers.
This is what we were told at the time by Tesco.
It turned out that this particular vehicle was originally designed as a left hand drive vehicle only but as Tesco were keen to get things done for a price, they persuaded Scania to make a right hand drive version of it. All Scania did was move all the steering column , dashboard pedals etc to the right hand foot well. No consideration was given to redesigning the layout of the engine underneath the hump in the middle which caused the drivers to sit in a twisted fashion. The trainer suggested that we sat in the passenger side to see how much room was on that side.
Once it had been produced for one company at a price, all the other large fleet users such as Wincanton, DHL etc bought or leased them as they were cheap. Now all these similar companies seem to run Mercedes Actros or Axor, again fleet spec trucks built to a price.
Some of the drivers were asked to put claims in for back issues as the action group was being formed in about 2001 but I never found out if it had any success.
Were they 6x2 twin steers by any chance? I know many people (like me used to run tag axles at the time)
No, these were the 4x2 only. Tesco didn’t get any in 6 wheeler versions. The first 6 wheelers to appear in the fleet were the Mercedes Axor as a mid lift unit plated for 38 ton use. These arrived in about 2003.
No Something Good, not sure of the measurements but it wasn’t by much. I like a lot of Driver’s have driven all models and Scania 114s are the only trucks that have given me any problems with my back/neck. Fortunately I no longer get back/neck problems but all of the Driver’s that were involved in the class action in the early 2000s were made to sign a disclaimer by Scania that no further legal action could be taken against Scania by those original claimants.
Good luck if you are going ahead with any action, but if you are I hope you have better advice than I did.
robbo99:
No Something Good, not sure of the measurements but it wasn’t by much. I like a lot of Driver’s have driven all models and Scania 114s are the only trucks that have given me any problems with my back/neck. Fortunately I no longer get back/neck problems but all of the Driver’s that were involved in the class action in the early 2000s were made to sign a disclaimer by Scania that no further legal action could be taken against Scania by those original claimants.
Good luck if you are going ahead with any action, but if you are I hope you have better advice than I did.
Thanks Rob - I’m just looking at another problem that causes driver fatigue (left drift) and I thought it might be related to this.
As previously said,originally designed as a LHD ,but he interior was designed with LHD in mind ,so all driver comfort was / space was on the left ,Those destined for RHD markets ,did not get a RHD made cab ,an so , in the uk the passenger has all the leg room,and comfort …And ,I will be corrected if wrong ,most other manufacturers do make a symmetrical cab ,as in both passenger and driver have roughly the same legroom …What is te point of having " The Rolls of Trucks " if it cripples you ■■? Strange what some will put up with just to have a Scania And Damoq,your just a freak
Muckaway:
The complaints will stop simply by fitting a few modifications to the cab. These are;
Swirly graphics on the side windows.
Having the bhp rating painted on the cab sides.
Painting the dashboard.
A white steering wheel.
A chrome badge with “Super” stuck on the grille.
An air duster hose dangling down infront of the drivers’ face.
It’s guaranteed that any Scania drivers’ complaints will disappear if the above advice is taken.
Source; Tang Wavers Association Trust.
Yes, what does the “super” mean? Can you also buy “man” or “Ted”?
James the cat:
Yes, what does the “super” mean? Can you also buy “man” or “Ted”?
I thought it was a Jim Bowen/Bullseye tribute. Think of Jim counting out the money pre adverts or talking to the contestants and saying “great, smashin, super.”
James the cat:
Yes, what does the “super” mean? Can you also buy “man” or “Ted”?
I thought it was a Jim Bowen/Bullseye tribute. Think of Jim counting out the money pre adverts or talking to the contestants and saying “great, smashin, super.”
Mm. The other theory I had was it was a statement to all on how their day was going. “Hi, yes thanks for asking, Super actually!” Type thing.
I put this idea to bed. Saw a nice big scanny in a truck stop. Owner inside so to explore my theory I had a sly tug on the “super” badge. It didn’t budge, so wasn’t velcro’d on. If it was a mood statement it would be Velcro’d on so you could attach the “terrible” or “stressed” badge. Mmm
I like the retro type face used. Tickles my artistic bone (there’s only one)
philgor:
iirc, the super badge was introduced when scania started to fit intercoolers.
Crazy swedes
“Hey Jan, it’s the cool 1970s. I’m stoned, have a nice blonde beard, I’m cool but I can’t think what we should stick on theee latest Scandia machine to show off our todally rad new intercooler design”?
"I don’t know Benny, “intercooler " doesn’t fit. Hey Bjorn. Any ideas.?”
“■■■■ it Jan, I’m sucking the teets off this blonde. Just stick “super” on the front. It’s so cool”
philgor:
iirc, the super badge was introduced when scania started to fit intercoolers.
Crazy swedes
“Hey Jan, it’s the cool 1970s. I’m stoned, have a nice blonde beard, I’m cool but I can’t think what we should stick on theee latest Scandia machine to show off our todally rad new intercooler design”?
"I don’t know Benny, “intercooler " doesn’t fit. Hey Bjorn. Any ideas.?”
“■■■■ it Jan, I’m sucking the teets off this blonde. Just stick “super” on the front. It’s so cool”
