I reckon a lot more can be done with the design of the living space on modern trucks.
Given that the vast majority of trucks are driven by one driver and also a great deal of us do self catering,why don’t they design a truck that has one good size bed that raises up to the roof ( with bedding on ) when not in use.
But when raised the space underneath could be used as a day area with a table and a kitchen area that could have a couple of gas rings a small sink a cupboard could hold a 25 litre water container that could be strapped in for when cab tilting And to stop it coming out in an emergency ect.
I just think with a bit of imagination the space could be used a lot better than at present.
I was looking at a new motorhome recently, made by a co called bailey,it had a double bed above a Pullman type table and seats and when needed lowered down onto the table.
I just think that kind of thinking needs applying to truck design.
Any thoughts?
I sure more could be done, some of the reason for not doing it must money, most trucks are bought or leased by big fleets, where accountants make the decision.
Although I do think some of you ideas have been tried, wasn’t there a version of the Magnum with where the bed area could be converted into a dinning table and 2 seats. I believe the fist Globetrotter could be fitted with a stove and sink in the middle on the engine hump. The new FH can be fitted with a large water container in its own cubby hole and there was a thing for single ocupency cabs a few yeas back where the removed the passenger seat to create more space.
I think the bunk space could be modified to make a storage area on (day)tipper cabs. A nice large toolbox with loads of clips/hooks etc to store ppe, wet dirty overalls, gloves, boots, towing eye and sling etc. If I could spec my next truck I’d have an FMX sleeper and pull out the bunk. The ideal tipper cab, loads of storage and no nights away.
Didn’t F88 / 89’s have a kitchen pack option?
Looks like the F12 did too;
Although I do think some of you ideas have been tried, wasn’t there a version of the Magnum with where the bed area could be converted into a dinning table and 2 seats…
Iveco did it with the Stralis as well, along with the revolving passenger seat.
I agree completely. The firm I work for has five vehicles, 2x Daf, MAN, , Iveco and Volvo. It’s only in the Iveco where one can comfortably make a sandwich, even! The worst is the MAN, which has a huge cab but there is nowhere flat to actually put anything apart from the floor. The Daf has a cab that approaches being usable, for example the centre cupboard above the windscreen takes a microwave easily but it still lacks somewhere to cut slices off a loaf! Almost all of the trucks I see on long haul work sport some kind of aftermarket table or tables, they are so ubiquitous that one would have thought that the manufacturers would by now at least realised that it could be worth their starting to put at least some effort into making useable cab interior designs.
muckles:
Although I do think some of you ideas have been tried, wasn’t there a version of the Magnum with where the bed area could be converted into a dinning table and 2 seats.
Yes, and it was great. I had one when I was tramping for CFT out of Rochdale and it was a fabulous truck in every respect. I used the top bunk to sleep on - it remained permanently made up and folded out of the way agaionst the ceiling when not in use - and the lower bunk as my lounge area. It was very comfortable to live in (probably more room in there than there was in the flat I rented at the time!), had great cab accessibility with the steps behind the front wheels and was great to drive with fantastic visibility everywhere thanks to the enormous windscreen. I loved that thing. The only mystery is why the rest of the truck manufacturing industry didn’t immediately follow in Renault’s footsteps and start building more trucks like the Magnum.
muckles wrote:Although I do think some of you ideas have been tried, wasn’t there a version of the Magnum with where the bed area could be converted into a dinning table and 2 seats.
Volvo did it as well, i had a 52 reg FH 500 left ■■■■■■ with exactly the same set up, i think it was called the office pack? It really made the cab seem a lot bigger when being weekended over the water.
Derf:
Didn’t F88 / 89’s have a kitchen pack option?Looks like the F12 did too;
Pfwaar, hot pants!!
New Actros single occupancy cab
Only available in left hand drive though, was also an option on LHD MP2 and MP3.
muckles:
most trucks are bought or leased by big fleets, where accountants make the decision.
Precisely, the accountant, your boss & the manufacturer don’t give a zb about you & the ‘luxuries’ you want…
Pimpdaddy:
muckles:
most trucks are bought or leased by big fleets, where accountants make the decision.Precisely, the accountant, your boss & the manufacturer don’t give a zb about you & the ‘luxuries’ you want…
Not just the big fleets.
Muckaway:
Not just the big fleets.
Ok so small/medium fleets too? Why should the manufacturers bother if there’s little or no demand?
Your right there could be some fantastic design options, but as it is obvious on this thread already everyone has a different opinion of what they want. So what are we going to get, who’s version, something that might seem obvious to me, could seem useless and inappropriate to someone else. I certainly don’t want a bunk that converts into table and chairs in my truck. And what happens when I’m out tramping for three weeks and the table and chairs mechanism brakes on the first day, where do I sleep then?
Jeff…
Pimpdaddy:
Muckaway:
Not just the big fleets.Ok so small/medium fleets too? Why should the manufacturers bother if there’s little or no demand?
I suppose so.
I can’t help wondering if there is a business opportunity for someone to manufacturer some kind of aftermarket conversion.
I remember seeing one before in an actros,but it looked expensive,as it looked to be made of plastic and was quite flash.
There are a lot of people converting panel vans into campers with mdf and chipboard.
I’m quite willing to donate my truck for two or three weeks, but, it would be a challenge,as it a version 2 globetrotter XL
zippo:
Pimpdaddy:
Muckaway:
Not just the big fleets.Ok so small/medium fleets too? Why should the manufacturers bother if there’s little or no demand?
I suppose so.
I can’t help wondering if there is a business opportunity for someone to manufacturer some kind of aftermarket conversion.
I remember seeing one before in an actros,but it looked expensive,as it looked to be made of plastic and was quite flash.
There are a lot of people converting panel vans into campers with mdf and chipboard.
I’m quite willing to donate my truck for two or three weeks, but, it would be a challenge,as it a version 2 globetrotter XL
Again I think this has been done I’m sure there was a Dutch company that used to build rear lockers for trucks and I’m sure many coachbuilder could do something given the time and money or even a company that builds camper vans.
zippo:
I can’t help wondering if there is a business opportunity for someone to manufacturer some kind of aftermarket conversion.
Im sure there are & they aren’t cheap… Can’t see the boss letting you do anything major to your motor either…
Pimpdaddy:
zippo:
I can’t help wondering if there is a business opportunity for someone to manufacturer some kind of aftermarket conversion.Im sure there are & they aren’t cheap… Can’t see the boss letting you do anything major to your motor either…
That’s ok,it’s the wife.
I shall just do it,the first thing she would know would be when the invoice pops through the door.
Anyway,this is what started my admittedly pointless daydream.
muckles:
Again I think this has been done I’m sure there was a Dutch company that used to build rear lockers for trucks and I’m sure many coachbuilder could do something given the time and money or even a company that builds camper vans.
benscabinemeubels.nl/en/
ive had a couple of motors with them in and they are brilliant.
kindle530:
muckles:
Again I think this has been done I’m sure there was a Dutch company that used to build rear lockers for trucks and I’m sure many coachbuilder could do something given the time and money or even a company that builds camper vans.benscabinemeubels.nl/en/
ive had a couple of motors with them in and they are brilliant.
I pleased you keep finding these links and pictures, stops me thinking I must have dreamed these things up. 