In the realm of trucking, there’s ongoing debate between long and standard wheelbase trucks, with many pondering the benefits of extending a standard truck’s axle to join the ranks of “long wheelbase” drivers in the U.S. Before making the switch, it’s wise to delve into this topic through informative resources like the video mentioned.
Long wheelbase trucks are characterized by an extended distance between their wheels, hence the term “long wheelbase.” This measurement typically spans from the midpoint of the front axle to the midpoint between the drive axles. As trailers grew in size, so did trucks, starting from 35 feet and gradually stretching to 40 feet and beyond. However, as trailers elongated, the tractors had to shrink to maintain the overall truck and trailer length of 55 feet. Eventually, truck length regulations were revised, focusing solely on trailer measurements since the 1970s. This shift led to the emergence of long-wheelbase trucks, offering enhanced driver comfort despite some imperfections.
