Have you ever thought about why the tractors in America simply look much nicer than in Germany? Not only do the “truckers” drive down the highway with polished chrome strips and flashing accessories, the mentality of truck drivers in America generally seems to be different. The most striking distinguishing feature, however, is the long snout, which is why the term “long-hooded” has become established.

In the film “Didi auf Touren” Dieter Hallervorden passed his exciting truck driving test in 1986 and has since then been a “truck driver” who is supposed to drive used oil drums around the area. Although the film had its typical “Didi” charm, it was nowhere near as cool as Bruce Willis, who escapes from the fighter jet in a truck in “Die Hard 4.0”.

The great advantages of long schnauzers

Above all, truckers agree that a longer hood automatically creates a feeling of greater safety due to the additional crumple zone. In addition, the engines and important components are easier to access for repairs. Even more important: If you're on tour sometimes for weeks, you need space. A Long Schnauzer offers this opportunity because the interior is almost as spacious as a caravan. The so-called cab-over vehicles have none of these advantages, especially the “tilting” of the entire cab during maintenance and repairs makes the permanently installed coffee machine almost impossible.

There have also been long schnauzers in Germany

Until the 1950s, long-hooded vehicles were also quite often seen means of transport on the roads in our country. However, one day the then Transport Minister Hans-Christoph Seebohm came up with the changing idea that trucks could only be a maximum of 15 meters long and only weigh a maximum of 24 tons. This regulation meant that the manufacturers of trucks for the German market had to come up with something - the reduction took place first and foremost on the hood so as not to have to save on the loading area. The United States of America also has certain regulations regarding length - but these only apply to the semi-trailer and not the tractor.

The front-wheel drive came and prevailed

Even though the drivers now had to sit on the hot engines and no longer felt so safe due to the lack of a crumple zone, the front control vehicle found its way into Germany and Europe. Little by little, a few advantages of using the new tractors became apparent: without long hoods, the trucks were clear and much more comfortable and maneuverable. In addition, the means of transport can now be 18.75 meters long and weigh 40 tons - combined with the good handling, these are enough reasons for many European companies not to change anything in the existing fleet.

Russia also likes “long snouts”

Long-hooded vehicles have been very popular in Russia since the early 2000s and were imported en masse from the United States to use the wide roads to distribute goods and goods, mainly from the Moscow region, across the country. In the meantime, front-wheel drive vehicles have also gained the upper hand here. What is already part of everyday life in Germany is still completely unacceptable for most drivers in Russia: women are not officially allowed to drive trucks in Russia. However, many resourceful transport companies know how to circumvent this law from Soviet times.

Truck tuning and April Fools' jokes

It's certainly not a cheap solution, but if you still like hoods up to two meters long, you can have them transplanted to your Scania truck. The company Vlastuin Truck & Trailservice converts the normal cab-over vehicles for the right savings account assets. Not only the converter notices that the need is there, but also the Eurotransport portal. came up with a little April Fool's joke on the topic back in 2016 , which was very well received.

All jokes aside: Is a comeback of the long-hooded hawks possible in Europe?

The EU Directive 96/53, which comes into force on September 1, 2020, allows manufacturers at least 90 centimeters of flexibility in making the cabin longer. How this space can be used efficiently is currently only a matter of speculation; a toilet on board is just as conceivable as a shower or use for alternative engines with lower CO₂ emissions. However, it will probably result in rounded cabins, as the Verkehrsrundschau suspects.

There is a lot going on in the production of trucks, both in terms of design and space. Anyone interested in logistics will be curious to see how the appearance of vans on the roads will change in the long term. One thing is certain, however: Optimus Prime probably won't be there right away...