Cab design plays role in truck selection: Material choice, mounting systems and ergonomics differentiate Class 7 and 8 cabs

摘要

Construction applications place unique loads and stresses on truck cabs. To withstand this environment, the cabs must be based on a robust design. But weight and ease of repair are also key issues - reduced weight equates to increased payload, and trucks used in this environment are subject to crash damage. Two of the most common materials used in vocational cab construction are steel and aluminum. "For the most part, steel seems to be the preferred cab for the construction industry," says Bill Sixsmith, director of marketing, severe vehicle service center, International Truck and Engine Corp. But the proper choice for your application really depends on which tradeoffs better suit your needs. "Aluminum has two primary attributes - it is weight efficient and can be more corrosion resistant," says Jim Crowcroft, manager of product marketing. Sterling Truck Corp. and Western Star Trucks. "Steel has the attributes of being a little more robust and a little stronger, and it is also lower cost."