Only honest trucks in the Netherlands
In America (or actually: in the image we have of America) they drive almost nothing else, and you never see them here: the trucks with a longer nose, also called torpedo front or torpedoneus. In the Netherlands and actually throughout Europe, the so-called front steering models are clearly preferred. But why actually? Why do you almost never see trucks with a long nose here?
The reason for this is very simple. According to European rules, a truck combination may not be longer than 18.75 meters. And if the nose of a truck is shorter, you can use a longer trailer. This way you can transport more with the same truck. The advantages of such a front steering wheel (or cab-over) are a shorter turning circle and better overview. The disadvantages: reduced safety and less storage space in the cabin.
There are torpedo front models in the Netherlands
A truck may weigh a maximum of 50 tons. If a load is very heavy, for example with some tankers, you are more concerned with the permitted weight than with the length. In those cases, you can opt for a torpedone nose. Circus Renz also drove torpedo noses. And perhaps the most famous of all – you can see it above – also drove through the Netherlands.
The future of the front steering truck
If all goes well, trucks will be allowed to be 90 centimeters longer than before from September this year. This extra length allows truck manufacturers to design a more pointed nose, which would be better for aerodynamics but also for safety. With a rounder cabin there would be more overview, there is more space for a crumple zone and more protection for a possible battery pack.
