Rants about newer vehicles

[Blood]

WTH is up with 21rst century class 8 trucks that still use 1930's heat controls.

I once had a 1963 Coupe de ville (fish tail Cadillac) with climate control that allowed you to set the desired temperature.
I think it even had a split system for the passenger.

A damn truck 50 years newer has a slide control on it that keeps you hoping for somewhere between freezing ass cold and sweating your balls off.

 

[Tazz]

Thermoking used to have set temperature. The new ones are back do the dial deal. Yeah because setting it at 62 was way to friggin convenient

 

[Duck]

WTH is up with 21rst century class 8 trucks that still use 1930's heat controls.

I once had a 1963 Coupe de ville (fish tail Cadillac) with climate control that allowed you to set the desired temperature.
I think it even had a split system for the passenger.

A damn truck 50 years newer has a slide control on it that keeps you hoping for somewhere between freezing ass cold and sweating your balls off.

This Volvo I'm in has a pathetic Swedish attempt at temperature control. Turn the knob to the temp you want & select a fan speed or put it on Auto.

Works... Ok... Until you're driving in wet sloppy snow & need to keep heat on the windershield. It'll blow super-ultra-mega-****ing hot for about ten minutes & then start blowing luke warm and let the glass freeze up.

What pisses me off even more is the damn mirror heat won't stay on. Push the button & after 30 minutes or so, it turns off.

Don't they get snow & stuff in Sweden? Is Sweden not located further north than us? Shouldn't they know a thing or two about winter??

Maybe @Flemming Andersen knows some Swedish engineers and can slap them for me.

 

[mndriver]

Thermoking used to have set temperature. The new ones are back do the dial deal. Yeah because setting it at 62 was way to friggin convenient

To many company drivers messing with settings. Fleets asked for dial controls.

Honestly, I'd put them in my truck for a driver too.

 

[Tazz]

To many company drivers messing with settings. Fleets asked for dial controls.

Honestly, I'd put them in my truck for a driver too.

Yeah that makes sense

Or more likely the dial controls are cheaper than an LCD display so they use them to cut costs

 

[Blood]

Yeah that makes sense

Or more likely the dial controls are cheaper than an LCD display so they use them to cut costs

When electronics took firm root cruise control was a $99 option...
and a BUNCH of fleets wouldn't pop for the cost.
Nothing but an extra switch involved.


Makes me laugh whenever some numbnuts says, "If it were cost-effective all the fleets would be doing it."

 

[mndriver]

Yeah that makes sense

Or more likely the dial controls are cheaper than an LCD display so they use them to cut costs

I asked thermo-king Albert Lea mn about the dial controls on the tripac evolution.

Their explanation was drivers were screwing with settings and fleets wanted to lock them out. The digital him pad still will work and is used by the techs, but the drivers were locked out this way from messing with the programming.

Honestly, I don't blame them for wanting it. I've learned how to get in and change some setting and how they can benefit me. But I would never want a driver in there.

The digital panel is like $350. The dial panel is about $150.

 

[Tazz]

You can still hook a laptop or smartphone into the evolution.

 

[mndriver]

You can still hook a laptop or smartphone into the evolution.

Yes, but its not as direct and easy.

 

[Tazz]

I am still going with it is a cost thing. Like ya said the $200 difference makes it a no brainer.

 

[Tazz]

When electronics took firm root cruise control was a $99 option...
and a BUNCH of fleets wouldn't pop for the cost.
Nothing but an extra switch involved.


Makes me laugh whenever some numbnuts says, "If it were cost-effective all the fleets would be doing it."

It was about cost effective until they figured out it saved them more than the $99 bucks over the cycle of the vehicle.

Why spend the money if not to get a bigger return off of it.

Funny though I have a Buddy down in Florida when he got a truck with cruise control all he could do was brag to my Father about how cool his new toy was. Now he refuses to use it because "Ain't no damn computer gonna drive my truck"

He like many have quit this industry a few dozen times.

 

[Blood]

Yeah...
and a few started figuring out that driver satisfaction/comfort...
or merely being treated as something slightly better than an inanimate asset might have a slight correlation to something less than 200% turnover.

 

[Blood]

I've mentioned it here before but I'll never forget the time this May driver was on the payphone trying to get permission to idle.
Guy was trying to nap in his truck at the dock wearing a friggin hat, gloves & parka.
Permission denied!


I was loading a short haul and invited him to stretch out in my truck but he declined.
Said he was getting used to it.

That was 20-some years ago and to this day every time I see a May on the road my only thought is 'low-life sonsovitches!'.

 

[krelithous]

WTH is up with 21rst century class 8 trucks that still use 1930's heat controls.

I once had a 1963 Coupe de ville (fish tail Cadillac) with climate control that allowed you to set the desired temperature.
I think it even had a split system for the passenger.

A damn truck 50 years newer has a slide control on it that keeps you hoping for somewhere between freezing ass cold and sweating your balls off.

i know i can't for the life of me i can't figure out why they haven't put dual zone climate control in big rigs yet they have everything else

 

[mndriver]

Because there's more important things to address. Like no radio mounts or decent antenna systems.

 

[krelithous]

what's up with the new lexus and mercedes looking like a cheap ass hyundai on the inside

and what's up with the manufactures selling packages if i want GPS that doesn't mean i want heated seats. i live in commieforina heat is the last thing on my mind

 

[Tazz]

Because of an accident we had our trucks now blow the air horn in short blasts if you open the door without the parking brake set, it about made me fall out of the truck

 

[Crabmushrooms5]

Recalls, direct injection, can't purchase just a sunroof or just leather without having to pay for a "package" with other crap you don't want, 7+ gears, questionable styling, "suvs", "suvs" with plastic bumpers, cramped engine bays, electronic throttle, touchscreen infotainment that tie into hvac and car controls so you can't swap in aftermaket unit, overpriced, outsourced, blindspots, tiny mirrors, daytime running lights, GPS tracking capability, and much more

 

[krelithous]

I think his previous truck was a Freightshaker, so a Volvo is a big step up.

(Unless he's an O/O, then it's a step down..)

would never buy a frieghtshaker

 

[Crabmushrooms5]

power tailgates, dual zone ac, tiny third row seats, tiny cars, unequal protection for passengers, r1234yf freon, so much more