Counting cabovers at Mid America 2016

Back in the day, cab-over-engine (COE) or "cabover" tractor designs served as the mainstay of the freight hauling industry. Yet they were eventually supplanted by the "West Coast" conventional "long nose" design as the longer wheelbase of conventional tractors allowed weight to be diffused over more axles, thus lessening the impact of tractor-trailers on roadway surfaces. By the 1980s the cabover began to disappear at a rapid clip. Today, COEs only thrive in a few freight niches in the U.S., usually where space and/or a short wheelbase is at a premium.

Sean Kilcarr

April 5, 2016

Back in the day, cab-over-engine (COE) or "cabover" tractor designs served as the mainstay of the freight hauling industry. Yet they were eventually supplanted by the "West Coast" conventional "long nose" design as the longer wheelbase of conventional tractors allowed weight to be diffused more widely, thus lessening the impact of tractor-trailers on roadway surfaces. By the 1980s the cabover began to disappear at a rapid clip. Today, COEs only thrive in a few freight niches in the U.S., usually where space and/or a short wheelbase is at a premium. (All photos by Sean Kilcarr/Fleet Owner)

About the Author

Sean Kilcarr

Editor in Chief

Sean Kilcarr is a former longtime FleetOwner senior editor who wrote for the publication from 2000 to 2018. He served as editor-in-chief from 2017 to 2018.