Question
Does anyone know of any reports or studies on the poor quality of the air in the cab of a truck ?
I have almost always drove KW's and Pete's until 1994 when they put me in my first Freightliner conventional.
It seem like right away I started being stuffed up and congested all the time. Every bit of pollen along side the road would set my hay fever off big time. Feels like a constant head cold.
With the fresh air intake located under the windshield it seems like most of the air comes from under the hood.
Exhaust leaks, cooked oil and antifreeze leaks etc all being rammed right into the cab.
At least my old KW had the fresh air intake on the side.
One thing I have done is duct tape the fresh air vent closed. The cab is cleaner and not covered with dust all the time and my breathing is better.
Comments or help are welcome.
I am looking for a cause to why drivers seem to be so afflicted by sleep apnea,, do we all drive Freightliners ??
------------------
Keep-on-Trucking
Answer
Kw_Jams,
Has your unit been used to haul fiberglass insulation?
There was a study going on at one time somewhere in Mass at a university. It was between 1991 to 1993. I'll try and find the info. My husband was having problems in his KW and we narrowed it down to hauling Knauf fiberglass. It seems that even thro he didn't handled the product, the fibers were so airborne that it had worked it's way into the air ducts of his cab. The truck had to be completely rehab and that didn't help much, until he sold it and purchased a new one. He refused to even get around another plant and hasn't had any problems since, but doctors gave him a letter to give to co. he was leased to, that he had high reaction to fiberglass and was advised to stay away from it.
Answer
No, I am the only driver ever in it and all I haul is propane.
The constant smell of exhaust fumes in the cab from other vehicles, their hot brakes - anti freeze leaks etc.
I feel that it is poorly engineered where the vent is and if others are having problems maybe they will make needed changes.
Answer
I had the same problem in International day cabs. Fashoned a filter to place over the intake (held in place with cable ties), but if it works better, your idea seems more effective.
Answer
Ive been driving freightliners since Ive been driving(10yrs) I had no problem seems the truck is designed fairly well.I just started with A new company and got my first new KW.I think the truck is one of the worst riding and poorly designed trucks I have ever driven.Whats with the flat dash? I dont feel comfortable in this truck.
Answer
hibidr29,
Sorry to hear u don't like your KW, but if u ever need to work on wiring or need parts for it, you will see the difference! Also, u must have gotten a regular KW, as an O/O has alot different setup,like wrap around dash, LOS Bostrum seats, air ride cab and etc. Most companies have been getting the nice KW's dor driver comfort. Now you may have a T2000 and I've heard bad comments on that one.
I also think this post should be somewhere else. Adminstrator you may want to move these last 2 posts.